50 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
September 22, 1888. 
Gardening Notes from Ireland. 
Gortmore, Co. Dublin. 
This place was formerly the residence of the late Mr. 
Burke, but is occupied at present by J. G. Nutting, 
Esq. Situated as it is, almost at the base of the Dublin 
mountains, nature has done much for it in the beauty of 
its surroundings ; but a lavish outlay of money, and 
the employment of artistical skill in planning and 
overcoming many of the difficulties to be met with, has 
combined to make Gortmore one of the most beautiful 
and picturesque residences of the many to be met with 
in the southern suburbs of Dublin. 
The Grounds. 
The improvements as they now stand, so far as con¬ 
cerns the grounds, were, I believe, designed and 
worked out by Mr. Shepphard, of Dundrum, and who 
for many years past has planned and conducted such 
work in almost all parts of Ireland. As regards 
ornamental planting, it must, I think, have been a 
difficulty not easy to get over, and this can be readily 
understood when it is known that all the grounds 
surrounding the dwelling house has the granite rock 
peeping here and there through the soil. The residence, 
in fact, is not only built on the rock, but its foundations 
are laid on it. On this account Austrian and Scotch Pine 
have been extensively used for ornamental and shelter¬ 
ing purposes, and admirably they have grown, not¬ 
withstanding the fierce storms which sweep down from 
the mountains, and to which they are usually subjected. 
Owing to the thinness of the soil, and its porous 
nature, both trees and shrubs suffered much during 
the drought of last year, but looking at them now in 
their freshness and vigour, there is nothing to indicate 
the severe ordeal they passed through then. For such 
high-lying lands the Austrian Pine is unquestionably 
a fine tree ; and apart from the shelter it affords to 
such places, it is ornamental in its foliage and form. 
On a well-sheltered portion of the beautiful and well- 
kept lawn there were several fine trees of Cedrus 
deodara, fully 40 ft. high, and carrying foliage from 
the ground upwards; amongst them was an equally 
well-grown specimen of the Deodar variety, having a 
silvery hue, and which possibly was C. D. verticillata 
glauca. Cedrus Atlantica, a silvery variety of the 
Libani type, is often met with, but the silvery Deodar 
is, I think, somewhat rare. Another curious-growing 
tree is the Wellingtonia gigantea pendula, its lanky 
appearance making it very observable amongst the 
stout-growing trees in its vicinity. There are also two 
fine plants of Cordyline indivisa standing out here; 
they are about 7 ft. or 8 ft. high. 
Surrounding a small pond in front of the dwelling 
house are some pretty pieces of rockery, well designed, 
and having some well-grown shrubs, among them being 
Spiraea callosa, S. arkefolia, 7 ft. or 8 ft. high, and 
S. Douglasii, a very handsome rose-coloured flowering 
plant. Then there were Cotoneasters, Weigela rosea, 
Prunus Lauro-cerasus colchica, and what I have not 
hitherto seen in such perfection, Japan Privet 
(Ligustrum japonicum). The group of plants of this 
Privet was fine in foliage, and when I saw them 
they were blooming profusely. Underneath these the 
St. John s Wort was doing duty as a rock covering, 
the whole being well sheltered by plants of the 
Austrian Pine. 
The Tower. 
Before proceeding to notice what I saw in the garden I 
should like to say something about a building called 
The Tower, which, although placed in the rear of the 
residence, looks at a distance as if it were part of it, 
and gives the idea of the “donjon-keep” of ancient 
times. This building is about 60 ft. high, and besides 
the useful purposes for which it was built, it can be 
utilised as an observatory. From its platform on the 
top there can be had a splendid view of the Dublin 
Mountains, Killiney and Dalkey Hills, Dublin Bay, 
the Hill of Howth and the city itself almost at one’s 
feet. The practical use of the tower, however, was to 
supply water and the electric light for the residence, 
and while the former was at least a necessity, the 
means taken to provide two such wants shows that the 
late Mr. Burke was a man of enlarged ideas, and in the 
matter of electricity for private use, some, perhaps, 
would say he was a little before his time. However 
that may be, the whole place was supplied with electric 
light during his time ; but owing to a breakdown of 
machinery it has been discontinued, and gas is now 
used instead. The motive power was a gas engine, 
which still remains in its place on the first floor of the 
tower, and all the appliances necessary for the generation 
of electricity are still here. On the second landing 
there is a large tank constructed, into which is driven 
by hydraulic pressure some of the overflow from the 
pond. Before leaving the tank the water is filtered, 
and again after its entrance in the dwelling-house, but 
it is used only for household purposes, that for drinking 
having to be obtained from other sources. 
