Local gardener enjoys show success

Local gardener enjoys show success

23 May 2012

BALLYNAHINCH garden expert Johnny Knox has cause to celebrate after his unique presentation won a prestigious award at the annual Hillsborough Garden Festival last week.

His imagination, creativity and attention to detail in transforming a 10sq metre plot into a charming piece of typical Co Down landscape, complete with indigenous plants, hedging and a gently flowing stream all overlooked by a traditional rural dwelling, won Best in Show in the Large Garden category.

Johnny who owns the Ballynahinch-based Gardener’s Friend Landscapes company and his sponsor, retired Consultant Dr Elizabeth Butler of Spa, spent six months planning and constructing the award winning display.

“It is a really great feeling of satisfaction winning this award. It has been a long process getting to this point but to get the prize was rather humbling when you consider the quality produced by the other competitors,” he said.

Dr. Butler said she could hardly believe they had taken the top prize.

“It has been hard work but so worthwhile and it has been an amazing learning experience,” she said.

A graduate of the Greenmount Agricultural College, Johnny explained that as far as possible he wanted to utilise plants and shrubs indigenous to Ireland and Co. Down in particular.

To that end he used a wide variety of species including bluebell, foxglove, marsh marigold, ragged robin and oxeye daisy as well as birch, holly, ivy, hawthorn, broom and whin.

The overall effect was enhanced by moss covered boulders surrounded by ferns and other plants with the plot enclosed by a hawthorn hedge and accessed by a rustic pen gate offering the traditional warm welcome to the dwelling.

Johnny and Dr. Butler named their creation “At one with nature” and it was obvious from the positive comments from the crowds of enchanted visitors to their display the judges had made a popular decision.