Assumpta Broomfield at Burtown House and Gardens

Saturday 4^th August 2018

Assumpta Broomfield at Burtown House and Gardens

Scenting and searching: The Rose

An extraordinary talk on the importance of the rose in art, politics and religion. It captivates listeners with tales of eccentric women, anecdotes about great explorers and collectors. The quality and variety of photographs amazes and the lecture is delivered with humour and fluency. Where did the hybrid tea rose come from? And what roses are best for your garden today? This incredibly well researched talk will provide the answers and will probably be the best rose talk you will ever hear. As a garden club secretary recently wrote “I have seldom heard so many compliments expressed by so many of the attendants at the conclusion of any address”

Biography

Assumpta Broomfield graduated with distinction from the National Botanic Gardens in 1998. She organised and constructed, with Robert Miller, the Corona North Commemorative Border at Altamont. She was a key committee member of the Irish Garden Plant Society, who won a Silver Gilt Medal at the Chelsea Flower Show. Having travelled on three botanical expeditions to China, she has lectured throughout Ireland on the Irish-Chinese connection. She has worked in the private sector designing and constructing gardens. Her talk on snowdrops “Myths, Fantasy and Frilly Knickers” has become legendary.

Burtown House

Burtown House is one of two 17th century houses in Kildare to never have been sold, and the only house that you can visit, and have guided tours by family members. It is the only original Quaker house in Ireland that can be visited that is still lived in by the family that built it from this period. The gardens at Burtown are made up of several areas, including large herbaceous borders, shrubberies, a rock garden, a yew walk divided by a pergola, a sundial garden, an old orchard, a more formal stable yard garden, a walled organic vegetable garden and a large woodland garden surrounded on all sides by water. There is a sculpture park set in wildflower meadows with mown pathways. Shop and plant sales area.

Facilities

Car park, toilets, artisan food, retail shop and plant sales area. Burtown now features the award winning Green Barn Restaurant, Gallery and Shop located just inside the front gates. Set in the parkland overlooking their organic kitchen garden it is the ideal spot for a quick stop off or for a more relaxed luncheon style affair. Booking is recommended. Group bookings possible all year round.