Garden show expected to attract 25,000 visitors

THEY’RE cash rich but time poor - they can’t buy five minutes for themselves.

However, people in the 35-55 age group are now spending €230 million on their gardens and back yards.

It’s why the Garden Heaven Show, which has opened in the RDS in Dublin, has become a very vigorous perennial.

The garden products and landscapes sector is also a big employer, as well as a high-value market.

About 4,500 people work in the rapidly expanding landscaping sector. Employment in nurseries has reached 1,200 while a further 1,500 are employed in garden centres.

The Garden Heaven Show, which stems form the popular RTÉ series and magazine of the same name, is expected to attract 25,000 green-fingered enthusiasts over the coming days.

And organisers have been quick to plant ideas into customers’ heads about how convenient life can be at the show.

What could be called a plant crèche has been opened so customers can shop further at the 200 exhibition booths, safe in the knowledge that their newly purchased goods are safe at hand. Couriers will also be on hand to help get visitors’ shopping to their cars.

The Industries Hall has been packed with award-winning nursery displays and a new Floral Design Pavilion.

Eye-catching designs include The Street - four miniature gardens in an Edwardian setting and the Louise Kennedy Tipperary Crystal garden - a minimal outdoor room designed by Chelsea award winner Paul Martin.

There is also an area especially for children, which includes a farm and an environmental awareness workshop.

Seminars will be running all day every day until Sunday, when the exhibition closes. There will be free twice-daily questions and answers sessions with garden personalities Helen Dillon and Dermot O’Neill.

Hugely popular every year is the free design clinic, for people who want expert ideas and guidance from professionals.

Those wanting a 15-minute consultation, which is given on a first-come, first-served basis, must bring a photograph and sketch showing the aspect (where the sun shines) of their garden.

Tickets, which are available at the door, are priced at €12 per adult and €8 for pensioners and students.