The county of Wicklow is justifiably described as the “Garden of Ireland”, a beautiful county of rolling hills, waterfalls and lakes and many famous gardens such as Mount Usher and Powerscourt. So it was a real treat to spend the day in the company of fellow members of the Royal Horticultural Society of Ireland as we visited three private gardens in this lovely county.

Our first stop was at the Dower House, home of Mrs Patricia Butler, who welcomed us with the fascinating history of this 18th century house with its associations with John Wesley, the Methodist preacher, George Romney the artist, William Pitt the Younger and Patrick Brontë.

A curving drive gives a glimpse of the house clothed in Clematis, Wisteria and the small yellow heads of Rosa banksiae

Across the lawn was a very attractive summer house.

The lovely white garden lies behind the house, with attractive benches beckoning us to pause awhile.

A meander through the meadows down to the river before coffee and cakes.

Our next stop was at the home of Mr Harold Clark, the sound of the river rushing over rocks audible throughout this garden of surprises.

Along the paths through the woodland, sculpture could be glimpsed amongst the bluebells, as we wandered through arbours admiring the flowering trees and shrubs and aways encountering hidden surprises along the way – elephants emerging from amongst bamboo, a zen garden leading on to a spectacular oriental red bridge spanning a pond.

Beautiful Glendalough, a glacial valley of two lakes with a 6th century monastic settlement, was the setting for our final garden designed by Oliver Schurmann in a natural style to complement its stunning setting.

Mown paths through meadows lead into the landscape whilst access to the renovated house is via a staircase of granite steps surrounded by lovely soft planting.

Lovely gardens set in one of Ireland’s most beautiful counties.

This is a promotional video for the Gathering in 2013 which gives a glimpse of one of my favourite counties.