A full coach load of members visited Dublin Zoo on the pleasantly warm evening of 19th May. We were guided by Stephen Butler, the Curator of Horticulture, who has accomplished what must surely be the largest landscaping project in Ireland.

My memories of the Zoo from ten years ago, were of lawns, trees, the lake and animals framed by cages or enclosures. The lawns are largely gone, replaced by luxuriant shrub plantings, and the animals now have a generous measure of space and privacy. The theming of particular habitats is a feature and we saw two particular examples in detail.

The spacious "African Plains" area is planted and contoured to resemble savannah grassland. Existing parkland trees are supplemented by newly planted Acacias, and in the foreground are a range of grass-like plants including Restios, Gladiolus species and large true grasses. The animals are confined by "ha-ha" boundaries, which blend into extensive rock work. After a welcome suppertime snack, we proceeded into the Asian area. The planting here is dominated by densely set bamboo species, with large leaved herbs in the foreground. The beautiful Asian elephant enclosure is set in this area. The animals may be viewed across a pool fringed with giant-leaved herbs, and its boundaries are truly invisible. Beyond this enclosure we were impressed to see a stand of Cardiocrinum gigantium about to bloom, in a natural mixed planting including Meconopsis. However, the foraging of Peahens, browsing on the poppy buds, illustrated the perennial problems of the compromises Zoo gardeners must make.

The Zoo is a place that will now fascinate the gardener. It has advanced swiftly since the redesign began, and it can only get better as it matures.