Over the many years I have been going to Garden Show Ireland (more than 15 I think) I have never really explored the attractions of the area. In the early days we would stay in Belfast, so I saw the city. But now the show is in Antrim, and stay nearby, I rush up and down to the show, and never see anything else while I am there. There isn’t time for sightseeing. So I made a decision that I would correct that this year and nip to Ballyrobert Gardens. I had met Maurice when he used to be at the show but they have not attended (exhibited) for several years (though he and the family did visit the show this year – I saw them!).

Ballyrobert gardens is only a short drive east (about 20km) from Antrim so as soon as I had finished my last stint on Friday I rushed to them to get there before they closed. I had bought plants mail order from them and their website is a mine of information and very entertaining – it describes plants from personal experience and you get the sense (which is accurate) that they know their plants inside out. All the plants in the nursery are grown in rather small, square pots, which helps with posting – and also makes it so easy to buy lots of plants when you are there!

My visit was quick and didn’t do the place justice, especially as I was not really aware of how extensive the gardens were. So I rushed round the nursery, buying as few plants as I possibly could (about 20!) and then had a run round part of the garden. It was overcast with the threat of the first rain for weeks. So the garden was looking very dry and a bit tired and I am sure it is refreshed now. I know that when I returned from my three days away I was truly amazed at how my garden here had changed.

The garden at Ballyrobert is extensive and very comfortable. It seems that natural openings in woodland become gentle flowering meadows or glades bordered with shrubs and herbaceous borders. The light shifts from gloomy to bright as paths under trees open to sunshine and lead through longer grass and over bridges crossing (at the time dry) streams that meander through the site. It is a garden that is hard to map in your head and you never know what is across the next bridge. Sometimes a path reveals a new view of a part of the garden just traveled, sometimes you appear in a new area. It is all very enchanting and exciting.

As I said, the recent dry, hot weather had not been kind but it did reveal just how hostas can cope with extreme weather – they looked really crisp and bright. If you are in the area then I recommend a visit. If not, then it is a great place to get some interesting plants.

ballyrobert gardens