Ireland’s popular Garden Festival takes place each year at the end of May in the beautiful setting of the Phoenix Park. So, of course, the main planting on the Show Gardens are early summer perennials such as lupins, irises and foxgloves, this year interspersed with Geums, Salvias and lots of airy cow parsley (Anthriscus) .
Here’s what caught our eye this year – with thanks to photographer Pádraic MacOireachtaigh.
The key plant this year – white foxgloves (Digitalis)
Primula viallii
The towering spires of Lupins with Agapanthus
Salvias, Cirsium rivulare and Alliums contrasting with box cubes.
Anthriscus … a touch of the country.
Geums – a little splash of sunshine.
Colourful cottage garden planting of Lupins and Chives.
A dominating mural but lovely planting combinations of box globes, grasses and irises.
The structural impact of globe artichokes.
Aquilegia
A beautiful combination of Alliums, Salvias,Irises and Digitalis on one of the winning Show Gardens.
I’ll be writing more about the actual design of the Gardens shortly but hope the lovely planting has provided inspiration.
Lorna.
Jardin 
Really lovely and beautiful photos–thank you so much
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So beautiful. Especially love the yellow geum.
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Many thanks Sara. I also loved the geums and how they were used in different planting combinations.
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Many thanks Christopher – glad you liked Pádraic’s photos.
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Simply beautiful Lorna!
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Thanks so much Jewels!
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Such beautiful photographs and gardens….if only I could get nature to oblige to have lupins and agapanthus at the same time 🙂 The primula viallii are stunning
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Thanks Matt! These are Show Gardens which never reflect reality! My lupins are flowering now but it will be weeks before my agapanthus make an appearance! Love the Primula vialii too!
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What for a great collection of flowers ! And, of course, all beautiful 😉
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Many thanks Christiane !
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Absolutely stunning. Such inspirational gardens!
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Karen, thanks so much! I always enjoy visiting Show Gardens and glad the post provided inspiration.
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What a perfect place for a Sunday walk. 🙂 Great shots! Thanks for sharing, Lorna!
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Thanks so much – and yes, popped in first thing this Sunday morning.
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