First 5 Garden of Wonder and Discovery

LIAT AND OLIVER SCHURMANN

Garden Sponsor

About the Garden - Large Show Garden

The First 5 Garden of Wonder and Discovery highlights how children benefit from outdoor play in the natural world. It evokes the magical atmosphere of an untouched woodland, incorporating a network of winding paths and bridges over a glistening stream.

The garden’s entrance is framed by arching willow structures, while large beech and hornbeam trees form a natural canopy that filters sunlight throughout the garden. The main path splits in three directions, bringing children on an adventure as they skip past waterfalls, run over bridges, and climb through a willow tunnel to an open play area. Twigs, willow canes, stones, and sand are laid out throughout the garden, inviting children to experiment and be creative in their play.

The garden is sponsored by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth as part of the First 5 strategy to improve the lives of babies, young children, and their families.

About the Designers

Designers Information

Liat and Oliver Schurmann trained in a specialist nursery in Germany. In 1999, the couple moved back to Ireland with their children to set up the highly regarded Mount Venus Nursery in the foothills of the Dublin Mountains.

Liat and Oliver are passionate about designing show gardens for Bord Bia Bloom and the RHS. They have won numerous awards for their cutting-edge designs which are influenced by the continental approach to functional garden design. This is their eleventh show garden at Bord Bia Bloom.