If you long for the classic charm of a cottage garden, complete with its ambience, fragrances and all the nostalgic elements, Altamont Plant Sales is your destination. Here, amidst a delightful array of old-fashioned roses, powering delphiniums and vibrant and vibrant peonies, expert guidance awaits.
Snowdrop Month hosted at Altamont every February is an opportunity to marvel at the vast varieties of snowdrops in bloom throughout the garden. Many of the snowdrops featured are available to purchase in Altamont Plant Sales. The recent acquisition of a very important English snowdrop collection (Avon Bulbs, Somerset) now makes the overall collection in Altamont the largest in Ireland and one of the biggest in Europe for public viewing.
A dedicated snowdrop gala with expert UK and European speakers and a specialist bulb sale is held annually to mark the start of the snowdrop by galanthophile Robert Miller. Sugar and Spice Café at Altamont Plant Sales open from the end of January – October daily 11am – 4.30pm and weekends weather permitting in November & December.
HOW TO FIND US: In the grounds of Altamont Gardens – From Dublin/Waterford exit the M9 at junction 5 for N80 Rosslare. Continue along the N80 through the village of Ballon and the N80/N81 junction. Turn left at the next cross road junction signed Altamont Gardens. From Carlow Town follow the N80 through Ballon and continue as above.
OPENING TIMES:
January 1st – 31st, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. 7 days per week.
February 1st – 28th, 9 a.m. – 4.30 p.m. 7 days per week.
March 1st – 31st, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. 7 days per week.
April 1st – September 30th, 9 a.m. – 6.30 p.m. 7 days per week.
October 1st – 31st, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. 7 days per week.
November 1st – 30th, 9 a.m. – 4.30 p.m. 7 days per week.
December 1st – 31st, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. 7 days per week.
Upcoming Snowdrop Gala/Month at Altamont Plant Sales
A few months ago, Robert Miller of Altamont Plant Sales located at Altamont Gardens announced the acquisition of a unique collection of snowdrops from Avon Bulbs, based in Somerset in England, following the retirement of its owner Chris Ireland Jones after over 37 years in business. The announcement sparked great excitement in Irish horticultural circles highlighting the great potential for increased garden tourism around the number of snowdrop events in Carlow, and Ireland during early spring.
Avon Bulbs was renowned for its specialisation in propagating and supplying unique and hard to find cultivars of snowdrops as well as its programme of breeding and naming new varieties, led by head nurseryman, the late Alan Street. The addition of the Avon Bulbs collection of over 600 different species and cultivars of snowdrops including many rare and, as yet, unnamed new varieties, significantly bolsters the existing impressive snowdrop collection at Altamont Plants and Garden, elevating it to the largest in Ireland and one of the biggest in Europe for public viewing. Over the coming years, the collection will be on public display at Altamont Plant Sales.
For those of you who have been eagerly awaiting news of the collection the sales list for 2025 has just dropped! It is worth pointing out there are more varieties available but in small numbers with a percentage of the collection reserved for attendees of Altamont Plants Snowdrop Events.
The annual Snowdrop Gala – Celebrating Snowdrops and Other Spring Treasures – at Ballykealey House, Ballon on Saturday January 25th 2025 celebrates its 14th anniversary this year and has become a firm favourite with lovers and enthusiasts of this special flower. This year’s programme features lectures by Keith Wiley (UK), author, and owner and creator of Wildside, Devon, who talks on “Wildside – Gardening on a Different Plane” . Callum Hallstead (Scotland), senior gardener at Cambo Gardens and curator of a national collection of snowdrops at Cambo promises a fascinating talk on Life After Snowdrops – Celebrating the Snowdrop at Cambo and Knowing How to Move on”. Tickets include morning tea and afternoon tea, lunch, lectures and plant sales at Altamont plus a tour of the snowdrop collection at Altamont Gardens.
Following lunch the afternoon includes a full guided tour of Altamont Gardens and a Specialist Plants Sale in Altamont Plant Sales featuring snowdrops from Altamont Plants with Avon Bulbs Collection, Cold Blow Nursery (Claire Beumer), Assumpta Broomfield, Rosabell Plant Supports and Esker Farm Daffodils (Dave and Joules Hardy). Book online at https://altamontplants.digitickets.co.uk/tickets ,by PayPal via sales@altamontplants.com or by credit card, contact Robert Miller T: 087 9822135
More information can be found about the Snowdrop Gala at: https://carlowgardentrail.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Gala-Poster-and-Lecture-Information-2025.pdf
More information can be found about the Snowdrop Price Listings 2024/2025 at: https://carlowgardentrail.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Altamont-Snowdrop-sales-list-2024-2025.pdf
