Sara Whelan, Gardener – ‘The Winter Garden’

Sara Whelan is a garden designer living in Dunmain, New Ross, Co. Wexford. She first learnt about plants from her grandmother who lived near the National Botanic Gardens in Glasnevin, Dublin. She studied science at UCD and worked in education for almost 40 years. After taking early retirement, she studied for a Diploma in Garden Design and was a finalist in the national student design competition run by the Garden and Landscape Design Association (GLDA). Sara has designed and made many gardens, from tiny city gardens to coastal gardens, a school garden, community gardens, and her own country garden in Dunmain. She coordinated the New Ross GIY group for 10 years and currently helps to maintain three public display beds in the town, which promote biodiversity, herbs, edible flowers and vegetables. Sara offers an informal garden design advice and planning service, through her website: gardenplans.info.