UPDATED 28 February 2010 - note new telephone number 023 -8855307
TO SEE A SHORT VIDEO OF THE GARDEN PLEASE CLICK THIS LINK .......video
I will be posting more videos of the garden very soon .
 The Annuals border - 08.
contact lesandchris@eircom.net tel : 00-353-(0)23-8855307
NEWS FEBRUARY 2010
Like most people we have had the most severe winter for 20 years or more . west Cork usually has little frost - but there have now been 2 months of continual hard frost . Our lowest temperatute so far was minus 10 C . Consequently we have lost all of our Ceanothus , Tea trees ( Leptospermum ) , some of our Hebes ( except salicifolia ) , one or two Pittosporum , and various other shrubs . It is still too early to say what perennials have survived . The lupins are shooting at least ! And of course our 70 plus varieties of rose are sure to be growing soon .
A very sad occurence has been the death of most of our largest goldfish and Golden Orfe in the pond , despite our best efforts to save them . But there are still many small fish , and they will grow in time I suppose .
We have sown many seeds , and for the first time have had to use a greenhouse heater to keep them alive .
The thing most on our minds is that due to the weather , we are at least 2 months behind with the work . So - lets hope for some decent weather from now on , so that we can work flat out to get the garden ready .
This years opening dates and times are posted below on this page .
We look forward to hearing from any groups/garden clubs who would like to visit us this year .
Apologies if some of the photos are still not displayed in full - I'll try and fix it if I can find the time .
INTRODUCTION :
The garden is owned by Christine & Les Wilson . We bought the old ' cottage and acre ' in 1990 as a holiday home . There was no garden , just a grass field . Convinced that we would never leave England to live in Ireland , we planted the whole acre field in 1996 with about 350 mixed trees and large shrubs . But - we sold up in England and moved here the next year in 1997 !
The garden was started the autumn of 1998 , and it took the next 5 years to use the whole of the acre . We began with a large pond and rockery , then added two mixed borders . The following year we made a herb parterre , grasses garden and a walled ' Secret ' garden ( some people don't find it ! ) . The biggest recent change has been the felling of many trees to create an extensive woodland/shade garden . And in March 2007 we created a large new mixed border by the pond , where there was previously a ' shelter belt ' of mixed large shrubs .
Our style could be said to be quite ' English Cottage Garden ' - we enjoy colourful perennials and shrubs , not too much formality , and we don't worry about collecting rare plants , though we do grow many unusual cultivars of perennials and shrubs . The vast majority of our plants are grown from seed and cuttings .
 Our South Wall flower border. Christopher Lloyd is a great influence on our style & planting.
Kindly note - all photographs were taken by us , of our own plants.
 The secret Walled Garden with 'exotic' planting.
 The water fall is from the large rocks into the pebble pool below .
we are members of the West Cork Garden Trail - www.westcorkgardentrail.com which includes ...........
www.kilravockgardens.com
DESCRIPTION OF GARDEN
This most colourful garden is situated in the beautiful scenery of West Cork in the South-West of Ireland, with wonderful views west to the Shehy mountains and Nowen Hill. Over 1000 varieties of flowers ,shrubs and trees and bulbs can be seen.
The staggering amount of beautiful flowers make this the 'must see' garden of West Cork.
Briefly , the acre contains an informal woodland garden with native & other trees as a shelter belt. There are paths through the trees,planted with a variety of woodland plants.
There is a large fishpond & waterfall , bounded on one side by a rockery and willow bank. A living willow arbour provides the ideal place to sit and watch the fish swim around the many water lilies. Water overflows into a bog garden at one end.
There is a grasses garden, a pergola of climbing roses & clematis, a formal box parterre of scented herbs, an annuals border, and one of our main features - large twin borders of colourful cottage style perennials.
There is also a raised bed vegetable & fruit garden, polytunnel, and a superb 'secret' walled garden with summerhouse and waterfall .Good paths throughout make the walking easy .
 LOCATION: approx. 3.5 miles north of Dunmanway on the R587 Macroom road - turn off left on the Inchigeelagh road L4616 and following the 'garden' sign, then after 200m take the next right . First house on the right . Or - approach by turning off Bantry-Cork road R585 at Kilnadur school crossroads ( look for a yellow painted school and ' School ' road signs ) - first house on the left at the top of the hill . We are only 30 mins from Durrus and Skibbereen and Bandon, and 45 mins from Clonakilty . 45 -60 mins only from Cork .
OPENING TIMES 2010 Season : 11am to 5pm May 15 to August 8th .
CLOSED MONDAYS - EXCEPT BANK HOLIDAYS
note : You do not need to make an appointment during the 'West Cork Garden Trail ' 2010 ( 12-27th June). But you must make an appointment at all other times. We can be flexible on opening times if requested .
CONTACTS: TELEPHONE ++ 353 (0)23- 8855307
Email : lesandchris@eircom.net
 here we are on top of the hill .
 Coach parking is not a problem here.
 Gayle & Nic Monzu garden tour from Australia June 2006
WE OFFER: coach parties and groups welcome by appointment. Bring a picnic, lots of seating. Teas ,toilets available. Plants For sale. (Not suitable for very young children because of the pond , and - no dogs please for our cats ! )
We are a favourite visit for garden societies/tours/flower clubs etc - for which we can offer .............................................
******Free tea/coffee & biscuits for groups 10 plus*****
You can be sure of a very warm welcome indeed from Christine and Les Wilson. Wander round on your own if you wish , or ask and we will give you a guided tour .
Click on the buttons at the top left of this page to view our garden features in detail - we have over one hundred photographs on this site .
 Oriental poppies and Lupins dominate in May .
 MAIN BORDERS : Here we see 'black' Sambucus (elder) combining beautifully with flaming red Crocosmia 'Lucifer' , whilst Galega officianalis(goat's rue) lights up the rear. In the foreground are yellow Coreopsis verticillata, with white Campanula persicifolia peeping out from underneath.
Frequently asked Questions ...............
- Yes - there are just the two of us to do all the work !
- No - we don't make a lot of money ! ( we don't even cover costs of Public liability Insurance , plants , seeds , compost and so on )
- Yes - it really was just a field in 1998 !
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