*************
Garden Owners,
Please copy this information and paste it into an email to:   wb [at] armchair-travel [dot] com

Please make any changes in BRIGHT RED in your email back to us.

Regards,
Armchair Travel Co Ltd
http://www.armchair-travel.com
*************



Garden Name: Rowallane Garden
Last Modified: 13/01/2010
Garden ID: 0245

pic: 0245_rowallane3.jpg

Owner: National Trust
Address:
Saintfield
Ballynahinch
County Down
Postcode: BT24 7LH
County: Northern Ireland

tel: 028 9751 0131
fax: 028 9751 1242
website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk
email: rowallane {at} nationaltrust.org.uk

Features: 
A true plantsman's garden in an informal style - with trees, shrubs and plants from around the world; Garden retains natural landscape of surrounding area; Spectacular azaleas and rhododendrons; Notable natural Rock Garden Wood with Primulas, Meconopsis and shade-loving plants; Walled garden; Several areas managed as wildflower meadows.
Two new walks, the Farmland Walk Trail and Woodland Walk, allow visitors to explore Rowallane Garden and surrounding farmland further. Tree Trail, highlighting 30 magnificent trees.

English Heritage Grade:


Opening Times:
1 Feb - 28 Feb 09, 10-4, daily
1 Mar - 30 Apr, 10 - 6, daily
1 May - 31 Aug, 10 - 8, daily
1 Sep - 30 Oct, 10 - 6, daily
1 Nov - 31 Jan 10, 10-4, daily
Closed 25 and 26 Dec & 1 Jan 09. Last admission 30mins before closing

Best Times of Year to Visit: 
May - June

To see: 
Rhododendron and azalea display

National Collection: 


National Garden Scheme days: no
Comments: 

Parties / Coaches: Yes 
Comments: 

Viewing by Appointment: 
Comments: Not necessary 

House Open for Viewing: No
Comments: 

Admission Prices:
Adult £5.50, child £2.70, family £13.70. Groups £3.90, Group visits outside normal hours £5.50

Parking: Yes
Lavatories: Yes
Disabled Access: Yes
Shop: No
Plants for Sale: Yes
Lunches: Yes
Teas: Yes
Refreshments: Yes
Picnics: Yes
Dogs allowed: Yes
Only on Lead: Yes
Events: Yes

Other Facilities:
Band concerts. For tea room opening times, please ring number above.


Designer: 
Description of Garden:
This garden of 52 acres is famous for its collection of rhododendrons but is also a large plantsman's garden of great beauty and character. The modest farmhouse stands beside the lawns and the arboretum containing the stone dais (from which the Rev. Moore is believed to have addressed his parishoners) which is now the base of a bandstand, and surrounded by many fine specimen trees planted by him. Favoured by its damp climate the garden features drifts of Himalyan poppies, hostas, astilbes and rodgersias. There are many varieties of rhododendrons and azaleas in spectacular banks set against a background of woodland. 

The compact form of Viburnum plicatum, called Rowallane, grows in the centre of a paved area laid out in the form of a Celtic Cross. In the outer walled garden is to be found the original plant of the popular quince, Chaeomeles japonca "Rowallane". There is much more to admire both in the Spring and Summer, but the visitor should, at the end of the garden, pause, look over the low stone boundary wall to the surrounding countryside, similar in outline - but empty, and marvel at what Hugh Armytage Moore has wrought here.


History: 
The garden was originally planted by Rev. John Moore who bought the property in 1860. His nephew, Hugh Armytage Moore began his planting in 1903, in spite of being told that the land there was 'not fit to graze a goat'. Rather than level and plough the area, he made a feature of the dry-stone walls, rocks and spongy turf and his planting follows the undulating line of the country. The tradition has been maintained by his successors and the garden, sympathetically managed, features a profusion of wildlife.

Local Inns: 
Rowallane & White Horse in village

Accomodation: 


Restaurants: 
Tea rooms in Saintfield village

Village/Town/Sightseeing: 
Mount Stewart - 15 miles
Belfast 11 miles