Judges

Gary Graham

Judge: Gary Graham

Gary Graham is the originator and manager of the Bloom Garden Show, now in its fourth year in the Phoenix Park, Dublin. He has worked for Bord Bia, developing the Irish horticultural sector for almost 10 years. Six years ago he recognised the need for Ireland to have its own 'Chelsea Flower Show' and Bord Bia agreed to take on the task of organising and promoting the now highly successful event. Gary now spends much of his time with Bord Bia focused on making Bloom an even better show from year to year. He regards both the Bloom Show and Super Garden as perfect communication platforms whereby novice gardeners can see and experience the joys and benefits of a well designed garden space.

Gary trained in horticulture in the National Botanic Gardens Glasnevin before completing an internship in Chicago Botanic Gardens. He is experienced in garden design, landscape contracting, interior landscaping, garden centre retailing and in the management of horticultural enterprises. He is also trained in marketing and has a post-grad diploma in executive coaching. He recently completed a Business Masters in the Management of Change in Waterford Institute of Technology.

He lives near scenic Dunmore East in Co. Waterford with his beautiful wife Anne and children Geoff, Issy and Ellen and he is currently developing his two acre garden which overlooks a tidal lake and the giant sand dunes of Tramore (when he gets time!)

Tim Austen

Judge: Tim Austen

Tim Austen, Principal Landscape Architect and multi-award-winning garden designer runs his own successful design practice, Austen Associates, based in Wicklow town.

A consummate professional, Tim's interest and desire is to create beautiful gardens for his clients using his own, now recognisable, design style with its roots in classical, romantic and naturalistic garden design. These influences along with his upbringing at the foot of the Sugarloaf Mountain in Co. Wicklow are evident in the colours, textures and forms that he brings in to his designs, whether they incorporate bold contemporary architecture or are predominantly natural in style. His approach has resulted in him being awarded a catalogue of awards for his large show-gardens at Bloom in the Phoenix Park, including: a gold-medal and visitors' favourite garden in 2008 and a further gold-medal and the coveted best large garden in the show, in 2009.

Tim's depth of experience includes more than ten years of working on high profile public and private landscape planning, design and landscape management projects and he has completed an extensive portfolio of garden designs for clients right across Ireland. Furthermore, he undertook the first survey of biodiversity in gardens for Dublin City Council, as part of its Biodiversity Action Plan. Tim is an active Member of the Irish Landscape Institute (ILI) and was its Treasurer from 2005 to 2008. He is also a Member of the Garden and Landscape Designers Association (GLDA).

Visit Tim's website: www.austenassociates.ie
Visit Tim's blog: www.landscapearchitectsjournal.com

Paddy Gleeson

Judge: Paddy Gleeson

Paddy Gleeson received a diploma in horticulture with distinction from the National Botanic Gardens.

After a further four years he graduated from UCD with a B.Ag.Sc.Hort honours degree.

He retired from Teagasc (The Irish Agricultural & Food Development Authority) in 2007, where he had held the position of National Nursery Specialist for over 25 years.

For the past three years he has acted as Horticultural Consultant to Woodies DIY & Garden Centres, mainly focusing on training and advising a team of over 40 horticulturalists.