Birr Castle Demesne has a world-famous collection of plants and trees, and spring/summer is the best time to experience the spectacular floral displays in this historic destination.
In spring and early summer one of Ireland’s finest private collections of magnolias in bloom and the cherry blossoms create a riot of pastel colour in the demesne. There is something to enjoy here all year round — starting with the snowdrops in January, daffodils in February, there are also bluebells everywhere, and in March the camelia walk bursts into flower, alongside glorious peonies as the cherry blossoms fade for another year.
From now until the first week in July, bloom chasers who visit Birr Castle Demesne will be met with wonder and surprise — a spectacle of blooms changing by the day. Feast your eyes on wonderful collections of magnificent magnolia trees in full bloom, camellias from soft to deeper shades of pink, and acres of daffodils, bluebells and hellebores. Showing early signs of flower are the rhododendrons, peony and the lilac all leading towards the awe-inspiring wisteria which can be found in the formal gardens.
For those looking for native ground-based plants, the demesne has an abundance of wild garlic, wild snowflake, heathers and one of Ireland’s finest wildflower meadows which will be in its full glory by mid-June.
The demesne is currently on a mission to plant in the region of another 100 cherry blossom trees by the end of 2025.
“These beautiful trees will bring early season flowers that will attract and feed bees, as well as providing a feast for the soul," said Grainne O’Malley, general manager of Birr Castle Demesne. "Cherry blossoms are a particularly good choice for the ecosystem, as they have many flower buds to attract a large number of bees, as well as other wildlife. The trees will provide a living space for birds, beetles and a variety of insects too. Their beautiful pink flowers will be a treat for the senses, and this project will create another area of wonder within the demesne.”
The lilac in the formal garden will bring stunning colour in May, along with the wonderous wisteria tucked away in an intimate pergola in the formal gardens, culminating in the wild flower meadows in June and alongside summer roses and a vast array of other flowers on the terrace walk. In summer you will find the romantic hornbeam cloister walk, planted by Anne, Countess of Rosse in 1936 to celebrate her marriage to Michael, 6th Earl of Rosse. The formal gardens boast the world’s tallest box hedges.
In her book Great Gardens of Europe, Eliana Ferioli wrote: “In the Heart of Ireland, a green jewel of world renown" when describing Birr Castle Demesne. Birr now has plant material collected and subscribed for by three generations of the family, as well as some of the most famous plant hunters, past and present. It was the first garden in Ireland to receive specimens of Metasequoia glyptostroboides (Dawn Redwood ) after its discovery in China in 1945. Recent plant hunting expeditions by the current Earl and Countess include Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Iran, South Africa, New Zealand, China and Bhutan.
To find out more visit www.birrcastle.com
