Designer: Joan Mallon
Cape Cod Escape as a concept for a garden at Bloom 2014 was inspired by a trip to Boston and Cape Cod in June 2013. Designer Joan Mallon was captivated by not just the natural beauty of the region but by the distinctive and romantic gardening style. Inspired by the history and heritage of the Cape Cod maritime tradition she has designed a show garden that pays tribute to the quintessentially New England style that evokes both past and present.
The call of the sea and the means to ‘escape’ are key elements of this garden. It is our belief that a garden that showcases the best of the North American/New England style is a unique opportunity to present a new perspective to audiences at Bloom 2014. She has teamed up with Contractor Alan Smyth to present this garden in the medium category.
The garden comprises a facade of a typical Cape Cod beach shack with cultivated garden blending to the shoreline and the water’s edge. The tree planting of the perimeter provides the shelter of the ‘cultivated’ traditional garden. The garden graduates towards a sandy shoreline showcasing natural coastal planting and ending at the water’s edge – a water feature which evokes a tranquil inlet. The garden will be accessorised in typical New England style with a wood shingle veranda and white Adirondack chairs. Alan Smyth is a qualified Civil Engineer whose career path moved into the world of landscape construction and management almost 8 years ago.
In this relatively short period of time Alan has built up an impressive portfolio of industry awards. This is his fifth year at Bloom managing and building gardens receiving 4 gold medals, 1 silver and 3 best in category. Alan has also won a number of ALCI awards including the top honour of the “Bog Oak” award, which is given to the outstanding landscape project in Ireland, north and south, every year. Having worked with some of Irelands top landscape architects, in both the private and commercial sector, Alan has built up a reputation for quality and excellence as a standard.
