Garden County is in full bloom for visitors
THE beautiful selection of public gardens in Wicklow was at the heart of an exciting launch event this week.
Celebrity gardener Diarmuid Gavin joined representatives from Wicklow Tourism and Wicklow County Council for the launch of the 2017 Wicklow Gardens Season at the National Botanic Gardens at Kilmacurragh.
The launch was organised by Wicklow County Tourism, in partnership with the Office of Public Works.
‘What amazes people when they come to Ireland, and especially to Wicklow, is the range of plants that can be grown here, plants that have been sourced from all corners of the planet. Because of Wicklow’s temperate climate, with very few extremes of hot or cold, wet or dry, you could be anywhere around the world just by looking at the plants that grow here,’ said Diarmuid Gavin.
Wicklow is home to some of Ireland’s most beautiful and exciting gardens, including the world renowned Mount Usher in Ashford, the National Botanic Gardens at Kilmacurragh, Killruddery Gardens and Powerscourt Gardens, which was voted number three in the World’s Top Ten Gardens by National Geographic.
‘It’s not without reason that Wicklow is called the ‘Garden County.’ With its varied and diverse landscapes, mild climate, rich deep, often acid soils, Wicklow is one of the best places in Britain and Ireland to garden’, said Seamus O’Brien, head gardener at Kilmacurragh.
‘ The county’s coastal scenery is stunning and many Wicklow gardens make the best use of a ‘ borrowed view’ of mountain, sea and rolling green and unspoiled countryside,’ he added.
Well over 20 gardens are opening their doors to visitors and garden enthusiasts over the next few months.
While some open all year long, others for just a few days during the season or by appointment only.
Wicklow is truly a world class destination for garden lovers, and Wicklow residents are blessed to have such wonders on their doorstep.
For more information on events and gardens open for the 2017 season, please go to visitwicklow.ie/wicklowgardens