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Malahide Castle Gardens, County DublinThe path around the lawn in front of the castle brings the visitor past some fine shrubs and specimen trees, most notably the aromatic Ozothamnus ledifolius from Tasmania, the Mexican orange blossom (Choisya ternata) and the Mount Etna broom (Genista aetnensis) which in summer yields a profusion of fragrant pea-like golden yellow flowers. From here the visitor passes through the old main avenue area where a number of different species of olearias and hydrangeas flower, in addition to podocarpus shrubs, crinodendrons, magnolias and even a tender hakea in the shade of the trees. The return path, past a hedge of Cotoneaster conspicuus and some fine sorbus trees, leads the visitor to the south-west wall of the castle with its magnificent Magnolia grandiflora whose large creamy-white fragrant flowers continue to bloom throughout the summer. More plants are found behind the castle, including some old roses and the spectacular vine Vitis coignetiae.The finest part of the Malahide plant collection lies in the four-acre Walled Garden, but problems with vandals in recent years have meant that this part of the garden is only open on Wednesday afternoons. The area is subdivided into several sections, each with an identity of its own. The first of these, the old Rose Garden, is used for testing the hardiness of new tender species as they become available, while the section beyond, known as the Haggard, has a selection of cottage-type plants as well as a number of wall plants and climbers. One of the two glasshouses here shelters a small collection of tender species, including Luculia gratissima 'Rosea' and the bromeliad Puya alpestris. A small enclosed yard beyond the Haggard reveals raised beds of alpine plants as well as shrubs-notably Banksia dentata, Acradenia frankliniae and Eucryphia milliganii. As this yard is so small, the area formerly known as the Tresco Wall has been altered to accommodate a large collection of alpines. From the new alpine beds and the reconstructed sunken greenhouse, the garden opens out onto a wide lawn of shrubberies. Among the plants here are a number of garryas raised from seed by Lord Talbot. It was from this selection that he chose the hybrid which won him an Award of Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society, later named Garrya x issaquahensis 'Pat Ballard'. There are two greenhouses here, one of which contains the rare Paeonia cambessedesii, while to the south a large pond succours Gunnera manicata along its banks. An old peach house containing a selection of tender climbing plants and correa species lies along the south wall in addition to a shrubbery full of exotic plants: Clematis 'Etoile Rose', Azara dentata, the silk tree Albizia julibrissin 'Rosea' and the vigorous yellow-flowering Fremontodendron 'California Glory'.
Located in Malahide, 9 miles north of Dublin. NGR: O 220452. Open daily, May to October. Guided tours available, (including Walled Garden and the castle). The Walled Garden is open to groups by special appointment. Lunches and teas available in the castle. Gift shop. Toilet facilities. Suitable for wheelchairs. Dogs on lead. From the Appletree Press title: Irish Gardens. |
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