Mount Usher Gardens

The 22 acre gardens at Mount Usher were designed by the famous Irish garden designer, William Robinson, in the late 1800’s.

More than 5000 varieties of trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants from all parts of the globe are planted in harmony with the River Vartry and the surrounding woodlands and enhance rather than compete with vistas of the dramatic surrounding countryside and its mountains.

Main image: Mount Usher House by davida3

Robinson believed in an informal, natural style of planting, where the garden blends with its location, and this is wonderfully realised here.

All gardening at Mount Usher follows organic principles and the planting is carefully planned to provide colour and interest no matter when you visit.

In Spring naturalistic drifts of bulbs flow over the lawns and along the tree lined walks, while in early Summer the Rhododendrons and Azalias, of which there are many species here, come to the fore.

By mid-summer the garden is at its very best, with intense greens and brilliant colour everywhere but nothing formal or stiff looking and the gardens seeming to merge seamlessly with the backdrop of the mountainous Wicklow countryside.

From late August on the colours soften into the mellow tones of autumn, personally autumn is is my favourite time of year here as the trees have such an extraordinary range of reds, oranges and purples. A range of different maples and larch means this show lasts for quite a long time.

Changes at Mount Usher

For many years the Jay family maintained and improved this world famous ‘Robinsonian Jewel’, but in 2007 its management was taken over by the Pratt family, of Avoca Hand Waevers fame.

Any fears that lovers of Mount Usher may have had about this development have turned out to be unfounded. The Pratts are carefully manageing the garden and have increased the number of staff who care for it. The addition of an Avoca shop and an excellent café has only served to make a visit even more of a pleasure. The Jay family continue to live at Mount Usher, and long may they do so.

Visiting Mount Usher

The gardens is open to the public from 10.30am to 6pm everyday from March to October. There is a tea room and a small shopping court and good parking. Regular special events for gardeners are held, consult the website for details.

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Location Map for Mount Usher Gardens