October 3, 2016

The Planters’ Seminar at Mount Stewart

About 30 IGPS members formed part of the audience for the Planter’s Seminar at Mount Stewart Garden, Co Down over the weekend at which Dan Hinkley, Roy Lancaster and Bleddyn and Sue Wynn-Jones talked about the special plants they have seen while exploring remote areas. As part of the seminar Neil Porteous, the Head Gardener, led a tour of the formal gardens which were resplendent with late summer colour, exciting plant combinations and a superb collection of salvias.

Text and photographs from Maeve Bell, Chairperson IGPS North. 

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Neil Porteous, Head Gardener at Mount Stewart, leading a group in the gardens

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September 24, 2016

Plant Sale at Rowallane

Photographs from the Irish Garden Plant Society Plant Sale at Rowallane Gardens, Saintfield, Northern Ireland today. It was a wet day but the society members turned out in force and had a good day. rowallane-plant-fair-2016-5 rowallane-plant-fair-2016-1 rowallane-plant-fair-2016-2 rowallane-plant-fair-2016-3 rowallane-plant-fair-2016-4

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September 5, 2016

Heritage Irish Plants – Plandaí Oidhreachta: NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE!

Would you like to purchase our upcoming book: “Heritage Irish Plants – Plandaí Oidhreachta?

 

Here’s the link:                 PURCHASE ONLINE!

 

Gloxinia sylvatica 'Glasnevin Jubilee' by Heather Byers

Gloxinia sylvatica ‘Glasnevin Jubilee’ by Heather Byers

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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

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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 

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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.

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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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July 15, 2016

Blarney in Bloom 2016: The Forgotten Garden

This project, to build a garden highlighting Irish heritage plants, raising awareness of them, of the trail of Irish heritage plants at Blarney Castle Gardens and of the IGPS was led my Rory Newell and overseen by Adam Whitbourn, with many Blarney staff helping out in it’s design, construction and planting, in their own free time. It was hugely popular with visitors, and was the highlight of the show. (It drew people to the IGPS stall also and to our plant sale)

On the stage Rory also gave a great talk about the IGPS and Irish heritage plants, and I was nabbed at the end to say a few words as IGPS Munster Chair. I gave an overview of the IGPS and briefly thanked everyone for what
they had achieved.

Bruno Nicolai. 

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Billy McCone, Chairperson of the Executive Committee of the IGPS, sent this message:

The garden looks great and I love the concept of a ‘forgotten garden’.  Obviously a lot of work went into this and you are both to be commended on your achievement. 

From the photos and Bruno’s email, it is clear that you have done a lot in raising the profile of the IGPS and highlighting the conservation of heritage plants.

On behalf of the IGPS executive committee I would like to offer our sincere thanks and well deserved congratulations. 

Well done guys.      Billy McCone

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Many thanks to Adam Whitbourn for the images of the garden – and, indeed, for all his work in promoting Irish heritage plants and the work of the IGPS.

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July 10, 2016

Visit to Victor & Roz Henry’s Garden

We had a very enjoyable visit to Victor and Roz Henry’s garden in Newtownards yesterday despite the most unseasonable weather – heavy downpours, gusts of wind which caused the gazebo for the plant sale to lift off, and a temperature of about 12*C. But IGPS members and their friends are a hardy lot and made the most of the fleeting sunny periods to explore a garden packed with plants, both well known and exotic, and well-chosen interesting detail. Some highlights were the pergola festooned with Rosa ‘Francis E. Lester’, a fabulous cardiocrinum with blooms soaring to about three metres, and a stand of mouth-watering delphiniums in glorious shades of blue. There was a seriously well-stocked plant stall which included a decent selection of Irish cultivars including Dahlia ‘Matt Armour’, Cytissus ‘Donard Gem’, and Primula ‘Rowallane Rose’. And a final touch was the beautiful music played by their ten year old grand-daughter Josie on her harp.

