Keeping It Country – The James and Joe Garden Show at Arboretum
Join two of the most engaging voices in UK horticulture, Joe Swift and James Alexander-Sinclair, for a lively and insightful conversation on garden design and creativity.
To start the evening, Joe Swift provides a fascinating insight into his latest project, Joe’s Country Garden, a deeply personal garden he is developing from scratch following his move from urban London to rural Dorset.
Set within a mature two-acre site, the garden is a true work in progress and offers a rare opportunity to see how a leading designer approaches a garden over time. Joe will share his thinking behind the transformation, from early site decisions and reshaping the layout, to introducing structure through pathways and evolving planting schemes. He will also explore how he is working with what was already there – including woodland and meadow areas – and reflect on the realities of building a garden from the ground up, from hard landscaping and soil preparation to planting, pruning and long-term planning.Â
In the second part of the evening, James will introduce his own garden – a space that is a few years further along in its development – offering a contrasting perspective and allowing both speakers to reflect on how gardens evolve over time. A chatty and engaging exchange is promised, with Joe and James contributing to each other’s talks – questioning, commenting and occasionally disagreeing – giving the audience a genuine insight into how two experienced garden designers think and work.
Expect honest reflections, practical insights and plenty of humour as they compare approaches, share lessons learned and highlight what has worked (and what hasn’t).
The evening will conclude with an audience Q&A – with a twist. In true James and Joe Garden Show style, questions are encouraged, but only the interesting ones… and preferably nothing about dead plants.
Blending expertise with personality and entertainment, this promises to be an engaging and memorable evening for gardeners of all levels.
Venue:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Arboretum Home and Garden Heaven, Leighlinbridge, Co. Carlow R93 P9F4
Time:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 7.30 p.m.Â
Admission:        €30
Type of event: Indoors with opportunity to view Arboretum Inspirational Gardens.
5 – 7 p.m. Enjoy two course buffet meal with tea/coffee in Rachel’s Garden Choice of three main courses and choice from the dessert counter - €24.95.
Enjoy late shopping in Arboretum Home and Garden Heaven until 9.45 p.m.
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Enjoy Great Weekend at Carlow Garden Festival!
Get €10 discount and enjoy four brilliant talks with famous gardeners on Saturday, 25th and Sunday, 26th July 2026.
Join two of the most engaging voices in UK horticulture, Joe Swift and James Alexander-Sinclair, for a lively and insightful conversation on garden design and creativity.
To start the evening, Joe Swift provides a fascinating insight into his latest project, Joe’s Country Garden, a deeply personal garden he is developing from scratch following his move from urban London to rural Dorset.
Set within a mature two-acre site, the garden is a true work in progress and offers a rare opportunity to see how a leading designer approaches a garden over time. Joe will share his thinking behind the transformation, from early site decisions and reshaping the layout, to introducing structure through pathways and evolving planting schemes. He will also explore how he is working with what was already there – including woodland and meadow areas – and reflect on the realities of building a garden from the ground up, from hard landscaping and soil preparation to planting, pruning and long-term planning.Â
In the second part of the evening, James will introduce his own garden – a space that is a few years further along in its development – offering a contrasting perspective and allowing both speakers to reflect on how gardens evolve over time. A chatty and engaging exchange is promised, with Joe and James contributing to each other’s talks – questioning, commenting and occasionally disagreeing – giving the audience a genuine insight into how two experienced garden designers think and work.
Expect honest reflections, practical insights and plenty of humour as they compare approaches, share lessons learned and highlight what has worked (and what hasn’t).
The evening will conclude with an audience Q&A – with a twist. In true James and Joe Garden Show style, questions are encouraged, but only the interesting ones… and preferably nothing about dead plants.
Blending expertise with personality and entertainment, this promises to be an engaging and memorable evening for gardeners of all levels.
Venue:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Arboretum Home and Garden Heaven, Leighlinbridge, Co. Carlow R93 P9F4
Time:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 7.30 p.m.Â
Admission:        €30
Type of event: Indoors with opportunity to view Arboretum Inspirational Gardens.
5 – 7 p.m. Enjoy two course buffet meal with tea/coffee in Rachel’s Garden Choice of three main courses and choice from the dessert counter - €24.95.
Enjoy late shopping in Arboretum Home and Garden Heaven until 9.45 p.m.
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