Silver Gilt Award for Tom's edible and enchanting garden at Bloom

Killucan designer, Tom Leavy, was awarded a Silver Gilt medal for his ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory The Musical Garden’ at Bord Bia Bloom in the Phoenix Park at the weekend.

A favourite with Bloom goers, Tom’s design which was sponsored by the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre, was described as a “delectable show garden”, playing on elements from the stage musical opening in the theatre in December, and featured a pathway to a flowing chocolate river, sustainable sculpture, colourful textiles, and bountiful planting.

This was Tom’s second time designing a show garden for the festival; previously he built three medal-winning gardens at Bloom, and last year, his Beauty and the Beast The Musical Garden, which he co-designed with Cornelia Raftery, won a silver medal.

“Central to the design is the introduction of edible and incredible plants inspired by Wonka’s inventions,” said Tom. “The plants have been chosen specifically to exhibit edible and medicinal uses, showcasing their practicality as well as their natural beauty.

“They inspire visitors to create a holistic landscape of their own while growing nutritional food in a creative and visually appealing way.”

Sustainability, wellness, and holistic living are core values throughout Tom’s life and work.

He studied horticulture at the National Botanic Gardens before establishing Leavy Landscaping in Killucan, a landscape design and construction company that focuses on sustainable landscape design and construction.

He also recently opened Red Roots Farm, an education, wellness, and retreat centre, with artist Claire Bracken.

A total of 36 medals were handed out to show gardens at Bloom over the June bank holiday.