Since the beginning of June, Mornington Garden has welcomed small groups who have enjoyed an introduction to gardening, while walking through the garden followed with refreshments. My visitors book has many testimonials expressing their delight with their visit to this very special oasis. I am extremely grateful and for me, and the garden, a tremendous enrichment. Thank you for so much encouragement.
Annmarie
29 July 2020.
P.S. please come and visit.
June 2020
Hi Annmarie
Many thanks Annmarie for giving us a morning to remember. Your gorgeous garden provided the perfect backdrop for a delicious and beautifully presented morning coffee. We will be back very soon.
Garden Visit May 2020
Dear Annmarie,
Thank you so much for showing us around your garden yesterday.
What a wonderful selection of flowers, shrubs, trees and vegetable gardens. Seeing so many varieties of flowers in full bloom was really beautiful.
My children especially liked the free-range chickens and seeing them wandering about foraging for food.
Your knowledge of nature was enlightening and your love of nature very evident.
Wishing you continued good luck with your garden centre.
Kind regards,
Cormac.
Hi Annmarie,Thank you so much once again for having us over to your garden yesterday – we all left both with a sense of peace and inspiration! What you’ve done since you moved into your lovely home is nothing short of phenomenal! I’m still amazed at how much you manage to get done.
Thank you again!
Kind regards,Dónal
Zoom class 14 May 2020.
Hi AnnMarie,
Thank you very much for this. I loved the class and learned a lot. The database was a ton of work but will be so valuable to have in the future.
I pass your house once in a while when I’m jogging, hope to catch up with you if I ever see you in the garden. 🙂
Take care!
Mary
Thanks for the gardening class, it was very informative, I missed the chat and scones though.
Aisling
Thank you for the free gardening class yesterday. I really enjoyed it. I went mad buying more seeds afterwards! I did donate to St Vincent dePaul, they do great work. Thanks again and I hope you get time to relax in your lovely garden.
Talk soon,
Mary
Hi Annmarie I really enjoyed the gardening class! It was nice to have the time to participate! Rosemary
December 2019
I just want to say a massive thank you for hosting your fabulous gardening course. Participating in it has literally changed my life. I found my inner secret gardener and my new addiction. I absolutely loved the lessons around your kitchen table followed by the walk and talk through your beautiful garden and finishing with practicals. It was amazing to me how every week we could spend over an hour in the same garden yet discover something new and engaging to learn about. We had a wonderful class and as you know, we are all still in touch. And as for you, you are fascinating, captivating, funny and full of interesting anecdotes. I will see you soon.
Merry Christmas! Suzanne
November 2019
I have just finished my first 6 week gardening course in Dalkey. Annmarie is a warm intelligent woman who obviously loves gardening, she has a great knowledge of plants and a great eye for forms and shapes, she instills a have a go attitude. It’s a very hands-on course, always finished with some homemade scones and coffee in the kitchen. We had some lovely days out visiting Airfield House and June and Jimi Blake’s gardens. I’m already missing my Thursday morning class and looking forward to the next course. Many thanks Annmarie x Bernie
Annmarie Bowring’s gardening classes at the Dalkey Garden School are unique – informative, relaxed, practical and fun – and suitable for everyone from complete novice to experienced gardener. I was a novice and I have transformed my garden. It is all thanks to Annmarie.
November 2019
This informative yet informal class was held in the lovely surroundings of Annmarie’s home and garden. Each class brought new topics to be discussed such as (lasagne) planting of spring bulbs, Autumn cuttings and propagation, followed by trips out into the garden to look at the practicalities of these activities.
We did some soil testing from our own garden samples and often went home with potted cuttings from her garden.
Annmarie is a gardener who is not only passionate about her subject but who is also generous with her time and her own garden resources.
For me the most memorable lesson that I learnt from this class is not to be afraid to fail. Try, if it doesn’t work, try to find out why and try again. Annmarie’s honesty and sense of humour about her own failings in the garden inspired me to be a more confident gardener.
