The gardens were part of Amisfield Park House’s estate, a Palladian mansion dating from the 1750’s. The house was demolished in the 1920’s but that grounds remain with a dovecot, stables, summer house and of course The Walled Garden.
Run by Paul and Pauline McBride who had the good fortune to work with Piet Oudoulf in Luxembourg. If you don’t know Piet Oudolf, he is one of the poster boys of modern garden design, pioneering naturalistic planting.
As part of my own personal journey as a Garden Designer, I plan to visit as many gardens as possible (in the capital letter – destination sense, not any old garden) to gain more knowledge and experience. There is absolutely nothing that compares to seeing first hand, plants in their appropriate setting and planted in combination. I think it goes without saying that gardening is most definitely a profession where you are ALWAYS learning.
My intention was always to take pictures, as a reference, and the blog just sprang out of that, I’m gregarious and a sharer, so it feels like the most natural thing for me to do. Plus many of these gardens survive on their entrance fees and donations, so if I can help inspire others to visit then no bad thing!
I am interested in design in general especially mid-century modern buildings and interiors so I may share other things that inspire me but mostly the blog will be about lovely gardens and plants. I’m planning to post one a month in season (April – Sept) and less frequently out of season (Oct-March) but don’t hold me to that, as I am a wee busy bee.