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Please use the following format and info on your own site to link to your page in Gardens-Guide.com: at Gardens-Guide.com http://www.gardens-guide.com The premiere directory of open gardens in the UK and Ireland today Ask your friends and suppliers as well to link to your page in Gardens-Guide as well. Every link we get into your page helps rankings for both of us in search engines. **************************************************************** **************************************************************** **************************************************************** Garden Name: Rowallane Garden Last Modified: 18-01-2011 Garden ID: 0245 pic: 0245_rowallane3.jpg NOTE: If this says "missing", then please send us a picture for your page which is at least 1000 x 1000 pixels in size. Thanks! 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/main/w-rowallanegarden email: rowallane //at// nationaltrust.org.uk English Heritage Grade: Opening Times: NOTE for 2012: Please check with garden owners or their website to confirm current dates open http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-rowallanegarden 2nd Jan - 28th Feb, 10-4, daily 1st Mar - 30th Apr, 10 - 6, daily 1st May - 31st Aug, 10 - 8, daily 1st Sep - 31st Oct, 10 - 6, daily 1st Nov - 31st Dec 10, 10-4, daily Closed 25th and 26th Dec & 1st Jan 2012. Last admission 30 mins 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: Gift Aid Admission (Standard Admission prices in brackets) Gardens: adult £5.70 (£5.18), child £2.80 (£2.54), family £14.20 (£12.90) 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. 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. 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