Ireland’s maverick garden designer, Diarmuid Gavin, is returning to the RHS Chelsea Flower Show

Ireland’s maverick garden designer, Diarmuid Gavin, is returning to the RHS Chelsea Flower Show for the first time in three years.

He’ll be creating the British Eccentric’s Garden, sponsored by Harrods and inspired by the inventions of William Heath Robinson. The garden appears to be a classical design at first, full of terraces and topiary, a sunken Italianate pond and octagonal folly. But in true Diarmuid style, all is not as it seems: the box balls bob up and down, conical bay trees twirl like ballerinas and the sheds are full of cogs, wheels and other eccentric gadgetry.

Diarmuid’s previous Chelsea gardens have included a sea of brightly-coloured National Lottery balls; a garden inside a frame of steel pod suspended from a 60ft crane (his only gold medal winning garden to date); and a seven-storey, 80ft high scaffolding pyramid complete with working shower, greenhouse and washing machine.

Also flying the flag for Ireland at Chelsea is Irish designer Paul Martin with his Garden of Mindful Living, a peaceful space for yoga and contemplation. Tickets for the Chelsea Flower Show are now on sale (and make a fantastic Christmas present!): visit www.rhs.org.uk/chelsea for details.