4,500 different varieties of trees, shrubs and plants in this garden

On the last day of August, thoughts are of getting back into the routine and settling down for the changing season ahead, after a busy summer of dodging showers and wondering when the summer would start!

Perhaps we will see some respite for September, as we so often do when the school doors open up once more. A warm spell later in the year is good news for everyone and it can give the garden a chance to shine into the autumn.

Asters, anemones, strobilanthes, eupatorium verbena and grasses like miscanthus, molinas and pennisetums come into their own from now on, and keep the colour and interest going in the garden until the first frosts appear.

Gingers, cannas, begonias and persicaria all add a touch of totally tropical exotica to the garden late in the season and can really shine in September, weather permitting.

Autumn can be a great time in the garden, and things have slowed down so the pressure is off somewhat.

A recent visit to Mount Usher gardens in Wicklow revealed a beautifully flowering herbaceous border immediately inside the main entrance gateway. Visiting a garden at different times of the year is important, having visited this garden only in early spring and early summer previously, I had never seen this part of the gardens looking at its best.

The garden is better known for its collection of trees and naturalistic ‘Robinsonian’ style of planting that it has developed, evolving with the very distinctive feature of a river flowing through its centre.

Trees play such a large part in the garden interest all year round, but particularly in the autumn as the deciduous trees turn varying shades of autumn hues of brown, orange, yellow, red and burgundy.

This garden has quite a collection of plants across its 22 acres of gardens. The Vartry River runs through the middle of it, and all paths lead to the river as there are several bridges along its length within the gardens.

There is quite dense planting along the river banks in some areas, and large colourful swathes of primulas, hydrangeas, crocosmia, and other moisture-loving plants can be seen growing happily adjacent to the river.

There are plenty of rhododendrons and azaleas also, which must look spectacular in springtime.

Areas of wildflowers are also in place and this garden takes great pride in being managed without chemical pesticides or herbicides. This is quite a commitment for a garden of this size.

If you are considering planting some or one tree in your garden this autumn, then this is a garden to visit. There really is no substitute for seeing a tree growing in situ, seeing and feeling the leaves and the bark, standing under the canopy.

We can read descriptions in books, catalogues and online, but nothing can replace experiencing the real thing.

There are 4,500 different varieties of trees, shrubs and plants in this garden, and while many of the trees may be larger than what may suit a regular garden, there are some which could be considered perhaps growing in the under-storey of the larger trees.

The tree trail forms the main guide through the gardens and there are 88 trees numbered along the route, and they are given a brief description and location on the map provided at entry to the gardens.

This gives a good orientation down through the length of the garden, and if you’re visiting for the first time, it provides a good path to follow.

There is plenty of seating provided along the route and this is an ideal place to wander a while, some of the trees along the route, and then sit and soak it all in, an oasis of calm.

Avoca are the custodians of this garden since 2007, and in addition to the gardens there is quite an extensive garden shop adjacent to the courtyard near the entrance that caters for cut flowers, house plants, herbaceous perennials as well as shrubs and trees.

There are a number of retail outlets selling clothes, furniture, food, and the Avoca cafe also.

A great day out in nature and the outdoors with the option for fuelling up along the way.

Day tickets for entry to the garden are available as well as season tickets if you are lucky enough to live in the area and visit this garden on a regular basis. Check out www.mountushergardens.ie for more details.

Plant of the Week

It had to be a tree, and with so many readily labelled to choose from, I put my eye on one that had no label!

It was a golden tree with soft, ferny foliage planted in the middle of the lawn close to the herbaceous border at the entrance and it was Robinia pseudoacacia ‘Frisia’.

This tree has a bushy upright habit and bright yellow pinnate leaves which turn orange/yellow in autumn. It bears white pea-like fragrant flowers in drooping clusters in May and June, providing additional interest. It will make a good-sized garden tree, getting to about 10 metres tall with a spread of 6-8 metres. It does require shelter as its branches are quite brittle and a well drained soil is essential. It will grow best in full sun.

This is a tree popularly planted in urban environments due to its tolerance of droughts, pollution and poor air quality.

Now is a good time to consider tree planting with the dormant season approaching, and autumn is a great time to assess different characteristics particularly of deciduous trees that you may consider including in your garden.