Author Archives: Ciaran Burke

Leaving Huntingbrook via the woodland walk.

The success of a garden tour is greatly enhanced if you have a good coach driver. One that is cheerful, friendly and skillful, we are very lucky therefore to have Gerry Connor. He drives for Anchor Tours based in Dundalk, we are in good hands. http://www.anchortoursireland.com More photos from Mount Usher – from top: LiliumContinue reading “A great driver and more photos from Mount Usher”

Sean Heffernan the head gardener at Mount Usher is aware of the responsibility he shoulders, he realises the importance of the plant collection both as a cultural heritage and as a tool of plant conversation. As he leads us through the gardens it is evident that he loves his job. Situated on the river Vartry,Continue reading “Mount Usher Gardens in Co. Wicklow”

Here are some more photos of Carmel’s beautiful garden. Now we are off to dinner! Photos from top: Mathiasella bupleroides ‘Green Dream’; Darmera peltata with red foliage of Japanese maples; Thalictrum aquilegifolium; terracotta doves; Abutilon x suntense ‘Jermyns’; chairs under Abutilon; Hakenachloa macra ‘Aureola’; Cotoneaster congestus.

I first met Carmel nearly twenty years ago while I was working in a garden centre. She identified an unlabelled plant for me, and I have been learning from her ever since. Her garden is a trove of plant treasure, species from around the globe thrive in the mild maritime climate. This past winter theContinue reading “Carmel Duignan’ Garden – Shankill, Co. Dublin”