Bloom, Ireland's largest and most spectacular gardening showcase, hosted by Bord Bia, today awarded excellence and creativity to Ireland's high calibre of garden designers. Paul Martin's "Dragonflies and Flutterbies" won overall in the Large Gardens Category in the inaugural showcase event, Bloom.
Judging for Bloom took place in the Phoenix Park over several days and the international judges were impressed at the exceptionally high standard of entries and the high standard of finish of the gardens. The 30 stunning show gardens displayed clean contemporary themes with many returning to the growth of fruit and vegetables. Water features in many guises also appeared in a large number of the gardens.
Fiann Ó Nualláin's,"Resistance is Everything" garden scooped the overall winners prize in the Medium Size Garden category. Best Small Garden was awarded to Gerard Mullen for his garden"Inner Space" and the Engaging Spaces Award went to the"Infinity" garden by Oliver and Liat Schurmann.
Gold medal winners, with their midas touch, were Elma Fenton for her"Harmony with Nature" Garden (Dublin), Paul Martin for"Dragonflies and Flutterbies" (Dundalk), Jane McCorkell for the"Keelings Naturally Fresh Show Garden" (Meath), Sheena Vernon for her"Kelloggs Wake up to Breakfast" Patio Garden (Dublin) and Gerard Mullen for"Inner Space" (Waterford).
"Having looked at every one of these gardens in detail, I have been struck by the number of creative elements. Designers are really thinking about sustainability, environmental considerations and the origins of the materials they use. There is a real sense of care at this show and a great feeling of forward thinking. The creative use of materials will thrill the enthusiast and novice alike" commented Andrew Wilson, Bloom Judging Panel.
"For a show in its first year, Bloom looks set to be a very rewarding experience for everyone. There is so much to see and do and with gardens of such a high standard there are so many ideas to take home" added Gary Graham, Bloom Project Manager, Bord Bia.
With 110 exhibitors, 30 stunning show gardens and 50 vibrant floral and planting displays, Bloom is guaranteed to be a world class gardening experience in a fun and family orientated environment.
This 4 day showcase will also include daily entertainment; creative workshops, exquisite sculpture displays; outdoor food markets; a variety of specialty garden retail exhibits; a family ‘fun learning zone', live bee demonstrations, a 25m2 maze and Ireland's largest ever nursery and floral display.
Tickets are available daily onsite and for further information, log onto www.bloominthepark.com. Bloom 2007 takes place in the Phoenix Park, Dublin, from Friday June 1st to Monday June 4th 2007.
Please see attached the full list of award winners at Bloom 2007
Bloom Gold Medal Winners
Elma Fenton -"Harmony with Nature" Garden
Paul Martin -"Dragonflies and Flutterbies" Garden
Jane McCorkell -"Keelings Naturally Fresh Show Garden"
Sheena Vernon -"Kelloggs Wake up to Breakfast" Patio Garden
Gerard Mullen -"Inner Space"
Bloom Silver Gilt Winners
Oliver and Liat Schurmann -"Infinity" Garden
Fiann O Nuallain -"Resistance is Everything" Garden
Susan Maxwell -"Oasis" Garden
Bloom Silver Medal Winners
Barry Lupton -"Agraria" Garden
Peter Donegan -"No Rubber Soul" Garden
Brian O' Hara -"Outspace" Garden
Bernadette Doran -"Memory" Garden
Simon Williams -"Bed of Roses" Garden
Anne Kennedy -"Wirestring Quartet" Garden
Gerry Dooley and Paul Martin -"Orchard Home and Garden"
Gwen Reil -"Rooftop Retreat"
Sinead Finn -"Haven Retreat"
Bloom Bronze Garden Winners
Stephen Dennis -"The Berlin Wall" Garden
Liz Houchin -"What's in a Name" Garden
Anthony Ryan -"Glasshouse Effect" Garden
Rachel Doyle -"Absolute" Garden
Naomi Coad and Miriam Matthews -"Baltic to Burren" Garden
Paul Cox -"The Garden That Nobody Saw"