John Rooney - A Botanical New Year

On New Years Day 1895, Belfast's beautiful Botanic Gardens opened it's gates free of charge for the first time.Situated in the green south of the city, the gardens were established in 1828 by the Belfast Botanical and Horticultural Society who purchased the 14 acre site.

To help fund the project the society issued shares at seven Guineas each, with members of the public paying for admittance. Nevertheless it soon became obvious that more money was needed and in June 1838 the first garden fete was held.

Such was its success, that the gardens became the venue for all sorts of outdoor activities including balloon ascents and fancy dress parades. But despite the society's best efforts and due in part to concerns that horticulture was being neglected, the gardens were eventually sold to The Belfast Corporation (today's city council). Thus the gardens became a public park.

However the society were responsible for instigating work on the gardens most outstanding feature, The Palm House. Designed by Sir Charles Lanyon, who also lent a hand designing parts of the nearby Queens University, the Palm House is one of the earliest and finest examples of a curvilinear and cast iron glasshouse.

The foundation stone was laid in 1839, and construction was undertaken by Richard Turner of Dublin, who between 1844 and 1848, built the Great Palm House at Kew.The following year 1840, costing £1400 and measuring 65 feet long, 20 feet high and 20 feet wide, the two wings were completed. It wasn't until 1852, that the 46 foot high elliptical dome was added by Young of Edinburgh.

The stove wing of the glasshouse is filled to overflowing with a splendid variety of tropical species, whilst Orchid type plants take up much of the equally packed cool wing. The sub - tropical dome is not only filled from top to bottom with climbers and hanging baskets, it's also home to the Australian Grass Tree, Xanthorrhoea preissii.At 400 years of age, it's easily the oldest plant on display.

In recent years, the Friends Of Belfast Botanic Gardens, a registered charitable organisation, have had an important role in safeguarding the gardens future. Many improvements are planned, including the restoration of all Victorian features, providing Victorian style lighting and perhaps most importantly, maintaining the site as one of historical and horticultural importance.

On entering via the gates at the Stranmillis Road, I make my way towards the Arboretum. The bearded and robed figure of Lord Kelvin greets me. With it's backdrop of pines, in particular the Dawn Redwood, the statue erected in 1912 appears as ageless as it's surroundings.

With pine needles underfoot and Starlings chattering overhead, I find it hard to imagine the bustling road outside. Then I catch sight of the Tropical Ravine. The red brick building with it's glass roof was completed in 1889. Charles McKimm, head gardener at the time, is credited with having done much of the work himself. It's a truly unique feature, being the only one of it's type in Britain and the only one of it's size in Europe.

The heated house, features a sunken glen viewed from above on a walkway. Once inside, the array of plants from Central South America, Brazil, Tropical America and the humid atmosphere combine, giving the impression of being in a jungle. Look out for the Dombeya, it's a real favourite of mine. It flowers in February, boasts over one hundred individual blooms and has the most wonderful Caramel scent.

Leaving the ravine, I take a little time to admire the nearby Tulip Tree. A native of North America, with yellow - Tulip shaped flowers, it's a member of the Magnolia family and could reach an impressive 150 feet! It's definitely heading in the right direction.

Then I make my way along some of the finest and longest Herbaceous borders to be seen anywhere. They're best viewed in summer, when at their most colourful. But even on the coldest winter day, it's worth suffering freezing toes and nipping fingers just to view the fine display of grasses and Bamboos.

Down the steps and stone pergolas guide me through the Rose garden. Reds, Yellows and Pinks dance alluringly in the gentle breeze, inviting closer inspection. The garden dates back to 1932, whilst the Alpine garden on my right was conceived some 70 years later.

On passing the bowling green, rockery and the main lawn, the Palm House comes into view. What a vision, that first cool, January morning of 1895. Curved glass panes set in freshly painted white frames, the dome rising upwards from the early morning mist, the Palm House is a magnificent sight. The whole place is a busy hive of activity. Gentlemen in grey pinstriped morning suits, escort ladies in long velvet dress- coats. Children wearing smocks and sailor suits tug at fathers coat tails, eager to get that first glimpse of the botanical wonders inside.

Enjoy your stroll around Belfast's Botanic Gardens. They are a fine tribute to the city's Victorian era, to the determination of those who conceived the idea and to those who maintain the gardens today.