Nourishing – From Concept to Creation

In a world that rarely slows down, the creation of a sanctuary becomes not just a luxury, but a necessity. Today, we invite you behind the scenes of “Nourish” – the breathtaking show garden born from the creative partnership between Caragh Nurseries and award-winning designer Leonie Cornelius.

The Vision Takes Root
When we first sat down with Leonie to discuss the concept for Nourish, one word kept emerging: balance. In our modern lives filled with digital noise and constant demands, we envisioned creating a space that would serve as an antidote – a garden that literally nourishes the soul.

The Mediterranean influence was intentional from the start. Not just for its climate-resilient qualities (though increasingly relevant for our changing weather patterns), but for the lifestyle it represents – one that honours slowness, sensory pleasure, and connection to the natural world.

The Crystal Connection
At the heart of Nourish stands its most striking architectural element – the stone feature embedded with crystals. This isn’t merely decorative; it’s deeply symbolic. The crystals represent the earth’s natural healing properties, catching light and creating moments of wonder throughout the day. As the sun moves across the garden, the crystals cast prismatic reflections, reminding visitors of nature’s inherent magic.

The stonework itself was a labour of love, requiring skilled craftsmanship  by Paul Mason and his team to incorporate the crystal elements seamlessly. Each stone was carefully selected and positioned to create a strong base that feels both ancient and timeless – as though it has always belonged in this space, alongside the beautiful building that represents our Apothecary for teas.

The Planting Philosophy
The planting scheme for Nourish embodies what we like to call “structured wildness” – a delicate balance between architectural form and natural abundance. Mediterranean-inspired plants create the backbone, with drought-tolerant varieties chosen for their resilience and sustainability. With a strong emphasis on nourishing the planting includes lots of herbal and medicinal plants, all perfect for teas, to bathe in and potions

The palette is intentionally soft and frothy, with layers of texture creating a sense of depth. Feathery grasses catch the light and move with the slightest breeze, while aromatic herbs release their scent when brushed against. This sensory richness is no accident – it’s designed to awaken visitors from the numbness that often accompanies our busy lives.

Building a Feeling, Not Just a Garden
The construction process of Nourish was unlike our typical garden installations. Beyond the technical aspects of drainage, soil preparation, and hardscaping, we found ourselves constantly returning to the emotional experience we wanted to create.

The apothecary room at the garden’s heart became a focal point for this intention. Designed as a space for quiet contemplation and connection with plant medicine traditions, it bridges the gap between indoor and outdoor living – another nod to Mediterranean lifestyle where these boundaries beautifully blur and medicinal plants have been used as commonplace for generations.

A Response to Modern Life
Perhaps what makes Nourish so compelling is its timeliness. As we built each element, we remained conscious of the garden’s purpose as a response to our collective exhaustion. The garden doesn’t shy away from acknowledging our modern challenges – instead, it offers a tangible solution through reconnection with nature’s rhythms.

The collaboration between Caragh Nurseries and Leonie Cornelius has resulted in more than just a beautiful show garden. It’s a blueprint for a different way of living – one that prioritises balance, sensory pleasure, and healing connection with the natural world.

We invite you to visit Nourish at BordBia Bloom running from May 29th – June 2nd in the Phoenix Park in Dublin and experience its transformative qualities firsthand. And for those inspired to create their own sanctuary, remember that every element – from the crystal-embedded stonework to the frothy Mediterranean planting – can be adapted to your own space with the help of our design team.

Stay tuned for our next update, where we’ll share the complete plant list and acknowledge all the wonderful suppliers who helped bring Nourish to life.