For gardening inspiration with workshops, walks, festivals, florals and books, read on …
Flower Power
Arnotts unveiled its Spring Summer 2025 collection with the theme “Garden of Style.” This season’s fashion is blossoming with fresh romantic silhouettes, delicate florals, and a fusion of texture. I love the feminine collections of Sister Jane and Malina, the bold and oversized floral print coat from Stine Goya, and the understated prints with floral and botanical motifs in Marcella and Self Portrait.
Lisnavagh House, Co Wicklow
For gardening and wellness enthusiasts, Lisnavagh House has a series of retreats designed to restore balance, energy, and tranquillity. Owned and operated by Emily and William Bunbury, whose family has lived at Lisnavagh for generations, the estate provides a sanctuary to reconnect with nature. Guests stay in individually styled rooms with garden and parkland views. Alternatively, the Stables Courtyard accommodation offers a charming experience.
On March 1-2, the free Meitheal with Gaelic Woodland Project blends community action, cultural tradition, and ecological restoration; conducted in Irish. No fluency is required as translations will be provided throughout the day. Participants will assist in removing invasive Cherry Laurel to help restore local biodiversity. There’s also a Yoga & Sleep Retreat with Pamela Friday from March 21-23, which aligns with the spring equinox. @lisnavagh
Killruddery House & Garden, Co Wicklow
This great estate always provides plenty of scope for interesting workshops and walks. Coming up are several music, art and yoga workshops, and seasonal supper clubs. Look out for the “Murmurations” exhibition by Vincent Sheridan from March 8-May 8 in Killruddery Yard, inspired by the social behaviour and flight dynamics of birds. Sheridan is fascinated by the intricate murmurations and patterns formed by flocks in motion, particularly swifts, starlings and crows. @killruddery
Festival of Gardens and Nature, Ballintubbert House, Co Laois
Nigel Slater, Diarmuid Gavin, Darina Allen, Tom Stuart-Smith, Sean Ronayne, Fergus Garrett, Dominic West, Giuliana Furci, Jamie Walton (aka Nettles & Petals) and Merlin Sheldrake are some of the speakers at this festival from May 3-4.
Founded by garden designer Catherine FitzGerald and Minnie Preston, it’s a celebration of sustainability and the natural world in a magical setting. The arts and crafts-style garden, apple orchard and nut grove has a glossy past. It was the birthplace of Cecil Day-Lewis and the former home of John Hurt. This creative history is reflected in the programme of talks, conversations and workshops. New for this year is the “How To” stage, where participants can engage in practical demonstrations and hands-on learning experiences. Guests can also join ornithologist Sean Ronayne for a spring-time dawn chorus walk, after a bowl of locally grown porridge oats.
Visitors can soak up the festival atmosphere with fellow enthusiasts, while browsing plant stalls and garden antiques from vendors such as Howbert and Mays, and local producers offering organic coffee, locally made cider and good quality food. In the evening, enjoy music from actor and musician Johnny Flynn. @festival_of_gardens_and_nature
Ballymaloe Festival of Food, Co Cork
After the success of its inaugural festival last year, Ballymaloe’s Festival of Food takes place from May 16-18 with a line-up of pop-ups, lunches and a very special afternoon tea. Set against the backdrop of the hotel and its unique complex of The Grainstore, The Big Shed, and gorgeous grounds and gardens, some of the events I’ve earmarked include dinner cooked by TV chef, podcast host and author Mark Moriarty in the Woodshed Kitchen, and Sunday afternoon tea in the Walled Garden Marquee by husband and wife team, Henrietta Lovell of the Rare Tea Company and Richard Hart of Hart Bageri. There’s also the chance to see Jeremy Lee, chef-proprietor of London’s iconic Quo Vadis restaurants, cooking lunch in Ballymaloe House. @ballymaloe_grainstore
Bord Bia Bloom, Phoenix Park, Dublin
The line-up of local and international horticultural talent has finally been announced for the five-day festival, now in its 19th year, which takes place from May 29-June 2. Gardening expert Diarmuid Gavin and BBC Gardeners’ World presenter Adam Frost will take part in a series of talks and discussions on the Garden Stage. Andrew Wilson, one of the UK’s leading garden design experts, will return as the Chief Show Garden Judge.
This year, there will be 21 show gardens that will tell stories on a range of themes. These include the Make A Wish Foundation Garden, designed by Linda McKeown, GRÁ designed by Kathryn Feeley for Dogs Trust, Tusla Fostering Garden designed by Pip Probert, The Circular Economy Garden designed by David Negus for the European Commission, and the Plant Lover’s Garden, designed by Patricia Tyrell for Bord Bia’s Easy Steps to Dream Gardens initiative. Sarah Cotterill, winner of Bord Bia Bloom’s Cultivating Talent initiative will also be unveiling her garden, Into the Wood, a tribute to the unique Atlantic rainforests of Ireland.
As a great day out for all the family, preparations are underway to welcome over 100,000 visitors to the festival’s 70-acre site. For younger visitors, there’s a range of interactive workshops at the Budding Bloomers area. Early-bird tickets are available until March 30; two children (aged 16 and under) go free with each ticket. @bordbiabloom
Garden Inspiration
This spring sees a bouquet of new titles inspired by flowers, including Cordelia de Castellane’s Flower Couture, From My Garden to My House, published by Rizzoli in March 11. It documents the gardening secrets of the French designer and director of Dior Home and Baby Dior, with each chapter covering a colour of her favourite flower, plus her tips for entertaining, tablescaping and recipes. A perfect gift for Mother’s Day or to peruse over a cuppa. @rizzolibooks
SEE MORE: We Propose A Gentler Outlook For Spring
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