As winter gave way to spring, our dedicated garden team has been hard at work across Russborough’s parklands.
The gardening team at Russborough has been working steadily across the estate, clearing, restoring, planting, and preparing the grounds for the season ahead. Here’s a look at what has been happening across the parklands and woodlands over the past three months.
Clearing the Avenue
One of the most visible transformations this spring took place along the main avenue, where extensive clearance work was carried out to remove overgrown laurel and snowberry from the banks. These fast-growing shrubs had become dense and invasive, blocking light and obscuring the formal lines of the tree plantings. With the help of a tractor flail and chipper, the team cleared large swathes of undergrowth, restoring clear sightlines and allowing the original structure of the avenue to re-emerge. The work has dramatically improved the approach to the house, opening up long views and enhancing the sense of arrival for visitors.
Restoring Views and Clearing the Way
Work near the coach road entrance focused on removing old tree stumps, wire fencing, and thick brambles to open up views towards the lower pond. The area, which is visible to visitors arriving by bus or on foot, is already much improved, with further work planned for drier months. In the woodland garden, overgrown laurels and sprawling brambles were cut back, making space for healthier growth and increased biodiversity.
Laurel Lawns, Ivy Tangles and the Maze
The Victorian-style laurel lawns along the sandy walk to the walled garden were reshaped, returning them to a more traditional, three-foot-high green carpet beneath the trees. At the beech maze, Transition Year students on work experience helped remove ivy that had started climbing the hedges. In the playground maze, a willow hedge was removed after attracting wasps, which had become a concern for safety in a family area.
Woodland in Bloom
Spring brought the first colours to the woodland garden, with wood anemones, trilliums, and the final cherry blossoms along the path to Lady’s Island. Rhododendrons are now being photographed and tagged to help identify different varieties, contributing to an ongoing botanical record of the estate.
Even in storm’s wake, the rhythm of the seasons carries the woodland forward
Storms and Tree Care
Several trees suffered damage during recent storms, including a western red cedar at Lady’s Island and an oak near the north field. These, along with damaged limbs in the CP Adventure Area and north parkland, were safely removed by arborists. Ongoing inspections are being carried out to ensure safety and tree health throughout the estate.
A reflection on resilience, regrowth and the steady care shaping Russborough’s living landscape
A Greener Future: Oak Saplings and Glasshouse Repairs
In the walled garden, oak saplings grown from acorns collected in 2022 were potted up with help from volunteers. Restoration of the lean-to glasshouse also progressed, with panes of Perspex being replaced by glass. Volunteer Conor Gill, a former woodwork teacher, has taken the lead on the repairs and begun repainting the framework.
Sustainable Land Stewardship
Russborough has made progress in its participation in the BISS scheme, designed to support sustainable agricultural practices.
Volunteers and Visitors
Gardening volunteers have helped prepare a new staging area for plant sales and supported maintenance work in the walled garden. In addition, a knowledge exchange with Luggala is planned for the summer, focusing on deer management and tree protection strategies.
From tiny mushrooms underfoot to fresh mulch from laurel cuttings, this has been a busy and fruitful season. Thanks go to the garden team, volunteers, students, and specialists who continue to care for and shape Russborough’s remarkable landscape.