First launched in 2017 and swiftly selling out, “The Open Gardens of Ireland” has since seen multiple reprints. Now, a brand-new, thoroughly revised edition is ready for release just in time for the upcoming garden season.

This latest edition guides you through an impressive collection of over 420 gardens scattered across every corner of Ireland, from the northern reaches to the southern tips. Shirley Lanigan’s insightful commentary takes readers from quaint urban plots to grand castle grounds and vast historic estates, offering a glimpse into both public and private green spaces.

In this comprehensive guide, you’ll explore a wide variety of gardens: tiny, meticulously maintained town gardens; sprawling, plant-filled landscapes; wild, natural havens; and orderly, intricate designs. Shirley’s latest work brings you into the heart of these green sanctuaries, both well-known public parks and hidden private retreats.

Shirley’s passion for nature is evident, as is her admiration for the skilled gardeners who bring these spaces to life. These are the visionaries who restore neglected gardens, create new ones, and innovate with their gardening techniques. You’ll meet the dedicated individuals who transform these places into verdant paradises.

The book features an eclectic mix of gardens, including those connected to museums, apiaries, science and agricultural centers, folklore sites, and even collections of glass bottles. Some gardens serve dual purposes as art galleries or animal sanctuaries, while others include unique features like miniature train lines, Buddhist temples, educational spaces, fox habitats, and perfume workshops.

A growing number of gardeners are focusing on sustainability, actively working to protect wildlife and promote biodiversity. This includes conserving native plants and embracing global flora. By visiting these gardens, you can glean valuable tips on organic gardening, tree and shrub care, and cultivating beautiful flowers and tasty produce.

“The Open Gardens of Ireland” showcases the most enchanting planting designs, impressive historic landscapes, and the most picturesque small gardens. It highlights the efforts of those who preserve our horticultural heritage and offers practical advice and inspiration for garden enthusiasts.

Irish horticulture is more vibrant than ever, and our gardeners are eager to share their knowledge and creations with visitors. Dive into this new edition of “The Open Gardens of Ireland” and uncover the beauty and diversity of Irish gardens. Available now from all good book shops.

Happy gardening

Orlaith

Leave the hassle of driving behind and travel in luxury with us on a delightful one-day RHSI garden tour to the picturesque Gardens of Carlow. This is your chance to immerse yourself in nature’s beauty, discover unique plants, and savor delicious homemade cuisine—all in one enchanting day.

Date: Saturday, August 10th, 2024
Cost: €95 (includes Coach hire, Tea/Coffee, Lunch, Garden entry, gratuities)
Departure: Foxrock Church @ 08:30
Return: Foxrock @ 18:00 (approx.)

Highlights of the Tour:

Altamont Gardens in Summer
Upon arrival at the breathtaking Altamont Gardens, enjoy a refreshing cup of tea or coffee before embarking on a guided tour of the estate. Spanning 16 hectares, Altamont Gardens perfectly blend formal and informal designs, embodying William Robinson’s principle of ‘honest simplicity.’ Wander through lush lawns, sculpted yews, and rare trees that encircle a serene lake. Explore the enchanting Arboretum, Bog Garden, and Ice Age Glen, all while breathing in the glorious summer fragrance of roses and herbaceous plants. Don’t miss the opportunity to purchase choice plants from Robert Miller, ensuring a piece of this beauty comes home with you.

Hardymount Gardens near Tullow
Next, we head to the charming Hardymount Gardens, lovingly maintained by Justina and Mark McKeever. Here, you’ll be treated to a delectable homemade lunch in a picturesque setting. Justina, a Ballymaloe-trained cook, will prepare a delicious meal using fresh produce from her garden—an absolute treat and guaranteed highlight of the tour! Following lunch, join Mark for a guided tour through 2.5 acres of lawns and magnificent beech and oak trees. Discover the hidden treasures within the walled garden, bursting with an array of unusual plants and flowers. Wander past the pond with its lilies and fish, explore the vegetable garden, and find tranquility in the Summer House nestled in a quiet corner.

This garden tour offers a wonderful mix of natural beauty, plant shopping, and gourmet dining—all in one memorable day. Don’t miss out on this perfect summer escape!

