SOME IRISH GARDENS. 



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other water plants, like Car ex pendula, the sweet flag (Acorus Calamus), 

 Buiomus umbellatus, and Cyperus longus. Near a rustic bridge lower 

 down the stream little waterfalls were made, and at the highest part a 

 small rockery, with the plants hanging down into the water, the highest 

 point of all, being in the shade, was planted with a collection of ferns 

 No hard and fast line was followed in order to confine oneself to any 

 one class of plant, and the background consists of Bamboo, Yuccas, 

 Veronicas, Cordy lines, and hardy palms. Lower down the stream 

 clumps of Liberiia formosa and Paeonies, and many other flowering 

 plants, are grown in the grass. Every advantage was taken of old 

 tree-stumps to plant climbing roses in great variety ; and, by growing 

 immense quantities of bulbs in the grass, clumps of Rhododendrons 

 and other flowering shrubs, floral effects were created for the greater 

 part of the year. In this part of the garden were clumps of Kniphofia, 

 Polygonums, Rhus iyphina, Berberis, Anemone japonica, hardy Fuchsias, 

 of Bamboo, including Arundinaria nitida, A. anceps, A. Hindsii, and 

 A . spalkiflora, Bambusa fasluosa and palmata, with Phylloslachys aurea, 

 P. Boryana, P. Castillonis, P. flexuosa, P. Henonis, P. milts, P. nigra, 

 P. Quilioi, and violescens. 



The wilderness forms a connecting link between the water-garden 

 and the pleasure-grounds proper and the woods beyond. 



The main central walk in the kitchen garden is flanked by 

 herbaceous borders, over 300 yards long, cross borders bringing up 

 the total length to over 600 yards. These borders were planted 

 with a great variety of herbaceous perennials and bulbs, any blanks 

 that occur being filled with annuals. Bush fruit trees formed the 

 background to these borders. One of the last pieces of work carried 

 out in my time was the erection of a pergola. This, made of stout 

 larch trees, was of severe classical design, and was planted with a 

 variety of climbers, eventually proving a great success. 



In 1912 other types of gardening were introduced, and not far 

 from this spot a flagged garden with a summer-house at the top of 

 the walk was erected. 



The paths are flagged with slate slabs from a neighbouring quarry, 

 and are placed so as to provide space for alpines and other small 

 plants. 



The mansion stands on high ground ; and from the windows, and 

 also from the terraces in the garden, magnificent views of the surround- 

 ing country are obtained, the Comeragh Mountains being seen in the 

 background. A fountain was made in 1911, Arum Lilies being planted 

 round the central figure, these flowering splendidly each season. 



Beyond the terrace wall and not far from this spot is the formal 

 flower-garden, laid out in Italian style. Fine views are obtained from 

 the steps leading to this garden. Near these steps and under the 

 terrace wall is a narrow border, which was planted up principally 

 with China roses, but amongst other things which I distinctly 

 remember planting close to the wall were some plants of the Californian 

 Poppy, Romneya Coulleri. How well this has succeeded is now 



