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Question re: Irish houses

Posted by (TN, USA) on

Granted, my question is not related to travel, but the result of travel.............

How come it is the exception rather than the rule to see foundation plantings (we'd call them shrubs/bushes, etc.) in front of Irish houses?
Every house (and B&B) we saw (western side of Ireland) had the parking gravel or asphalt right up to the foundation. It seemed so stark and bare to me.

Is there some practical reason for this (such as keeping mold/moss from forming on the building itself), a lack of or high cost of available nursery material, or just a cultural preference? I'm guessing it is not due to lack of availability, as houses often had gardens or plantings away from the house.

I've Googled with no luck.

Posted by
2023 posts

I was curious about this as well so I asked the owner of the B&B where we stayed several years ago. She explained that there is so much moisture in the soil that it would cause the wood in the foundation to rot. I assumed the foundation was mainly concrete but perhaps not. But that moisture in the soil sure makes for beautiful gardens throughout Ireland. And also England and Scotland!

Posted by
2158 posts

Susan,
I'm glad you asked the B&B owner. Like you, I would assume the foundation was block or concrete, or even rock, since there is no shortage of rock in the terrain. But, maybe it also has to do with the stucco-like material so many of the more modern homes seem to have on the outside. But, nonetheless, you've answered my question: moisture-related in some way.
Thank you!

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