Celebrate the fabulous rhododendrons of Ireland

Celebrate the fabulous rhododendrons of Ireland as the country's most famous collections open their gates to welcome you throughout April and May for the most spectacular garden displays of the year.

Enjoy rhododendron walks at the National Botanic Gardens in Kilmacurragh, co Wicklow, along avenues and through tunnels dripping with flowers. One of the largest collections in the world is housed at Mount Congreve, Co. Waterford, the result of a lifetime's devotion by aficionado Ambrose Congreve. And the Wild Rhododendron Gardens at Howth Castle, Dublin, tumble down a steep slope in a froth of pinks, whites and reds - an unforgettable sight.

And once you're home, notebook full to bursting with inspirational varieties, we can help you recreate the look in your own garden. You'll find some real crackers in our garden centre: we love the salmon blooms of Rhododendron 'Blaauw's Pink' and the luscious scarlets of 'Hydie'. Yellow varieties include R. luteum, with a sweet scent, and 'Klondyke' which flowers golden-yellow.

Most rhodies love acidic soil, but some are happy on neutral ground including the lovely 'Cunningham's White'. And if you're short of room, 'Blue Tit' has lavender flowers and is small enough for containers, while 'Creeping Jenny's luscious deep red bell-like blooms spread low over the ground.