No. 148

Irish Garden Society Newsletter April 2020 IGPS Newsletter : 148 April 2020 IGPS Newsletter : 148 April 2020

Welcome

Contents As I write, we have already had Museum in County Down has a some difficult and unsettling weeks growing collection of Irish cultivars, Page 3 Welcome due to the problems posed by the more than 40 at the last count. Carrie Covid 19 virus and clearly there are Mercer has selected nine stunning Page 4 Meet our Contributors more to come, but hopefully this examples to feature here. Newsletter will arrive with you around Page 5 A Note from the Chair Easter time and lift your spirits. The If you live in the west, why not get in days are finally longer than the nights touch with Rory Newell who is keen Page 7 Introduction of Direct Debit and our gardens are bursting to set up an informal IGPS group with new growth. there, page 22 has the details. Page 9 Be a ‘Garden Angel’ May is the time of year when the About three years ago I enjoyed Page 12 Grow an Irish Plant Society normally holds its AGM; putting together an issue of the because of the exceptional situation, Newsletter; it has been equally Page 15 Irish Daffodils at the Rectory Garden it has been postponed and at the fascinating this time. My thanks to time of writing it is not clear when it Brendan Sayers for running his eagle Page 16 The Burren can take place. We will do all we can eye over the contents for technical to keep you informed. The quickest and general accuracy and to Seamus Page 19 New way to circulate information is by O’Brien and Paddy Tobin for kindly email – and, unlike traditional letters, making available a number of their Page 21 Into the West it can be done at no cost. So if you images. There have been so many have an email address but have not interesting developments to report Page 23 in Space yet shared it with the Society, we such as the breakthrough in raising would appeal to you to do so right two beautiful new , Page 26 Worth a Read away by notifying Nichola Monk, an eclectic array of Irish plants to the Membership Secretary. See the consider for my shopping list, and Page 28 Society Snippets outside back cover for details. of course the challenge to be a ‘garden angel’. I’d like to think Page 29 Around the Regions Subscriptions fall due on 1st May. there is something for everyone Nichola has worked hard to set to read and enjoy. Page 34 Dates for your Diary up a Direct Debit option and she encourages all of us to sign up. Page 39 Advice for Contributors

Copy for the next issue as early as possible please and What could be more spring-like that by 20th July at the latest. the daffodil? The island of has long been noted for daffodil breeding Maeve Bell and our Rectory Garden at the Folk Cover photograph: Kilmacurragh, Co Wicklow. Photo: Seamus O’Brien Acting Editor

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Meet our contributors A Note from the Chair A few weeks ago the Society was my sincere thanks. Stephen Butler retired recently as Curator of Horticulture at Dublin Zoo. desperately clinging to the hope It’s great to have people to share that we could somehow still run our the workload but resources are Rosemary Maye gardens near Slane and is also known as The Insomniac Gardener. events this spring. It was difficult to still stretched and, as committee Carrie Mercer, a keen photographer, is one of the volunteers in the Rectory Garden. abandon hope when so much work members retire, we always need had been put into their organisation. members to step forward to take Peter and Nicola Milligan garden on the Ards Peninsula and grow many Irish cultivars. Particularly disheartening was the their places. In an effort to reduce postponement of the AGM which workload, we have changed some Nichola Monk lives in Bangor and is the Membership Secretary. had taken a significant amount of of our practices in a variety of ways research, site visits and planning by such as outsourcing tasks. As Mary Montaut, a member of the Leinster Committee, is interested in pollinators the Leinster Committee. However I an example, where once several especially bees. am encouraged by the enthusiasm committee members spent an of regional committee members in evening filling and addressing Paddy Tobin gardens near Waterford and is in charge of the Society’s website and their eagerness to begin preparing hundreds of envelopes, we now use Facebook page. for new events as soon as the current a mailing house. Rory Newell was the Propagator at Blarney Castle Gardens and has recently set emergency is behind us. When we up a nursery. get to that point, I would like to think In this issue the Membership that we can mark the occasion with Secretary explains the introduction Janet Edwardes, Barbara Kelso and Anne-Marie Woods are all members of the some special events. Let’s hope for of a new Direct Debit system for Society. better days ahead. payment of annual subscriptions. This initiative has the potential to This was not the news I thought offer benefits to you, the members, Corrections my last note as Chair would and to simplify the working of the communicate. I have now completed Society; I would ask that you please The article, Blarney’s Irish Trail, in Issue 147 mentioned a number of people at the my four years in office and didn’t take advantage of it. National Botanic Gardens (NBG) who helped with the establishment of the Trail. Olive the time go in fast? Well, for me it Ryan and her colleagues at Blarney wish us to make it clear that Brendan Sayers has been involved for many years and that Paul Maher gave exceptional support while did. I believe time was the biggest And finally, before I retire as Chair, Curator at NBG. challenge. But, if time seemed a I would ask something of you all. scarce commodity, I had no shortage One Saturday morning a couple of In the same issue it was reported that the content of A Heritage of Beauty was of support. I would like thank all summers past, I called at a nursery available on the website. Unfortunately this has not proved possible. those committee members who where I knew I would be sure to buy helped me over the past four years, at least one or two unusual plants. In Issue 146, the article ‘Drummond and Nelson’ stated that the Society had some who have now already retired. With no other customers there, I had commissioned A Heritage of Beauty. This is incorrect; it should have read that the It may surprise you, as it did me the place to myself. As expected, Society published the book. when I counted them, that there are I succeeded in getting something While every effort is made to ensure content is correct at the time of printing, views expressed in as many again working quietly behind interesting. On the way home, I Newsletter articles are those of the author(s) and may not reflect those of the Society. the scenes. So, to our volunteer called at one of the multi-national Factual errors will be corrected as soon as possible. groups, media editors, horticultural garden centres and did well to get advisors, Newsletter contributors and a car parking space. I pondered various working groups, I send you how that small nursery could stay in 4 5 IGPS Newsletter : 148 April 2020 IGPS Newsletter : 148 April 2020

business with such competition. Well, Some creative suggestions are Subscriptions: Moving to Online it didn’t, and its premises have now already coming my way as to how Direct Debit given way to a housing development. we may re-route our resources and I would be glad of more. We may have Save 10%* on your membership subscription I have no problem with the large to think and do things differently for a garden centres even though the ‘free’ while but your Executive and regional After much preparation we have now • Subscriptions are due coffee usually ends up costing the committees are, and will continue to integrated a Direct Debit system on 1st May. price of several scented candles and be, very active. operated by GoCardless to our • The subscription rates – see an unwanted, unneeded houseplant. membership database. If you have an below – remain unchanged for But throughout the island we have Email address, and your membership another year. dozens of good nurseries who could Best wishes and stay safe. is due this May, you should have • For those signing up to Direct use your support. Supplying them are already received an email from Debit there will be a 10%* likely to be several, local wholesale [email protected] discount until 1st July this year. nurseries. Some of these wholesale inviting you to sign up for a Direct • Direct Debit mandates will be nurseries are already willing to Debit mandate. possible in Euros and Sterling. propagate Irish cultivars. We need Billy • For added data protection, Direct their help to maintain a good The Covid 19 pandemic has created Debits can only be registered selection of Irish plants. They, in turn, a truly exceptional situation with online by the member. McCone many restrictions in place throughout • For members who are unable to need our help. Chairman Ireland, south and north; to reduce manage to pay by Direct Debit, So what I am asking? When this risk and simplify administration renewal of your subscription will miserable situation is over, do please you are asked, if at all possible, to still be possible by cheque or try and support the local growers, please change to Direct Debit for the Postal Order in Euro or Sterling. they will need your support more renewal of your subscription. Download a membership form than ever. They may not offer free from the website, complete it coffee but they have a wealth of Online Direct Debits can be started at and post it to IGPS, c/o 59 experience. Let’s do our very best to any time of the year and will recur in the Richmond Park, Belfast, BT9 keep our Irish nurseries; we have lost same month each year. Other forms of 5EF. If you do not have a printer, enough. payment will continue as previously be sure to include your full name, and are due by May 1st each year. full address including the post To all of those who emailed code, telephone numbers, an messages of support and thanks The Direct Debit Guarantee is the Direct email address wherever possible, recently, it was very much Debit scheme’s customer protection. and, if it is a joint membership, appreciated. We may not have our The guarantee is offered by all building the name of the second member talks, garden visits and plant sales societies and banks who accept direct with your cheque. for a while, but planning has already debits. As a customer, the Direct started for when they resume. Debit Guarantee protects you against All renewals should be received by payments made in error or fraudulently. 1st July at latest. This means Direct Debit is the safest payment method in ROI and the UK.

