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National Garden Exhibition Centre

Garden

Twenty inspirational gardens for the price of one!

Address:
Calumet Nurseries
Kilquade
Co Wicklow
website Contact National Garden Exhibition Centre
Tel: +353 1 281 9890

Please mention ireland-guide.com when enquiring.

National Garden Exhibition Centre

Opening Months: January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December
Opening Days: Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday
Opening Hours: Mon - Sat - 10am - 5.30pm; Sun - 1pm - 5.30pm & Bank Hols - 10am - 5.30pm
Admission Charge: Adults €4.50, children free, OAPs/Students €3.50, groups 10+ €3.50
  • Appointment Only
  • Admission Charge

To describe the National Garden Exhibition Centre as inspirational would be an understatement. The brainchild of nurseryman Tim Wallace, his wife Suzanne and garden designer Gordon Ledbetter, the idea was to show the best in garden design for a variety of situations and budgets.

Now in its second decade, the Centre has matured and - like the best of gardens - it has evolved. Where once there were 14 gardens there are now 20, and some of the original ideas have been changed or replanted. They range from the informality of the ambitious Water and Woodland Garden, where the spectacular autumn colours of the swamp cypress Taxodium distichium and acers like A. ’Osakazuki’ are reflected in a lake, to the perfection of the small Knot Garden where the scent of old roses is trapped by the room-like hedges.

Newest is the Gothic Garden, with a dramatic gothic window overlooking a pool and areas of different planting, and the Plantsman’s Garden, featuring exciting plant combinations like the ponytail grass Stipa Tenussima with Phylica arboreaand Artimisia ludoviciana, with four different types of planting including a section of acid loving plants.

The Town Garden, with its pergola, raised beds and pond, is a lovely example of the kind of sanctuary which can be achieved in a small space, while the Japanese Garden remains a particular favourite, with informal beds set in gravel and soothing foliage textures and colours; hostas, grasses and bergenias cosy up to the feet of diminutive Acer palmatum aconitifolium, Abies koreanaand Cornus mas with its purple autumn leaves.

Many of the plants used in the display gardens can be bought in the excellent nursery and there is a tea room for light meals. What more could you want?


Best time of year to visit:

Groups & Tours

  • Groups Accepted
  • Groups Need Appointments
  • Accept Only Groups
  • Guided Tours

Tour Days:



Tour Times

Groups with a guided tour : €7.50 each by appointment

Additional

National Garden Exhibition Centre  - Kilquade County Wicklow Ireland
National Garden Exhibition Centre  - Kilquade County Wicklow Ireland
National Garden Exhibition Centre  - Kilquade County Wicklow Ireland
National Garden Exhibition Centre  - Kilquade County Wicklow Ireland
National Garden Exhibition Centre  - Kilquade County Wicklow Ireland
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Distance
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Directions

Off the N11 just past the turn off for Delgany, take next left for Kilquade; the Centre is a mile down the road on the left.

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