Dublin - National Botanic Gardens

We encountered a rare run of really gorgeous weather in Dublin this spring and so we decided to make an excursion to the National Botanic Gardens.  Founded in 1795, the place was really impressive with overflowing displays of colorful flowers. 

There were also a number of antique greenhouses filled to the brim with different species.

We walked inside one and were greeted with pots of colorful flowers.

There were even scarecrows made from flowerpots to add to the ambiance.

I liked this pink and spindly plant.

This one looked like some kind of exotic sunflower.

A wild sodden mass hung from one of the walls.

We were able to peek out the greenhouse door into the gardens.

Some of the areas of the Botanic Gardens were a bit wild and overgrown.

Stately trees reached for the sky.

We spotted this modern greenhouse near the entrance to the park and had a look inside.

The National Botanic Gardens sits right next to Glasnevin Cemetery and you can see the guard tower over the hedge.

We popped into the alpine garden and admired the hardy plans that were small, compact, and designed to survive in a tough environment.

We took a walking tour through the gardens which focused on plants of Chinese origin.  While we were waiting for the tour to depart, I spotted this chlorophyll molecule hanging from the ceiling.

Our guide took us on a focused journey through the park.

He pointed out things we wouldn't have noticed on our own.  This tree is actually a chimera with two species co-existing!  You can tell by the yellow and pink flowers growing from a single branch.

I liked these flowers spilling over onto the path.

I also appreciated this gnarled cork tree.

Some of the specimens were quite sharp.

We saw flowers that were described when they were discovered as 'roses the size of a cabbage'.

We moved on to the tree-lined arboretum.

We emerged at a lovely gazebo draped in colorful vines.

A pond runs through the center of the gardens and I spotted a Mandarin duck in the waters!

I was impressed by the selection of trees including this brilliant red one...

...and this 'hankerchief tree' nick-named because of the shape of its blossoms.

We crossed over the River Tolka onto a small island.

We saw this lovely sentiment as we crossed back over: "Kind hearts are the garden, kind thoughts are the roots, kind words are the blossoms, kind deeds are the fruits"

We finished our tour with a look in and around a few more of the antique greenhouses.

We spotted this colorful pheasant staking out a nest in a hollow-centered shrubbery and watched him for a while before heading out of the gardens and catching the Dublin Bus back to City Centre.