The Historic Role of American Plants in British and Irish Gardens
Commemorating the 250th anniversary of American independence, this conference aims to highlight how North American plants have profoundly shaped our gardens, evolving from the exotic, treasured specimens brought back from the early colonies to the staples of modern prairie-style planting popularised by Piet Oudolf.
Head Gardener Claire Woods has been managing and developing the gardens at Hillsborough for the last 7 years. She talks us through what sustainability means in the context of a heritage garden and how the principles and practices can be used in gardens of any size.
On Wednesday 12th March 2025, Mark Johnston joined us to speak of his 50 years as an independent scholar in the greenspace industry.
A collection of Papers specifically devoted to studies of all aspects of Irish historic gardens and demesnes.
Paper #1
Hillsborough Castle Demesne, A History (2015)
Paper #2
The Flora of Hillsborough (2015)
Paper #3
The Making of Rowallane (2015)
Paper #4
"Without Rival in our Metropolitan County" The History of Luttrellstown Demesne, Co Dublin (2015)
Paper #5
An Early Eighteenth Century Garden Bosquet at Purdysburn, Co. Down (2015)
