I had the pleasure of attending the annual ALCI (Association of Landscape Contractors of Ireland) Gala dinner and awards in the stunning convention center in Dublin. Silverstream Landscapes Ltd where up for an award for one of our schemes, "The Natural Garden” in Ireland's north east and I'm happy to announce that they were awarded the prestigious Bog Oak Trophy for best overall project in Ireland, both North and south. This prize is awarded by the four judges for the project they deem excellent in construction, quality and detail. With some stiff competition across all the different disciplines of Landscaping, commercial projects, public authority and private schemes large and small, this was truly a great achievement. I had the pleasure of designing the scheme and overseeing the project during construction. Silverstream Landscapes Ltd took on our complex brief and not only executed the design perfectly, but also used their years of knowledge and experience to deal with and exceptionally challenging site.

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This stunning project was almost two years in the making having gone through and extensive design process, followed by detailed planning permission application right through to completion. We were given the opportunity to transform a green field site attached to the main property into a lush, plant filled paradise. Located close to the sea front, each plant was chosen to thrive in the salt laden air and the often-dry sandy soil. Using over 7,500 plants trees and hedges, we created a garden that will not only look stunning but it will also form a new habitat for the local birds and wildlife. The garden features large Gabion walls (stone filled cages) for shelter and structure and an impressive garden room/gym overlooking a beautiful natural swimming pool. Natural swimming pools require no chlorine and are instead kept healthy by the plants that grow in it.

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There are so many different elements in this scheme and a huge range of skills required to implement them and Silverstream Landscapes Ltd took each one on with confidence. Some of the elements included were; extensive groundwork, huge curved gabion walls, a 100m2 building with Gym and storage (including 6-meter-wide bi-fold doors). A large natural organic swimming pool built on a site with a very high-water table (Not Easy!), Composite decks, bespoke furniture, Extensive boundary walls, automated bespoke gates, light and irrigation schemes, outdoor gas fire, Orchard, driveways, and polished concrete lawn edge with crushed blue glass detail. Not to mention a very large planting scheme of over 7,500 plants, trees and hedges.

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So, congratulations to Silverstream Landscapes Ltd and all involved in the construction of our scheme and a very special thanks has to go to our clients who had the bravery to take on such a project and without who’s trust, this garden would never have happened.

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Please visit Andrew Christopher Garden Design to see more of his work.

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