Tusla Fostering Garden – Fostering Is For You!
This garden is more than just plants and pathways – it tells the story of fostering. It’s about finding a place where you are welcomed, supported, and encouraged to grow, no matter where your journey started – as a foster carer or as a child, both who need safety, belonging, and nurturing in their own way.
The garden is a celebration of the intertwined lives of staff, children in need of support, and foster carers, including their extended families – a true community of people from all backgrounds. It is a place where everyone comes together to enjoy and celebrate the good times in life.
This garden is designed for children of various ages and backgrounds, demonstrating the richness of embracing differences. It offers an immersive experience that educates, inspires, and celebrates the fostering community. Most importantly, it is a heartfelt celebration of the connections made throughout the fostering process.
Features Within The Garden & What They Represent
The garden’s main route is loosely based on the Tusla Fostering logo, with its colours mirroring those used in Tusla’s promotional advertising. The planting is full of colour, reflecting a mixed colour scheme that highlights the fact that anyone is welcome to become a foster carer.
The garden features two routes: one slightly uneven path with a tapestry lawn, symbolizing the turbulent start many children face, and the tapestry lawn also emphasizes the diverse backgrounds of the children. The alternative route is designed for teenagers, providing a modern space with bold focal points where they can talk to others in similar situations.
The main path, resembling the Tusla logo, can be seen as arms of support embracing all community members. The central space serves as a meeting place for the community to come together and celebrate, with built-in benches, colourful bean bags, and a central table that gives the impression of a family picnic party. Bunting on the large pergola structure overhead adds to the celebration vibes.
At the back of the garden is the “Safe Haven” play area, where children can play, explore, or sit quietly and chat with friends. This area offers plenty of interactive play structures and cozy corners to keep the children occupied, helping them create connections from a young age.

Who are Tusla Fostering
Tusla, the Child and Family Agency is the dedicated State agency in the Republic of Ireland, responsible for supporting and promoting the development, welfare, and protection of children. It is the national organisation for foster care and fostering recruitment.
Tusla Fostering is dedicated to providing safe and loving homes for children who cannot live with their own families. Tusla foster carers come from diverse backgrounds and bring unique experiences that make a real difference in a child’s life. Whether you work full-time, are single, married, or have your own children, your journey and qualities are invaluable in offering stability and support to a child in need.
Tusla offers various types of foster care, including emergency, short-term, long-term, and respite care, to cater to the unique needs of each child. Foster carers receive comprehensive support, including regular home visits, training programs, and access to social workers and public health nurses. This support system ensures that foster carers feel confident and capable in their role, enabling them to provide the best possible care for the children they look after.

Garden Design Plan Features
The garden features coloured resin edges that mimic the colours used throughout the logos and website, defining various areas. Contemporary loungers provide a comfortable space for teenagers, while a graffiti wall, matching the colour scheme, adds an artistic touch. A bespoke sculpture with intertwining ribbons represents the community coming together.
The “Safe Haven” area includes two pergola structures surrounded by interactive play elements. One pergola serves as a cosy corner, while the other incorporates blackboards and musical instruments. Both pergolas have coloured Perspex roofs, creating vibrant, sheltered spaces. The natural play area features wooden mushroom balance stepping stones, worm-shaped hurdles, an underground tunnel, a wobbly bridge, and a willow wigwam.


The vibrant planting scheme highlights the richness of embracing differences, with bright and luxurious colours. Various materials used throughout the garden emphasize the diversity of carers. Seating options include colourful bean bags, cushions, and pots that mimic the colour scheme. The tapestry lawn is a low-growing selection of plants creating a lawn-like effect.
The central pavilion is a circular pergola covering the main area, with the option to add bunting for a party effect. Signage options include fitting signs to raised planters, the outer circle, or within the planting. The raised planters could also be used to highlight colour if desired.

