Salthill Walled Garden

Opening Months: May, June, July, August, September
Opening Days: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday
Opening Hours: Mon-Thurs 2-6 pm, Sat in May + June
Admission Charge: €5

• Appointment Only
• Admission Charge

When Elizabeth Temple started to reclaim a 200 year old walled garden, she did the logical thing and started gardening near the door. Nothing remained in the walled acre except a greenhouse and some paths, and a new garden - rather than a restored one - evolved.

Now vegetables are grown traditional Donegal style in 12 foot wide ridges around the walls, with the decorative plants in the centre. Planting is designed to give a season long display - starting with daffodils and other spring bulbs, and running through hard working plants like thalictrums, hardy geraniums, lichnis, agapanthus, cardoons, and phlox - and crocosmia wreathe a circular lawn.

Old fashioned roses are a feature of the garden and include the single white R mulliganii, ‘Sanders White Rambler’, ‘Veilchenblau’ and the golden rambler ‘Alistair Stella Grey’ . Shrub and mixed borders make up the rest of the design, with hydrangeas blushing in the acid soil, eucryphias and Viburnum bodnatense ‘Dawn’ .

An unusual feature is a beech room sheltering Zantadeschias and white crinum lilies, and a potting shed adds a picturesque touch. Salthill is gardened organically and Elizabeth finds that feeding roses really well is the best protection against pests.

The walled garden creates a microclimate, and gives protection against the winds once used to dry the salt which gives the townland its name.


Best time of year to visit: May, June, July, August, September

Groups & Tours

• Groups Accepted
• Groups Need Appointments
• Accept Only Groups
• Guided Tours

Minimum Group Size:

1

Tour Days:

Additional

Trails

Donegal Garden Trail

Festivals

No

Events

None