Altamont Gardens

There is an inclination to pay less attention to those gardens we visit most often; they become almost everyday and lack the surprises which might otherwise prompt one to finger the keyboard. However, when I consider that we have visited Altamont Gardens several times each year for the past forty years it would be remiss …

The Scarlet Pimpernel – at Altamont Gardens.

I sought her here; I sought her there; I sought her everywhere; Is she in heaven? I hope not in hell; Oh, that elusive Pimpernel! Baroness Emmuska Orczy may have worded the origin lines differently and, indeed, to express the annoyance of the French rather than the disappointment it was for me. This is what …

First Snowdrop Garden of the Year

We were encouraged by the number of snowdrops coming into flower in our own garden over the last fortnight, thanks to a very welcome mild spell, that we decided it might well be time to hit the road and have our first snowdrop garden visit of the year - to Altamont Gardens. The approach to …

I Suppose That’s It Now Until February!

We were very much in that Carpe Diem frame of mind all of last week. There had been a long run of bad weather with particularly high rainfall and strong winds so that there had been many days spent indoors and cabin fever was beginning to set in. Because of this we had determined that …

Follow me up to Carlow!

It's a long time since that Planxty song came into my mind but it was what popped up when I came to write of our visit to Altamont Gardens yesterday. Follow the link for a blast from the past! Yes, it was a bright and warm day and we thought Monday would be a quiet …

At Altamont Gardens

The gardeners at Altamont have achieved that almost impossible aim of keeping a garden fresh, vibrant, changing and yet perfectly in tune with the style and ethos of its previous owner. So often we hear the comment of gardens such as this - bequeathed to the state, or in U.K. to the likes of the …

Genius loci

In ancient Rome, a genius loci was the spirit which protected a place, a territorial guardian angel of sorts. Nowadays, it is a phrase used in reference to garden design and was first enunciated by Alexander Pope. He contended that garden or landscape designs must always be adopted to the location for which they are …

Altamont and Hardymount – A Day Out!

The Carlow Garden Festival goes from strength to strength with each year and attracts large attendances for all its events. Some attract big numbers because of their high profile but each event has its attraction and I attended two very enjoyable events, the first at Altamont Gardens in the morning and the second at Hardymount …

A Preview.

Altamont for snowdrops has become an annual visit not to be missed. We usually visit in early February as this is generally when the greatest number of snowdrops are in flower. The snowdrop season can stretch from October until March but the greatest selection is open in February and this has dictated the timing of …

Dem Bones, Dem Bones, Dem’s Good Bones!

The last days of November would generally not be regarded as good garden-visiting days but there are some advantages. It is a time to see a garden without the distraction of summer colour, without the fullness of summer borders and without too many other visitors also. It is a time to see the bones of …