The Plant Lovers' Garden

Designer: Patricia Tyrrell

Computer generated image of The Plant Lovers' Garden by designer Patricia Tyrrell
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About the garden

Plant Lovers' Garden

This south-east facing garden features an abundant display of flowers and will suit any location that enjoys good sunshine. 

‘The design of this garden is quite natural,’ says garden designer, Patricia Tyrrell. ‘It has been inspired by meadows with lots of flowers and grasses. I like to feel like I am enclosed in the plants in my garden so here I have brought the planting quite close to the house.’ Patricia has kept the hard landscaping in this scheme simple, allowing the plants to be the main attraction. The patio closest to the house includes a built-in bench – ‘the ideal spot for morning coffee’ – while the centre of the garden features space for a table and chairs alongside a second built-in bench and barbecue. The garden has been designed to give enjoyment throughout the year. ‘I pride myself on creating gardens that always have something of interest and there is always something new coming in here,’ says Patricia.  

Headshot of Designer Patricia Tyrrell

Patricia Tyrrell

Patricia Tyrrell, MGLDA, is a Landscape Architect, garden designer and horticulturist. She seeks to create landscapes that are not just beautiful, but contribute positively to the environment. Patricia has won two Gold Medals and a best in category award at Bord Bia Bloom.

Diagram of a south-east-facing garden showing the path of sunlight throughout the day. A compass indicates directions (N for North, S for South, E for East, W for West), with sunlight represented as morning in the east, mid-day in the south, and evening in the west.

The Plant Lovers Garden

  • Back of the house is South East Facing
  • 15 x 9m plot
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Garden Designer Tips

Patricia’s tips for creating a natural garden.

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Pruning

The shrubs in this garden shouldn’t need pruning. Leave the seed heads on the perennials and grasses over winter as they will sustain the wildlife. February is a good time to cut these back. 

Weeding

This garden is relatively low maintenance. Do some weeding in early spring, again in April/May which is the big growth period, and a final tidy in autumn. 

Lawn

For a really wild look this lawn could be a wildflower meadow.

Hero plant 1: Osmanthus delavayi

A slow-growing medium-sized evergreen shrub with rounded dark green leaves, carrying hundreds of highly scented white flowers in spring. Position: Full sun. Height: 2.5-4 metres Spread: 2.5-4 metres

Hero plant 2: Stipa gigantea

Also known as Golden Oats, this is a is a robust, evergreen grass with arching green leaves and large panicles of oat-like, purplish flowers which ripen to gold. Position: Full sun. Height: 1.5-2.5 metres Spread: 0.5-1 metres.

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PDF 3.8MB Plant Lovers Garden - Garden Information Pack PDF 3.8MB Plant Lovers Garden - Focus Border Pack PDF 3.8MB Plant Lovers Garden - Plant List

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