Bord Bia Bloom 2026: Show Garden Winners

The doors to Bórd Bia Bloom are officially open and we now know our winning show gardens. From beautifully planted balcony spaces to thoughtful community gardens, this year’s show is once again proving just how creative and inspiring Irish horticulture can be.

There are some truly wonderful gardens on display this year and I cannot wait to see them properly for myself on Saturday when I attend. But for now, let’s take a little look at some of the standout winners from this year’s show.

Joe Eustace – The Future in Mind

One of the most thought-provoking gardens at this year’s Bloom, The Future in Mind explores Ireland’s changing approach to mental health care, moving away from institutional settings towards a more compassionate, community-based model.

A fractured concrete wall symbolises the imposing asylum walls of the past, now beginning to break apart. From this, a gentle water rill flows through the garden, softening the space and creating a sense of calm and movement. The planting feels restorative and peaceful, guiding visitors naturally towards a central seating area designed for reflection and connection.

It is a garden with an important message, but it never feels heavy-handed. Instead, it manages to balance symbolism with softness, which is no easy achievement at a show like Bloom.

Declan McKenna – Celebrity Dream Garden, inspired by Brendan Courtney

This contemporary garden, designed by Declan McKenna in collaboration with fashion designer and television presenter Brendan Courtney, feels stylish, confident and wonderfully liveable.

Inspired by Brendan’s own garden project at home in Wicklow, the space combines strong architectural features with softer, naturalistic planting. Corten steel brings warmth and structure, while floating sandstone steps lead gently down towards a sunken entertaining terrace.

The plunge pool, outdoor shower and relaxed lounging areas reflect Brendan’s active lifestyle and create a garden that feels as much about wellbeing as aesthetics. I particularly love the balance here between clean modern design and softer planting, which stops the space from ever feeling too stark or overdesigned.

Barry Kavanagh – The Birdwatcher’s Balcony Garden

This charming balcony garden tells the story of a teenage girl and her grandfather, united through their shared love of birdwatching.

Designer Barry Kavanagh has created a space that cleverly combines nature and technology, blending wildlife-friendly planting with modern bird-monitoring tools used by younger generations today. Homemade nesting boxes crafted from repurposed household items add both personality and sustainability to the design.

What I love most about this garden is its warmth. It feels personal and genuine, proving that even the smallest spaces can become rich habitats for wildlife while also bringing people together.

Áit Urbanism + Landscape – Nurturing Communities Through Nature

Community gardening has become such an important movement in recent years and this garden captures that spirit beautifully.

Designed as a welcoming shared space, the garden encourages neighbours to grow food together, share gardening knowledge and build stronger community connections. At its heart sits a large canopy structure and propagation house, acting as a central gathering point for seeds, skills and stories alike.

Accessibility has clearly been carefully considered too, with raised planting areas designed to allow people of all ages and abilities to participate comfortably. It is thoughtful, practical and quietly uplifting — exactly the kind of garden many communities could benefit from.

More to come

We will have plenty more to share over the coming days, including planting highlights from some of our favourite gardens and ideas on how you can recreate elements of them at home.

I will be attending Bloom myself on Saturday and hope to share lots more photos and behind-the-scenes moments both here and across our social channels, so keep an eye out for those.

In the meantime, enjoy this fabulous weather we’re having and do call in to visit us here at the nursery over the bank holiday weekend too. I’ll leave our opening hours below.