Super Garden

Episode one features Rosa (32) and her husband who live in east Cork and are both vets. But Rosa has not practiced for five years now as she is a full time mother to her two daughters. Rosa discovered her passion for gardening when she was pregnant with her second child and she read the book How To Be A Gardener and was hooked. Rosa has studied and completed the RHS’s 2-year course in horticulture. She also travels to a garden show each year – and particularly enjoys Chelsea and Hampton Court. Rosa’s favourite style is contemporary and modern.

Malahide-born Conor (33) is married to an accountant and they have 2 sons. Conor is a self-employed civil engineer and works in construction. He has long been considering a change of career into garden design and recently finished an evening course with Limperts after which he got his diploma in garden design. Conor’s favourite garden styles are modern and contemporary, with lots of symmetry and clean lines. He also likes gardens with oriental themes. Conor dislikes cottage style gardens, as they are very busy and crowded.

Belfast-born Tamzen (31) lives with her partner, an IT consultant, and their one-year-old son in Maynooth. Tamzen has recently left the glamourous world of fashion buying behind to follow her heart and become a garden designer. To that end she has just completed her studies for the RHS exams in Completed Advanced Practical Course and is now studying for her certificate in Theory of Horticulture. Tamzen has also taken a 4-days-a-week job in a Garden Centre in Kildare, to hone her plant knowledge. Tamzen’s favourite gardens are old fashioned with mixed borders. She dislikes ‘control’ in gardens and likes to give her plants lots of freedom.

Dubliner Sean McCormack is a 25-year-old veterinary student who has 2 years remaining before he graduates from UCD. He is passionate about veterinary sees it as a serious business. However, Sean is also passionate about gardening and he sees it as an outlet for his creative side and hopes to pursue both careers in the future.

Dubliner Mark (40) moved to Meath with his wife, a teacher, and their 2 children. Mark left school early and has driven a taxi for 12 years. He always had a passion for gardening and as he approached his 40th birthday he decided to try to make it his career. He is studying for his Bachelor of Science Degree in Warrenstown and Blanchardstown’s IT and has just started an 8-month work experience in a garden centre. Mark likes gardens that combine architectural trees and shrubs with hard landscaping and water features. He doesn’t like clipped hedges and unnatural shapes.

The gardens are completed. The judges have met all five designers in their gardens. The pressure is now firmly on the shoulders of the three judges: Mary Reynolds, Chelsea Gold Medal Winner, Tycho Mays, Top Professional Garden Designer and Gary Graham, Project Manager of Bloom, they must decide on a winner.