Home | Site Map | Jul 23, 2008

Rarely crowded and always rewarding no matter what the season, this is a real hidden gem. All around there are wonderful views of the Blackstairs and Wicklow Mountains and Mount Leinster. An Arboretum, Bog Garden and Ice Age Glen, with ancient oak tress, leads down a steep path to the River Slaney and a glorious riverside walk.

The garden is bursting with rare azaleas, rhododendrons, magnolias and much more, testimony to its late owner, Corona North, a passionate plantswoman who tended it with true devotion until her death in 1999. The Irish government inherited the gardens after her death and continue to manage them according to her principles.

A recent project at the garden has been the planting of the Corona North memorial border, and it is testimony to her standing in Irish Gardening circles that plant donations for the border have flooded in from gardeners all over the country.

She was one in a long line of gardeners here and there are trees in the garden dating back to 1750, and even older ones in the glen, including 500 year old oaks. The many varieties of mature trees give the garden its character, but there are also wonderful perennial borders, for the most part planted in a natural informal style.

This is a wonderful garden to stroll around, with surprise and delight around every corner. Some of the plants in the garden are available for sale in a small garden centre in the old walled garden and there is a small tea room which is open at weekends. It is also a very good place to bring a picnic.

 

Location Map for Altamont Gardens

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