GLAS Special: GLDA Seminar 2025 – A celebration of landscape resilience
By John B. Smyth MHort (RHS) MGLDA
Print17 July 2025
The GLDA Seminar 2025, held at Dublin’s Crowne Plaza Hotel in Santry, reaffirmed its status as a highlight in Ireland’s landscape design calendar. With the theme of “Resilience,” the day gathered designers, horticulturists and garden enthusiasts in a celebration of nature’s adaptability and the creative responses it inspires.
Caption: Deirdre Prince of GLDA leads the Q&A (Photo: Vincent McMonagle)
Charlotte Hitchmough – Rivers and communities
Opening the day was Charlotte Hitchmough, director of Action for the River Kennet. She highlighted the dire state of UK rivers – 80% failing to meet good ecological standards – and championed the role garden design plays in water stewardship. Her talk, rich with case studies on floodplain restoration and community action, reminded us: “Every one of us lives in a catchment. Every paving slab, every downpipe, counts.”
Wendy Allen – Creative rainscapes
Wendy Allen followed with a compelling exploration of SUDS (Sustainable Drainage Systems). Her examples – front gardens transformed into flood buffers and playful water features in public spaces – proved water management need not be dull. With a deft touch, she illustrated how creativity can foster ecological awareness and change. “Designing with water doesn’t have to be complex – it just has to be conscious,” she said, leaving the audience brimming with ideas.
Adam Whitbourn – Blarney’s living legacy
Next was Adam Whitbourn, head Gardener at Blarney Castle, who spoke of evolving a historic estate with ecological sensibility. From storm-damaged trees repurposed into habitat to low-peat wildflower meadows, his talk was a masterclass in blending heritage with sustainability. “A garden like Blarney isn’t frozen in time. It’s alive, always evolving,” he affirmed, making his 70-acre stewardship seem both enviable and inspirational.
Ann-Marie Powell – Joyful wildness
Ann-Marie Powell brought dynamic energy with her talk on planting bold, sustainable gardens. Known for vibrant, wildlife-friendly designs, she advocated for letting go of perfection and embracing nature’s messiness. She shared insights on bulb layering, alternatives to overused species, and designing with reclaimed materials. “Sustainability isn’t a limitation,” she said, “it’s an invitation.” Her radiant presence and wisdom underscored her role as a leading voice in modern garden design.
(L-R) Speakers Dr Henrik Sjöman; Ann-Marie Powell; Adam Whitbourn; GLDA chairperson Kinta Oakes alongside speakers Charlotte Hitchmough & Wendy Allen (Photo: Vincent McMonagle)
Dr Henrik Sjöman – Trees with purpose
Closing the day was Dr Henrik Sjöman, who reframed trees as vital infrastructure rather than decorative extras. With wit and rigour, he urged designers to select trees for performance- cooling, shading, sheltering – not just aesthetics. “We’re not planting for today,” he said. “We’re planting for 30, 50, even 100 years from now.” His call for species diversity and function-first planting echoed long after his talk ended.
A seminar to remember
From rivers and rainscapes to heritage gardens and urban forests, the 2025 GLDA Seminar showcased the depth and diversity of modern landscape design. Each speaker offered a unique take on resilience – reminding us that great gardens are not only beautiful but also intelligent, responsive and built for the future.
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