Themes of sustainable gardening and ‘growing your own’ have attracted large numbers to this year’s Bloom festival, as visitors take advantage of fine weather and all things green.
Now in its fourth year, the Phoenix Park event has established itself on the festival calendar. While often compared with the Chelsea Flower Show, Bloom has described itself as a more family orientated event with free admission for children.
With an added allure of realism, visitors can identify with practical designs, pick up tips from accessible designers for their own perfect garden or just wonder aimlessly through the various pavilions and nursery gardens.
Organisers are hoping for attendance numbers to surpass previous years this weekend.
Avid gardeners John and Patty Holland, have visited both the Chelsea Flower Show and Bloom in previous years and feel that the latter has developed its own brand that appeals to a wider audience than its British equivalent.
“In the short period of time Bloom has been running it keeps improving,” Mrs Holland said. “It includes children by showing them how to plant and care for plants which is really very impressive.”
Mr Holland said there has been a big push in recent years for people to grow their own vegetables and get their fingers dirty. “It’s nice to see everybody going back to basics now and putting their own bread on the table,” he said.
Sure to catch the eye is the winning design of RTÉ’s Super Garden competition, which incorporates ducks, a scarecrow and a vegetable plot within the setting of a small suburban back garden.
Amateur gardener James McConnell has attracted crowds of visitors eager to see his unique award-winning design, which he has re-created at the show, albeit on a slightly smaller scale.
“People have been charmed by the garden and especially by the ducks. I’m a completely self taught gardener, often the best gardeners are the ones who try to do things for themselves by trial and error,” he said.
Those attending Bloom this weekend can expect to see 24 professionally designed gardens including, amongst others, gold medal designs by Jane McCorkell and Colm Doyle of Doylescapes.
The latter has been awarded consecutive gold medals for his designs. This year’s entry is aptly named 'Gin and Tonic' because “it’s a space where you can relax and enjoy a drink,” Mr Doyle said.
“We had three guys building our garden for three weeks before the start of the festival so a lot of hard work has gone into it. Bloom has been fantastic this year and all our hard work has been completely worthwhile.”