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Be Someone’s ‘Garden Angel’ Subscription Rates for 2020 by Rosemary Maye

Payment other than I met a fellow gardener recently can all be better gardeners. I think Direct Debit Payments Euro Direct Debit or DD after and, as we chatted, she referred I’m somewhere in the middle now Before 1st July 2020* 1st July 2020 to someone who’d helped her between beginner and expert and I’m out as her ‘guardian angel’. I was eager to continue learning, indeed, One Adult €30 €27 immediately struck by the thought I’m now trying to get to grips with that I’m lucky enough to have one of Latin names. Joint for 2 members €42 €38 those too. Then I thought to myself she should be known as my ‘garden For someone starting out on their angel’ for, throughout my life, she gardening journey there’s a long Student (Full Time) €15.50 €14 has guided, encouraged, supported and daunting list of things to be me and been generous to a fault aware of. You have to pick your site, Sterling with all the plants she has given me. plan your beds, get rid of weeds, When you’re starting out on your improve the soil and choose your One Adult £25 £23 gardening journey, it can be a little plants. Do you want , , overwhelming. Sometimes people perennials, a veg patch or the lot? Joint for 2 members £36 £32 are put off by failures and they give Then there’s whether you have up feeling inadequate and useless. acid or alkaline soil, damp or dry Student (Full Time) £13 £12 I’ve met so many people who say, conditions, a sheltered or exposed “Oh I’m not really a gardener”. This site, is it shady or baking in full I think is a shame as, with a little sun. The list is endless and can be encouragement and guidance, we intimidating for a new gardener who, *Until 1st July 2020. Nominal figure Not yet a member? while enthusiastic, might throw in the as amounts have been rounded. Membership of the Irish Garden trowel (if you pardon the pun) without Plant Society is open to anyone a little guidance. Please get in touch with Nichola by interested in its work, living in Ireland email or telephone if you want any or abroad. Members are enthusiastic Nowadays we’re lucky to have lots help or have any queries. See the gardeners, many of whom have a of information at our fingertips and outside back cover for her contact special interest in Ireland’s great can google to our heart’s content. I details. horticultural heritage. however remember the days when my greatest gift was a copy of the RHS Encyclopedia of Garden Plants and Flowers and its sister, the RHS Nichola Encyclopedia of Gardening. I would pore over these at night time and it Monk was an enjoyable if rather laborious process as I preferred to be out in the Please join via our website: Spring at Mullaghadillon actual garden digging and planting. Membership https://irishgardenplantsociety.com/ Photo : Rosie Maye I often tell the story of being handed Secretary

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graph paper to plan my dream formosa, were planted on the bank garden. Ideally I should have taken behind my pond. all the pointers I’ve mentioned into consideration carefully planning it all Rose cuttings, some of which she in advance. Instead the graph paper had taken from my mother’s garden, went into a drawer and I started were extra special and one year she planting at random. Enter my ‘garden accompanied me to my uncle’s home angel’, Margaret, a dear friend of my before it was sold to dig up a very mother’s, and a gardener who has precious red rose. On that particular probably forgotten more than I’ll occasion the rose’s root snapped in ever learn. half leaving a very dejected looking specimen; I wanted to burst into When we moved to our dream tears and stamp my foot. Undeterred house complete with a large garden, by both my tantrum and the broken she would arrive with a veritable root, she inspected it and airily treasure trove of slips, divisions declared, “Don’t worry, it’ll still grow”. and plants grown from seed. To me She then uttered what has become Margaret Casey and Rosie Maye it was a bewildering collection of my mantra which I now quote small, sometimes dejected-looking to others, “Just remember, dear, plants, all with labels though and everything wants to live”. We lovingly My garden is now maturing nicely An experienced gardener I met a passionate description about planted that rose with all the right and I’m finally in a position to do what recently told me she also had a eventual size and the relevant conditions; it has totally rewarded her Margaret has done for me which is to mentor; to quote her, “a rather information to help it settle in. She belief in it and blooms with its heady divide plants, take cuttings, save seed irascible man who decided I had was hands-on and would roll up her scent and velvety-red perfection and pass them on to encourage and to be educated and encouraged“. I sleeves and wander about with me every year. nurture other budding gardeners. I’ve simply loved to hear that and to hear looking for a suitable location in our a few friends and neighbours in whom about her gardening journey. We all absolute wilderness of three acres. Over the past 17 years we’ve planted I recognize the gardening bug. Now, in learn about gardening in different She planted slips of snake-bark hedges, trees, shrubs, put in paths, my turn, I am giving them some of my ways but to have a mentor, someone maples about a foot high assuring new borders, patios and a veg occasionally sad-looking pots assuring who believes in you and encourages me they would be magnificent in patch. I’ve learned as I’ve gardened them that in two years they won’t you and, in my case, watches with a time, a division of Solomon’s seal, encouraged by those earlier recognize it if they do x, y and z. I know keen interest and pride is a priceless huge dinner-plate corms of Cyclamen successes. I’ve talked to experienced the slips and cuttings don’t have the gift. So take a budding gardener hederifolium, and countless gardeners, visited open gardens, instant impact of buying a big plant under your wing. Encourage them perennials all from her garden. She joined gardening clubs, searched the from a garden centre, but I like to think in any way you can and you’ll enjoy waded into our newly discovered internet for plants and how-to videos, that in the long run they will have the the giving as much as they will enjoy natural pond to thrust a few divisions and read as much as I can. Nothing edge when they remind people where receiving. So go on, encourage and of water lilies into its muddy bottom however really compares to that early they came from. inspire them and be someone’s and arrived with flag iris and marsh instruction, generously given, and her ‘Garden Angel’. marigolds to colonise a rather ugly belief in me as a novice gardener. ditch. Another visit and dogwoods and pheasant berry, Leycesteria

