Given today's social, economic and environmental pressures, garden design is evolving at an unprecedented rate. Spurred on by factors including increased public awareness of the value of good design; a growing sensitivity to the fragile nature of our environment; rising population densities and the resulting intensification of land usage are we now experiencing a revolution in our traditional perception of what we believe gardens to be, witness the main streaming of conceptual gardens, the rise of guerrilla gardening, and the development roof and vertical gardens?

To gain insight into how garden design is responding to these issues, the Garden and Landscape Designers Association (GLDA) have drawn together an inspiring line-up of international designers for its 13th annual seminar, entitled: Future Gardens: Evolution or Revolution? At Astra Hall, UCD, Dublin, on Saturday 21st of February 2009. This day-long event promises to be a provocative exploration of current and future design trends.

Designer and sculptor Paul Cooper is no stranger to controversy, having shocked the Chelsea judges with his 'Cool and Sexy' garden in 1994, and surprised BBC viewers with a garden made out of Ford car parts. Renowned for using unconventional materials and theatrical effects, and for urban gardens variously described as instant, portable, re-usable, and prefabricated, his views of the future promise to be both unexpected and entertaining. www.paulcooperdesign.co.uk.

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With thirty years of experience, four books and numerous high-profile lectures, Julie Messervy has emerged as one of the leading landscape designers in North America. In 1999, she completed the award-winning Toronto Music Garden, collaboration with renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma and the City of Toronto to create a three-acre public park. Her work has a strong spirituality and mystical feel, undoubtedly influenced by her studies in landscape design with Japanese garden master Kinsaku Nakane.

See: www.juliemoirmesservy.com.

As the author of The Dynamic Landscape and co-author of the internationally acclaimed books, Planting Green Roofs and Living Walls and Rain Gardens, Dr Nigel Dunnett needs little introduction. A Reader in Urban Horticulture at the University of Sheffield, Nigel has undertaken extensive fundamental and applied research in the areas of novel plant use, planting design and the creative application of ecological ideas. In addition to his writing, teaching and research work, he is also credited with developing the Pictorial Meadow concept (very colourful and dramatic meadows that flower continuously for many months, and which require minimal input). He is also a regular contributor to a number of landscape and garden publications, including Gardens Illustrated and The Garden. See: www.nigeldunnett.co.uk.

As a member of the Society of Garden Designers and the British Landscape Institute, Sarah Eberle is the winner of nine gold medals at RHS shows, including 'Best in Show' at Chelsea 2007 for her meticulously researched futuristic 'Mars' garden. Her work has a broad appeal and contemporary elegance, which should be of interest to all. Sarah is also a holder of an Honorary Doctorate in Design at Greenwich University. See: www.saraheberle.com.

Bookings; Contact Annette Mc Coy on Tel 00 353 (0)1 2940092, email [email protected]/www.glda.ie

Ticket prices: Friends of the GLDA €140 /general public €155 /students €90