Designer: Paul Foley
This small garden is a reflection of the eclectic collection of plants put together by Lord Milo Talbot at Malahide Castle and Gardens. Many of these plants hail from the southern hemisphere and require the special micro climate made available by the Gardens’ sheltered location by the sea.
The south-facing back wall and the courtyard setting of the space provides a similar micro climate, allowing for the cultivation of many exotic plants. This is a plant collector’s garden with as many plants as possible included. Some plants are less familiar and require care in their cultivation but this adds to the excitement of gardening and makes the garden a place to be loved rather than admired. An occasional cold winter may result in losses but this is more than compensated by the challenge of growing species normally deemed too tender for the Irish climate. The garden combines contemporary with traditional elements and reflects the long tradition of plant collecting and its continuing relevance today. Fingal County Council, owner of Malahide Castle and Gardens, and Senior College Dún Laoghaire have come together to create a space that provides inspiration for the adventurous gardener.