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It was raised by Joe Kennedy, the Rosaleen. Of course, the name will Grow an Irish Plant famed primula breeder in Ballycastle, also always recall James Clarence by Stephen Butler, Peter & Nicola Milligan and Paddy Tobin Co Antrim, though he unfailingly Mangan’s poem, Dark Rosaleen, A points out that he is a native Róisín Dubh. Escallonia ‘Alice’ of Co Carlow. Joe is now more Botanic gardens, beacons of Charles is remembered for Escallonia widely known since the release of In the garden it is the most obliging conservation now, at one time were rubra ‘C F Ball’, which was named The Kennedy Irish Primulas from and easy of plants to grow and also very keen to hybridise various for him by his colleagues after his Fitzgerald Nurseries, a wonderful the only care it requires is a moist plants in their care, aiming for better tragic death. The IGPS planted a series mainly featuring bright flowers position and regular dividing. A plant qualities. NBG Glasnevin was the young plant at the Irish National War against dark foliage — an aim of Joe’s to give to friends! PT first garden in Ireland to breed Memorial Gardens, at Islandbridge, in breeding for many years. new Escallonia hybrids. This work, 2016. Normally this cultivar is readily Rosa ‘Rambling Rector’ encouraged by Frederick Moore, was available, currently 11 nurseries are In his book Climbing Roses Old carried out by Charles Frederick Ball, listed as selling it in the RHS Plant and New, the late Graham Stuart who trained at Kew and was for a Finder. Thomas described this rose as ‘quite time assistant manager at the famous overpowering in flower both from the Bees Nursery in Cheshire, from where Escallonia ‘Alice’ has been in trade quantity of blossom and the delicious he was head-hunted to Glasnevin. off and on over the years, but is multiflora fragrance’. Other growers currently not easily found, last listed describe Rosa ‘Rambling Rector’ as Among the Escallonia seedlings he in the Plant Finder in 2018, though ‘a very old cultivar with large clusters raised was a good deep red, which occasionally it is at our plant sales. of fragrant semi-double flowers, he named for his bride, Alice. They A few of our members and gardens creamy to begin with, then opening married in December 1914 shortly grow it. It’s a good plant with vigorous white with yellow centres’. The Primula ‘Dark Rosaleen’ after the outbreak of WW1 and, growth to about 2m, with deep red Photo : Paddy Tobin flowers, produced during the summer, having enlisted, Charles was sent to flowers fading to a delicate pink. A are followed by small red hips in the Gallipoli in 1915, where he was killed young plant will join Escallonia ‘C F autumn and winter. According to in September. Ball’ at Islandbridge in the near future. However, this primula was not what sources, this rose was introduced Joe was aiming for at the time and by Thomas Smith of Daisy Hill Most of the details for these notes he passed to a lady in Limavady; she Nursery fame, appearing in his 1912 are taken from An Irish Flower Garden in turn, as is so often the way with catalogue, and is rumoured to be a Replanted by E Charles Nelson and good garden plants, passed a piece illustrated by Wendy Walsh. SB to Gordon Toner who showed it at the Belfast Spring Show on a number Primula ‘Dark Rosaleen’ of occasions under the name P. ‘Joe Those who grow and those who Kennedy Hybrid’, winning first in its see Primula ‘Dark Rosaleen’ are class. unfailingly cheered by the sight. The dark purple flowers with their yellow When Joe visited Gordon’s garden he stripes match beautifully with the was delighted to see how well it was bronze foliage making it a delightful growing and agreed that it deserved Escallonia ‘Alice’ plant. to be named; this he did calling it Rosa ‘Rambling Rector’ Photo : Seamus O’Brien ‘Dark Rosaleen’ for Gordon’s wife, Photo : Nicola Milligan

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‘foundling’ from a vicarage garden. National Trust and private gardens. We think it is a beautiful rose and Following tradition (it was common Irish Daffodils at the Rectory Garden grow it on a shady fence that practice to name a new plant either Photos by Carrie Mercer separates the lane that leads to for the owner of a private demesne or the back of the greenhouse from for the garden in which the plant was our small potager. From a humble found), the plant was named ‘Mount beginning as a small pot-grown Stewart’. The flower is a wonderful specimen, it developed quite quickly pale pink overlaid with rich, dark pink- into a good size – it can reach 20 feet purple veining. by 15 feet as it approaches maturity. Graham Stuart Thomas stated that We grow a reasonable selection the rose is ‘thorny, impenetrable, and of hardy geraniums including G. impossible to prune’ but we have ‘Mount Stewart’ and have found that managed to keep it in check by giving it does well in several positions. It N. ‘Silent Valley’ N. ‘Warm Day’ N. ‘Ice Emerald’ it a trim when it starts to become too is a compact plant which is slow to invasive. spread and, as it is not as vigorous as many other plants, make sure R. ‘Rambling Rector’ can be obtained to allow it a little space to ensure it from a good number of nurseries that gets enough light and air and is not provide a mail order service including crowded out. well-known suppliers such as David Austin (www.davidaustinroses. At time of writing ‘Mount Stewart’ is co.uk) or Peter Beales Roses (www. listed by The Place for Plants in East classicroses.co.uk) but a good place Bergholt, Suffolk who offer a mail to start is your local garden centre order service. Finally, be aware that or nursery as this is a popular rose. some nurseries list this as G. clarkei N. ‘Glasnevin’ N. ‘Rio Rondo’ N. ‘Urchin’ P&NM ‘Mount Stewart’ due to its similarity to this . P&NM Geranium pratense ‘Mount Stewart’ This beautiful member of the cranesbill family was named by Nigel Marshall when he was Head Gardener at Mount Stewart in Co Down. Mr Marshall found the plant in a group of G. pratense ‘Mrs Kendal Clark’. At this time there was a considerable collection of the cranesbills, both cultivars and species, at Mount N. ‘Trielfin’ N. ‘Rimski’ N. ‘Road Runner’ Stewart but he recognised that this plant was different from any others Narcissus ‘Silent Valley’ was bred by Tom Bloomer, ‘Rio Rondo’ by Ballydorn Bulbs, ‘Ice growing in the garden or that he knew Geranium pratense ‘Mount Stewart’ Emerald’ by Nial Watson, ‘Glasnevin’ and ‘Warm Day’ by the late Kate Reade (Kate was elected an Honorary Member of the Society in 2004), ‘Urchin’, ‘Rimski’, ‘Trielfin’ and from his wider experience in other Photo : Nicola Milligan ‘Road Runner’ by Brian S. Duncan (Brian was elected an Honorary Member in 2017).

