If you have green-fingered hopes for the new year, browse this list of the best plant and garden shops around Ireland for picking up supplies …
THE GLOSS X Shopkeepers.com Best Shop Ireland 2022 list is here! THE GLOSS team, led by Sarah McDonnell, editor, Paula Flynn of TheShopkeepers.com, and Amanda Pratt, designer and former creative director and owner of Avoca, have been sifting through nominations for our Best Shops Ireland 2002. With your help, readers and followers, we have found a fabulously diverse and exciting bunch of independent retailers. Store owners, we salute you for your creativity, your hard work, your perseverance in tough times, and your inspiring ability to bring us joy: they don’t call it retail therapy for nothing. We will continue to support you because we want your shops to remain open and thriving, in our cities, towns and villages. Let’s start spreading the word …
If you have green-fingered hopes for the new year, browse this list of the best plant and garden shops around Ireland for picking up supplies. And then read this guide to gentle winter gardening which includes ten simple tasks you can complete over the Christmas break …
ADONIS FLOWER DESIGNERS, 59-60 Patrick Street, Dublin 8
Located on the ground floor of the historic Iveagh Trust Buildings, built in 1908 by the Guinness Family, ADONIS FLOWER DESIGNERS was established 30 years ago. One of the oldest trading flower shops in Dublin, the shop also supports small Irish-owned businesses offering an assortment of gifts alongside their floral bouquets. www.adonis.ie
FORMALITY, The Cowshed, Glasthule, Co Dublin
A charming courtyard is the centre piece of garden design studio and store FORMALITY in Glasthule. Owner, garden designer Karl Barnes has been designing gardens both large and small for more than 25 years. Formality is an opportunity to showcase his favourite elements used in his projects plus a selection of his most-loved goods. www.formalityonline.com
HOPELESS BOTANICS, Unit 5, Dean Court, Dean Street, Dublin 8
After a series of pop-ups, house plant aficionado Erin Thomas found the perfect location for her urban jungle plant shop that she opened in 2022. Erin sources plants from a wide range of growers across Europe and can expertly advise buyers, even if a visit to the store is not possible. Hopeless Botanics has a selection of pots and home décor items to complement your plant purchase. www.hopelessbotanics.ie
HOWBERT & MAYS, 16 Clare Street, Dublin 2 & 27, Monkstown Crescent, Monkstown, Co Dublin
With a keen eye for a fixer-upper, Detroit native Anthea Howbert saw the potential of a dilapidated former tool-for-hire shop in Monkstown. Together with her husband, Tig Mays, the landscape designers and gardeners reimagined the space into a wonderful indoor-outdoor garden shop. The addition of their Clare Street shop in the former Greene’s bookshop has allowed them to expand their vision into art and homewares. www.howbertandmays.ie. www.instagram.com/howbertandmays/
Photography by Simon Watson.
THE GARDEN, Powerscourt Townhouse, 59 South William Street, Dublin 2
Grand architectural details frame this beautiful botanical haven, filled with plants and blooms, that spill out onto to the granite steps of Powerscourt Townhouse on South William Street. Landscape gardener, horticulturist and florist, Mark Grehan’s flower shop occupies the foyer of Dublin’s Georgian Powerscourt Townhouse. Mark brings the influence of his Connemara roots to his work, infusing his hand-tied bouquets and arrangements with a naturally wild, sculptural pared back beauty. www.thegarden.ie www.instagram.com/shopthegarden/. Photography by Doreen Kilfeather.
WHITE DOVE NURSERIES, 26 Upper Gerald Griffin Street, Limerick
Tara Maloney has an impeccable pedigree having worked for some of the finest flower and garden businesses in Paris and London including the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew and Petersham Nurseries. Fortunately for Limerick residents she opened White Dove Nurseries in 2021 bringing her floral and garden artistry and expertise to the area. www.whitedovenurseries.com
WILD THING, 4A High Street, Donaghadee, Co Down
This plant, coffee, and homeware shop on Ireland’s east coast was established in 2017 by Karen Looney. WILD THING has a wonderful assortment of houseplants and dried flowers set against a white-painted brick wall. The perfect environment to enjoy a coffee and sweet treat. There is also a selection of textiles and homeware on offer too. www.wildthingireland.com