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The River Vartry is the centrepiece running right through the Mount Usher Gardens.
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Curved weirs are dotted along the river throughout the garden to keep the river ( and the garden) with good water flow at all times.
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The sound of water is ever present as you wander in the gardens.
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Away from the river are small garden ‘rooms’ and groves of mature trees like one of Australian Eucalypts – their barks making great abstract art.
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Light and shade on the wonderful trunks of old rhododendron trees.
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Almost every part of the world is represented in the garden. These Alstroemeria hail originally from South America – hence the common name Peruvian Lily.
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Paths wander through various ‘rooms’ of the garden – always something new around every corner.
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Lawns are not extensively used but they do add small areas to sit and enjoy the peace of the gardens.
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Everywhere in this late garden of 22 acres there are the small things to enjoy – flowers of great beauty, like this campanula.
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Another quiet oasis in this large garden.
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A few roses had survived the wet weather – this one an unusual blue/purple shade.
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There are many outstanding specimen trees like this Mexican Blue Pine, Pinus montezumae. This is but one branch of this enormous tree.
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In quieter parts of the river, plants like hydrangeas are reflected.
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Amongst the great and more famous plants are many beautiful examples of the humble daisies.
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And always in this lovely garden, the River Vartry plays a key enhancing role.
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I’ll add more about Mount Usher when I get home. For now, I hope you have enjoyed this brief wander in this very special garden. J