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The Burren by Paddy Tobin The Burren is a plant lover’s paradise, After the journey, a stop at an area of outstanding scenic beauty Poulsallagh is always welcome and a and a joy to all who visit. We have place for a gentle stroll to stretch the made an annual visit each year for legs and enjoy the beautiful selection over ten years, most often in May/ of wildflowers growing on the shallow June and occasionally in September. soil on the limestone pavement There has also been the occasional, between road and sea. Sea thrift, impromptu summer dash if an sea campion, thyme, rock samphire, especially interesting and unusual kidney vetch, bird’s foot trefoil, hemp Dryas octopetela Mountain avens Silene uniflora Sea campion Photo : Paddy Tobin plant has been spotted in flower and agrimony, lousewort, common dog- Photo : Paddy Tobin word sent out on the grapevine – violet, bloody cranesbill, mountain these can be exciting days! everlasting, common milkwort, heath spotted orchid, early purple orchid There are two aspects to our visits and many others are literally at one’s to the Burren: we go to walk and feet within a few steps of parking also to seek out wildflowers. It the car. It is quite astonishing and a might be more honest to say that perfect treat. Mary goes for the walking and I go for the flowers but our outings Generally, we park the car at Fanore accommodate both leanings: we Strand and head off on the Fanore toddle along; I stop to photograph Loop Walk which quickly takes the flowers; Mary continues at her one away from the coast and uphill pace; I then dash to catch up. on a minor road for about three Parnassia palustris Grass of Parnassu Gentiana verna kilometres where it meets one of Photo : Paddy Tobin Photo : Paddy Tobin Although we like to visit new areas, the Burren‘s ‘green roads’. This we find we return to some places leads north across the limestone The walk along the Caher valley road Burren’s ‘green roads’, a beautiful again and again. Our regular drive hillside before descending to the passes Carl Wright’s Caher Bridge short walk with excellent views from Waterford takes us via Limerick, Caher River valley and the road Garden, and we usually drop in for a to the Arran Islands and north to Ennis and Ennistimon to swing which leads back to Fanore. The visit; it is always a delight with many Connemara. It is a good site for west immediately before reaching walk is estimated to take two and interesting plants and the whole autumn lady’s tresses and grass of Lisdoonvarna onto the R477 which a half to three hours but generally garden a fabulous creation on the Parnassus. On the occasions that brings us to the Atlantic coast at takes us longer as there are so many Burren’s limestone pavement. we have felt the urge for a long walk Poulsallagh and on to Bothar na flowers to admire and photograph. (15km), we have continued on from hAillte which runs along the coast This is understandable when one We regularly use the car park at the end of the green road – there is a through Fanore, around Black Head comes across delicious groups of Fanore Strand as a base for some short section of rough track – up and on the north-western corner of Co the gorgeously blue spring gentian, other walks in this area. About a over Black Head with its fabulous Clare, and on to Ballyvaughan. mountain avens, water avens and an kilometre along the road north, there views and wildflower selection; then abundance of the early purple orchid. is easy access to another of the there is a choice to loop back to Fanore via the Caher valley or to

16 17 IGPS Newsletter : 148 April 2020 IGPS Newsletter : 148 April 2020 continue to Ballyvaughan. This latter good place to park the car and have New Irish Crinodendron Cultivars has a few unpleasant kilometres on a good walk around Mullaghmore. by Stephen Butler a narrow but very busy road so the loop to Fanore is preferred. Our planned outing to the Burren this year may well have to be cancelled The pathway running from the in light of the coronavirus which is Cliffs of Moher Visitor Centre sweeping across the country but, north to Doolin is, as you can hopefully, by the time you read these imagine, wonderfully scenic but lines, we may be over the worst and also worthwhile for the wildflower can look ahead to more pleasant enthusiast with good patches of days in our gardens and days out western marsh and heath-spotted enjoying wildflowers. orchids along the way as well as sheep’s bit scabious, sea mayweed, common scurvy grass, tormentil and the ever-attractive ragged robin. It is a linear walk and a good arrangement is to park the car in Doolin – very . Photo : Stephen Butler convenient to the Cliffs of Moher walkway – and take the bus, the Paddy In the RHS magazine The Garden of the forest, it is just perfect for Wagon, to the Visitors’ Centre at the (February 2020) there is an interesting milder coastal parts of Ireland, in light Cliffs of Moher a twenty minute or so article on Crinodendron, well worth woodland. A 4m specimen I had journey, and walk back to the car. reading and commenting on here in Dublin, against a south wall, was too. Regularly seen in Irish gardens, killed to the ground by the winter of We always make a call to Gortlecka Crinodendron hookerianum makes 2009/10 when we had minus 15oC, Crossroads for it is an area with an a large to, eventually, a small to regrow again from the roots. One outstanding density of wildflowers , often multi-stemmed. The name other species, C. patagua, with and a wonderful range of orchids. literally means tree lily, from the beautiful white flowers is occasionally Gortlecka is a place for quiet and Greek krinon (think Crinum), but it seen but is much rarer. slow wandering so one can spot the is also named for W J Hooker, who many orchids and take time to enjoy was Director, RBG Kew from 1841 to In the wild C. hookerianum is not very and photograph them. The rare, small 1865. Introduced from in 1848 variable. Of course it is always the and difficult to spot fly orchid is here, Clockwise from the top left : Dactylorhiza fuchsii var okellyi by who was working ‘different’ forms of plants that people always a thrill to find it, and nearby O’Kelly’s spotted orchid, Orchis for the Veitch Nursery at the time, seek out: double flowers, larger meadows have fragrant and lesser mascula Early purple orchid, Dactylorhiza it is known better as the Chilean flowers, variegated leaves, whatever. butterfly orchids among others. maculata subsp ericetorum Heath Lantern Tree, a good choice of name The cultivar C. h. ‘Ada Hoffmann’ has Lough Gealáin is only up the road Spotted orchid, Dactylorhiza fuchsii as the pendulous red flowers do look been around for about 20 years with from Gortlecka Crossroad, with more Common spotted orchid more lantern than lily-like, a very flowers of a more delicate pink and, orchids and wildflowers – shrubby Photo : Paddy Tobin decorative show indeed. though the origin is not certain, it is cinquefoil on the shore of the believed to be wild-collected. turlough is a specialty – and also a Coming from a moist temperate climate and part of the under-storey 18 19 IGPS Newsletter : 148 April 2020 IGPS Newsletter : 148 April 2020

New seedlings Serendipity then kicked in as seed Into the West which had set on ‘Ada Hoffmann’ by Rory Newell was sent to Jan Ravensberg of Ever since I started off in horticulture, opinion it only takes one nut to do Ravensberg Nursery, a remarkable the passion to grow plants has been it and the rest will follow. Enter one wholesale nursery at Ashmount deep rooted in my psyche. I figured nut! My main reason for the West House, in Clara, Co Offaly. Over out that growing plants was the way is because it is home and I love it. many years it has been one of the I was going to learn about them in At this moment we are in the very best nurseries for propagating many the way I wanted to: it turns out for early stages of setting up and things Irish Heritage Plants and keeping once in my life I was actually right. only happen as the funds become them in trade; as it is a wholesale The more I grew, the more I learned available. It’s a slow burner but we nursery, its plants are found in many and the more the idea developed in will get there. garden centres around Ireland. my head that my own nursery was Jan enjoys an enviable reputation Crinodendron h. ‘Alf Robbins’ what I wanted. I love the challenge One of the first things we had to do Photo : Seamus O’Brien for germinating seeds and striking of growing plants which are difficult, was get a new polytunnel to ensure cuttings very, very, well, and these rare or unusual. During my time as the safety of the mother stock plants seeds grew well for him. With a small hardcore. Equally, how many chief propagator at Blarney Castle during this interim period. These discerning eye, he then selected nurseries use seed as a means of and Gardens, I was in my absolute are the stock plants from which we those with slightly differing leaves propagation, apart from the hard-to- element; it was a fantastic time in get all the propagation material, e.g. – if the leaves differ, what else may root cuttings genera. Many would my horticultural career and a great seed, cuttings and divisions. We had differ? – and grew them on. One, have stock beds to ensure good opportunity to do what I love. It was to do this before even beginning when it flowered, was a slightly quality and for ease of producing also my first time to experience plant to work on a shelter belt to give deeper rose than the parent, and cutting material. Seed will often have hunting and all of the wonder that protection to the plants. This was Jan named it C. h. ‘Ashmount’. The the potential to be something a little comes with it, an absolute dream job. because of a false start on another second seedling was the real surprise different, especially if several species But all good things come to an end plot which delayed us for six months, as it flowered pure white, and Jan of the same are grown near and the West was calling me home. but ‘no point in crying over spilt named it for the friend who had sent each other and cross pollination milk’ as they say. We have been the seed, so it became C. h. occurs. Then it is not just the seed Before moving to Blarney, I had busy buying seed and sowing many ‘Alf Robbins’. collecting, it is the selection of intended to set up a business which rare and unusual trees, shrubs, and seedlings to grow on – and there may in time I had hoped would become perennial plants. The perennials will The value of seeds be only one ‘good’ one, one different, nursery. I gave it a name, ‘Forest get us off the line in the early days Pollination must have occurred for among thousands. How many people Moon’. I maintained it as a Facebook of the nursery as the time lines for seed to be set. Crinodendron is grow on and select like Jan did to get presence with the intention to propagation on them is, for the most pollinated in the wild by humming two new cultivars? The opportunities develop it in the future. Well, that part, quicker than for woody plants. birds, although not exclusively by are there! future is now and I’m up to my neck We have many conifer species on them as here in Dublin I get seed in it at the moment. the go at the moment and they are regularly. How many gardeners Check with your local garden centre all tipping away beautifully. These are deliberately pollinate nowadays – just or nursery as both of these new Irish The west of Ireland is somewhat plants which will not be ready for a for the fun to see what they get? How plants should be available near you. remote and its plant nurseries tend couple of seasons. many gardeners save seed today? Please note that the Ravensberg to be less well known for obvious Certainly, the number of donors to Nursery is wholesale only. reasons I suppose, but in my Since the word has gone out that the Society’s Seed Exchange is a