29 May – 2 June 2025
Phoenix Park, Dublin
Bord Bia Bloom is an annual garden festival held in Phoenix Park, Dublin. It is a celebration of the best in local and international horticulture. The event features 21 show gardens, each with unique themes and designs. Gardening enthusiasts of all levels can enjoy a diverse lineup of expert talks, interactive workshops, and live entertainment.
The festival offers something for everyone, with a vibrant mix of activities and experiences for all ages. Visitors can explore the Nursery Village, where they can find rare and quality plants for purchase, and the Garden Stage, which hosts 40 horticultural talks. There are also plenty of food and drink options, making it a perfect day out for families and gardening enthusiasts alike. Come and discover the beauty and creativity of Bord Bia Bloom!
Full price tickets are €30.00 each. Students and seniors (66+) can enjoy a discounted rate of €25.00 each, with valid ID required at the venue. Children aged 16 and under go free (up to two per paying adult), with any additional children priced at €5.00 each.
Plant List
Acanthus spinosus
Actaea ‘Pink Spike’
Achillea millefolium ‘Lilac’
Ajuga reptans
Allium ‘Mount Everest’
Allium ‘Millenium’
Allium sphaerocephalon
Anemone ‘Wild Swan’
Aralia ‘Sun King
Artemisia ‘Powis Castle’
Aruncus ‘Chantilly Lace’
Arum italicum
Astelia ‘Silver Shadow’
Astrantia ‘Buckland’
Athyrium otophorum var. okanum
Bergenia ‘Baby Doll’
Brunnera mac.’Alexander’s Great’
Brunnera mac. ‘Variegata’
Brunnera macrophylla ‘Jack Frost’
Centranthus ruber ‘Albus’
Delphinium ‘Astolat Group’
Dicentra ‘Pink Diamonds’
Digitalis purpurea ‘Sutton’s Apricot’
Echium ‘Red Feathers’
Epimedium x perralchicum ‘Frohnleiten’
Euphorbia ‘Ascot Rainbow’
Euphorbia characias subsp. Wulfenii
Erigeron karvinskianus
Eryngium ‘Big Blue’
Erysium ‘Bowles Mauve’
Geranium ‘Azure Rush’
Geranium cant. ‘Biokovo’
Gernanium macrorrhizum ‘White Ness’
Geranium x johnsonii ‘Johnson Blue’
Geum Salmon Delight
Geum Banana Daiquiri
Kirengeshoma palmata
Melianthus major
Melittis melis. Royal Velvet Distinction
Origanum ‘Kent Beauty’
Pachysandra terminalis Green Carpet
Phlomis russeliana
Phlomis tub. Amazone
Penstemon ‘Onyx and Pearls’
Polemonium ‘Heaven Scent’
Rodgersia Braunlaub
Sanguisorba White Brushes
Thalictrum Fairy Wings
Trolius Cheddar
Verbascum ‘Gainsborough’
Verbena ‘Bampton’
Veronica Tissingham White
Anemanthele lessoniana
Calamagrostis brachytricha
Carex buchananii ‘Red Rooster’
Hackonechloa macra
Luzula nivea
Miscanthus sinensis ‘Morning Light’
Pennisetum alopecuroides
Stipa lessingiana
Camellia jap. ‘Nuccios’ Cameo’ or ‘Nuc. Pearl’
Choisya ternata or ‘Aztec Pearl’
Daphne gemmata ‘Royal Crown’
Escallonia laevis ‘Pink Elle’
Euonymus fortunei ‘Silver Queen’
Fatsia ‘Spiders Web’
Lavandula int. ‘Grosso’
Limoniium Dazzle Rocks
Pittosporum tobire or ‘Nanum’
Pittosporum ‘Tom Thumb’
Rosmarinus officinalis ‘Miss Jessop Upright’
Sarcococca hookeriana ‘Winter Gem’
Ilex crenata ‘Dark Green’
Ilex crenata
Laurus nobilis
Osmanthus Burkwoodii
Salvia nem Caradonna
Lychnis various
Linaria Dahl Park
Trolleys Lemon Queen
Iris Mission Bay
Nepeta Timeless Night
Lupin Tequila Flame
Paeonia Celebrity
Thymus various
Deschampsia cespitosa
Feature Trees & Shrubs
Cornus kousa var chinensis
Enkianthus campanulatus
Hedging
Prunus lustitanica
Tapestry Lawn
Acaena buchananii
Acaena magallanica
Acaena microphylla
Acaena microphylla ‘Kupferteppich’
Leptinella dioica
Lysimachia nummularia
Trifolium repens
Veronica chamaedrys
Geranium cinereum ‘Ballerina’