Adding some native plants is one of the most powerful things you can do for your garden's wildlife. These six Irish wildflowers are among my favourites. Each one beautiful, ecologically valuable, and the seed is available through Irish stockists. Whether you have space for sprawling meadows or a small suburban garden, sowing these six wildflowers...
If you have an area in your park, garden, or green space in Cork that floods in winter and dries out in summer, you may have an ephemeral pond. Ephemeral ponds, also called seasonal or vernal ponds, are shallow depressions that hold water for weeks or months in winter before drying out completely in the warmer months. They can appear...
Cork has 5.5 months of wind, with January being the most windy month. We tend to have prevailing south-westerly winds, and as much as wind is a crucial part of weather systems, it can make our outdoor spaces feel uncomfortable, erode soil, and increase the need to water. Windbreak systems that work with the Irish climate using native trees and...
When people think of yew, they often picture dark, clipped hedges in old churchyards or formal gardens. But Taxus baccata, our native Irish yew, is a far more interesting — and ecologically valuable — plant than it's often given credit for. In the right setting, yew can be one of the most resilient, long-lived and wildlife-friendly trees or shrubs...
Built across hills and valleys, Cork's topography gives it enormous character — and as a result, slopes. Steep rear gardens, sharply sloped front boundaries and tiered side access are all part of the Cork gardening experience. Rather than treating these gradients as awkward features, they can become one of the most dynamic and visually compelling...
When it comes to enhancing the beauty and structure of a garden design, few materials rival the charm and durability of natural stone. My appreciation for natural stone is rooted in a simple phrase: 'I know what I like.' This sentiment echoes the words of the esteemed landscape designer Piet Oudolf, who when asked to define his style, replied with...
Garden design for a rural garden has to be dictated by working with the natural landscape rather than against it. It's much nicer to see a more naturalistic garden design in a rural setting. The starting point is to observe existing views, slopes, mature trees and wildlife corridors, then plan paths, seating areas and planting that enhance these...