The Houses. 
At one time Gortmore was known for its large and 
varied collection of Caladiums, and although they are 
no longer seen on the exhibition stage, the stock is 
still as good as ever, and very many beautifully marked 
specimens are to be found in it. Numerous varieties of 
Crotons, Ferns, Orchids, &c., are grown in large quan¬ 
tities for house decoration. The demand for cut 
flowers must be large, as 1 found the roof of one house 
devoted to a grand plant of Marechal Neil Rose, and 
the roof of 'another to a Jasmine. In a Peach house, 
the most of a back wall was occupied with a Souvenir 
d’un Ami Rose, Asparagus plumosus, &c. On the 
back wall in another house was a fine plant of Abutilon 
megapotamicum, generally known in gardens as A. 
vexillarium. Alongside of it was growing another 
variety with large crimson flowers, the name of which I 
was unable to learn. Along the roof of another house 
was trained a plant of Bignonia ignescens, and on a 
pillar a very handsome, free-flowering Begonia, known 
here as B. glaucophyllum. 
Seedling Begonias. 
In writing of Laing’s strain of Begonias on a former 
occasion, I thought I had said in a short way enough 
to express my admiration of them, as well as to point 
to their value for inside decorative purposes. Of course, 
when I say “inside decorative purposes,” I do not 
mean thereby to convey that they are not suited for out¬ 
door use as well. But here, as well as formerly, I found 
them grown in pots, and on both occasions I regret not 
having seen them at their best. The whole collection 
was splendidly grown, and even now are in grand 
blooming condition; but practical people can well 
understand that the first flowers are usually the largest on 
tuberous Begonias, and I was assured that some of the 
blooms on these splendid singles measured fully 6 ins. 
across. If Mr. Knowldin, the clever and respected 
gardener at Gortmore, was to jjin his reputation as a 
gardener to Begonia-growing only, I fancy he might 
rest there. His success in this respect, however, is 
only indicative of his abilities in other matters 
pertaining to his profession, and he has subjects enough 
here to exercise his talent. In the houses, as well as 
in the garden, the predominating desire appears to be 
for flowers, and as under glass, so also outside, the 
greatest attention is given to 
Roses. 
From the large numbers here planted out, the whole 
season through must be productive of a veritable 
“ feast of Roses ” at Gortmore. The garden is divided 
into squares by two intersecting walks, and along these 
borders are formed, which are backed by espalier 
trellis-work. Along this trellis numerous varieties of 
Tea and other climbing Roses are planted, and all 
giving evidence of the adaptability of the conditions 
surrounding them. Besides the fine range of Roses on 
the trellis, quantities of the better class of hybrid 
perpetuals are grown, and many choice positions on 
the surrounding walls have been selected for plants 
likely to produce flowers between the time of blooming 
of those in the houses, and those more exposed in the 
open. Gloire de Dijon and Safrano are two sorts 
admirably adapted for such a purpose, Safrano especially, 
for not only had it supplied its early crop of flowers, 
but it had continued in bloom the whole season, and 
even now is covered with Roses in all stages of growth. 
This is the second large plant of Safrano I have seen 
this season giving such satisfactory results, and I 
therefore think it is well worthy the attention of 
anyone having a portion of a south wall to devote to a 
plant of it. 
The Bedding. 
This was very tastefully arranged on the borders in 
front of the houses, and was simply laid out in lines, 
having, in one case, Calceolaria floribunda for a back 
line, Viola Acme for a second, bronze Pelargonium 
Marshal McMahon third, white Pelargonium Flower of 
Spring, &c. Another border was devoted to the growth 
of a fine collection of Gladioli, which formed the front 
lines, the back one being composed of Dahlias, both 
single and double varieties. Asters were also done 
here to perfection, the quilled kinds being the finest in 
size and form I have seen for a long time. 
