• Join plantsman Jimi Blake on a tour of the great gardens of County Wicklow

Join plantsperson extraordinaire Jimi Blake to explore some of the best gardens around Dublin and the Wicklow Mountains

Jimi Blake is the owner and enthusiastic gardener at Hunting Brook Gardens in Co Wicklow. The garden is renowned for its modern and inventive plantings, and Jimi’s plant choices always excite and delight. This is where you’ll start your tour and Jimi will talk you through the garden’s seasonal highlights and his approach to plant combinations. The tour continues with Jimi taking you on to his sister June Blake’s small but painterly garden in Tinode, and then the garden of gardening doyenne Helen Dillon, who has recently transposed her ideas, developed over several decades, to a new and smaller space. You’ll also discover the beautifully meditative garden Patthana, and the varied garden of Ardán, impressively located on the hilly peninsula overlooking Dublin Bay. Visits to these and further unique and considered, private and award-winning gardens allow guests to meet the owners, garner expert advice and drink in the beauty of contrasting gardens that take you right to the warm heart of the Irish gardening world. Jimi describes the trip as rolling from house party to house party, which together with comfortable accommodation and excellent food will make for a convivial trip full of garden experiences and discoveries.

BOOKING DETAILS

The price per person, based on two people sharing is £2,950 (a single supplement of £250 is levied by the hotels).

The price includes: two nights dinner (with wine), bed & breakfast accommodation at The Marlfield Hotel, and one night dinner (with wine), bed & breakfast accommodation at The Dylan Hotel plus three lunches as stated in the itinerary, plus all transport and guiding from Dublin Airport and return flights from London Heathrow. If you wish to join the tour at Dublin Airport we will deduct £100 per person from the price. The price does not include extras at the hotel, or travel insurance.

FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO BOOK PLEASE CONTACT

Boxwood Tours, 1 West Street, Buckingham HK18 1HL, UK.

Tel +44 (0)1341 241717. email mail@boxwoodtours.co.uk website boxwoodtours.co.uk

The tour has been arranged exclusively for readers of Gardens Illustrated by Boxwood Tours Quality Garden Holidays, a specialist garden tour company set up in 1990. Please note that itineraries may be subject to change for reasons beyond Gardens Illustrated’s control. The tour is financially protected by the ATOL scheme. Please see our booking conditions for further information or for more information about financial protection and the ATOL Certificate go to: atol.org.uk/ATOLCertificate

Hunting Brook Gardens.

Patthana.

TOUR HOSTS Jimi Blake is an expert gardener and plantsperson, whose own garden expresses a dynamic approach to planting. This years he’s also our plant expert selecting his Plantperson’s Favourites each month. He will be accompanied on the tour by host Sophie Piebenga, whose knowledge and love of gardens stems from her training with Kew and the National Trust.