Thank you. Helen
June 2019
Just a note to say how much I enjoyed your gardening course.I did two 6-week courses this year. It was a very nice mix of gardening information, practical tasks, looking at the growth in your lovely garden and garden visits. Not to mention the homemade scones at coffee break!I would recommend the course to anyone interested in learning more about gardening in a convivial and informative way!Looking forward to upcoming workshops! Linda
Basket Weaving Workshop Saturday 24 November 2018
“Thank you for organising such a wonderful day. This was my first ever attempt at basket making. Ronan and Elaine were fantastic tutors. So patient and clear with instructions. Everybody went home with a lovely basket to be proud of.
The day was made extra special with morning tea of fresh scones and homemade preserve. Delicious lunch sitting around your dining room table was a treat.” M Holt
Designing and Planting the Cut Flower Garden
“I learned so much at the Dalkey garden school one-day class on growing flowers for cutting. With top Irish gardener Fionnuala Fallon, there were so many new tips and techniques. And all in the beautiful setting of one of Dublin’s most beautiful gardens. Thanks to all for a wonderful day.” Ruth
Wednesday morning workshop on Grow your own Vegetables
A quick note to say thank you for the wonderful class on Wednesday – thoroughly enjoyed it and learnt lots. Hope to be back again. Looking forward to using my oscillating hoe and compost tool, warmest wishes. Orla
Grow your own Vegetables February 2018
“I really enjoyed this morning’s session with you. I have a reasonable knowledge of gardening but not much experience with vegetables and your workshop has given me some very useful pointers for trying new experiments!” Ann L
Seed Sowing Workshop February 2018
As one whose gardening knowledge is rather ‘patchy’ I decided to attend Annmarie’s seed sowing workshop recently. Having attended a Christmas wreath making workshop at Mornington I knew I would be in good hands! Annmarie welcomed us and delivered her session in such a relaxed, chatty, informal atmosphere that the learning experience was enhanced and made most enjoyable. Throughout the morning there was a lovely balance between expanding our knowledge about seeds alongside practical experience of how to go about getting started on this joyous journey with nature. Annmarie’s expertise, enthusiasm and warmth made it easy for us all to ask further questions and generally have an uplifting time. Having learned so much about the pleasures (and occasional pitfalls!) of seed sowing l now feel informed and equipped to launch into sowing seeds at home and to care for them as they grow and develop. Thank you, Annmarie, for a great workshop. Jeanne
‘A short workshop on Seedlings with Annemarie has opened up the world of growing your own flowers, herbs and vegetables from scratch. Annemarie’s approach is hands-on, informative and practical and she is generous with her time and extensive gardening experience – cannot recommend the Dalkey School of Gardening more’. Georgina
Christmas Wreath Making 3 December 2017
“Today was amazing, very enjoyable. Thank you” Fiona O’C
“I loved it, fun, inspiring, creative, thank you.” Mary O’B
“Welcoming, encouraging, giving! Everyone was at ease and let their creativity flow. Many thanks for my lovely start for the festive season. Thank you”. Siofradh E.
“Super” Orla D.
“Great fun”. Carlotta
“Really enjoyed the morning.Thank you” Olive B”Fab.fun”. Mairead O’B
“Wonderful!’ Una R
Christmas Wreath Making 26 November 2017
“Loved it, relaxing, switched off from life’s stuff, enjoyed the creative journey” Jeanne S
“Have had no flower arrangement experience, just help with church flowers, loved my morning of learning and creativity” Gillian K.
“Fab – Looking forward to next course” Elaine McG
Mornington Garden 2017
June 2017
“Thanks for presenting us your beautiful garden”
Laiola and Marco from Lieitteu Germany
Visitors arrived at the gate on a very wet blustery – day and caught me as she was heading off (they hadn’t phoned ahead) and I was delighted to welcome a lovely couple from Finland who had made the journey by DART to visit.
“A lovely garden to visit. We would recommend this beautiful place to be one of the very best gardens to visit” Lelia
March Garden Visit to Mornington Garden 2017
Thank you Annmarie for showing Cliff and me your lovely garden and for the most unusual plan Melanoselinum decipiens which we will watch with interest. Maree Kirker
“A lovely garden to visit. We would recommend this beautiful place to be on of the very best gardens to visit” Marie F. Odette G. Leila K.
