Record number of gold medals for show gardens at heart of Bord Bia’s horticultural showcase!
As the gates open for the 13th annual Bloom festival in the Phoenix Park this morning, Bord Bia announced that the highest-ever number of gold medals had been awarded to the show gardens at the heart of the event. A total of 11 gold medals were presented to show garden designers and the overall show garden award went to Dublin-based garden and landscape designer, Alan Rudden, for his Argentinian themed Vina Doña Paula – A Matter of Altitude show garden.
Green Swell
This year’s event, which will be officially opened by Bloom Patron, President of Ireland Michael D. Higgins this morning at 11am, reflects the groundswell of national support towards living more sustainably in order to address the issue of climate change. From show gardens highlighting water conservation, the damage of plastics pollution in our oceans and the importance of pollinator and bee-friendly plants; to the community postcard gardens which encourage attendees to reduce plastic waste, recycle and grow their own food; and the Bord Bia Food Village and impressive horticultural displays, talks on the impact of climate change on the food industry and a range of new food and drink product launches with a green twist.
Gold Rush
The show gardens were rigorously inspected by a team of seven independent expert judges over the last two days before the medals were presented to the show garden judges this morning.
Speaking about the awards, Gary Graham, Bloom Manager, Bord Bia, said, “We are thrilled to announce a record 11 gold medals for this year’s Bloom show gardens. Bloom is a showcase for the best of what the Irish horticultural industry has to offer and this result proves that our show garden designers are up there with some of the best in the world when it comes to their skill, attention to detail and creative flair. The delivery of these spectacular spaces takes an immense amount of hard work and dedication over months, if not years, and we are incredibly proud of what our garden designers have achieved here today.”
Show Garden Winners
Today’s best large garden award for Alan Rudden brings his total to six gold medals achieved at Bloom over the last ten years. In addition, Alan’s garden was selected by his peers to receive the coveted Designers Choice award. Alan also just last year received a gold medalat Hampton Court, London along with the Best in Show, Best Show Planting prizes and Best World Garden.
Alan’s garden for Doña Paula (Santa Rita) was inspired by a recent visit to Mendoza, Argentina which is reflected in the sprawling landscape and the contrast between the lower altitude, urban social life of the city and the higher altitude, more rural, open landscape where Doña Paula’s vines are grown. The garden boasts a semi-covered entertaining and cooking area where you can enjoy an Argentinian ‘asado’ (outdoor gathering of friends) and a pathway that represents the higher altitude vineyards of Mendoza.
In addition to the overall large garden category winner, the overall medium sized garden award went to Belfast garden designer Linda McKeown for the Enable Ireland’s Diversity Garden and the overall small sized garden medal was awarded to VTOS Horticulture Cabra Community College for Tóg go Bog é (Take it Easy). The Best Concept Garden award went to Bord Iascaigh Mhara's (BIM) Aqua Marine Garden designed by Oliver and Liat Schurmannand Best Planting was awarded to Maeve O’Neill for the ‘Grounded’ Growing Conversations Around Mental Illnessgarden.
Nursery and Floral Pavilion Awards
The Best in Show Nursery Award went to Boyne Garden Centre, Slane Co. Meath for its impressive display in the Nursery and Floral Pavilion.
Postcard Gardens
Sponsored by FBD Insurance, Bloom also hosts fourteen small but perfectly formed postcard gardens which were also judged. In this amateur postcard garden category, Longford Town Guild Irish Countrywomen’s Association garden called ‘Fork to Fork’ won best in category.
Floral Art
In the AOIFA Floral Art competition Ann Clifford from Doddervale Flower Club, Dublin received the overall prize for her ‘Streamlined’ class entry; Nicola Lynch Morrin from Kildare received the overall floral art award and Siobhan Larkin from Dublin received the overall botanical art award.
Bloom 2019
Bloom continues in the Phoenix Park, Dublin until Monday 3rd June 2019. In addition to the stunning gardens, the event offers the following family friendly activities:
- Bord Bia’s Food Village - bursting with more than 100 Irish food and drink exhibitors the Food Village will feature many new companies and new products at the event. In addition, the hugely popular Bord Bia Quality Kitchen stage will feature leading chefs including Neven Maguire, Rory O’Connell and Catherine Fulvio, among other
- Bloom Inn – Reflecting the buoyance of the Irish drinks industry, the Bloom Inn features 27 Irish drink producers including three brand new distilleries and a vibrant new group of breweries.
- Live Talks & Demonstrations – From gardening and GIY to food, fashion, floral art, craft and cookery displays, Bloom will host more than 100 live talks, demonstrations and advice clinics for visitors.
- Live Music –Music education and festival company "YouBloom" will bring lots of exciting new and unsigned music to perform at Bloom. The main stage will feature a range of musicians from the pop infused energy of Rêves to the uplifting country rock from Jamie Stanton, the charming Garda Band and Dancing with the Stars 2018 winner Jake Carter!
- Fashion Stage - The Bloom catwalk returns with Debenhams showcasing looks for summer 2019 from designers including Jenny Packham, Richard Quinn and Savannah Miller and Jasper Conran. The Debenhams Style Clinic will also offer style advice and tips.
- Food Dudes Kids Zone - the Food Dudes Play Zone will host Playstival, Cool Food School, Margaret’s Fun on the Farm and a host of other child-centred features and activities including the kids stage, sure to keep little ones of all sizes entertained.
- Irish Craft Village presented by the Design & Crafts Council of Irelandwill feature leading Irish craft markers and host craft workshops, live demonstrations and interactive installations throughout the event.