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Plants in Space we have started up a nursery, many people have asked what we will by Mary Montaut specialise in. The short answer is, My attention was caught recently gravity; it has not changed since the honestly, we don’t know. For the by a programme on BBC radio beginning of life on earth. He has moment what we are saying is we about plants being grown in space, contributed vines to the project, in specialise in plants! I have a leaning specifically on the International the hope that they will adapt to a towards the unusual and rare, which Space Station. The extraordinary gravity-less existence by evolving I know is a little vague and a bit of a conditions under which plants are helpful characteristics for use on cop-out. There are definitely groups being cultivated include being grown earth emphasizing that this would not of plants that are in the works and under LED lights which provide red or be a form of ‘engineering’ or genetic we are currently working on but will blue light, but not the full spectrum. modification. After the programme, I not be available for a while yet. In the The plants apparently look black, but felt that the most interesting aspects meantime we look forward to seeing this is because they are so efficient of this space experiment would you at one of the many plant fairs at using ‘every photon’ of light which probably concern our understanding nationwide. is available for their photosynthesis. of the ability of plants to adapt to Rooted rhododendron cutting I think this means that the green light earthly conditions: the ability, for Photo : Rory Newell is not reflected back to our eyes, instance, of roots to make their way as the plant absorbs every photon to water and of leaves and stems to – but I am no scientist and stand to find light and direction. be corrected. The research teams from NASA have developed ‘light I was reminded of a reference to recipes’ to test the plants’ ability the final book which Charles Darwin to perform this extreme economy. wrote, with his son, Francis, The Rory is an enthusiastic member of the IGPS and would like to invite The astronauts have already eaten Power of Movement in Plants (1880). fellow Connaught members to get in touch with him and maybe some ‘space’ lettuce, and I imagine The reference came from a recent organise a meeting, possibly taking in a garden or two, as a way of it was its normal, green shade once book by Daniel Chamovitz and it is getting together and perhaps setting up an informal group of like- removed from the growing conditions striking, because Chamovitz implies minded people. in the Space Veggie Box. that Darwin had considered that plants ‘know’ things, almost as an He can be contacted via email at [email protected] The NASA website says that, in the animal with a brain might ‘know’. I absence of gravity, plants use other will quote Darwin’s text to bring this environmental factors, such as light, extraordinary idea into focus: to orientate and guide their growth. ‘A radicle may be compared with This is the aspect of the project a burrowing animal such as a most interesting for us terrestrials: mole, which wishes to penetrate the effects of gravity (or, in the case perpendicularly down into the of space, lack of gravity) on plants. ground. By continually moving A French wine-grower commented his head from side to side, or in the programme that everything circumnutating, he will feel any on earth is completely adapted to stone … if the earth is damper on

22 23 IGPS Newsletter : 148 April 2020 IGPS Newsletter : 148 April 2020 one than on the other side he will different insects have particular anthers come down and touch the addressing herself to one that was turn thitherward as a better hunting- strategies to suit the flowers they sides of the insect, whom they cover waving gracefully in the wind. “I wish ground. Nevertheless, after each pollinate. I was delighted to find with ferilizing dust. However, this is you could talk!” interruption, guided by the sense that our native orchid, Epipactis only the first half of the play… In a of gravity, he will be able to recover helleborine (known as broad-leaved neighbouring flower, whose “We can talk,” said the Tiger-lily, his downward course and to burrow helleborine), has a subtle and devious have just withered, is the pistil that “when there’s anybody worth talking to a greater depth.’ [Ch II, General means of getting itself pollinated by awaits the pollen… which grazes her to”. Considerations on the Movements a wasp. It has developed a perfume back and sides exactly at the spots and Growth of Seedling Plants.] which is not attractive to other touched by the stamens. It is easy to pollinators, smelling like damaged show this with a straw.’ Chamovitz’ chapter titles will give leaves, specifically leaves which have you a clear view of his argument – been gnawed by caterpillars. Wasps ‘What a Plant Sees’, ‘What a Plant want to prey on the caterpillars, Smells’, ‘What a Plant Remembers’. so enter the helleborine flowers However, he is emphatic that he in search of them and pollinate does not intend to anthropomorphize the plants. plants. His research is directed towards understanding the needs But I don’t have to rely on this and abilities of plants. He dismisses illustration of the incredible any suggestion that a plant might intelligence of plants. Maurice feel pain, as such. We know that Maeterlinck wrote a book in 1907 they suffer stress, but he refuses to called The Intelligence of the Flowers. humanize them. All the flowers whose strategies for pollination he describes are familiar My own fascination with our garden plants, and this makes it relationship with the plant world all the more fascinating as you can came about through my involvement actually try some of the tricks which with pollinators. The more I looked the pollinators use to make the flower into the relationship of the pollinating release its pollen. insects with the plants they serve, the more ‘intelligent’ the entire operation A favourite is sage. ‘The Sage is seemed to be. The recent concern entomophilous, that is to say, it Honey Bee on Sage Salvia officinale. over the loss of pollinating insects loves insects and relies upon their Photo : Mary Montaut admonishes us to take a broad view collaboration alone... Observe the of the intricate systems of plants in wonderful love-trap contrived by the their environments. I thought I would Sage: right at the back of its tent be able to find out something about of violet silk, it distils a few drops There is no end to the ingenuity of the hoverflies we see in our gardens. of nectar; this is the bait… When flowers and their pollinators, but I am It turns out that there are so many the bee enters the flower to reach still asking myself about using words different species that some are not the nectar, she has to push the like intelligence, or knowledge, to even named yet; however, all these (anthers) with her head. The upper describe plants. I feel like Alice in Wonderland: “O Tiger-lily!” said Alice,