Book Your Spot Now!
Spaces are limited, so ensure your place on this luxurious garden adventure today. Embrace the opportunity to relax, rejuvenate, and get inspired by the stunning gardens of Carlow. We look forward to sharing this wonderful experience with you!

To book your place click here or contact Orlaith on 083 8250647 Mon to Thur 9am to 12.30pm

Do not miss this unforgettable with the RHSI  to the Gardens of Carlow! 🌸🌿🚍

The Walled Garden is hidden away beside the Pleasure Garden to the east of the front lawn and has been restored to use in recent years by volunteers from the Royal Horticultural Society of Ireland.

Established in the 18th century to provide fruit, vegetables and flowers for the house, in its heyday the garden produced enough surplus to be sold at local markets. The brick-lined walls create a sheltered microclimate that allows for intensive cultivation of produce, with more exotic species cared for in the original glasshouses.

The RHSI volunteers have done a wonderful job in recreating the type of planting original to the time, and in opening the garden to the public. You can visit this hive of activity on the following days and times:

Tues & Thurs 12pm to 4pm
Weds & Sat 10.30am to 3.30pm
Sun 2pm to 5pm

We recently welcomed two new volunteers to our team Carla King and Fisayo Akinsuli both directed to us by Wicklow Volunteering.  For more information (or to volunteer) contact coordinator, Gillian Davidson on 087 6689381 or email volunteering@rhsi.ie.

How to Grow Herbs in Pots

Growing herbs is a delight anyone can enjoy, whether you have a sprawling garden or just a tiny balcony. With the right selection, you can cultivate herbs in any environment, from a shady basement yard to a sun-drenched balcony. The key is matching the plant to the conditions.

For herbs that crave good drainage and sunlight, use pots that you can move around to maximize their exposure to light. If your soil is sandy, keep moisture-loving herbs in tubs placed in shaded areas to maintain the right level of moisture.

Where to Grow

Perennial culinary, medicinal herbs, and dye plants can thrive in borders or rockeries, just like any other flowers. Annual herbs such as coriander and parsley do well in vegetable gardens. Remember to leave some plants to flower, which will attract beneficial insects. Umbelliferous herbs, like fennel and caraway, with their umbrella-shaped flower clusters, and labiate herbs, like mints and sages, with their square stems and distinctive flowers, are particularly good for this purpose.

For a decorative touch, consider using herbs to create low hedges or intricate knotwork patterns. Woody Mediterranean species such as lavender, hyssop, rosemary, and winter Savory are excellent for these designs, as they respond well to pruning. Even scented geraniums can make a lovely summer edging.

Moisture Seekers and Sun Lovers

Herbs generally fall into two categories: moisture seekers and sun lovers.

Moisture Seekers

Mints, including the potent peppermint-flavoured pennyroyal, thrive in rich, damp soil in shaded or dappled sunlight. The Bergamot family (Monarda), lemon balm (Melissa officinalis), lovage, parsley-leafed celery, horseradish, and angelica also prefer moist conditions and can handle some sun.

Sun Lovers

For hot, dry spots with excellent drainage, consider thymes, catmints, bay trees, and marjorams. These herbs flourish in low-nutrient conditions and produce more essential oils during droughts. Stroke their leaves on a sunny day and enjoy their sticky, fragrant oils on your fingers.

How to Sow

You can grow many herbs from seed, with hardy perennials being particularly easy. Sow them in pots or modules using a gritty compost with gentle heat, either on a windowsill or in a cold frame in spring. Transplant the seedlings into individual pots and harden them off once they have four or five true leaves.

Half-hardy annuals like basil and sweet marjoram should be sown in modules or pots and not planted out until after the last frost. In cooler regions, they may do better indoors on a sunny windowsill. Give them the warmest, sunniest, and most sheltered spot you can find.

Umbelliferous plants like dill and angelica dislike being disturbed, so sow them directly where they are to grow. Once the soil warms up, sow coriander, cumin, and anise directly in the ground. Parsley can be slow to germinate, but with warmth and fresh seed, you’ll have success.

Making More of Your Herbs

Some herbs, such as borage and evening primrose, can spread vigorously. While managing these, remember that self-seeding borage indicates a well-balanced soil. Handle borage with gloves to avoid irritation from its tiny hairs.

Mint, lemon balm, and chives form large clumps easily, which can be divided to create new plants. Energetic thyme varieties, chamomile, and Good King Henry can also be propagated this way. Special coloured forms, like golden thyme, might need to be grown from cuttings.

