IGPS Leinster organised a visit to Helen and Val Dillon’s new garden at Monkstown, Co. Dublin, on Saturday last, the 28th of July.

It was wonderful to see the new garden as we all longed to see what Helen had done in the short time she had been there. The property is perfectly secluded from the street and we stepped through the door to a beautifully re-designed and extended bungalow within high granite walls giving excellent privacy and a wonderfully protected garden, laid out for ease of maintenance and large enough for the plant lover to enjoy without excessive effort. The garden encircles the house with cut stone edged beds to the front and at both gables; a narrow passageway at the rear of the house leading to an almost enclosed courtyard; there is a large glasshouse and an aviary at one end and on the other, in view from the patio area, an especially beautiful wooden glasshouse on a raised section of the garden with the functional garden shed and compost bins to the corner. There is no grass! As a design it is clean, simple, practical, functional and the perfect play area for the plant lover – all fun, less work!

Yes, there have been changes but some things stay the same – the warm welcome and the interesting range of plants.

Best wishes to Helen and Val and many thanks for the most enjoyable visit.