Peter Dowdall: All roads lead to Carlow for Rare and Special Plant Fair

Always held on the second Sunday in May, the 2023 event, in association with Bord Bia, takes place in Borris House gardens

Salvia microphylla, also known as Baby sage: This variety Hot Lips is probably the best known of all the Blacurrant sages and Peter Dowdall will be on the lookout for more at the Rare and Special Plant Fair. Picture: iStock

THE Rare and Special Plant Fair was established in 2001 to ensure that the gardening public has an opportunity to purchase rare, unusual and special plants at reasonable prices, and to ensure that nurseries and breeders of these plants in Ireland have an opportunity to showcase their horticultural treasures.

At the same time, the fair aims to provide an opportunity for visitors to visit a private garden that they might not otherwise visit. The fair is an annual event, always held on the second Sunday in May. Over the years the event has grown in stature and reputation with the fair being hosted in some of Ireland’s most notable and beautiful private gardens, and more recently in public and state gardens of note.