International recognition for Irish gardens

Castlewellan Arboretum and Annesley Garden in Co Down has become the first garden in Ireland to win international recognition for its fine collection of rare and remarkable trees.

The International Dendrology Society presented its plaque to the garden for its ‘horticultural collection of unequalled diversity’, calling it ‘one of the most remarkable tree collections not only in Ireland but in the whole of Europe’. The plaque is one of only 16 awarded in the Society’s 60-year history and the first given to an Irish garden or arboretum.

Castlewellan, run by the Forest Service Northern Ireland, is home to hundreds of tree species including trees from around the world as well as trees bred at the garden itself, such as the popular hedging plant, golden Lawson’s cypress (X Cupressocyparis leylandii ‘Castlewellan Gold’). Many are well over a century old, dating back to the arboretum’s heyday in the 19^th century when its then owner, Hugh Annesley, 5^th Earl Annesley, expanded the already fine collection by adding thousands of trees as well as many rare and unusual plants collected from around the world. 

Part of the reason for Castlewellan’s success is the remarkable local climate. Situated just a few miles from the Irish sea, sheltered by the Mourne Mountains and surrounding woodland, severe frosts are rare and trees, shrubs and other plants thrive. The arboretum boasts over 30 champion trees, considered leading examples of their species. The five hectare walled Annesley Garden at its heart is home to a rhododendron wood, spring garden and a collection of Chamaecyparis as well as many of the oldest and finest trees including twin giant sequoia, Sequoiadendron giganteum planted in 1856.

‘This award recognises the generations of care and attention which have gone into the gardens since its establishment in 1750,’ said Forest Service Chief Executive John Joe O’Boyle.