24 25 IGPS Newsletter : 148 April 2020 IGPS Newsletter : 148 April 2020 Worth a Read by Paddy Tobin This book goes far beyond simple narratives of adventures in plant hunting to The Pollinator Victory Garden by Kim Eierman: Kim discuss the framework in which collecting takes place nowadays, the central Eierman is an American environmental horticulturalist role of conservation, the place of the private collector, of botanical gardens and landscape designer specialising in ecological and of international agreements to present us with a most comprehensive landscapes and native plants and, though written overview of modern plant hunting, yet it never loses that sense of excitement, for an American gardening audience, the book has of awe at beauty, of searching for and finding wonderful plants, of effort and widespread application for gardeners at this side of the reward, and of what a debt of gratitude we owe these people. Atlantic. [Modern Plant Hunters – Adventures in Pursuit of Extraordinary Plants, Dr Sandy Primrose, In an era of social concern for our environment, of Pimpernel Press, 2019, Hardback, 272 pages, £30, ISBN: 978-1-910258-78-1] worries about climate change and the unprecedented loss of our wildlife, particularly pollinators, the author realises that change will, The Scentual Garden by Ken Druse and will have to, come from ground-roots people and that governments and Fragrance lost its importance in our gardens. We have international bodies will follow social change. We can achieve these seismic drifted away from an appreciation of scent, became changes through the actions we take in our own gardens, and she compares more visual in our judgement and selection, and the movement to that of Second World War when, to alleviate food shortages, nowadays rarely include scent in a description of a plant. people used their gardens to grow vegetables and raise food rather than have We have fallen out of the practice of appreciating one them simply as ornamental spaces. These were the original Victory Gardens of the central and important aspects of our gardens, the and today we have a great need for Victory Gardens for our food production fragrance of our garden plants. It is time to regain that is again under threat as our pollinators go further into decline. pleasure again and Ken Druse’s The Scentual Garden [The Pollinator Victory Garden, Kim Eierman, Quarry Books – Quarto Publishing Group, will be our most marvellous guide on that journey. Massachusetts, 2020, Softback, 160 pages, £16.99, ISBN: 978-1-63159-750-3. Visit He reminds us of its significance and of the joys and QuartoKnows.com] pleasures we are missing when we fail to pay attention to the scents of our plants. This book is a journey of rediscovery, of having memories refreshed, Modern Plant Hunters by Dr Sandy Primrose: of having pleasures reawakened, and of breathing new and fresh life into the Plant hunters have given our gardens the most joys of gardening. wonderful range of plants; we are greatly indebted to these brave and daring people and Dr. Sandy Primrose’s The main part of the book is the ‘Encyclopaedia of Fragrant Plants’ though account of our modern plant hunters is gripping and it might have better been entitled ‘A Categorisation of Plant Fragrances’ for informative reading for all gardeners and plant lovers. it is arranged by the author into the twelve scent categories he uses: Animalic, There have been more plant introductions in the last Balsamic/Resinous, Floral/Sweet, Forest, Fruity, Heavy, Herbal/Green, Honey, thirty years than ever before yet, to date, books on plant Indolic, Medicinal, Rose and Spice. Each category has its introductory hunting have focused on the so-called golden age which explanatory notes followed by a number of plants which serve to exemplify ended with the death of F Kingdon Ward in 1958. This the particular fragrance. It makes for a most interesting read, a looking book, from Dr Sandy Primrose, redresses this imbalance afresh at plants already familiar from a different perspective, a new insight, with stories of the modern plant hunters who have done so much to enrich a refreshing of interest, something which opens your eyes to an aspect our gardens and conserve endangered species. of an old interest which would otherwise have passed you by.

[The Scentual Garden, Exploring the World of Botanical Fragrance, Ken Druse, Abrams, New York, 2019, Hardback, 255 pages, £40, ISBN: 978-1-4197-3816-6] 26 27 IGPS Newsletter : 148 April 2020 IGPS Newsletter : 148 April 2020

Society Snippets Around the Regions Do you grow an Irish plant? Leinster Drimnagh Castle*, as well as some A reminder that Stephen Butler, who leads for the Society on the conservation of the grander ones. I felt that she of Irish cultivars and other plants with Irish associations, maintains a register The Gardens of Leinster was drawing our attention to places of who is growing what. Currently only 13 members have notified him about which we might take for granted or Irish plants in their gardens. With a membership of over 500, surely this Report by Mary Montaut. walk past without noticing. Often is cannot be correct? The record being kept by Stephen is a huge help in her comments gave us insight into identifying which plants are in danger of being lost. For example, it is no In the middle of a chilly January, it the development of a garden, so we longer possible to go out and buy Escallonia ‘Alice’ (see page 12) so it is was delightful to hear Shirley Lanigan could understand the significance critical to know which members are growing it in order that action can be describing many gardens in Leinster of the photograph more deeply, for taken to propagate it and make it available again. And to reassure you, which are open to the public and to example, the small Festina Lente Stephen may publicise that, say, three members grow a particular plant see her photographs of them. Her gardens in Bray, which have been but only Stephen knows who grows what. first picture was surprising, though: wonderfully transformed over recent Contact Stephen at [email protected] it was of Wittgenstein’s plaque times. in the Palm House at Glasnevin, Rescue plans. commemorating the philosopher’s Recent issues of the Newsletter have featured the striking iris, Iris ‘Kilbroney stay in Ireland. She told us how he Marble’ which had long disappeared from commercial cultivation. The used to sit and write in the Palm Conservation Working Group has identified it as one of two plants to be House during the cold winter of ‘rescued’ in 2020. Through the generosity of two of our members, some 1948-49. She praised the excellence young plants have been propagated; some of these will go to new homes in of our National Botanic Gardens, selected ‘safe havens’ and a few more will be spread round private gardens. both at Glasnevin and Kilmacurragh. The second plant to be rescued will be the delectable pink-cupped daffodil, This set a high standard for the Narcissus ‘Foundling’. It has been absent from commercial lists in Britain and sequence of gardens which followed. Ireland for some time. More news about it in the autumn issue. It quickly became apparent that she Crocosmia. is a fan of topiary; an unusual taste, Rhododendron ‘Altaclarense’ Also in the autumn issue will be information about Irish crocosmias. A special perhaps, but many of the gardens in at Kilmacurragh interest group has come together to identify the full range of these colourful her lecture had some topiary features Photo: Seamus O’Brien. – and now fashionable – late-summer plants raised on the island of Ireland. which were extremely photogenic. Read more about them next time. If you think you are growing an old or very Summer landscapes, beautiful spring Of course, Shirley also talked about scarce variety, please get in touch with Stephen at the email address above. views, public parks — all these the grander scale, including the different aspects of Leinster Open Phoenix Park and Dublin Zoo. More Bergenia Trial. Gardens were displayed, as well as surprisingly, she took time to tell us The trial of bergenias with Irish origins, which started in 2017, continues the more predictable features which of the improvements she has seen and is due for completion in late summer. Plants were obtained from Irish, characterise some of these gardens. in the management of roundabouts; Scottish and English gardens and nurseries, and at least one cultivar has It was especially pleasing to see superb winter planting is evident been repatriated as no nursery had been listing the plant for many years. some small public spaces, such as on some with grasses or winter- Depending on space and timing, we should see an update in the autumn the Victorian People’s Park in Dun flowering heathers to lift the spirits of issue. Otherwise expect to read it in Issue 150. Laoghaire and the tiny garden at passers-by.