Among all the outdoor flowers nothing surprised me 
more than the extremely fine Hollyhocks, which are 
grown here in abundance. One hardly ever sees any 
quantity of these grown at the present time, and indeed 
for years past this has been the case, the dreaded fungus 
preventing many admirers of them from attempting 
their cultivation. Now and again a half dozen or so of 
plants may be met with, but of such a poor description 
that it is not wonderful if little interest is taken in 
them. On this account 1 was much pleased to find so 
large a collection of Hollyhocks/strong and healthy in 
growth and foliage, and carrying flowers equal in 
colour, form, and size, to anything produced in more 
favourable times by growers of this favourite flower. 
Other Flowers. 
It is pleasing to note the increased attention which 
appears to be given lately, both in public and private 
gardens, to the growth of Mignonette, and it is to be 
hoped that the growth of a plant so useful and popular 
in its perfume will be still further increased in future 
years. Here, at all events, was growing so good a 
breadth of Mignonette, and so pleasant the perfume, 
that one could easily realise the presence of flowers 
before seeing them. Some of our popular garden 
resorts have yet to learn something regarding the 
favour in which sweet-smelling plants are held by all 
classes of the community. The most attractive and 
gorgeous-coloured piece of bedding will sometimes be 
passed by unnoticed, while frequently the exclamation, 
1 ‘ Oh, how lovely ! ” is heard, indicating the satisfaction 
given when a sniff of Mignonette perfume is detected 
in the air. 
There was a thick line of Godetia Lady Albemarle 
on one of the borders just breaking into flower, and 
by-and-bye will form a fine piece of colouring. I 
should extend these remarks too much were I to notice 
some other points of management which reflect much 
credit on Mr. Knowldin ; suffice it to say that Gortmore, 
either in its beauties of landscape or its sound practical 
garden management, can hardly fail to please those in 
search of the former, and must impart knowledge to 
those seeking information on gardening matters. — JF. D. 
-- 
HARDY PLANTS IN FLOWER. 
Rudbeckia fuegida. 
A moist, growing summer, followed by a fine autumn, 
are just the conditions to bring out the best qualities 
of this fine Cone flower. A border with this growing 
alternately with Anemone japonica alba is just now 
very telling and effective, the distinct yellow and dark 
centres of the Rudbeckia making a fine contrast with 
the white nodding Wind Flowers. Both of these 
plants revel in good rich loam with a heavy sub-soil. 
The best results with thp Rudbeckia are obtained by 
parting the plants in October and replanting only the 
strongest offsets, four or five of which will make a fine 
clump by the following autumn ; the small pieces 
should be dibbled into a nursery bed for stock. 
Senecio speciosus. 
This perennial species is not generally considered hardy, 
but some plants we put out last autumn have flowered 
very freely this summer and still continue in bloom. 
The long succession of flowers renders this a very useful' 
addition to the flower garden. The leaves (radical) are 
similar in shape and size to the leaves of a robust 
Dandelion, but very pubescent. The flowers are bright 
purple, in loose spreading corymbs, the scape being 
about 10 inches high. A stock is quickly obtained 
from seed, which germinates freely when sown in a cold 
frame. 
Dianthus superbus. 
This is a charming little species growing about 10 ins. 
high, with bright green foliage and smooth panicled 
stems. The flowers are pale rose colour, with a soft 
pleasing perfume, especially fragrant at night; the 
petals are very feathery and fimbriated, thus giving the 
flowers a light and delicate appearance. 
Dianthus liburnictjs 
Is another species that flowers well into the autumn ; it 
is a taller growing plant than the former species, with 
somewhat angular stems and glaucous foliage. The 
flowers are sessile and capitate, of a reddish pink colour. 
It is known also as D. Balbisii. 
GypsorHiLA Stevensi. 
The popularity of G. paniculata has directed attention 
to other perennial species of this genus, and amongst 
others that of Stevens deserves notice. The whole 
plant is smaller than G. paniculata. The leaves are 
radical and glaucous, the flowers white, larger than the 
former plant, and growing in a loose panicle. The 
blooms are not developed so profusely as in G. paniculata, 
but are more conspicuous.— J. JV. O., Pinner. 
