WARRENPOINT man Colm Carty has spoken of his surprise and delight at having won RTÉ’s Super Garden competition. Last Thursday Colm’s garden design, titled ‘From Dawn to Dusk’, was named as the winner by judges Monica Alvarez, Brian Burke and Gary Graham.
The quantity surveyor beat off stiff competition from four other garden designers, and he recreated the winning space at last weekend’s Bord Bia Bloom at Dublin’s Phoenix Park, where it represented the sponsors Woodie’s DIY and Dulux Exteriors. “I am shocked and delighted to have won Super Garden against such strong competition. It’s an honour and privilege to be able to design a show garden for Bord Bia Bloom, something I could only have ever dreamt of,” Colm said. “It is hopefully the first step towards designing and building many beautiful gardens in the future, a true passion and a dream come true for me.” For the winning designer, it is a launch pad to the Premier League of garden design, and a chance to show what they can do, while showcasing their creation to over 100,000 visitors at Bloom last weekend. From Dawn to Dusk is described as “a liveable garden throughout the day, that is child-friendly and has areas for entertaining – from Dawn to Dusk. The Pergola and patio area offers a spot for entertaining throughout the day and night. Both places can be accessed directly or via the scenic route through the lounge area in the middle of the garden.
The colourful planting scheme aims to achieve an instant impression with boxus hedges giving structure all year round.” Colm is a 34-year-old who prides himself on his family relationships, his passion for gardening, and all things GAA. Colm has worked as a quantity surveyor for 12 years. He has just celebrated his third wedding anniversary with wife Sorcha, and the couple have two children, twoyear-old Senan and six-month-old Iarlaith. Of his passion for gardening, he said: “I worked as a part-time gardener since the age of 11. I started doing gardening for a neighbour and then it increased to two gardens, then when my neighbour moved house, the new homeowner kept me on. “I have been interested in gardening for as far as I can remember. I have been told that when I was in school at 5 years old that I was more interested in brushing up leaves than playing with others. I first became interested in the garden design aspect when my neighbour landscaped his garden, when I was his gardener. I have since designed and built my own garden in 2020, and have designed and built numerous features in my parents’ garden, ranging from a patio with a pergola, to a live willow dome, to a pond and fountain.” Judge Gary Graham representing Bord Bia Bloom said: “The winner was chosen for a number of reasons. Firstly, he worked hard to meet the design brief, in other words, he created something for all the family with clearly defined zones. “This was difficult to do in a small, misshapen space. Secondly, he addressed the major challenge that came with the site, the fact that it was completely dominated by a neighbour’s large white gable wall. His use of raised planting beds and fastigiate upright trees completely disguised the obtrusive wall. “Thirdly, his construction methodology and attention to detail ensured that the Dixon family have a garden that is both beautiful and robust. This is important for a young active family. “Fourthly, he was brave in his decision to put in so many features and materials but his use of high impact planting softened his many elements and drew it all together into a restful space that is both gorgeous and functional.”
Judge Monica Alvaraz, for Dulux Exteriors, said: “Colm met and exceeded the homeowner’s wish list: He wisely used the space so that every corner of the garden had a meaningful purpose for every member of the family. “He created a Wow factor: He included an interesting vertical element in the garden using uprights but softening the structures with great, mature planting. Excellent finishes: The garden was built and planted to a very high standard.” Judge Brian Burke for Woodies said: “One of the fundamentals of good garden design is to provide a space which responds directly to the needs of the users and the household. That is exactly what Colm did here. “There are two adults and three small children in the house, it’s an action-packed household and Colm gave them an actionpacked garden.”
