When visiting an Irish friend in December 2000, I took the opportunity to phone Helen Dillon. I had first heard her speak about perennials during a symposium at Swarthmore College in Pennsylvania, and I was amazed by her knowledge of plants, as well as her skill as a landscape designer. She wasn’t home on this particular afternoon I had called, but her husband graciously agreed to let me wander their grounds for as long as I wanted.
This lovely iron table is accentuated by succulents in containers.
Photo Credit: Mark A. Miller
The evergreen foliage of these Euphorbia and Cyclamen make for a clever planting combination.
Photo Credit: Mark A. Miller
Gravel mulch and good drainage provide an ideal condition for succulents and spreading herbs.
Photo Credit: Mark A. Miller
Untouched seed heads, evergreen perennials and even flowers become more visible in the winter landscape.
Photo Credit: Mark A. Miller
Located in the city of Dublin, the Dillon’s house isn’t sited on a particularly large plot. However, the design of the garden capitalizes on every square inch of space, with vines on vertical planes creating a wondrous backdrop for the inspired combinations of small trees, shrubs and perennials. Blue and yellow leaves of unusual flora brighten the entrance, with a well-placed hedge creating a sense of privacy. Pretty colored gravel is used throughout the garden as an alternative to the more popular mulches found in American yards.
The back garden was created on different levels, providing great visual interest. The border on one side of the yard contains hot colors – with flowers running in the reds, oranges and yellows – while the border on the other side contains cool colors such as blue, white, purple and pink. Dissecting the garden is a rill (a long, narrow water feature) punctuated at the other end by a bubbling circular fountain. Pathways are constructed with rounded pebbles and enclosed with raised brick and concrete walls. Large terra-cotta planters containing cascading plants glowed in the soft afternoon light when I was there. Everywhere I looked were terrific examples of unique plant species from around the world. It was enchanting.
On this visit to Mrs. Dillon’s garden, I was the sole person enjoying the scene. (That’s often the case in winter, as there seems to be less appreciation of gardens by most of the gardening public when it’s cold outside.) There’s something meditative about a garden in winter. When a landscape is stripped down to the bones, I always find a greater appreciation for the skill of the garden designer: when you can more clearly see structure, lines, and use of plants as architectural elements. Garden art and sculpture are often highlighted at that time of year, too. (Give me bright stems or foliage peeking through a thin layer of snow, and I’ll wax poetic.)
I spent so long admiring the Dillon’s landscape (and taking rather dark photos), the sun began to set and I sheepishly re-entered the house. Mr. Dillon had been watching the horse races and enthusiastically offered me a glass of Irish whiskey, sharing a congratulatory toast to a winning horse that I assume he had some money on. We chatted about life, our respective countries and a host of other subjects. Although I was disappointed in not being able to discuss the Dillon’s garden with its primary creator, I spent a charming afternoon in this gem of a landscape and perfectly capped the experience off with a toast and a talk with a fine gentleman.
Among my other explorations in the magical country of Ireland, I traipsed around Dublin’s green spaces such as Merrion Square Park and St. Stephen’s Green, the National Botanic Gardens in Glasnevin (wonderful!) and a number of manor house gardens along the coast. I truly hope to return, possibly in the summer next time, to get a more thorough look at the gardens of the Emerald Isle – and to visit the Dillon’s garden treasure once more. (Whiskey, optional.)
