Join fellow plantaholics for the Galway Garden Festival at Claregalway Castle next weekend, 5th and 6th July. There's loads to inspire and entertain, with gold medal winning garden designers including the 'enfant terrible' of gardening, Diarmuid Gavin, talks from leading experts and lots of live music.
You'll also have the chance to create a planter pot for the festival's annual competition, judged by Diarmuid Gavin. This is something you can join in with whether you're able to make it to the Festival or not, as it's the perfect time of year to put together a mixed container to brighten up your patio.
Once you've chosen a pot, aim for one tall plant, plus medium-sized fillers to surround its feet and finally trailing plants to drape attractively over the sides.
If you're after calming, soothing effects stick to one colour in different shades (lavender, violet, pink and deep purple, for example). Mixing colours like blue and orange creates a punchy, vibrant effect.
Contrast foliage textures - feathery fennels against sword-like phormium, for example - and add sculptural interest with decorative supports. Bring your ideas down to our garden centre here in Athlone and we'll be happy to help you select the ingredients - you're limited only by your imagination!
