Hunting Brook Gardens, one Ireland‘s best loved contemporary garden is neatly tucked into the foothills of the Wicklow Mountains, close to the village of Blessington. Lovingly created by Jimi Blake, the gardens are an extraordinary rich and multi-layered experience. In creating these wonderful gardens Jimi has drawn on the pattern of surrounding landscape, making a space that is spatially separate but also connected. Jimi has a true understanding of the nature of Hunting Brook and there is an emotional depth and connection between the place and its design.

His love of exciting plant combinations creates a garden that is balanced, stylish and vividly displays his trademark skill of knitting together a tapestry of new and exciting plant combinations. Densely planted borders appear random however these complex albeit spontaneous schemes requires careful management and a watchful eye. Swashbuckling new cultivars, big tropical aralias, lush grasses and zingy colours create a richness of form and texture. This part of the garden seduces and excites your senses.

Contrasting with areas of quiet and lasting beauty. The woodland glade with its jewel like combinations of carefully chosen plants and then the ancient woodland where morning sunlight filters between the trees, lighting up the brook that divides the valley. This is the contemplative heart of Hunting Brook, creating a liberating sense of other worldliness.

Behind this woodland is a standing stone and ancient Bronze Age ring fort. It’s a place of history, beauty and deep connection to the landscape. It took the deft hands and vivid imagination of Jimi Blake to weave together a garden that would both frame the existing and envision the new.

Hunting Brook’s ensemble has a unique drama of contrast, between the gilded quality of the main garden borders and the expansive naturalism of the woodland and meadow landscape. Juxtaposition and contrast is a theme that runs through Jim’s work: between the modern and the romantic; the simple and the complex. Hunting Brook is a paradise for plant lovers, visited by the great and good of horticulture, the beginner gardeners who have just heard about this great garden and those who attend the plants persons course and learn over 12 months how to be visionary with their planting too.

We welcome you to this special place where the tradition of great gardening is alive and well. The moment you cross the threshold you are in a different world.

Opening Hours

Open to the public Wednesday to Sunday 11am to 5.30pm

We also open the tea rooms one Sunday a month with special events – details below.

Sunday opening with tea rooms

Dates for 2017 are:

• April 9th
• May 14th
• June 11th
• July 9th
• Aug 20th
• Sept 10th

Join Jimi on these days at 2p.m. for a free class on his top 25 plants for that time of the year including detailed notes.

Teas, coffee and luscious cake are available in our tea room or bring along your picnic and enjoy a walk in the woods.

Adults €6, children free.

Facilities

• Personal tours
• Gardening and garden-related courses
• Teas & lunches by prior arrangement
• Toilets
• Guide dogs only
• NOT wheelchair accessible.