New Homepage

Please vote for Aubrieta 'Shangarry' and help us win the people's vote for The Threatened Plant of the Year. Voting closes Sunday the 7th of July! ... See MoreSee Less

+5

On the 15th of June, members of IGPS had a fabulous outing to two gardens in Meath. The first was The Poppy Garden and the Second was Loughcrew Estate.

The Poppy Garden is an acre in size and was created less than 20 years old by Ealma Purcell, who started with a ‘green field’ site, a small amount of gardening knowledge and little spare cash. The front of the house was clothed with climbers including Clematis, Wisteria, Rose and Ivy. Lots of other plants were in a variety of containers, all painted an attractive blue to unite them. Around the side of the house, old school lockers had been laid on their sides to serve as ‘troughs’ for more planting. (Photo's 1-3)

Loughcrew Estate has been home to the Naper family since 17th century and has the remains of 16th, 17th, 18th and 19th century houses and gardens, plus the ruined church of St Oliver Plunkett, who was born there in 1625. The garden has been restored under the ‘Great Gardens of Ireland’ scheme, and is now open daily as a landscape and sculpture park, while also hosting weddings and other events. In addition to mature trees - including a 400 year old Yew walkway- and impressive herbaceous borders, the garden is full of whimsical sculptures made from recycled materials such as a leaping salmon formed with CD discs, a giant sphere made of metal hubcaps and a small army of giant ants! (Photo's 4-8) ... See MoreSee Less