Glorious weather and some free time around Easter

This is all you need to get going on some great garden visits! Spring is literally bursting out all over the country- along hedgerows and roadways, in our own gardens and in our many parks and public areas.

We’ve been enjoying weeks of fabulous daffodils, primroses, tulips, wood anemones, fritillaries and many other little spring beauties. Magnolias are our first tree blooms to herald the arrival of spring and are currently well in flower everywhere and the wonderful hazy cherries and blackthorn blossoms have been cheering us for weeks already.

We are now on to the stunning displays of acid-loving camellias, rhododendrons, azaleas, pieris and more which will be with us with us in spectacular competing relays right up to the end of June.
In addition to the National Botanic Garden at Kilmacurragh, some of the finest collections of ericaceous plants in the country are to be found within our own RHSI Partner Gardens! Whilst most of our Gardens may have some beautiful rhododendrons etc, only those with larger collections are included. Apologies for any omissions!

NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDENS at KILMACURRAGH

National Botanic Gardens, Kilmacurragh, Co Wicklow.
This is Rhododendron Week 7th-13th April at Kilmacurragh! The highlights of the collection will be showcased with a series of special guided walking tours and videos. Historically Kilmacurragh has the entire collection of the Botanic Gardens’ acid- loving plants as Glasnevin’s alkaline soil would not support them. The renowned display of fabulous tree rhododendrons on the famous broadwalk is already well in bloom, with its stunning carpet of fallen deep pink petals just beginning. With 300 different varieties of rhododendron at Kilmacurragh, there are still many more yet to come into flower. In addition to this week, there are daily year-round noon and 3pm free guided tours to learn about the superb collection of rare and old trees in addition to the rhododendron display.
Web:https://www.botanicgardens.ie/kilmacurragh/

RHSI PARTNER GARDENS
Full information on these gardens in the Partner Gardens section of the RHSI website

Mount Congreve Gardens, Kilmeaden, Co Waterford
There are many magnolias throughout Mount Congreve Gardens but most are in three very spectacular plantings, at their peak in February and March. But still to be seen here are one of the biggest collections of rhododendrons in Europe. Simply breathtaking, is the only description for the huge woodland display of camellias, azaleas, pieris and rhododendrons. Multitudes of varieties of these plants flower sequentially in huge banks of colour and with incredible scents. An essential spring visit for regulars and new folk. And if you are cycling the Waterford Greenway you should call in here through the special bicycle entrance!
Web: rhsi.ie/partnergardens/mountcongrevehouseandgardens

Dromana Garden, Cappoquin, Co Waterford
The pleasure grounds of this dramatically sited garden overlooking the Blackwater River are reached via 3.5 KM of meandering paths through charming natural woodland interspersed with rhododendrons, camellias, azaleas and other acid-loving plants.
Their own rhododendron Rhododendron ‘Dromana 800’ is registered with the RHS and can be seen in flower in May and June.
Web: rhsi.ie/partnergardens/dromanagarden

Tourin House and Garden, Cappoquin , Co Waterford
The formal area of this garden close to the house hosts huge tree rhododendrons and even the more rare white flowered Rhododendron macroacarpum. The garden then becomes more informal, with lots of spring bulbs and sweepsdown to the Blackwater river and Tourin Quay . A new arboretum towards the boundary of the garden is the now home to many varieties of young rhododendrons grown from seed- planning for a beautiful future! Among many rare and very mature trees is also a growing collection of magnolias.
Web:rhsi.ie/partnergardens/tourinhouseandgarden

Blarney Castle and Gardens, Blarney, Co Cork.
Spectacular displays of magnolias, and the Cherry Walk en route to the castle are spring star performers while a collection of rare and unusual cherries are gradually being built up throughout the grounds. Also camellia beds, widespread spring bulbs and shortly a great show of rhododendrons and azaleas will come into flower…and of course there is so very much more to discover in these splendid 60 acre gardens.
Web: rhsi.ie/partnergardens/blarneycastleandgardens

The Old Deanery Gardens, Cloyne, Cork
Outside of the very charming walled garden at the Old Deanery there are 6 acres of pleasure grounds. Here, togther with a stream and a lake, a massive Rhododendron altaclerense and many newer rarer varieties are to be found. There is also a gathering of some 27 different varieties of magnolia, including Magnolia tripetela, the umbrella tree
Web: rhsi.ie/partnergardens/theold deanery

Tullynally Castle,Castlepollard, Co Westmeath
Magnolias are one of Thomas Packenham’s passions and in recent years he has planted a Magnolia Grove with 36 different species of magnolia. The Tibetan Garden has displays of azaleas and camellias and of rhododendrons grown from seed from his plant-hunting expeditions in the early 1990s.
Web: rhsi.ie/partnergardens/tullynallycastleandgardens

