Enjoy our finest gardens at their virtual best...
TOP gardens are currently closed to visitors due to lockdown restrictions, but The National Botanic Gardens at both Glasnevin and Kilmacurragh hope to reopen tomorrow. Meanwhile, you can enjoy what’s going on behind the gates of famous gardens here and in the UK. Many owners have been busy filming so garden-lovers can enjoy a virtual tour from the comfort of their homes. Here’s a few of the best.
POWERSCOURT ESTATE
The gardens and estate in Co Wicklow are usually thronged with visitors at this time of year. While it’s currently closed, Powerscourt has uploaded photos and an audio tour on Instagram with interesting facts about the gardens and history of the estate.
@powerscourt_estate on Instagram
NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDENS
Garden lovers can check out the current blooms at the National Botanic Gardens on Instagram. There’s also some drone footage and a quiz!
@nationalbotanicgardens_ ireland on Instagram
BLARNEY CASTLE AND GARDENS
Blarney Castle and Gardens, home of the Blarney Stone, has current photos and a Facebook Live Gardens Tour on its social media pages. It is hoped that the gardens will re-open tomorrow.
@blarneycastleireland on Facebook
ARUNDEL CASTLE GARDENS
A formidable Norman castle looms over 40 acres of landscaped grounds with a fabulous walled garden set in the shadows of the market town’s 19th Century Gothic Revival cathedral. In spring, the garden usually attracts large numbers to its tulip festival, with more than 80,000 bulbs blooming this year.
ltulipfestival.co.uk
EXBURY GARDENS
Thousands usually make the journey to this woodland garden in spring to marvel at its collection of rhododendrons and azaleas. In order to make sure fans get their fill of the 200-acre landscape, staff regularly post videos on its Twitter, Facebook and Instagram feeds. Don’t miss the drone footage of the garden’s famous azalea bowl.
exbury.co.uk THE CHELSEA FLOWER SHOW
A virtual Chelsea Flower Show is set to run from May 18 to 23, the dates the actual event was due to take place. Each day, a leading garden designer will give a tour of their own private garden, while those logging on can go behind the scenes at nurseries and vote for their Chelsea plant of the decade.
rhs.org.uk