Anticipation rather than fear characterized the feelings of the creator, in retrospect, caution could have been exercised: a 25-year construction project of Glenarm Castle's gardens
Nestled in the picturesque village of Glenarm, County Antrim, lies a four-acre trapezoid walled garden that has been a part of the landscape since the 1820s. Originally built to shelter and grow fruit and vegetables for the estate, this garden has been transformed over the past 25 years into a horticultural haven that seamlessly blends historical legacy with contemporary design.
Lord and Lady Antrim, along with their advisors, have been at the forefront of this development. Notable among them is Neil Porteous, who nurtures exotic species such as the cherry-red Mexican bush mallow, Phymosia umbellata, and fast-growing Salvia gesneriiflora.
For summer planting, Porteous recommends a selection of robust and ornamental plants that add height, color, and attract pollinators. These include:
- Arundo donax (Spanish cane/elephant grass): Tall (10ft+), with a grassy character, borderline hardy.
- Monarda ‘Gardenview Scarlet’: Bright red, pollinator-friendly bergamot, mildew-resistant, about 3ft tall.
- Phygelius x rectus ‘Salmon Leap’: The Cape fuchsia with long-lasting salmon-colored tubular flowers, around 2ft.
- Thalictrum delavayi: Delicate pastel-mauve sprays on wiry stems, reaching about 6ft 6in.
- Veronica gentianoides ‘Tissington White’: Pure white spikes delicately marked with mauve, about 18in.
- Veronicastrum virginicum ‘Fascination’: Pale mauve spikes loved by bees, around 5ft 6in tall; other good varieties include ‘Cupid’ and ‘Pink Glow’.
This planting plan emphasizes height variation, color vibrancy, long flowering periods, and pollinator attraction, reflecting a modern, ecological approach while respecting the garden's historic structure.
The walled garden at Glenarm Castle is a veritable oasis, bordered by the Glenarm River and adjacent forest to the south, and a crescent bay and the rugged Antrim seashore to the north. The garden is home to magnificent trees, including conifers, sycamores, and oaks.
Randal McDonnell, the present (15th) Earl of Antrim, took over the Glenarm estate from his father in 1992 at the age of 25. Today, the walled garden is primarily ornamental, but productivity has been reinstated in a small potager.
Notable features within the garden include a grassy mount ascended via a spiral path, offering bird's-eye views of the landscape, and a classic double herbaceous border, replanted three years ago in shades of mauve, pink, and white, and leading to a small herb garden within a great circle of yew.
One compartment is devoted to pears, both free-standing and espaliered. The hot border, facing south, is warmed by orange tiger lilies, golden rudbeckias, crimson penstemons, and scarlet Monarda didyma, amid contrasting grasses and tall Eutrochium maculatum Atropurpureum Group.
The east wall marks the lowest part of the sloping garden with an interesting mix of shrubs, perennials, and wall climbers, including tree peonies, dark-bronze Cotinus coggygria, a copper-coloured acer, and tall grasses.
Neil Porteous, the Antrims' most recent adviser, steered new initiatives and refreshed the borders for the past four years. The plan divided the area into six hedge-enclosed sections, most of which suggest fruit orchards.
On a clear day, Scotland can be seen from the seashore near Glenarm Castle, making it a truly unique and breathtaking location. Glenarm Castle is located at the western end of its village, surrounded by an elegant park.
The garden design at Glenarm Castle warmly integrates lifestyle considerations, as evidenced by the ecological plant selection and modern approach, while respecting the historical legacy. This home-and-garden, encompassing a variety of plants, trees, and thoughtful landscaping, serves as a harmonious blend of contemporary aesthetics and horticultural heritage.
In addition to its historical significance and architectural beauty, the Glenarm walled garden also offers a delightful home for an array of exotic species, carefully chosen by Neil Porteous, such as the cherry-red Mexican bush mallow and Salvia gesneriiflora. This further emphasizes the garden's role as a link between the past and the present.
