Award Winning Show Garden

This Dublin show garden won a Silver-Gilt Medal & ‘Best in Category for Small Garden’ at Bloom 2018. The theme was of a woodland garden, designed around one of our own, ‘Dr. Seuss’ inspired, bespoke treehouses, with a naturalised stream running through the site. This is a garden for all ages, with the outdoor seating, stream and lush planting providing a calm back-to-nature retreat for adults; while the treehouse with split level decks and a rope bridge, provides a magical space for children to explore. The stream appears to be sourced through a (mirror backed) brick culvert set into the existing stone wall. The whole design is laid out to provide a calm garden with a gradual and indirect approach to the treehouse.

Woodland show garden with a naturalized water feature and bespoke treehouse.

Bespoke Design

The hard landscaping in the garden primarily uses a combination of timber and natural stone with yellow brickwork to the stream culvert. The soft warm tones of the timber decks, rope bridge, cladding and cedar roof shingles work comfortably in any weather and with Irish light levels. The yellow brickwork of the archway links well with the existing wall. The large rocks to the stream and surrounds visually anchor the garden in the slope and give a sense of permanence and longevity to the design.

Bespoke treehouse design based in Dublin.

Water garden design with woodland theme.

Enchanted woodland garden design with soft layering of plants and strong architectural elements to the garden & treehouse.

Show Garden Plan

Working with an existing stone wall, wooden decking, a stream and woodland planting the garden design provides textural interest, while the architectural lines and height of the treehouse give an added sense of drama to the space.

The different levels in the enchanted garden create a great sense of space and movement in a small setting.

The drawing of this woodland garden plan includes structure, planting and a naturalized water feature.

Woodland Garden Planting

Rather than focusing on floral colour the planting primarily uses a combination of form and texture to enhance the dramatic structure of the garden. Plan Eden’s choice of trees and bamboo provide strong verticals to the garden while filtering views of the treehouse and drawing in the viewer. The tree ferns provide drama and tie in with the pallet of shade tolerant ferns, foxgloves, geraniums and other perennials. This combination of planting is calming to the eye and compliments the custom wooden bench seating which is built around an oak. The tree canopy provides dappled light adding to the relaxing atmosphere in the garden.

Wooden stairs lead you to a custom-built bench, on route to a beautifully designed treehouse, all within a small garden space.

The bespoke seating area creates an excellent contemplative space among the lush planting.

Water and Lighting Design

The naturalized water feature adds movement and calm sound to the garden, its reflective qualities also add light to the garden. Natural light diffuses through the various shaped windows amply filling the interior of the treehouse. A blend of garden lighting techniques is used to dramatize the structural features of the treehouse and planting at night, adding a sense of magic and intrigue.

Light filled stream in this Dublin water garden design.

Dramatic lighting effects in a magical woodland design.

Hard wood framed window in a Dublin show garden treehouse.