“What a wonderful oasis – beautiful gardens Annmarie gave us a wonderful tour, lots of tips and ideas too. A fabulous way to pass an hour or two! Highly recommend a visit” Silvie R and Eric
Peninsula Garden Group
“lovely tea and coffee to a great garden”
” A lovely experience”
” Very Friendly visit and a lovely garden”
“Thank you, it was a joy
” Just lovely”
“I loved it!”
“I enjoyed the garden so much!!” Trish F.
“Thank you so much” Catherine and Bob from Holland
Basket Weaving Workshop
Thank you for hosting an enjoyable fun day. The basket weaving workshop was great. Lunch was lovely and Anne Marie welcomed everyone into her home with warmth and kindness. Ula Boyle
Planting Design Workshop – February 2017
“I really enjoyed the Garden planning workshop. Patricia was so knowledgeable and the workshop was really helpful in getting us to think about how to structure planting beds in different layers, colour combinations and textures. Full of inspiration. Really enjoyed the tour around your garden too and all the delicious home cooked food. ” Gabby
“Thank you for organising yesterdays course. It was a very interesting day and I got lots of ideas for working on the garden this year.
“I enjoyed seeing your garden which is most impressive and you very generous with your hospitality.”
“I found Patricia a very pleasant person. She is very informative and knowledgeable and kept the course interesting all day. There was lots of opportunities for questions.” Tim
Willow Weaving Workshop February 2017
“Annmarie you are a natural. One can’t but be interested because of your love of what you do, comes across very strongly” Rita Drum, 19 February 2017
“Absolutely wonderful day.Thank you Annmarie. Really useful and beautifully welcoming. x Judy, 19 February 2017
Just to say what a super morning at Dalkey Garden School’s willow weaving course!!! We made more than I would have thought possible. Such good value and a thoroughly enjoyable course! Thank you. Suzann O’Coineen
“I had always an interest in gardening from an early age. I was fascinated to see things grow in the garden. I often made the mistake of planting in the wrong placer not knowing what type of feed to give my plants. I met Annmarie and Annmarie mentioned that she was running a class in the Dalkey Garden School in January. I enrolled in the class, the classes are held in Saval Park Road in Dalkey. The class is a fun relaxed atmosphere running week day mornings. Each class is about six people so it is great if you have any questions for Annmarie. We learn everything from potting to planting and the names of the different plants. Each morning is followed with a cup of tea, a scone and a chat. We have also visited some fabulous gardens around Ireland,such as Huntington, Altamont and the Bay Garden as well as many more. I have completed three terms with Dalkey Garden School and hope to do many more.” Tom Newman
GARDEN DESIGN
“Annmarie did several pieces of work for us. From planting to maintenance and everything in between. She really knows her plants and will always go the extra mile. I have no hesitation in recommending her”. Barbara Moynihan www.OnYourFeet.ie
“Nearly eight years ago we used Annemarie Bowring’s services to design and supervise the re-landscaping of our small townhouse garden after a house renovation. The result was excellent and our garden has matured perfectly during this time. We gave Annemarie a broad but simple brief which she followed to the letter but she added a sense of design and innovation that will continue to mature with the test of time. We would have no hesitation in recommending Annemarie’s services to anyone.” Martin & Triona Byrne.
CLASSES
“I really enjoyed the Monday evening classes that you ran in the term to Christmas.
You have an encyclopedic knowledge of everything to do with the garden, and I learned a lot from your off the cuff comments, as well as from the prepared material for each class.
The practical tips you gave, as well as quoting from the experts, were all very useful.” Peter Cullen
“Annmarie is a great teacher very easy going, classes were fun and we learned a lot. Each week I looked forward to our Monday sessions, to learn how to take care of my Garden more. I would highly recommend Annmarie’s classes as she is patient and will explain everything till you get it which is very important.” Sharon Morgan
Hi Annmarie. Just wanted to express my sincere thanks for the wonderful day I had at Burtown. What a treat! You are a wonderful host and are filled with knowledge. I am looking forward to building my Aussie rockgarden in the near future. Truly an inspirational day which I will remember for many years. Thank you so very much. God bless xx
“I completed a module of Annmarie’s garden design course at the Dalkey Garden School. The course was practical, easy to understand and culminated in designing a new garden for a house in Bray, county Wicklow. The delighted owner was really happy with our suggested design” Derek Thomas
