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Patthana - An Artist's Garden


Garden Writer

During a visit to Ireland last Summer, I was privileged to be invited to Patthana garden, not only for a guided tour of the garden itself by TJ Maher - the artist who created this spectacular place, but also for lunch prepared by his husband Simon. Lunch was delicious and with hindsight I realise how lucky I was to have this wonderful experience. Patthana is without doubt my favourite garden in Ireland, and I often let my mind drift back to remember that beautiful day.


Garden Writer

We were scheduled to arrive at Patthana for lunch and all morning it had been quite cloudy with frequent and heavy rain showers - we were cold and wet plus a little disappointed that our visit would probably be spoiled by the rain.


There is nothing to prepare you for Patthana, only an unusual sign outside on the street, and a very distinctive high metal gate. As we walked through the gate and in to the Courtyard, TJ was there to greet us with a warm Irish welcome and smile. Within no time at all we were sat down with friends, old and new, to enjoy the most delicious lunch. To our delight, sunlight began to filter through into the Courtyard and the rain clouds slowly began to drift away.


Garden Writer

The first thing that struck me about the garden, even in the Courtyard area, was the profusion of bright and contrasting colours. A mulitude of plants were displayed in terracotta pots and this one, in particular, caught my eye with its striking orange lantern shaped flower Abutilon 'Red Tiger' - complete with raindrops from the earlier showers, it was strikingly beautiful. I love this plant and now have one of my own to remind me of that Summer day at Patthana.


Garden Writer

There are several parts to the garden at Patthana, beginning with the Courtyard adjacent to the house. Here is a stone pond, potting shed and seemingly hundreds of plants in pots which bring colour and interest to the grey coloured stone of the house. Everything about this garden embraces wildlife, starting with the pond where thought has been given not only to the look and colour of the planting, but also to how wildlife can access the water too.


Interest has been added with height, and several climbing plants cleverly separate the potting shed from pond area, giving the impression of space. There is another form of art quite evident in the Courtyard - the ironwork railings which curve around the steep steps leading into the Inner Garden on a higher level beyond. These draw your eye and by strategic use of pots full of colour on the steps themselves you are encouraged to wander up and explore the next part of the garden, which comes slowly in to view.


Garden Writer

Originally there were only the two parts to this garden - The Courtyard and Inner Garden. For many years TJ spent his time creating a private sanctuary in each of these, placing plants, trees, hedging and fencing to hide the neighbouring properties from view. The result is a feeling that you are enveloped in a peaceful and secret oasis, yet it's only a few steps from the main village street.


The Inner Garden has deep borders crammed with plants, which have been chosen by TJ for colour and form, as well as the longest possible period of interest. When he ran out of space, island beds were created in the lawn itself and curved paving stones laid to protect the lawn. When viewed from the right angle, the island beds merge into the borders behind, giving the impression that the garden is much larger.


Garden Writer

The colours at Patthana are amazing, and TJ is not afraid to play with them. He uses his Artist training to place complementary and contrasting colours in just the right places, and is not afraid to cut plants down to the ground, whilst in full flower, if they don't work.


TJ will also take flower stems from other parts of the garden and place them into an area where they may work better, so that he can stand back and actually see for real the visual effect of a specific plant in a new place. This is a great idea to take back into your own garden, as it lets you see immediately how a particular plant combination is going to work.


Garden Writer

Here is a plant combination I would never have thought of myself that works perfectly. A subtle purple pink of Valeriana officinalis is planted next to bright orange colouered Helenium 'Moerheim Beauty'. It works and doesn't clash, because the more subtle colours are complimented by the wooden building in the background and the tree bark adjacent to the plant.


It looks so natural and works perfectly, but this is very careful curation by TJ behind the scenes. He isn't afraid to experiment with plants, colour and form.


Garden Writer

For me a garden is all about plants and design, and many gardens seem instead to be over filled with sculptures and statues. There is very little of this at Patthana, other than a small amount of metal work which is very understated and "fits" perfectly into the space, without becoming a distraction.


I loved these intricate and artsy metal holders, which had been placed at the side of a wooden seat where you could stop a while, put down your drink, and take in the garden around you. Linking in to the metal of the Courtyard Steps, they were discretely tucked away beside some ferns, and probably missed by many visitors to this garden.


Garden Writer

Until fairly recently, the garden ended just beyond the Inner Garden boundary, and a farmer's field lay beyond. TJ and Simon had an opportunity to purchase the field in recent years, and as a result the garden has now expanded and contains a newly designed Torque Garden, Meadow and Pond.


These new parts of the garden lie hidden from view and are linked to the Inner Garden by a more subtly planted wooded, green and leafy area, using stone similar to the walls of the house, and so continuing and replicating the feel of the Courtyard area. There's a very tranquil feel in this part of the garden before the view opens up beyond.


Garden Writer

The Torque Garden has a very prairie style feel to it, and the pathway leads you around this part of the garden, so you can view the borders from many different angles and get very close up to the plants, so you feel as if you are almost part of them.


Half way around this area you arrive at a sheltered gravel seating area with loungers and a fire pit, totally hidden away and secluded within all the planting, and yet with a feeling of openess as well. The seating feels enveloped in the planting and you somehow feel a sense of protection and peacefulness here.


Garden Writer

As you leave the Torque Garden, everything opens up and a grass pathway draws you to a wild flower meadow flanked by a row of trees to the right, and earth banking to the left, which has been cleverly sculptured to enclose the garden from the buildings behind, whilst also giving a nod to the contours of the hills and mountains beyond.


Garden Writer

Even in this more open area, the plants are prolific and spill out of the borders attracting the eye and, if you are lucky, letting you watch insects and butterflies looking for nectar. The area is buzzing with wildlife and stunning plants with striking colour like this beautiful Verbena bonariensis, which seems to self-seed in the extended part of the garden.


Garden Writer

Beyond the meadow is a striking borrowed view - the local Church which towers high above the garden and draws your eye. Here TJ has placed a beautiful metal seat with wide arches that mirror the arches of the Church. It seems that from whereever you are in the garden there is always a plant or item of interest that adds to the view. Here I found a striking Teasel plant which towered above me, and beautifully but strikingly marked the beginning and end of the Meadow.


Garden Writer

As we walked back toward the house the garden continued to delight - here a view through the Hawthorn Trees, which were originally the boundaries of the Inner Garden which looks out to a stunning landscape beyond. The wooden fencing fades away as your eye is drawn to the gnarled and magnificent tree roots up close and the rolling hills in the background with a profusion of colour in between.


The garden is spectacular. It's an Artist's work in progress but in plants rather than paints. At times this garden literally took my breath away. The design and plant combinations are beautiful, and I hope one day soon I will be lucky enough to return to Patthana - a garden that is not only stunning but has feeling and meaning - a very rare combination.


Garden Writer



Garden Writer


Garden Writer


Garden Writer

Guineveres Garden | Garden Writer









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