Softwood Cuttings

Softwood cuttings should be taken early in the morning when hormone levels are highest. Select a vigorous, non-flowering shoot, trim off the lower leaves, and cut the stem just below a leaf node. Insert the cutting into a pot of gritty compost, cover it with a plastic bag to maintain humidity, and keep it out of direct sunlight. Herbs like catnip, chamomile, feverfew, horehound, hyssop, lavender, marjoram, rosemary, sage, and savory take well from softwood cuttings.

Semi-soft or Green Wood Cuttings

Semi-soft cuttings are taken later in the plant’s growth. This method is suitable for herbs with shorter nodes, such as Wood Sage and Caraway Thyme. The shoot should bend without snapping and spring back when released. Follow the same procedure as for softwood cuttings.

Harvesting Herbs

Harvest herbs on a warm, sunny day after the dew has dried and just before they flower to capture maximum flavour. Dry leafy herbs by hanging them upside down in a dark, airy place.

No matter the size of your garden, even if it’s just a window box, growing herbs can significantly enhance your space with their scents, colours, and textures. Their resilience and ability to thrive in challenging conditions make them a perfect addition to any home.

Happy gardening

Orlaith

It is disorientating, confusing and uncomfortable: it is the beginning of June, it is late evening and I am watering the container plants, the permanent plants like Anisodontea capensis, and the newly potted summer colour, the xPetchoa ‘Beautical’, black and white Petunias, and then onto the newly planted plants in my latest project, and I feel cold! Not just a bit chilly, I have a jumper and a jacket on and I am cold, proper cold, and it is June.

The forecast temperature overnight has a low of 5°C, and in Johnstown in Kildare, 3°C.
Weather is always unpredictable, and we never know what’s coming, we are told to be prepared for more challenges, but we just don’t know what challenges.
I remember over 20 years ago, articles appearing in garden magazines about gardening for the future, the focus was on drought tolerant plants, there had been a succession of very dry years in the south of England. Then there were wet summers, and flooding, so the focus changed. Now we have arrived at the point of the only thing that we know, is that we don’t know.

I read an article written in 1914, in an Irish newspaper, and the article bemoaned the mild winter and then unusually cold May, unpredictable weather is something gardeners have always been dealing with.
I have started a new project, the trampoline has gone to a new home where it will be loved. In it’s place a new area of garden.
I am continuing with the same gravel as in the Pylon Garden, and soil saved from previous garden work has been spread and contoured to create a central plateau surrounded by a circular uneven mound.

The exciting part has begun, and new plant acquisitions are being planted. Some of these plants are planted as much with hope, as they are borderline in hardiness, or may be hardy but dislike winter wet. Some are drought tolerant, others wind tolerant, all are planted with hope. If we knew that winters are going to be milder, or wetter, or drier, we could plan ahead, but we don’t, and like all gardeners in generations before us, we have to be brave and take chances.

Plants that are looking great at the moment here in The Paddock include; Valeriana officinalis, a tall growing self-seeding perennial that I value for its vertical beauty, strong self-supporting stems and fragrant blooms.

Calendula Power Daisy ‘Yellow’ is looking superb, a plant that came through the winter and is covered in flowers, a short lived perennial that forms a low spreading mound of double yellow flowers.

Alliums are always a joy in May and June, I planted more Allium atropurpureum and a new one , A. ‘Violet Beuty’ and they are combining beautifully with the blooms of Rosa ‘Ritausma’ , a rugosa hybrid that I purchased in Estonia many years ago.

Antirrhinum Antirinca ‘Rose’ is looking brilliant, I planted a number of these late last summer, they remained in flower until early winter, then stayed as mounds of evergreen foliage, in April they started to bloom again and from then on, they have been smothered in flower, I have been so impressed by their flowering thatI have planted more: they are related to Snapdragon but the flowers are more open and do not have the pouch.

Hopefully the weather will improve, there have been a few days to give us hope, but even if it doesn’t, we gardeners will garden on.

To see more about The Paddock visit my website: ciaranthegardener.com
Ciaran Burke, Head of Horticulture, Johnstown Garden Centre, Naas, Co. Kildare
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Website: www.ciaranthegardener.com