Mairead Harty has a very special garden in Glanmire, Cork

Special because of the standard of the garden — special too because it is open to raise funds for Marymount Hospice, and also because the garden was created very much in co operation with, and under the influence of Brian Cross, since sadly departed.

The garden is that of Mairead Harty in Glanmire.

Brian was a near neighbour and his artistry and plantsmanship is evident throughout, but that is not for one moment to take from the input of Mairead herself, who has built this garden from scratch.

Not the kind of woman who would do something or plant something just because someone said to, even if that someone was Brian Cross.

No, quite confident in her own ability and aware of what she likes and dislikes, this is Mairead’s garden. It’s probably fair to say that this confidence has grown with the development of the garden.

It is now a horticultural destination of quite some note, containing a comprehensive plant collection.

The natural layout of the site allowed this garden to be developed into different areas or rooms, which thanks to good design, flow well into each other.

One of the last times that I visited was in the month of August and in many ways it’s a pity that this garden isn’t open then to show off the fantastic walkways of mop-head Hydrangea.

I remember meeting Mairead after she returned from a holiday in France several years ago and laughing as she explained to me how she saw Hydrangeas on special offer in some garden centre over there, and she crammed as many of them as she could into the car, I just had images of Hydrangea blooms sticking out each window as she neared customs.

For many it would be cheap beer or plonk, but the gardener will understand.

These French visitors have now made themselves very much at home in Mairead’s Glanmire garden and later in the year they will once more provide a breathtaking display.

At this time of the year you will be met by great displays of Azalea, early flowering perennials and the lawn, did I mention the lawn? Mairead is one of these people that when they take on a project they get serious about it.

No half measures here, if there shouldn’t be any moss on a lawn — then believe me there won’t be any moss on the lawn. Weeds are dealt with in just the same way and just as diligently.

Indeed, I remember a time, again several years ago, and I hope Mairead won’t mind me recounting this tale, but so determined was she to ensure that the garden would be at its best for a particular open day, that about two weeks beforehand she was spraying weedkiller in one part of the garden and she then walked across the lawn and some small footprints of dead grass appeared as the weedkiller had travelled on the soles of her shoes.

Now they weren’t that big and not even that noticeable and most of us would have waited for the surrounding grass to colonise the dead areas, but not so Mairead.

The dead sod had to be lifted and new turf cut to fit the irregular shapes laid in time for the open day.

“They won’t notice some moss on the lawn will they Peter?” she asked me last week and of course the answer is no, people who visit gardens are there to enjoy it and to seek inspiration and perhaps see a new plant, they’re not there to criticise and pick holes, but at the same time I can assure you there will be no moss to be seen in the lawn.

It is this attention to detail that makes this garden so impressive. Every plant species and combination has been carefully thought through before inclusion — groups of plants mixed with grasses to offer different texture — next to later-flowering varieties to extend the season of colour.

Another small detail to note is the positioning of benches and garden furniture.

I can’t imagine Mairead ever sits still for long enough to relax on any of the benches herself, as she tends this garden nearly single-handedly, but each piece has been sited just perfectly.

It may sound irrelevant but again it is these small details and getting them right that set this garden apart.

Stunning specimens abound: Cornus contraversa Variegata or the Wedding Cake Tree, Japanese Maples, stunning cedars bent over in great contorted shapes, and interesting plants are everywhere.

This can often sound good but may not work in practice — for a garden is not just a collection of nice plants, it has to be so much more than that.

Those same plants have to work in the overall concept of the garden taking into account such design principles as colour, texture and balance among others.

Some people just get it right and the garden as a result is a success. This garden is one of them.

Initially started by Brian, who walked with Mairead as she took her first tentative steps into this creation and stayed with her along the journey, advising and helping her as she took on new areas — but this garden now has Mairead’s handprints all over it.

It contains some of her soul, and that is why it works so well.

Some gardens are very visual, some are great in terms of design and colour but not too many are special.

It takes the soul of the gardener to make a garden special and this garden is one of those.

I hope everybody supports the Hospice Open Garden Trail and gets to see as many of them as possible but if you only get a chance to visit one Open Garden this year then make it this garden next Sunday.

Maired Harty’s garden ‘Poulnacurra House’, Castlejane, Glanmire, is open on Sunday, May 22 from 2 to 6pm in aid of Marymount Hospice.