Golden Clare garden

Anne Hamilton, Fox Garden Design, Enniskeane in County Cork took top prize in the engaging space category for her “Islands” garden. The garden, which wowed the judges, included natural stone from Clare along with specialist engraving techniques from an Ennis-based craftsman.
Anne based her design on the use of Liscannor flagstone supplied by Liscannor Flagstone Quarries, of Rockmount, Miltown Malbay. As a feature on one wall, Anne had a flagstone engraved with a floral design by Kanelaser, Four Seasons Drive, Ennis.
David O’Connor of Liscannor Flagstone Quarries said he expects the Bloom success for Anne Hamilton will add to the demand for flagstone, which already been boosted by the recent spell of good weather.
Stephen Kane of Kanelaser, who specialised in engraving stone such as slate, granite, Kilkenny marble and Liscannor flags, is delighted with exposure that his work received through the award-winning garden.
“The show was very successful from our point of view and has already generated enquiries from other garden designers and the general public,” said Stephen.
Anne Hamilton, who incorporated the Clare stone into her latest award winning creation, trained in landscape design at Richmond College and honed her horticultural skills at the Chelsea Physic Garden. Since then she has enjoyed creating gardens and outdoor spaces in London and West Cork, where she lives with her family.
Anne specialises in modern and alternative materials to create essentially traditional and multifunctional environments. Ensuring good collaboration with clients, she reliably delivers concepts and projects on budget and on time. In this exhibition she has built on her previous show garden experience and developed exciting new themes.
Thousands of gardening enthusiasts flocked to the Phoenix Park to seen the Bord Bia-organised event, which was officially opened by President Mary McAleese. The event showcased gardening in its many facets including vegetable and fruit gardening. The site was spread over an area twice that of the world famous Chelsea Flower Show, showing just how much interest there is in all things relating to gardening in Ireland.

Allotment awards

ALLOTMENT owners in Ennis and Shannon will have the opportunity to enter the RDS Allotment Awards which have a closing date of July 1.
There are two awards, one recognising the individual allotment gardener, and is divided into two categories: experienced and novice gardener. With the aim of promoting excellence in allotment gardening, the winner in each category will receive a cash prize and an RDS silver medal.
The second award recognises the work of allotment providers and this award is open to local authorities, allotment societies, community gardening groups and any other individuals who are providing allotments. This award seeks to recognise the work that has been carried out on the overall allotment site as well as the supports that are provided to individual growers.
Application forms are available on the RDS website, www.rds.ie/agriculture,via email at agriculture@rds.ie or by calling the RDS Agriculture Foundation on 01 2407215. The closing date for entries is Wednesday, July 1. A judging of allotments will take place over the summer with an awards ceremony taking place in the RDS in the autumn.