subtropical plants in ardnagashel

The struggling wattles (Acacia dealbata) died due to the strong frosts, the champion silver fir is almost dead (just a few needles at the tips of the branches).

A small shrub of Rice’s Wattle (Acacia riceana) didn’t make it either. It had been struggling for a couple of years.

The lovely mountain pepper (Drimys lanceolata) has a few fruits although it was more than half knocked by the fallen willow podocarp. The camellias had pretty blooms – though later and less than the years before and the huge rhododendrons apparently didn’t suffer from the frosts.

The tall but completely hidden Lomatia ferruginea (Proteaceae, native from Chile and Argentina) looks happy ever after. In only thrives in very mild and damp areas.

the killeen in ardnagashel

As mentioned earlier the Killeen in Ardnagashel (family graveyard of the Hutchins family) is an extraordinary place of peace and tranquility.

Around his 90th birthday Richard Hutchins had it restored as it was completely overgrown.

The remarkable Colorado Fir (Abies concolor) with its candelabra-like ellbows was tended by tree surgeon Anthony Cornforth. After six years it has recovered and became one of the main attractions of Ardnagashel Estate.

blooming highlights of ardnagashel

The best time to stroll through the jungle of Ardnagashel is during April and May. Rhododendrons of six and more meters are in full bloom.

This lovely Rhododendron sinogrande in East Ardnagashel was planted by Richard Hutchins’ sister shortly before the died – much more than a decade ago. He was really excited when the tall shrub decided to bloom three years ago. It probably felt like a ‘hello’ from another realm.

This camellia looks like a perfect rose. Most people sniff at those marvelous flowers only to find them completely fragrance-free.

the secret garden of ardnagashel

Most of the Ellen Hutchins Arboretum is overgrown and inaccessible. In some places you can still recognize the ideas of the former owners. Those steps lead into an area with huge rhododendrons – from an area with quite tall tree ferns (Dicksonia antartica).

Below an old beech there are masses of bluebells in every spring.

rhododendron arboreum

While many plants are still dormant the huge Rhododendron arboreum shrubs (trees!!! 6 meters and more) start to bloom everywhere around Glengarriff, not only in Ardnagashel.

luma apiculata

During the winter months this beautiful tree stays green and fresh looking. Once it was named Myrtus apiculata as it is closely related to the myrtles (Myrtaceae). Originally it came from Chile – where it is called arrayán and palo colorado. Botanist and plant hunter William Lobb sent seeds to England and so introduced the lovely plant with the cinnamon colored trunk to cultivation in Europe around 1844.

The Hutchins family brought it to our area only some time later. The black berries are edible and are either prepared as a kind of chutney or as a liquor. They are also used for their medicinal properties.

podocarpus salignus

One of the most precious trees fell as it didn’t get the desperately needed stilt to prevent it from inclining more and more over the past two years: Podocapus salignus, native to Chile, probably planted in the early 1800s, Irish champion tree in height and girth.

area behind the dead cork oak is cleared

The area opposite the champion cryptomeria japonica now looks like that.

The area opposite the (almost dead) champion abies alba looks like that.

the stream is cleaned – slurry around the trees

A huge JCB is clearing the stinking contents of the stream. unfortunately the slurry is placed around some specimen trees.

davidia involucrata

The fabulous handkerchief tree (or ghost tree or dove tree) is a rewarding attraction of the Ellen Hutchins Arboretum. It seems to be the only specimen of that size in the area of Glengarriff.

In May and June it carries the most stunning flowers which dance in the breeze like little ghosts.