Gash Gardens

01/01/2026

As the new year begins, we wish all our customers, garden visitors, followers, family and friends peace, good health, hope, happiness and love. 'Thank You' for your greatly appreciated support of our business during the last year and we look forward to seeing you when we reopen again in late spring. Warmest Wishes to all. From Ross & Mary.

17/09/2025

Last chance - our garden is open to visit for the final three days of this year on this Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 18-20 September, 11am-5pm each day. Still plenty to see and inspire how you can extend colour and interest in your autumn garden.

1. Cercidiphyllum japonicum assuming centre stage as its leaves take on shades of vibrant orange and yellow while giving off the wonderful, sweet smell of burnt sugar or candy floss.
2. Sunshine lighting up the plumes of Calamagrostis brachytricha.
3. Aptly named the burning bush, Euonymus alatus 'Compactus' is glowing rosy scarlet.

12/09/2025

Warm autumn vibes on a bright, cool morning... our garden is open today (Friday) and tomorrow (Saturday) from 11am to 5pm.

Pictured are the glowing leaves of Hydrangea quercifolia 'Burgundy', stunningly beautiful seed capsules of the spindle bush, Euonymus planipes, looking at its best just now, and a warm dash of uniquely coloured Rosa 'Hot Chocolate', on its second flowering after a July pruning.

05/09/2025

We were delighted and honoured earlier this week to host the relaunch of the website for Laois Garden Trail - https://laois.ie/laois-gardens. Owners of the 12 unique and diverse gardens on the trail were joined by several staff and members of Laois County Council and other local elected representatives with special guests Kitty Scully, organic gardener, a Co. Laois native and co-presenter of the recent RTE TV series 'Home Grown,' and the Laois Rose and 2025 International Rose of Tralee, Katelyn Cummins.

Images: Michael Scully

29/08/2025

Sending some rays of floral sunshine to all EP revellers this weekend. Welcome to Laois. Hope you have a fab time and don't forget to mind each other. If conditions get very mucky, don't despair - been there, done that - some of the best laughs had at the muckiest festivals. 🤣 🎵

13/08/2025

In the garden this week, the huge flower heads of Hydrangea arborescens 'Annabelle are making a big impact while Agapanthus 'Navy Blue' (aka 'Midnight Star') is still going strong. The first blooms of the butterfly magnet Eupatorium maculatum 'Purple Bush' are just opening and the emerging flowers of globe artichokes, Cynara cardunculus (scolymus group), are stunning against the blue sky.

27/07/2025

Just a note to say a huge 'Thank You' to all who came from both near and far to our Special Sunday Opening of our garden this afternoon. We really appreciate your interest and support and hope that you enjoyed your visit. For us, it makes the hard work all the more worthwhile to share our garden with others and to see people enjoying and taking inspiration from our work. 🙏 💕

26/07/2025

Join us tomorrow, Sunday, 27 July, 2-5pm for our 'Special Sunday Opening'.
Explore the garden yourself (€7.00 entry) or join a guided tour with owner, Mary Keenan, at 2pm (€10.00 per person).
Pre-booking is essential to join the tour. To book your place, just email your name and the number of places to reserve to: [email protected]. Payment on the day.
Light refreshments will be available throughout the afternoon.
P.S. the seat in the picture is very comfortable - before you sit, make sure to ask us about the knack for getting out of it again!

23/07/2025

'Escape to the Garden' - weather is promising and the garden is looking good so we hope you will join us for our Special Sunday Opening on this Sunday, 27 July from 2-5pm. Bring a friend, explore the garden and enjoy a chat over some tea and cake.

At 2pm, Mary Keenan will give a guided 'walk 'n talk' tour of the garden with tips and insights on how to make the most of your summer borders. Pre-booking is essential to join the tour. Price: €10 per person. To book your place, please email your name, contact telephone and the number of places to reserve to: [email protected]. Payment on the day.
General admission on the day without guided tour: €7.00. No booking necessary.

We especially welcome our neighbours and local people to come along on this special afternoon. If you've often driven by and wondered what's here, why not take this opportunity to drop in and see for yourself.

19/07/2025

Incredible flowering this year on Agapanthus 'Navy Blue', revelling in a sun-baked, south-facing spot in our front garden. While it's name lacks a bit of creativity, this is an outstanding variety, very hardy and the seed heads that follow are also quite attractive and durable. It is partnered here with Crocosmia 'Lucifer' for a very striking contrast.

03/07/2025

Rambling rose 'American Pillar' is flowering magnificently this year all along our rose swag feature. It's just at its peak of bloom right now.

Why not come and see it for yourself. Our garden and nursery are open every Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 11am to 5pm until the end of September.

30/06/2025

Looking forward to making a return visit to the ever-inspiring Delta Sensory Garden on Saturday, 2 August to talk about some of my favourite plants for fragrance in the garden as part of Carlow Garden Festival 2025.

Designing and Planting a Fragrant Garden with Mary Keenan - 11am, Saturday 2nd August 2025.

Join renowned horticulturist and garden designer Mary Keenan on Saturday, 2nd August 2025 at 11 a.m. at Delta Sensory Gardens, Carlow, for “Designing and Planting a Fragrant Garden” an inspiring workshop on how to create beautifully scented spaces that awaken the senses, held as part of Carlow Garden Festival 2025.

With over 35 years of hands-on experience and a deep passion for plants, Mary will share expert advice on selecting and combining fragrant plants, from roses and sweet peas to herbs and aromatic shrubs for maximum seasonal impact.

Drawing on her work at Gash Gardens and in public park design, as well as her regular columns in The Irish Garden magazine, Mary brings a practical, engaging, and accessible approach to garden design.

This indoor session includes a guided tour of Delta Sensory Gardens, offering a real-life example of a fragrant garden in bloom. Suitable for gardeners of all levels.

Venue: Delta Sensory Gardens, Strawhall Estate, Carlow

Time: 11 a.m. Admission: €12.50 (includes garden entry)

Book now: www.carlowgardentrail.com

🚌 Leave the car at home and take the bus to this year’s Carlow Garden Festival, it’s easier, greener, and a great way to meet fellow garden lovers along the way. For full details and to book your space, visit www.carlowgardentrail.com