Multi-award-winning garden design studio.
The Samaritans Garden
Bloom 2014
The Samaritans Garden was designed by Andrew Christopher Garden Design for the Bloom Flower Show and received a Gold Medal, Best in Show and the Designer’s Choice Award. The garden was conceived as a peaceful and contemplative space featuring a sculptural copper swing by Stephen Myburgh, reflective water troughs and layered planting beneath silver birch trees.
When asked to design a show garden for Samaritans Ireland to highlight the powerful effects of simply talking about your problems Andrew knew he had to create something special. The result was a garden concept that represents the room to breathe, slow down and think clearly, that talking to the Samaritans can offer.
It consists of a sunken garden with two large benches designed for people to sit and talk in a safe calming environment. At the rear of the garden there is a stunning hand forged swing by Steve Myburgh which seeks to represent the comfort and cradling support that a friendly voice can offer. Rusted tanks of black water nestled amongst the planting reflect the darkness that is present in many of our lives.
The garden received critical acclaim and won not only Gold but best in show (medium gardens) and the coveted designers choice award where all other designers at the show vote for their favorite. Since then the garden has featured in several media publications both nationally and internationally.
Location: Bloom Flower Show in Dublin
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Copper garden swing by sculptor Stephen Myburgh set amongst birch trees and ferns in this award-winning Bloom show garden.
Close detail of the copper swing suspended beneath the delicate canopy of silver birch leaves.
Irish cut sandstone steps and corten steel water troughs lead visitors towards the sculptural garden swing.
Carefully balanced combination of sandstone paving, corten steel water troughs and soft planting.
Media day at the opening of the Samaritans Garden at the Bloom Flower Show.
Layered planting combining wispy grasses, perennial flowers and clipped box hedging.
Reflective corten steel water trough contrasting with structured hedging and soft planting.
The garden was designed as a sunken space creating a feeling of calm and enclosure.
View across the garden towards the sculptural copper swing within the planting.
Corten steel water trough with black dyed water creating mirror-like reflections.
The copper swing appears to float across the planting creating a sense of lightness.
One of four corten steel water troughs designed to reflect the sky and surrounding planting.
Copper garden swing framed by foxgloves and silver birch trees.
View across the sunken garden space with gravel paving and layered planting.
Irish harp creates a reflective and peaceful focal point within the garden.