The Gardens are the life work of Mr. Ambrose Congreve. His life was colourful in any sense of the word.
Young Ambrose was sent to school at Eton where he met his roommate and life-long friend Ian Fleming, creator of the James Bond spy novels. They both collaborated in the school magazine The Wyvern.
During the World War II, both friends served as intelligence officers. Ambrose Congreve served in Air Intelligence for Plans and in Bomber Command, and later in the Ministry of Supply.
A brilliant businessman, Ambrose Congreve was working for Unilever in England and China, and ran Humphreys & Glasgow firm when he took over from his father-in-law Arthur G. Glasgow (from 1939 to 1983). During this time the workforce increased from less than 100 to more than 3000. Foreseeing the global economic crisis, he sold the company and his holding of stocks and shares in the 1980’s. Much of the proceeds went to charities and literary prizes, the rest was invested in the estate. Wholesale nursery added to the funds necessary to maintain the gardens and house.
Liveried servants, fine chefs de cuisine, gorgeous Rolls Royce Phantom V1, collection of the finest items of art… and one of the best gardens of the world that took almost a hundred years to plant.
He employed Albert Roux, the chef who later co-founded Le Gavroche restaurant in London; his Rolls Royce was driven by the Queen Mother’s former chauffeur; his London house in the courtyard of St James’s Palace was next door to Prince Charles; he was a friend of Lionel de Rothschild ( his mentor in gardening), Winston Churchill, and Aristotle Onassis.
His 70 employees gave him a special and thoughtful gift for his 100th birthday – a Wollemi Pine.
In the beginning of April, there are only a few Camellias in bloom .
Most of the flowers are laying on the ground at different stages of decay.
The variety and number of Azaleas are overwhelming.
There are 16 miles of paths in the gardens.
Snowy flowers and the bright flame of the new shoots – Pieris fills up the gaps between the twisted Rhododendron trunks.
River Suir.
Bluebell path.
Magnolia walk. There are about 200 tree Magnolias planted by Ambrose Congreve and his long-time head gardener Herman Dool who came from Holland. It was their secret – to plant numerous trees instead of 1-2 to make the garden look so spectacular.
Michael White is the current curator of the Mount Congreve Gardens.
Another long-leaved Rhododendron.
One more Azalea. I have shared just a tiny slice of the collection.
Some birds.
Thank you for visiting Mount Congreve Gardens with me. It is sad that we won’t see the tall figure of Mr. Congreve. He and his wife are buried at the temple overlooking River Suir.
Have a wonderful week!
Is wonderful how the vision and dreams from the mind of a person can get real into the shape of such a paradise. Thank you very much, Inese. Wishing you nice days. n_n
I enjoyed viewing the “shape” of tree trunks and branches Inese. Such lovely images of deep red flowers and the natural wonders.
This is a dream garden, Robin. I wish all the tourists added it to their itinerary.
A lovely and informative post with captivating images as always, Inese. I especially like the ones from the paths. Imagine to have 16 miles of them❣️
Warm greetings to you from Norway.
Thank you Dina! Norway is beautiful ❤
Gorgeous photos Inese, lovely colours. I adore flowers and trees and this place looks lovely 🙂 xx
Thank you so much! xxxx
I didn’t know the history attached to the gardens, Inese, thanks for sharing.
There is a lot of history. It has always been a well loved place, and Mr Congreve deserves all respect. They had no children, and most of their money they invested into the gardens.
I’d love to walk there! Thank you!
Resa, thank you. Sorry I haven’t visited your blog for a while. I haven’t visited no one’s blogs for that matter 😦 Sorry for that, I will do it tomorrow. This year has been too challenging for me so far xx
You keep coming up with these places I need to check out, should I ever get to Ireland…
Ah sure you should some day 🙂
I had the same thought, Dave …
Reblogged this on John Cowgill's Literature Site.
Thank you so much!
You are very welcome so much.
Wonderful photos. I lived in Ireland for over 40 years and still never got to see these gardens. Thanks for the post.
Thank you Janet! The place is only a few minutes drive from the Waterford border. The best thing is to check out their website for all the formalities, like time tables etc.
A stunning garden, Inese, and I love your photos. I don’t think I’d be able to finish walking there. By the time I’d traveled all the paths, I’d have to start again to see nature’s changes. Gorgeous photos.
