Rowallane, County Down

Passing through the Haggard area where the bursting seed capsules of a Populus maximowiczii resemble snow in July and August, the visitor arrives in the Spring Ground - a series of undulating slopes whose banks are covered with beds of azaleas and rhododendrons. Wildflowers are encouraged and the area has a high content of devilsbit scabious producing a beautiful blue haze in summer. During autumn there is much colour from maples and azaleas and tints of Prunus sargentii.

North east a narrow valley called the Stream Ground, which G. Forrest once styled as 'a bit of Yunnan', curves downward. It contains many triflorum rhododendrons as well as a boggy pool with royal ferns and bog arums. Beyond stretches the Hospital where visitors will come across a fine handkerchief tree, Davidia involucrata, and an immense Desfontainea spinosa. South east through the Old Wood lies the recently restored Rock Garden - a vast upheaval of natural whinstone accommodating a wide range of alpines, heathers and dwarf rhododendrons. More dwarf rhododendrons surround the Bishop's Rock, while further to the west the New Ground produces large rhododendrons and a number of fine trees, including a magnificent Chamaecyparis nootkatensis. Beyond lies Trio Hill with its brilliant orange red-flowering Embotherium coccineum. Among the many conifers here are fine specimens of Cupressus lusitanica 'Glauca Pendula' and Tsuga yunnanensis. Back across the Spring Ground the visitor should inspect the Paddock with its fine species of Sorbus and magnificent southern beeches before returning to the stable-yard.

The Pleasure Grounds - a lovely parkland that extends behind the house - are well worth a visit before leaving. Many of the fine trees here were planted by Reverend Moore in the last century and include Tsuga mertensiana and Glyptostrobus pensilis. Wildflowers are profuse here and grow in abundance; the variety of orchids is truly glorious; twayblade, greater butterfly and species of Dactylorrhiza. It's a butterfly paradise.

Located 1/2 mile south of Saintfield on the Downpatrick Road (A7). NGR: J 109576. Tea rooms with light refreshments. Gift shop. Toilet facilities. Partly suitable for wheelchairs. Dogs on lead. Admission fee.

From the Appletree Press title: Irish Gardens.