Easy Steps to Dream Gardens

Easy Steps to Dream Gardens is an initiative designed to help you plant your own show garden at home. Bord Bia has worked with seven Bloom award-winning show garden designers to create garden designs that are suited to a range of different locations. Each garden design in the series comes with an easy-to-follow planting plan and detailed planting list that can be implemented in your garden according to your available time, space and budget.

Explore Designs

Virtual bloom 2021

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  • Diagram of a north-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), and the sunlight is represented as morning in the east, mid-day in the south, and evening in the west.
  • Diagram of a south-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.
  • 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.
  • Diagram of a south-west-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 south-east, mid-day in the south, and evening in the west.
  • Diagram of an 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.
  • Diagram of a west-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.
  • Diagram of an east-facing garden (alternate layout) 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.

7 Garden Designs

Seven designs are based on a garden size of 15 metres x 9 metres and have been designed for different aspects (e.g. north-, south-, east- and west-facing gardens) and include garden plans illustrating a variety of features, such as patios and seating areas. While the designs highlight where to situate these features in order to make the most of the available sun in your garden, you don’t have to invest in hard landscaping projects to create your own dream garden. The planting plans will help you develop your existing space to create a similar look and feel to your favourite garden design.

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.
Headshot of Designer Patricia Tyrrell

The Plant Lovers Garden

Designer: Patricia Tyrrell

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.’

  • South East facing
  • Natural design
  • Low maintenence
Diagram of a south-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.
Headshot of Designer Maeve O'Neill

The Family Friendly Garden

Designer: Maeve O'Neill

See the Family Friendly Garden brought to life in the Show Garden area at Bord Bia Bloom this year. This south-facing garden is designed to grow with your children. There are many practical things to consider when planning a garden for a family with small children. The space has to work for the parents as well as the kids and it needs to adapt as the children grow up and this garden ticks all of those boxes.

  • South facing
  • Encourages pollinators and wildlife
  • Family friendly
Diagram of a south-west-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 south-east, mid-day in the south, and evening in the west.
Headshot of Designer Jane McCorkell

The Nature Enthusiast’s Garden

Designer: Jane McCorkell

Nature enthusiasts of all ages will love this south-west facing garden that is a haven for wildlife. The garden is planted in Jane’s signature natural, organic style, with a wildflower grass area and pollinator-friendly flowers. The shrubs and flowers have been selected to encourage birds, bees and other insects making this space a haven for nature lovers.

  • South West facing
  • Haven for wildlife
  • Suits all ages