Mount Stewart, Newtownards, Co Down
Spring is a magic time at the famous Mount Stewart Gardens with magnolias and cherries now in full flower while 15,000 tulips and irises are in bloom across the Mairi Shamrock and West Terrace beds. As the season progresses the internationally renowned rhododendron collection takes centre stage in the Rhododendron Wood with further banks of colour spread across the garden and around the lake and Lily Wood. There is a day’s worth of magnificent garden visiting here along with the historic house.
Web:rhsi.ie/mountstewarthouseandgarden

Rowallane Garden, Saintfield, Co Down
Just 30 minutes from Mount Stewart, in rocky drumlin country, Rowallane is a charming informal plantsman’s garden of 52 acres renowned for its spring displays of daffodils and rhododendrons. Scores of azalea and rhododendron cultivars in clashing tones of orange, mauve, red are in the Spring Field where the grass is sprinkled with old Irish daffodils. There are giant redwoods along the avenue underplanted with red rhododendrons.
Web:rhsi.ie/partnergardens/rowallanegarden

Seaforde Gardens, Downpatrick, Co Down
Along with having the oldest living maze in Ireland and a Butterfly House, this 18th century garden has an arboretum in the former ‘Pheasantry’ part of the garden which is home to a very fine collection of specimen trees and rhododendrons, many over 100 years old.
Web: rhsi.ie/partnergardens/seafordegardens

Ballyedmond Castle Garden, Rostrevor, Co Down
While this garden has very strong formal elements closer to the house, stepping downhill through woodland towards the sea a different atmosphere pervades. This jungle-like area is full of exotic plants including a fine collection of rhododendrons and camellias. There is a Magnolia Walk with long runs of different varieties of magnolia underplanted with spring bulbs.
Web: rhsi.ie/ballyedmondcastlegarden

Mount Usher Gardens, Ashford, Co Wicklow
This world-famous Robinsonian style garden along the winding Vartry River is home to over 4,000 plant varieties. The Azalea Walk and the woodland rhododendron collection provide spectacular spring colour while ten of thousands of spring bulbs are naturalised in grass or under many of the very mature rare trees. A tree trail is well worth following. (And Kilmacurragh National Botanic Gardens is just 15 minutes away)
Web: rhsi.ie/partnergardens/mountushergardens

HERITAGE GARDENS/OPW GARDENS

Many of Ireland’s favourite gardens with their splendid spring displays are in this group and most have free entry. The link to this excellent brochure gives summaries and links to the gardens.
Web: OPW-heritage-Ireland-Historic-Gardens-of-Ireland-2023

NATIONAL PARKS AND WILDLIFE SERVICES

Glenveagh Castle Gardens, Letterkenny, Co Donegal
The exotically atmosphered 2 acre pleasure grounds are well sheltered within the Castle Gardens which in turn are within the 36,000 acre Glenveagh National Park. A collection of rhododendrons has been continuously expanded here since the late 1800s, now numbering over 200 varieties many with large tropical-like leaves. Rare mature trees and textured under planting complement the wonderful ambience of this garden. A day is best to see the rest of these beautiful and superbly maintained gardens and the house
Web: Glenveagh Castle

AND EVEN MORE FOR RHODODENDRON LOVERS…..!

Brook Hall Estate & Gardens, Derry, Co Derry
Situated on the banks of the Foyle, this 18th century demesne has been in the Gilliland family since 1856. Through 6 generations they have continuously planted one of the finest arboretums in Northern Ireland, specialising in its collection of conifers, rhododendrons and camellias.
Web: brookhall.co.uk

Derrreen Gardens, Lauragh, Kenmare, Co Kerry
This truly magical garden in its own microclimate on the Kerry coast was first developed in the 1870s from a base of bare rock and scrub oak. Surrounded by a huge shelter belt of woodland it holds a fabulous collection of rhododendrons, many of a size rarely seen elsewhere. Many specimen trees, venerable tree ferns along with notable wildlife add to its considerable charm.
Web: derreengarden.com

Fernhill Gardens, Stepaside, Co Dublin
This former garden of the horticultural Walker family now held by Dun Laoire Rathdown Co Co contains a huge number of specimen trees and a wonderful collection of very mature rhododendrons, camellias and magnolias.
Web:dlrcoco.ie/parks/fernhill-park-and-gardens

Howth Castle, Howth, Co Dublin
This is Rhododendron Week (7th- 13th April) in the gardens with a 1 hour guided tour of the collection on this Saturday 12th at 10.30am ( see web for details). This world renowned collection was first started 170 years ago.
Web:howthcastle.ie

Powerscourt Gardens, Enniskerry. Co Dublin.
Among its many well known attractions of Italian and Japanese gardens, herbaceous borders, champion trees and more, this world famous garden has a rhododendron walk below its much loved pet cemetery.
Web: Powerscourt.com

Noreen Keane

Photos are by Orlaith taken in Mount Congreve