Rhododendron 'Thomas Acton'
Rhododendron 'Thomas Acton'
This beautiful Rhododendron was bred by Sir Frederick W. Moore at the Royal (now National) Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin, Dublinin the 1880s by crossing a white flowered form of Rhododendron arboreum with another superb Himalayan species, the lilac coloured Rhododendron campanulatum. It was recently rediscovered in Kilmacurragh, having been presumed 'extinct' for decades. It was named by Sir Frederick Moore for Thomas Acton (1828-1908), the owner of the Kilmacurragh Estate, Co. Wicklow, and one ofIreland’s most remarkable 19th century plantsmen.
Detail from the original watercolour by Lynn Stringer
Cornus capitata 'Kilmacurragh Rose'
Cornus capitata 'Kilmacurragh Rose'.
The seedling of this plant was raised by Seamus O’Brien, the current Head Gardener of Kilmacurragh, Co. Wicklow,Ireland. It was grown in recent times from an old plant of uncertain origin which grew near the pond in Kilmacurragh. It is thought to be from a George Forrest collection sent from Glasnevin. It has very large bracts that fade from cream to a deep rose shade.
Detail from the original watercolour by Lynn Stringer
Magnolia delavayi
Magnolia delavayi.
This tree was planted at the Kilmacurragh estate, Co. Wicklow,Ireland by Sir Frederick and Phyllis, Lady Moore, from the Royal (now National) Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin,Dublinin March 1919. It was propagated from an E. H. Wilson original at Glasnevin.
Detail from the original watercolour by Lynn Stringer
Rhododendron falconeri
Rhododendron falconeri.
This plant was raised at the Royal (now National) Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin, Dublinin the Spring of 1850 from seed from one of Sir Joseph Dalton Hooker's Sikkimcollections. Seedlings in turn were sent several years later to the Kilmacurragh Estate in Co. Wicklow, Ireland. 163 years later this species is over 12 m tall at Kilmacurragh.
Detail from the original watercolour by Lynn Stringer
Rhododendron grande
Rhododendron grande.
The plant depicted was raised from seeds sent from the Sikkim Himalaya, north-eastIndia, by Sir Joseph Dalton Hooker toKewin the autumn of 1849. Duplicate seeds were sent to David Moore at the Royal (now National) Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin,Dublinon April 22nd 1850 & seedlings in turn were sent several years later to the Kilmacurragh Estate in Co. Wicklow,Irelandwhere they survive to this day. This species is one of Hooker's most glorious introductions and it begins to bloom at Kilmacurragh in mid February.
Detail from the original watercolour by Lynn Stringer
Magnolia campbellii
Magnolia campbellii
This tree was sent to Kilmacurragh, Co. Wicklow, Ireland by Sir George King from the Royal (now Indian) Botanic Gardens, Calcutta in 1876. The Kilmacurragh tree is now one of the oldest cultivated Magnolia campbellii trees inEurope and first began to blossom in 1907, 31 years after its planting. It is estimated to carry over 3,000 blossoms annually. It was one of Hookers finest discoveries.
Detail from the original watercolour by Lynn Stringer
