Teagasc horticulturalists have designed a show garden for the Bloom Festival to raise awareness of the mission of suicide prevention charity Pieta House.
“The Teagasc Garden of Hope provides a peaceful space for spiritual renewal, reflection and ease. A sense of intimacy is enhanced by the circular format used throughout,” the food development authority said.
“The circular form encourages contemplation and walking to relieve stress in a calm and secure setting. A fusion of planting, sophisticated colours and changing water flow creates an uplifting space in which to pause and replenish one’s well-being. The garden aims to evoke serenity and a connection with nature to raise the spirit,” it said.
Teagasc’s garden designers Laura Cassin, Louise Jones and Linda Murphy worked on the design, and will be setting up the garden with the help of the agency’s landscape garden experts Paddy Smith and other staff and students.
“We are delighted to be involved with Teagasc in bringing the Garden of Hope to Bloom. Having just had the biggest ever Darkness Into Light walk in the Phoenix Park at the weekend, it’s lovely to be returning to the park for Bloom.
“We would like the Garden of Hope to be reflective of the work that we do in helping people to see a bright and positive future,” said Brian Higgins, CEO of Pieta House.
The Bloom Festival is on at the Phoenix Park in Dublin 8 over the June bank holiday weekend, opening on Thursday, June 1, and running until Monday, June 6.
After the show wraps up at the end of the weekend, the Garden of Hope will be transplanted to a permanent home at one of Pieta House’s centres.
“It is fantastic that through the generosity of Teagasc we will be able to allow clients to reflect within the beauty of this garden,” Higgins said.