Coming Home to Nature - GardensDB Browse [ ![](/images/leaf_icon.svg) Gardens**DB** ](https://gardensdb.com) [ Gardens ](https://gardensdb.com/gardens) [ Shows ](https://gardensdb.com/shows) [ Studios ](https://gardensdb.com/studios) [ People ](https://gardensdb.com/people) [ Search gardens, designers, shows… ](https://gardensdb.com/search) [ Login ](https://gardensdb.com/login?redirect_to=https%3A%2F%2Fgardensdb.com%2Fgardens%2Fcoming-home-to-nature) [ Register ](https://gardensdb.com/register) [ ](https://gardensdb.com/search) Discover - [ Home ](https://gardensdb.com) - [ Gardens ](https://gardensdb.com/gardens) - [ Shows ](https://gardensdb.com/shows) - [ Events ](https://gardensdb.com/events) - [ 360° tours ](https://gardensdb.com/360-tours) - [ Trails ](https://gardensdb.com/trails) People & studios - [ People ](https://gardensdb.com/people) - [ Studios ](https://gardensdb.com/studios) - [ Books ](https://gardensdb.com/books) - [ Jobs ](https://gardensdb.com/jobs) Organisations - [ Sponsors ](https://gardensdb.com/sponsors) - [ Charity & non-profits ](https://gardensdb.com/charities) - [ Collectives ](https://gardensdb.com/collectives) - [ Companies ](https://gardensdb.com/companies) - [ Education ](https://gardensdb.com/education-institutions) - [ Nurseries ](https://gardensdb.com/nurseries) Account - [ Login ](https://gardensdb.com/login?redirect_to=https%3A%2F%2Fgardensdb.com%2Fgardens%2Fcoming-home-to-nature) - [ Register ](https://gardensdb.com/register) Discover - [ Home Today's highlights ](https://gardensdb.com) - [ Gardens Show gardens, catalogued ](https://gardensdb.com/gardens) - [ Shows Horticultural shows ](https://gardensdb.com/shows) - [ Events Festivals, courses & open days ](https://gardensdb.com/events) - [ 360° tours Step inside, long after the show packs up ](https://gardensdb.com/360-tours) - [ Trails Curated routes through the gardens ](https://gardensdb.com/trails) People & studios - [ People Designers, judges, growers ](https://gardensdb.com/people) - [ Studios Design practices ](https://gardensdb.com/studios) - [ Books Recommended reading ](https://gardensdb.com/books) - [ Jobs Roles in the industry ](https://gardensdb.com/jobs) Organisations - [ Sponsors Organisations that back the gardens ](https://gardensdb.com/sponsors) - [ Charity & non-profits Causes behind the gardens ](https://gardensdb.com/charities) - [ Collectives Groups & community projects ](https://gardensdb.com/collectives) - [ Companies Suppliers & contractors ](https://gardensdb.com/companies) - [ Education Schools, colleges & universities ](https://gardensdb.com/education-institutions) - [ Nurseries Plant suppliers & growers ](https://gardensdb.com/nurseries) [ Submit a garden ](https://gardensdb.com/gardens/submit) [ About GardensDB ](https://gardensdb.com/help) ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/gardens/coming-home-to-nature/primary_image.webp) [Gardens](https://gardensdb.com/gardens) / [ Bord Bia Bloom 2024 ](https://gardensdb.com/shows/bord-bia-bloom-2024) Large Show Garden ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/awards/bord-bia-bloom-gold-medal/icon.webp) Gold Medal Coming Home to Nature ======================= Designed by Nicola Haines At a glance Show Bord Bia Bloom Year 2024 Category Large Show Garden Large Show Garden Photo: Bord Bia Bloom About this garden The story ----------- This large show garden is directly linked to new design guidance for building developers which demonstrates how biodiversity can be incorporated into housing developments. The design focuses on managing rainwater through using sustainable urban drainage systems (SuDS), while also catering for tree and shrub planting, wildflower meadows, nesting facilities in building facades, green roofs, dead wood, and natural play. The garden incorporates elements of a housing estate and follows the passage of rainwater as it is captured and utilised to benefit both wildlife and residents. The rain water’s passage through the garden is visible in stages cut through the ground. Viewing windows below ground level demonstrate in cross section how the drainage feature works to slow down surface water runoff and help the soil absorb water. The diverse planting scheme includes a range of woodland plants and trees, demonstrating the many benefits of planting new woodlands in housing estates. Award Recognition ------------- - ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/awards/bord-bia-bloom-gold-medal/icon.webp) Gold Medal Bord Bia Bloom The people behind it Designer ---------- - [ ![Nicola Haines](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/people/nicola-haines/profile_photo.webp) Nicola Haines Designer ](https://gardensdb.com/people/nicola-haines) Photography Gallery --------- ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/78c08e05-8989-4180-8375-e5d79e7ee032/conversions/D27232-0006-thumb-gallery.webp) ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/4e391ce0-e5ba-4999-a0fe-b6ff5d4e4a34/conversions/D27232-0004-thumb-gallery.webp) ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/8014b137-25b1-40ad-a7cd-b00f8022ac60/conversions/D27232-0001-thumb-gallery.webp) ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/7517515d-7bf4-4f65-a2f9-cdacb24da8c9/conversions/D27232-0002-thumb-gallery.webp) ![]() / Photo: Brought to life by Organisations --------------- ### Sponsor 1 - [ ![Fingal County Council](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/charities/fingal-county-council/logo.webp) Fingal County Council ](https://gardensdb.com/charities/fingal-county-council) ![](/images/leaf_icon.svg) Gardens**DB** The world's largest collection of show gardens online, kept free, kept current, and shaped by the community that uses it. 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