The National Botanic Gardens of Ireland are an oasis of calm and beauty, and entry is free. A premier scientific institution, the Gardens contain important collections of plant species and cultivars from all over the world. The National Botanic Gardens in Dublin are located in Glasnevin, just three kilometres from Dublin City Centre, and are famous for the exquisitely restored historic glasshouses. The National Botanic Gardens in Wicklow are located in Kilmacurragh, where the milder climate, higher rainfall, and deeper, acidic soils of this historic Wicklow garden, provide a counterpoint to the collections at Glasnevin. The two gardens have been closely associated since 1854. The National Botanic Gardens of Ireland are operated and managed by the Office of Public Works.
Please note that the usual rules apply: no dogs (except guide dogs), no ball games, picnics, sports, bicycles, tricycles, scooters, skateboards, roller skates, micro-scooters, balance bikes and other vehicles (except wheelchairs).
This visit I noticed that the water was covered with a carpet of green and when I examined my photographs from 2021 it was much the same. After some research I discovered that there is an environmental problem as an invasive species of plant is hindering efforts to maintain the duck pond in Kilkenny’s Castle Park.
The state of the pond is due to a high level of algae building up in the water and the Office of Public Works has indicated that they have to be careful that any work they carry out doesn’t allow the ”Australian swamp stone crop” in the pond to get into the River Nore. Also, they were unable to clean the water until after the bird nesting season.
Australian swamp stonecrop (Crassula helmsii) is an invasive aquatic plant that dominates still and slow-flowing waterbodies. It was initially introduced from Australia in the early 1900s as a garden pond plant but is now spreading across waterbodies in the UK and parts of Western Europe.
It is particularly problematic in sensitive aquatic habitats where it has the potential to outcompete native flora and reduce oxygen levels by forming dense, impenetrable mats. This weed can also have negative impacts on recreation and can block filters necessary for water treatment. Australian swamp stonecrop tolerates extreme environmental conditions and, as such, management can be very challenging and often unsuccessful, especially for infestations in areas of high conservation value.
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