Dragon’s Den for Barry at Bloom

Barry Kavanagh usually tries his best to avoid any hiccups in the run up to Bloom, but this year it's unavoidable.

The double Gold winning horticulturalist has been recruited by Universal Pictures to provide his expertise on a garden based on their movie 'How To Train Your Dragon'.

A live action remake of the 2010 classic animation has been shot both in studios in Belfast and in various locations around the North to recreate the Viking island of Berk. The movie starring Mason Thames as the unlikely hero is due for release on Monday, June 9. The Bailieborough man has co-designed the dragon-themed garden along with garden designer Tünde Perry.

The pair have focussed on the memorable scene where the injured dragon, Toothless, and terrified young Hiccup meet each other for the first time.

"The landscape will be very naturalistic, that's where I come in - I love that type of landscape design," Barry tells the Celt.

"There will be glacial erratics - big round stones, and a water feature with a background of woodlands - trying to get a landscape effect from Northern Ireland."

Excitingly, a sculpture of the central dragon, Toothless will feature.

"We'll have a head of Toothless - they are making it very realistic, and he will be looking out from the woods we will have - peeking out," he says predicting it will be a big draw for kids.

Balcony garden

In high demand, Barry has a second Bloom project on the go. Mick Kelly of Grow It Yourself (GIY) Ireland asked him to design a balcony garden.

"The idea is to produce, up to €1,000 worth of produce in one growing season on a balcony," explains Barry.

Considering he only has a space measuring 5m x 2m - the standard size of an apartment balcony - Barry has managed to cleverly fit a serious amount in.

"I'm going to put a small woodland - a little orchard, a herb garden, a vegetable growing section, a work zone, and also an entertaining area in that tiny space.

"We are getting custom-made beds put in to utilise the space properly."

He's even found space for a little glass house to grow tomatoes and peppers.

It's an impressive list, but trees on a balcony?

"We have a lovely tree called the snowy mespilus, and that produces berries later in the year, especially in the city where it is warmer.

"It's a lovely little tree, perfect for a balcony, and it's a tree that tolerates living in a large container," he says noting it will be under planted with the likes of alpine strawberries, and ostrich fern, which is edible as it is emerging.

"Everything on the balcony will be edible," he assures.

"It's like a whole natural system - you can sit down and chill out, but get your lunch or dinner from it at the same time."

The project is sponsored by Cairn Homes who build a lot of apartments.

"There's a lot of balconies in the country since we are building upwards now rather than outwards, so people will hopefully get inspiration from it and do similar things on their own balconies."

Fruition

Barry has previously been awarded the gold medal at two previous Blooms, along with the key prizes - People's Choice and Designer's Choice, and multiple best in category awards.

"All we can do is try our best and hopefully it will come to fruition for us, literally."