Garden gifts:
1. The essential tool: Burgon & Ball RHSendorsed topiary shears
These are ideal for trimming topiary. The single-handed use leaves one hand free to “fluff” the foliage for an immaculate trim. £32.99 from www.burgonandball.com
2. National Trust bee gifts
With biodiversity on everybody’s minds, the honeybee has taken on a powerful meaning in the home and garden. Some of the cutest are brought to us by the National Trust charity in the UK.
Wall plaque decoration, €11.73 from www. nationaltrust.org.uk
3. Garden Glory Gold Digger Gardening Gloves
Glamour meets practicality in these amazing gloves for the garden. Almost too stylish to get muddy! Also available in silver.
€60 at www.amara.com
4. RHS Passiflora Twine in a Tin
A perfect gift for the garden lover in your life with this twine in a tin from Burgon & Ball. Presented in a beautifully decorated tin, it will prevent your twine from tangling.
€13 from www.amara.com
BRING THE GARDEN IN 5. Garden decorations
Bring the outdoors in this Christmas with the amazing new Garden Retreat range from John Lewis. Featuring everything from cheeky garden-inspired tree decorations to wrapping paper and decorations for the garden inspired table.
Garden Retreat grasshopper, €9.38 from www.johnlewis.com
6. Santa Maria Novella Pot Pourri
This is how every home should smell at Christmas. This incredible company has been making this pot pourri for over three centuries and this mixture of buds, leaves and flower petals typical of the Tuscan hill.
Pot Pourri in a small terracotta pot, €28 from Santa Maria Novella at the Westbury Mall, Dublin
7. Moooi Carpets Garden of Eden rug
The Garden of Eden rug, designed by Edward van Vliet, is a calming and subtle floor covering from Dutch icons Moooi Carpets. Featuring foliage, flowers and insects, the Garden of Eden rug brings the outside inside. Beautiful butterflies and blooming roses adorn the rug, available in two stunning colourways.
€2,300 from www.nest.co.uk
8. Armando garden chairs
I love these Armando garden chairs in multi-coloured string cord. Also available in black and mustard, they are ideal for use in the conservatory, garden or as a contemporary lounge chair. The curvaceous style makes it the perfect place to sink into after a long day gardening.
€140 from www.cultfurniture.com BOOKS
9. Bláthanna: Irish Spaces in Flower
If there’s one book you get this Christmas, make it this very special book by the team behind Appassionata Flowers in Dublin. Founder Ruth Monaghan, Ultan Devaney and Kasia Skopinska worked with photographer
Yvette Monahan and her husband Sean Breithhaupt to create a very special offering featuring stunning colour photographs of historic and cultural locations from all over Ireland, which have been adorned with Appassionata’s signature blooms.
€50 from www.appassionata.ie
10. A Beautiful Obsession by Jimi Blake
This new book by Jimi Blake, the noted Irish horticulturalist, teacher and plantsman, gives an insight into the mind of a plant genius and explores his unique approach to planting. Full of inspiring stories from his garden, the
book makes you yearn for spring to get stuck into your own space.
€21,98 from www.bookdepository.com
11. In Bloom by Clare Nolan
This beautifully designed hardcover book has a wonderful, easy-to-understand layout and, for anyone who is interested in growing their own cut flowers for the home, it is a must have. Brimming with inspiration, every page is a study in styling and beauty. From scent to growing tips, this book has so many wonderful ideas for the home.
€18.20 from www.amazon.co.uk GARDEN BEAUTY:
12. L’Occitane tree baubles
This gorgeous tree decoration is filled with three irresistible almond beauty products. By purchasing these gorgeous festive baubles from L’Occitane, you not only make someone happy at Christmas but you also help raise funds for almond trees to be planted in Provence – a tree which was all but eradicated in the region. The Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis is the tree that gives this product its delicious, sweet almond scent.
€12 from www.loccitane.com and L’Occitane stores nationwide.
13. Clarins Blue Orchid oil
I have recently fallen in love with this amazing product from Clarins. This absolutely incredible oil for dehydrated skin is made from 100% natural oils and is created with a base of Corylus Avellana (hazel) seed oil and has rosewood, patchouli and orchid (Dendrobium Phalaenopsis) flower extract, which is said to reduce wrinkles, while the anthocyanins in the plant are also said to have anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties.
Blue Orchid Treatment Oil, €42 for 30ml at Brown Thomas and stockists nationwide. See www.brownthomas.com
FOR LITTLE GARDENERS 14. Build & Grow Co 3D Puzzle Garden - Jungle
Made using eco-friendly materials, this 3D puzzle educates and inspires children while letting their imaginations run wild. Inside they’ll find everything they need to pop out, build and grow their very own lettuce and rocket.
€19 from www.amara.com/ie
15. Make Your Own Den Kit
Perfect for little adventurers, this sweet kit is made for inventive, creative and imaginative little minds. Including everything they’ll need to create their own outdoor escape, from the handmade wooden mallet to the camouflage face paint.
€50 from www.amara.com/ie
16. My First Opinel
The series My First Opinel is especially intended for children and is a great way of learning about carving wood. The rounded tip minimises the risk of injury. The blade is normally ground, to make it fit for real use, so care should be taken with it.
€10.70 from www.opinel.com
17. Gardens of Andalucia
The Travel Department has some wonderful options, including the Gardens of Andalucia, which is a six-night half-board holiday guided by Iain MacDonald, a qualified and experienced gardener and guide.
Prices from €1,199 per person from www.traveldepartment.ie
18. Chelsea Flower Show
What gardener does not like to soak up the amazing designs at the world-famous RHS Chelsea Flower Show?
Tickets from £36. Many hotels have special deals for the show. See www.rhs.org.uk
GARDEN STYLE 19. Le Laboureur jacket
Ever noticed that super-cool, wrecked-looking blue garden jacket that Monty Don wears? It is a Le Laboureur jacket – a timeless work coat manufactured by this 60year-old family business in their factory in Digoin. A truly iconic piece.
€115 with free shipping to Ireland on www.urbanexcess.com
20. Wentworth puzzles
The gorgeous prints by Wentworth puzzles feature many well known artists and illustrators and are laser-cut from wooden board derived from sustainable sources.. This contemporary illustration by popular artist Julia Rigby features different woodland creatures in a wintry forest scene, including a fox, hare, pheasant, squirrel, hedgehog, owl and myriad birds. Perfect for nature lovers.
This 250x250mm 240-piece puzzle is £29.95 on www.wentworthpuzzles.com