August 29, 2016

Glenarm Castle Gardens, August 2016

The Northern group of the IGPS organised a visit to Glenarm Castle Gardens in Co. Antrim and had almost 50 members and friends in attendance on what proved to be a most enjoyable tour of a really stunning garden. This is an historic site dating to about 1820 with strong design elements, fabulous herbaceous colour combinations, and immaculate maintenance – led by Reg Maxwell, the garden adviser.

The photographs and captions from Barbara Kelso and Maeve Bell tell the story!

Hot border. Herbaceous border filled with bright reds, pinks, oranges and yellows throughout the season; from tulips and peonies in early summer to bright dahlias and penstemons later in the season. Barbara Kelso

Hot border. Herbaceous border filled with bright reds, pinks, oranges and yellows throughout the season; from tulips and peonies in early summer to bright dahlias and penstemons later in the season. Barbara Kelso

West facing border, the pleached lime trees have all been recently hand pruned. Barbara Kelso

West facing border, the pleached lime trees have all been recently hand pruned. Barbara Kelso

Large white flower heads of Hydrangea 'Annabelle'. Barbara Kelso

Large white flower heads of Hydrangea ‘Annabelle’. Barbara Kelso

Double herbaceous 'cool' borders. Beyond is the Yew Circle, which surrounds the herb garden. This circular hedge is one of the oldest features of the garden, dating back to the 1820's. Barbara Kelso

Double herbaceous ‘cool’ borders. Beyond is the Yew Circle, which surrounds the herb garden. This circular hedge is one of the oldest features of the garden, dating back to the 1820’s. Barbara Kelso

View of one side of the garden from the mount. It also provides a panoramic view of the countryside around - 'borrowed landscape'. Barbara Kelso

View of one side of the garden from the mount. It also provides a panoramic view of the countryside around – ‘borrowed landscape’. Barbara Kelso

Apple orchard and wildflower meadow. The Obelisk was created by a local craftsman out of oak. Barbara Kelso

Apple orchard and wildflower meadow. The Obelisk was created by a local craftsman out of oak. Barbara Kelso

Crab apple trees beautifully under planted with hardy and half hardy annuals. Barbara Kelso

Crab apple trees beautifully under planted with hardy and half hardy annuals. Barbara Kelso

Stipa gigantea and verbena bonariensis are lovely together. Barbara Kelso

Stipa gigantea and verbena bonariensis are lovely together. Barbara Kelso

Pear trees trained on the circular metal railing. Barbara Kelso

Pear trees trained on the circular metal railing. Barbara Kelso

MAEVE 2_1

A colourful patch of annuals planted in a square at the base of a fruit tree; they have been designed to succeed the tulips which occupy the space earlier in the year and are at their peak during Glenarm’s annual Tulip Festival over the May Day weekend. Maeve Bell

Members enjoying the day. Maeve Bell

Members enjoying the day. Maeve Bell

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August 18, 2016

Helen’s Bay Walled Garden – A Venture in Vegetables 

Walled Garden Group 1

From left to right – Carol Dobson – Northern Committee (and new volunteer), Barbara Kelso –Northern Committee, David Anderson-volunteer, Lorraine Small-owner, Patrick Leonard Head chef Merchant Hotel, David Cameron –head gardener and Andy Bingham – head gardener Ulster Folk Museum

IGPS member and plants woman Lorraine Small has taken on a challenge in restoring a 4 acre walled garden in Helen’s Bay, County Down. Barely one year into the project the garden is already supplying some of Belfast’s top restaurants and selling at local markets.   Her Head gardener David Cameron brings a wealth of experience having spent two years working at Raymond Blanc’s Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons garden in Oxford.

Left to right Volunteer David Anderson, Owner and IGPS member Lorraine Small, Gardener David Cameron

Left to right Volunteer David Anderson, Owner and IGPS member Lorraine Small, Gardener David Cameron

Members of the Northern sub-committee were treated to a visit to the garden in July where they sampled some of the organic vegetables including yellow beetroot and heritage black podded peas.

Lorraine says “ We are fully organic but I want to go one step further and include Irish Heritage fruit and vegetables. We already have a collection of Irish apple trees and some Irish Heritage vegetables but we are always looking out for more.”

Owners Lorraine and James Small with Northern sub-committee members

Owners Lorraine and James Small with Northern sub-committee members

Ulster Folk Museum Head Gardener Andy Bingham , Lorraine Small, owner of the walled garden at Helen's Bay and Maeve Bell, Chairperson of IGPS North.

Ulster Folk Museum Head Gardener Andy Bingham , Lorraine Small, owner of the walled garden at Helen’s Bay and Maeve Bell, Chairperson of IGPS North.

Although a lot of work remains to be done after years of neglect, Lorraine hopes to open the walled garden and the adjoining house garden for an IGPS garden visit next year.

Pear tree

A surviving pear tree from bygone days

Tasting some of the Josh Toombs peas

Tasting some of the Josh Toombs peas

 

IGPS chairperson Billy McCone writes “ This is a great opportunity to explore an area of Irish Heritage plants that has largely been overlooked. I particularly welcome the interest from the Folk Museum who have already done much to help develop the Lismacloskey Rectory garden. I believe there is tremendous potential in this project and I wish Lorraine every success.”

 

Photographs and text from Billy McCone, IGPS Chairperson 

 

 

 

 

 

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August 1, 2016

IGPS Munster has a New Lecture Venue

We are very excited to tell you we are moving to Northridge House in Blackrock. There is plenty of onsite parking, the building is fully wheelchair accessible, has comfy seats, a sound system, air conditioning, and best of all, tea and coffee making facilities.

Northridge House (at St. Luke’s Home), Castle Rd, Mahon, Cork

For a map and directions visit: www.northridgehouse.ie/how-to-get-hereNorthridge House SMALL

 Autumn/Winter 2016 Schedule

All lectures take place on the first Tuesday of the month at 8pm in Northridge House, Mahon, Cork, unless stated otherwise. The Building is fully wheelchair accessible. Each evening consists of a lecture, usually lasting between 1hr and 1hr 30 minutes, refreshments, and opportunities to win raffle prizes. We often have plant sales on our lecture nights. Sometimes our lecturers bring plants to sell, and at other times we hold Members’ Plant Sales where members bring along plants which we sell on the night to help raise funds. Lecture nights are free to members and €5 to nonmembers, unless stated otherwise.

Check out our October, November and  December speakers who have just been posted in our “Upcoming Events” sections.

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