Take an outdoor shower while your plants water themselves. Eoin Lyons on new garden gadgets
FOR THE BALCONY
Amanda Kealy Baker (top) imports boxes from Scandinavia that are designed to hang from balconies (on the outside where they don't take up precious space) and involve minimum upkeep - they have a self-watering facility. An integrated water reservoir allows plants to absorb water as they need it: the roots of plants do not sit in water and a gauge indicates when the water reservoir needs topping up. The boxes aren't expensive - different styles and colours are available at prices from €14 to €20. Order from www.amanda ontheveranda.ie or by calling 086-9891694.
BACK TO NATURE
Take a shower outside beneath this steel "tree" (middle) available at Galleria shops in Dublin and Galway. It works by attaching an ordinary garden hose to the base. At €2,165 it's expensive . . . but fun. Also at Galleria and from the same German manufacturer are glamorous glossy black flower boxes and clean-lined garden furniture. Galleria is the place to call to have your garden fitted with outdoor lights and wired for sound - ask about a remote-control device that lets you operate everything from your car. Galleria, South William Street, Dublin (01-6744736); Briar Hill Business Park, Galway (091-764546)
PRECIOUS STONE
Ed Coveney (bottom) is one person to call for walls, follies, entrances or other garden focal points - as long as they're made of stone. After a stint working as florist for Elton John, Coveney trained as a stonemason in Co Down. He uses traditional techniques, working only with hammers and chisels. This rejection of modern cutting equipment results in a softer, more aged quality to the indigenous stone, which is hand-picked from quarries. Coveney's projects for wealthy clients include this wall in the garden of a Palladian-style house near the Burlington Hotel. He has also worked on architectural restoration projects for the National Trust in Northern Ireland. Design and consultation for garden stonework has become a big interest for him, in particular the erection of standing stones: large monoliths of stone into whose cracks Coveney pours bronze to create dramatic sculptures. www.edcoveney.com (087-2391445)