We mentioned Diarmuid Gavin the other day when we posted about Gardening Resources.

Diarmuid Gavin is an Irish garden designer who studied at the College of Amenity Horticulture in Glasnevin, and then established his own school of garden design, the Dublin School of Garden Design. He's won numerous awards, including a Bronze Medal at the famous Chelsea Flower Show in 1995. He has been described as "the maverick of the gardening world" for his innovative, functional, and often startling designs.

Gavin's gardens are influenced by everything from the work of other designers (including the Brazilian landscape designer Roberto Burle Marx) to everyday objects. He says, "The gardens we make are akin to some of the more outrageous outfits worn by models on catwalks. Some are there to provoke ideas, thoughts and reactions, but not necessarily to copy."

Diarmuid Gavin's modern designs blend functionality and beauty. His gardens are built to last and be easily maintained.

Gavin pushes the boundaries where use of materials and hard landscaping are concerned. He draws attention to the beauty in materials that people may not have realised were beautiful -- such as sardine cans and oil rigs.

Diarmuid Gavin makes people think differently about their backyards. He says, "I think that you should have a room in your garden that you can use."

Gavin has written several books and has been the presenter on a couple of different television shows. Unfortunately, Homefront in the Garden has disappeared from the current BBCAmerica schedule, but keep an eye out for its return.