Thank you Diana! The longest walk takes 2 hours plus detours to the other paths. I think 3 hours is definitely enough, because your route depends on the season. They will give you a map.
Wow this garden looks stunning! Beautiful photos 😀
Thank you Roselyn!
16 miles of paths! I can see why this garden has taken nearly 100 years to cultivate. The late Mr Congreve left an enviable legacy behind. Thank you so much for sharing!
Thank you so much for your comment, Gabe! It is a beautiful garden, always in bloom.
The reds in particular are wonderfully vivid, Inese. And Mr Congreve seems to have had a very vivid life to match the vitality of his gardens!
Thank you Andrea! I too love the reds in the nature. Mr Congreve never slowed down, until the end.
Such beautiful gardens! Thank you so much for taking us with you to enjoy it, Inese! 😄 xxxxxxx
Thank you Sarah! I must go there again soon, to catch the midsummer beauty of the garden. xxxxx
Oh! It’s so lovely to hear from you again, Inese!!! I hope all is well with you! And I look forward to your midsummer photos of these magnificent gardens! Much love! 😄 xxxxxxx
Thank you Sarah! xxxxxx
😀 xxxxxxxx ❤
Lovely pictures of the flowers and the Mr. Ambrose Congreve. I imagine there must be a lot of people visit the garden on the weekends or a great place for wedding photographing.
Thank you! Yes, the gardens are open 4 days a week, and there are many beautiful spots for pictures.
And then Congreve was photographed by the amazing Inese, whose images made Shey’s jaw hit the deck xx
Thank you so much Shey! I am slowly getting back 🙂 xxxx
I have missed you and I am glad you are back. And these photos are beautiful xxxx
Thank you! xxxxxx
A luxurious life and legacy beautifully photographed
Thank you so much, Derrick. I wish you travel to Waterford some day and visit this beautiful place. Pity the house is completely emptied.
Many thanks, Inese. Maybe one day….
Excellent job 🙂
Your pictures show the variety of flowers and plants in these gardens, in a very orderly way. And the story of Mr. Congreve was very interesting to read.
Have a nice week!!
Thank you so much! The Congreves story goes back a good couple of centuries.
Have a nice week you too!
16 miles of delight! 🙂 🙂 Happy Monday!
Thank you so much! Have a happy week you too! xx
Looks beautiful. And 16 miles of paths. Wow!
Thank you, yes, it is what they say. The gardens are set on the steep hill with the “switchback” network of paths. Thank you for your comment! xx
Awesome as always! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Thank you so much!
smiling after touring
your beautiful garden 🙂
Thank you! 🙂 I wish everyone could visit.
Everyone shoots images, some create art. Thank you for the treasure trove on Mr Congreve and his legacy.
Thank you so much for your kind comment! This garden has a long history. Mr Congreve started planting in this garden in 1918, and did it until his death in 2011.
An extraordinary and beautiful garden with 100 years in the making. Truly to be admired. 🙂 Hope you are well.
Thank you so much, Joseph. I am getting there. This is a challenging year.
I hope to visit the garden again to capture its midsummer splendor.
It is good to hear from you again and your wonderful post. Stay well.
Thank you so much!
You’re welcome
Thank you Inese. The photographs are stunning so it must be absolutely beautiful in real life. It’s lovely we get to share these places with you. Mr Congreve and his wife must enjoy the peace of their resting place.
xxx Huge Hugs xxx
Thank you so much, David. It is amazing how wise he had chosen to live his life and use his money.
Many hugs! xxxx
Extraordinary. And I found the link to the Wollemi Pine also fascinating.
Thank you! Isn’t it amazing that a tree (!) was discovered in the end of the 20th century. I wonder what else we don’t know about this planet 🙂
Thank you for sharing your beautiful photos Inese and weaving into them the story of the garden. 🙂
Thank you so much! I just couldn’t stop pressing the shutter 🙂
Nature’s gift to lift our spirits from the drudgery of modern urban life.
Yes, this garden is such an oasis of tranquility.
Totally awesome…impossible not to feel spiritual when looking at such beauty.
Thank you for sharing the joy of these gardens.
Thank you so much for stopping by!