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*Drimnagh Castle. In the 1980s the annual attender at the Society’s I confess never to have visited Mount skirts of trees and shrubs and filling IGPS took the initiative in several garden Chelsea Flower Show; he passed Congreve but have resolved to make the spaces with tolerant woodland projects one of which was the formal away while attending the Show in 2020 the year. plants to extend the season of garden at medieval Drimnagh Castle in 2011 at the age of 104. A garden interest throughout the year. An south-west Dublin. Mary Davies, one of this size needs investment and The Greedy Gardener example is a grove of birches which of our Honorary Members and a former Waterford County Council has plans is planted with snowdrops followed Chair, writes that, during the castle’s restoration, the Society offered to prepare to improve the ‘facilities’. Report by Janet Edwardes by hellebores and tulips. Rosie has a suitable design for part of the area found that the Darwin and Apeldoorn inside the moat; Drimnagh is the last But back to the garden: a vast Rosie Maye, otherwise known as tulips are reliable and come back moated castle in Ireland. Jim Reynolds network of paths leads one around the Insomniac Gardener, introduced year after year. She also advised on of Butterstream designed a seventeenth- this estate of 70 acres; it is easy us to what she referred to as her using pots to drop in spectacular century-style garden, with diagonal gravel to lose your way so keeping ‘forever garden’ which she and her displays of colour when there is a paths, triangular box-edged beds and the River Suir to one side was husband discovered 17 years ago, gap and suggested agapanthus as a pleached hornbeam hedge. After the advised. Although noted for its vast a three acre plot surrounding an performing and looking well in pots. layout was marked out, the garden was rhododendron collection, at least elegant Georgian farmhouse. She Plants which behave well and seed handed over to the restoration body for 2,000 in number, it was the magnolias started with a backdrop of very themselves about are Dicentra, planting and maintenance. Nearly forty which stole the show. Paddy showed mature trees but, as she explained a Pulmonaria, Silene, hardy geraniums years later the garden complements the castle perfectly. Normally it is open to the us some stunning photographs bit later, because of their age some and candelabra primulas. The latter public. including one memorable one of M. were diseased or in a dangerous she finds are easy from seed, sown campbellii transforming the skyline state so much work had to be done. when green, while the slugs are kept Mount Congreve - a National into a profusion of pink, and another Her philosophy is to under-plant in check by large numbers of frogs, Treasure one of a row of M. x soulangeana everything so she has been lifting the newts and hedgehogs. that appeared to go on for miles. Report by Anne-Marie Woods But this is a garden for all seasons Acers are a favourite plant with from daffodils, camellias, roses interest in spring through the new Who better to give us a talk on Mount and herbaceous plants through to foliage and then an amazing display Congreve than Waterford native daphnes, mahonias and plantations in autumn. Rosie recommended and near neighbour, Paddy Tobin? of conifers. catmint as one of the best blues A former editor of this Newsletter, for summer, along with a wide his eloquent talk began by giving range of salvias that are generally us a tour of this vast estate and hardy, trouble-free and flower for ended with a journey through the an extended period over summer seasons. Paddy told us about and well into autumn. The trees she Ambrose Congreve, the creator of would recommend for autumn colour the gardens at Mount Congreve, were Liquidamber, Callicarpa, Prunus, who arranged for the transfer of the Coprosma, dogwoods and larch. ownership of the house and grounds Rosie delivered her talk with great to the state following his death. Mr enthusiasm; we had a wonderful Congreve was a life-long member evening in her company and we all of the Royal Horticultural Society, look forward to visiting her beautiful a recipient of the Society’s Veitch Magnolia sargentiana var. robusta Tulips at front door. garden. Photo : Paddy Tobin Photo : Rosemary Maye Memorial Medal and an enthusiastic

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Vegetables, Gardens and the Soul error. Don’t water in the evening ... it promotes mildew, botrytis and grey Report by Janet Edwardes mould. Caring for the soil is one of the most important things to consider Our March talk was by the renowned so good composting techniques, Klaus Laitenberger from Leitrim, the crop rotation, prevention of soil author of several books on vegetable compaction, hand weeding – but it growing. He has travelled extensively has to be carried out regularly – and in pursuit of his craft, introducing avoidance of chemicals for weed many vegetables hitherto unknown control. Klaus believes that the to Irish gardeners but which have Jerusalem artichoke is one of the proven to be quite successful in vegetables that is going to save the our climate, many coming from world and that the yacon will be the South America. Klaus promoted the new superfood. idea of gardening being good for So we ended up encouraged to the soul as well as giving joy and a get out there, get growing, and try sense of satisfaction in producing some of these new vegetables in our wholesome food to eat. He cited the gardens. And we had some retail Japanese habit of ‘forest bathing’ therapy as well as Klaus had brought and absorbing the good serotonin along some more unusual varieties of Victor and Roz Henry with Derry Watkins. from the pure atmosphere created by potatoes and seeds to try out so no Photo : Barbara Kelso. tree growth. excuse for any of us!

One of the strongest arguments architect husband, Peter, had bought on her recent exploration in the high for growing our own food is the Botanising in Kyrgyzstan a derelict barn on top of a steep hill. mountains of central Asia. She has a amount of chemical residue on After converting the barn into an passion for travel and over the years nearly all bought vegetables. Klaus Report by Barbara Kelso attractive house, Peter then designed has been seeking out new plants and commented on the fact that Ireland the sloping garden, creating several collecting seed from many countries. has one of the lowest spends per Despite the stormy, wet weather of levels with smooth flowing lines. She showed us some beautiful head on food so maybe we should Storm Dennis, there was a fantastic It was fascinating to learn of their photos of alpine plants from the rethink when we complain that turnout of well over 110 people in Mediterranean plants thriving in eight tiny, perfectly formed globeflowers organic is expensive. One comforting Belfast to hear Derry Watkins at our inches of gravel on top of heavy clay of Trollius lilacina, only a few inches fact Klaus was able to confirm is that joint lecture with the Alpine Garden soil. At her nursery, Derry grows and high, to majestically-tall foxtail lilies, the word organic is protected by law Society. Derry, who is owner of sells unusual plants from all over the Eremerus tianschanicus. when it comes to describing both Special Plants Nursery near Bath, world, including an amazing range human and animal foodstuffs. delighted us with a wonderful talk of hardy herbaceous and rockery Our meeting ended with Mark Smyth split into two parts. plants. auctioning several of his unusual Klaus gave us many practical tips plants, followed by a delicious on actually growing our own crops. The first part was ‘Derelict Hill Farm ‘Botanizing in Kyrgyzstan, the afternoon tea. He advised us to sow a bit later and to Garden’, where she showed us Switzerland of Asia’ formed the thus avoid the cold weather. Spacing the creation of her own beautiful second part of Derry’s talk, taking us plants too close is another common garden. In 1996, Derry and her

32 33 IGPSIGPS NewsletterNewsletter : 148 April 2020 IGPS Newsletter : 148 April 2020

Saturday 6th June Dates for your Diary Summer Lunch and garden visit to Barmeath Castle, 12 pm - 4 pm Annual General Meeting Barmeath, Togher, Co Louth A92 P973 Postponed The site at Barmeath has been settled for at least 600 years and the

extensive parkland and gardens of 10 acres make it an exceptional Annual General Meeting on 16th and 17th May, organised by the survivor of the earlier style of lrish landscape gardening. The mid- Leinster Committee, which was to have been based in Westport eighteenth century saw the input of Thomas Wright of Durham. An Co Mayo has been postponed and will be re-arranged at a later amateur architect and landscape gardener, he came to lreland for a date. Any garden visits scheduled for the month of May have year at the behest of James Hamilton, Viscount Limerick. At Barmeath, been cancelled. the rustic rock bridge is typical of his work. Other delights include a lake with an island, an archery ground, the increasingly rare sight of a laurel lawn, and a handsome, four acre walled garden which ticks all the boxes with its summerhouse, arbours, borders, allées, soft fruit cages, vegetables and espaliered fruit trees. These features have been invigorated, renewed, enhanced and created over the past 40 years by our hosts, Lord and Lady Bellew, Barmeath is a very special garden

imbued with the atmosphere that antiquity, continuity, enthusiasm and love engenders.

