Oriental Fusion at Garden Show Ireland
Eileen Sung (GLDA student member) and Paul Boyce (friend of the GLDA), collaborating as studio 2-TATAMI, received praise for their Japanese-inspired show garden ORIENTAL FUSION TSUBO-NIWA at this summer’s Garden Show Ireland in Co. Antrim. Both are volunteers at the National Trust’s Rowallane Garden, where the idea was born over many café chats.
The garden drew inspiration from:
- Traditional Japanese gardens
- Courtyard (tsubo-niwa) gardens
- Small urban garden spaces
Tsubo-niwa, dating back to 1000 BC, evolved from palace courtyards to modern homes, blending nature, tranquillity, and artistry. The design echoed the refined simplicity of tea gardens from Japan’s Momoyama period (1568–1600), incorporating stone, water, and planting in a compact space.
The garden was praised by Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council, Irish Stone (Hillsborough), and show ambassador David Domoney. Visitors appreciated its peaceful atmosphere and thoughtful plant choices.
Project sponsors included Irish Stone, Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council, Coleman’s Garden Centre, and Beech Grove Nursery. Plants were sourced from nurseries across Ireland and the UK, including Stam’s Bamboo, Shady Plants, Cameron’s Garden Centre, and National Trust, Rowallane.
Photo credit: Paul Boyce
