The River Vartry is the centrepiece running right through the Mount Usher Gardens.

Curved weirs are dotted along the river throughout the garden to keep the river ( and the garden) with good water flow at all times.

The sound of water is ever present as you wander in the gardens.

Away from the river are small garden ‘rooms’ and groves of mature trees like one of Australian Eucalypts – their barks making great abstract art.

Light and shade on the wonderful trunks of old rhododendron trees.

Almost every part of the world is represented in the garden. These Alstroemeria hail originally from South America – hence the common name Peruvian Lily.

Paths wander through various ‘rooms’ of the garden – always something new around every corner.

Lawns are not extensively used but they do add small areas to sit and enjoy the peace of the gardens.

Everywhere in this late garden of 22 acres there are the small things to enjoy – flowers of great beauty, like this campanula.

Another quiet oasis in this large garden.

A few roses had survived the wet weather – this one an unusual blue/purple shade.

There are many outstanding specimen trees like this Mexican Blue Pine, Pinus montezumae. This is but one branch of this enormous tree.

In quieter parts of the river, plants like hydrangeas are reflected.

Amongst the great and more famous plants are many beautiful examples of the humble daisies.

And always in this lovely garden, the River Vartry plays a key enhancing role.