Lunch will be hosted in the Barn at Barmeath with plenty of time afterwards to enjoy the gardens. This event is organized jointly by the Leinster and Northern Committees.

Regretfully, numbers are limited. Prior booking through Eventbrite is essential and will open on the 20th of May. Cost €45 for members, €50 non-members

Photo: Westport House by kind permission of Westport House.

The following events have been planned but at the time of going to print it is not known whether they can go ahead or not. Members will be notified once decisions in line with government and health advice can be taken.

Let’s hope for better days ahead.

34 35 IGPS Newsletter : 148 April 2020 IGPS Newsletter : 148 April 2020

Thursday 2nd July Saturday 4th July Visit to Pogue’s Entry, 7.00pm – 9.00pm Visit to Ballywalter House and Gardens 2.00pm Main Street, Antrim BT41 4BA Ballywalter Park, Ballywalter, Newtownards BT22 2PP

Peep through the gate guarding a small alley off the main Ballywalter Park is the home of Lord and Lady Dunleath. The mansion, street in Antrim and discover a quaint, historic cottage and its built in the Italian palazzo style, is of exceptional architectural importance; secret garden. Now in the hands of Antrim and Newtownabbey it overlooks the lake and is surrounded by 30 acres of pleasure grounds Borough Council, the cottage was the childhood home of which include some notable plants including the crimson-flowered Rhododendron ‘Lady Dunleath’ and some champion trees. We will also Alexander Irvine, author of My Lady of the Chimney Corner, visit the historic walled garden. After the tours of the house and garden while the garden, created and looked after by the Society’s which will be conducted personally by Lord and Lady Dunleath, we will volunteers, is filled with an eclectic mix of flowers, vegetables, conclude with refreshments in the fabulous conservatory. herbs and a growing number of Irish cultivars. Members £12 (after IGPS subsidy), guests £22. Numbers are limited and Refreshments, storytelling, soda bread straight from the griddle. prior booking through Eventbrite is essential

Members free, personal guests £5 but booking ahead via Saturday 22nd August Eventbrite is essential in order to organise the catering. Visit to the Gardens at the Royal Hospital, Kilmainham at 2.30pm followed by the War Memorial Gardens, Islandbridge at 4.00pm

The formal gardens were first laid out in 1695 by decree from the governors of the Royal Hospital that ‘a garden should be lie all open to the North side of the Hospital for the greater grace of the house and for the recreation of the retired soldiers’. The Gardens now contain fine formal beds and statuary, including some modern sculptures. The magnificent group of chestnut trees and a wildflower meadow outside the walls of the Master’s Garden make splendid contrast with the general formality. Our tour will be led by the Head Gardener, Mary Condon.

Following this visit, we will continue to the Irish War Memorial Gardens, the work of the great designer and architect, Edwin Lutyens, commemorating the 49,400 soldiers from the island of Ireland who died in the 1914 – 1918 war. We will be given a tour by a member of staff, which will include the book rooms where the names of all the soldiers are contained in the beautifully illustrated Harry Clarke manuscripts.

36 37 IGPS Newsletter : 148 April 2020 IGPS Newsletter : 148 April 2020

Saturday 5th September Richmond Park Ramble, 2.00pm Advice for contributors 59 Richmond Park, Stranmillis, Belfast BT9 5EF Length A rare opportunity to visit three very different town gardens in If writing a report of a regional event such as a visit or lecture, please keep it short close proximity, all owned by members of the IGPS. The first and sweet: 250 to 300 words is very suitable. combines an imaginative and colourful planting of perennials, Articles are always welcome; 600 to 700 words works well especially when grasses, shrubs and trees set within a formal layout and accompanied by two or three good quality, high resolution photos. Do not embed designed to crescendo in late summer. A new shade border is them in the text as the printer has to take them out again, send them as a separate under development. Planting areas in the second garden are jpeg. It’s very helpful if you can alert the editor ahead of time about what you plan maximised by the clever use of levels and contours, it has an to write. eclectic mix of shrubs, herbaceous plants and climbers with Newsletter conventions a semi-circular pergola extending outwards in two directions Book and magazine names should be in italics with a capital letter for all the giving structure to the garden and enhancing the space. The principal words e.g. A Heritage of Beauty and The Irish Garden. Do not use either third, the largest, features varied and colour-themed planting single or double quotation marks around the title. schemes and a growing collection of Irish plants which, together Scientific names of plants.The scientific or Latin name of the plant must be in with the mature trees and formal and informal features, bring italics. The initial letter of the species name has a capital letter, e.g. Nerine, while a country house garden vibe to the city. Check in at No 59 the second does not: therefore Nerine bowdenii. Richmond Park between 2.00pm and 3.00pm to get your badge and directions. The cultivar name, which is often but not exclusively English, is printed in regular or Roman type and enclosed within single quotation marks e.g. Nerine bowdenii ‘Alba’. If more than one is referred to, the second and subsequent ones can be Members free, personal guests £5 shown with just a capital letter in italics for the genus, e.g. N. undulata.

Common plant names. When plants are referred to by their common names, they are in standard/Roman rather than italic type and the initial letter is lower case e.g. nerines, roses, hellebores and peonies. Likewise for the names of wild flowers.

Capital letters. Use an initial capital letter for proper nouns, i.e. the names of people, countries, gardens, and institutions. Thus the National Botanic Gardens, Rowallane, or Kilmacurragh; the Society when referring to the IGPS but gardening societies in general; the Chairman when referring to the person who has been elected to this post in the IGPS. Seasons of the year are in lower case e.g. spring, autumn.

Abbreviations. Write IGPS rather than I.G.P.S., Co Kildare rather than Co. Kildare, etc rather than etc., and Dr rather than Dr. But include a stop or point for the following two abbreviations, e.g., and i.e..

38 39 IRISH GARDEN PLANT SOCIETY

C/O: National Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin, Dublin 9

Contact Us: Email [email protected] Website www.irishgardenplantsociety.com www.facebook.comIrishGardenPlantSociety https://twitter.com/igpstweets

Officers: Chairman Billy McCone Phone: +44 7411 244 568 Email: [email protected]

Hon. Sec. Claire Peacocke 28 Madison Avenue, Belfast, BT15 5BX Email: [email protected]

Membership Secretary: Nichola Monk, Membership Secretary Phone: +44 7828 434 350 Email: [email protected]

Northern Region [email protected] Leinster Region [email protected] Munster Region [email protected] Irish Heritage Plants [email protected] Newsletter Editor [email protected]

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