Although The Tropical Glen/ Ravine officially opened in 1889 it was in planning, growing and developing since 1887.
It was designed to be viewed from above into a sunken ravine and observed from a balcony. This has been retained and we stood on the balcony to view the beautiful plants. It is very hot and steamy in there, like The Tropics in fact. Well named! I need to step outside once or twice to breathe. A small waterfall was situated at one end of it and is still in the restoration.
Over the years it was extended and more plants were added too.
Comments
VeronicaDec 16, 2024
DerdriuMarrinerNov 26, 2024
Your answer in the box immediately below describes John Templeton as "a very unassuming gentleman who did not particularly push himself forwards for attention. He was happy staying mostly in Ireland ( well who would not be ? :) )."
That description fits with what you mention in Belfast, Ireland: Botanical Gardens and with what Frank notes in Rosa Hibernica, the Irish Rose.
What would be more better -- ;-D -- than a wizzley trio about an Irish plant scientist, an Irish rose and two Irish places?
VeronicaJul 15, 2022
I apologise for the tardy response. I had not seen the post .
John Templeton was a very unassuming gentleman who did not particularly push himself forwards for attention. He was happy staying mostly in Ireland ( well who would not be ? :) )
Thank you for your comments.
DerdriuMarrinerJun 29, 2022
It's most elucidating that you not only figure out the value but that you relate it in such sobering terms as average wages, lower in Ireland and Scotland, higher in England, and as what a woman averagely earned from one year's work.
It's nice to know that John Templeton was appreciated financially -- and hopefully professionally and socially -- for his discovery back then and that he still is today, what with the Templeton rose and the Tropical ravine wizzleys!
VeronicaJun 29, 2022
frankbeswickJun 29, 2022
DerdriuMarrinerJun 28, 2022
(Veronica, It turns out that the discovery was in 1802. An online source incorrectly wrote 1795. But most likely the difference would not be that much between what a guinea from that year and a guinea from seven years later, in 1802, would be worth nowadays, in 2022, right?)
VeronicaJun 26, 2022
frankbeswickJun 26, 2022
VeronicaJun 24, 2022
£5 guineas would have been a substantial sum in 1795. Approx £2000 I guestimate, which would be approx $2500,00 today.
VeronicaJun 24, 2022
Thank you for commenting. There were scents of the flowers as the plants grow tall but the overwhelming smell is sort of dank and musty, ferny because of the temperatures.
blackspanielgalleryJun 23, 2022
Gardens are best when taken in via multiple senses.
VeronicaJun 23, 2022
Thanks for this info . Indeed I found a rock group too ! I wonder why they chose that name !
DerdriuMarrinerJun 23, 2022
Page 288, on ROSA HIBERNICA Templeton, mentions that John Templeton received five guineas from the Dublin Society for discovering the "new Irish plant" known by us nowadays -- and most recently, through your wizzley ;-D -- as the Templeton Rose.
Would that have been a small or a substantial sum in 1795?
DerdriuMarrinerJun 23, 2022
The search term Templeton Rose only brought up a Missouri musical group!
But the expanded search term Templeton Rose Rosa Hibernica called up interesting information from such sources as helpmefind, habitas, shoutwiki and treesandshrubs.
The shoutwiki article Rosa x hibernica Templeton contains a link through Biodiversity Heritage Library to The Genus Rosa by Ellen Willmott, F.L.S. with drawings by Alfred Parsons, A.R.A. for publication in London through John Murray of Albemarle Street, W. Pages 288-289 have the article 98-ROSA HIBERNICA Templeton
VeronicaJun 23, 2022
very pretty
frankbeswickJun 23, 2022
frankbeswickJun 23, 2022
VeronicaJun 23, 2022
On my travel and places articles, I always try to make it feel as though you are walking with me.
I am really keen to know more about the Templeton Rose.
VeronicaJun 23, 2022
I do not have more info on the Templeton Rose or even a picture . If anyone can direct me to one, I would appreciate it.
DerdriuMarrinerJun 22, 2022
In particular, I appreciate your taking all us readers along with you -- by way of commentary and images -- on such a lovely tour.
The Templeton rose is so lovely and so photogenic. Is it only available in the Tropical Ravine because it went extinct in the wild. If so, was that extinction because of development, disease, pests, topography or weather?
frankbeswickJun 22, 2022
frankbeswickJun 22, 2022