Garden-visiting season is almost upon us.
Most open for the season in May, but a few brave gardens have opened their gates this month or even earlier, confident enough to be seen in their burgeoning spring apparel.
One of my favourites is Annes Grove, in Castletownroche, near Mallow, in Co Cork (call 022-26145 or see www.annesgrovegardens.com) where the monstrous foliage of gunnera and American skunk cabbage unfolds in the river valley, and where candy-pink and lipstick-red rhododendrons electrify the woodland.
In Dublin, Fernhill gardens, at the foot of the mountains, are a welcome, woodlandy respite from the hurly-burly of city life (Sandyford, Dublin 18; 01-2954257).
And on the edge of the metropolis, the audacious Dillon garden is painted with a dashing palette of tulips and other early flowers (Sunday afternoons until June, daily in July and August, 45 Sandford Rd, Ranelagh, Dublin 6; www.dillongarden.com).
In the north, the historic gardens of Rowallane offer acres of rhododendrons and other spring beauties (Saintfield, Ballynahinch, Co Down; 048-97510131; www.nationaltrust.org.uk).
Nearby, Mount Stewart is a tribute to the fantastic imagination of Edith, Lady Londonderry (who came here in 1919) and the work of 20 ex-servicemen, recently de-mobbed from the first World War (Newtownards, Do Down; 048-42788387; www.nationaltrust.org.uk)
The just-published Good Gardens Guide 2007(Frances Lincoln, £14.99) recommends hundreds of the best gardens to visit in Britain and Ireland, and is a useful one for the glove compartment. Among the homegrown patches that have been awarded the coveted two stars ("the finest in Britain and Ireland in terms of design and planting") are Mount Usher, the Dillon Garden and Mount Congreve in Co Waterford.
The May issue of the Irish Gardenmagazine (€4.75) includes a free booklet on gardens open to visitors throughout Ireland.