Biography

Tim grew up in his parent’s 2-acre Wicklow garden, Stilebawn Cottage, that was open as part of the Wicklow Gardens’ Festival. From an early age he was encouraged by his parents to help maintain their garden.  Undeterred by the menial aspects of this profession, he then spent his teenage years gardening in both Fern Hill Gardens, Co Dublin and Charleville House, Co Wicklow (two of Ireland’s great traditional houses and gardens), later on completing his formal training in landscape architecture at Wye College (University of London) in Kent. The influence of such gardens along with his upbringing at the foot of the Sugarloaf Mountain (opposite Powerscourt House and Gardens) in Co Wicklow are strongly evident in the colours, textures and forms that he brings in to his designs, whether for large or small gardens.

Tim likes the contrast between formal and natural areas in a garden, the inter-play of a tapestry of flowers against a backdrop of strong green foliage or a crisply cut lawn edging a naturalistic planting area, woodland or wildlife pond. He sees the development of a garden design as a way of laying out a space in which the key elements of: starting point, route and destination are evident on plan but, perhaps, by design, less obvious in the actual garden.  This is achieved by careful positioning of features, combined with selection of planting to create gardens that entice and encourage exploration and give opportunities for complete immersion in to their character.

Design Qualifications

Tim holds a Masters degree in Landscape Ecology, Management and Design.

Awards

Bloom 2013: Gold Medal Winner – Giardino della Mostra
Bloom 2011: Silver-gilt Medal Winner – Awakenings
Bloom 2009: Gold Medal Winner & Overall Winner – The Garden Lounge
Bloom 2008: Gold Medal Winner & People’ Favourit – Inspiration from Mount Usher