Jimmys Irish Coffee - Ballina
A former filling station was transformed into a drive-thru speciality coffee shop by Thomas and Eóin Duffy. The brief was to soften the hard standing with two large central planters under the canopy. There was no open soil to plant directly into and there was a need for instant impact, as the coffee shop opened during the week of President Biden’s visit to Ballina. The design includes a mix of evergreens, perennials and bulbs to provide flowers throughout the seasons.
Plant selection.
Plants were selected to cope with the dry shade beneath the gas station canopy and were kept to an elegant mix of greens and whites to reflect Jimmys’ monochrome branding. Bold and brilliant foliage is provided by hosta, ferns and fatsia japonica. Hydrangea ‘limelight’, white daffodils, and tiarella provide beautiful flowers and delicate textures. Ivy trails over the side to soften the edges of the wooden planters and white viola was used to ‘fill the gaps’ whilst the shrubs and perennials bedded in. There’s now a lush, almost tropical, feel to this former forecourt.
A five-foot evergreen hedge of laurel was planted to create a separation between the walk-up hatch and the route of the cars driving through. This big hit of greenery provides structure to the design and a lush backdrop for the courtyard-style seating area for customers.
Further planting was added later with a window box and three small plant pots to pick up on the crimson red of the la marzocco coffee machine.