Victor Henry greeting the visitors as all admire the wonderful delphiniums

Victor Henry greeting the visitors as all admire the wonderful delphiniums

Lush plating around the pool, including Zantedeschia aethopica

Lush plating around the pool, including Zantedeschia aethopica

Exotic planting: A tree fern with a lush under-planting of hostas and Myosotidium hortensia, the Chatham Island Forget-Me-Not.

Exotic planting: A tree fern with a lush under-planting of hostas and Myosotidium hortensia, the Chatham Island Forget-Me-Not.

The afternoon was enhanced by the lovely harp music played by the Henry’s grand daughter.

The afternoon was enhanced by the lovely harp music played by the Henry’s grand daughter.

Text and photographs from Maeve Bell.

To view further photographs from the day visit the BLOG

 

 

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June 29, 2016

The Ceremonial Planting of Escallonia ‘C. F. Ball’ at the War Memorial Gardens.

The National War Memorial Gardens at Islandbridge, designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens, are dedicated to the memory of 49,400 Irish soldiers who died in the First World War. They are in a wonderful setting, along the River Liffey, and adjacent to the Phoenix Park.

Escallonia ‘C F Ball’ is named for Charles Frederick Ball, who was killed at Gallipoli in 1915. Charles Frederick Ball, who trained at Kew Gardens, was an Assistant Keeper at the National Botanic Gardens in Glasnevin  and advised at the Acton estate at Kilmacurragh, now, also, part of the National Botanic Gardens. Escallonia CF Ball is one seedling from several raised by him before the war, another –  ‘Alice’ – is named for his wife.

The Great War caused the demise of numerous gardens as so many staff volunteered for service in the British Army and other Allied Forces, never to return. The Irish Garden Plant Society is pleased to be able to help keep the memory of these people with us

A group from the Irish Garden Plant Society attended the ceremonial planting at the War Memorial Gardens on the 28th of June. It was a very dignified and surprisingly moving occasion. Billy McCone, IGPS Chairperson, opened with a short introduction and gave some background to C. F. Ball and his work.  Seamus O’Brien spoke of the links between the Acton family at Kilmacurragh and the National Botanic Gardens at Glasnevin. Peter Acton and his daughter Gemma spoke about the effect of WW1 on their family and the transformation of Europe in the intervening years.

Photographs from Maeve Bell

Billy McCone, IGPS Chairperson, addressing the group

Billy McCone, IGPS Chairperson, addressing the group

Escallonia C. F. Ball Seamus O'Brien

Seamus O’Brien, of the National Botanic Gardens Kilmacurragh, presenting Escallonia ‘C. F. Ball’

 

Peter Acton with his daughter Gemma Acton accepting Escallonia 'C. F. Ball'

Peter Acton with his daughter Gemma Acton accepting Escallonia ‘C. F. Ball’

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Peter and Gemma Acton planting Escallonia ‘C. F. Ball’ at the National War Memorial at Islandbridge

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In attendance at the ceremonial planting of Escallonia ‘C. F. Ball’

 

Escallonia C. F. Ball Ed Bowden Seamus O'Brien

Ed Bowden and Seamus O’Brien in attendance

Escallonia C. F. Ball Stephen Butler Brendan Sayers

Stephen Butler, Chairperson IGPS Leinster, with Brendan Sayers of the National Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin.

 

 

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June 29, 2016

A Visit to Hillsborough Castle Gardens, June 2016

 

 

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IGPS members visited Hillsborough Castle House and Garden on the 4th June. The House was built in the 1770s by Wills Hill 1st Marquis of Downshire and was remodelled in the 1800s and then again in the 20th century.
It passed to the British Goverment in 1922 and is now the official residence of the Royal Family when in N Ireland.
The Castle is set in 96 acres of garden and also has a lake. The front facade of the castle faces south on to the gardens. You will notice this in the pictures where the front patio has just had a complete makeover. Much work is still continuing at the moment so we were a little restricted on our visit. Strangely the sun did shine that day and everyone had a very pleasant afternoon, with many cafes in the village to visit afterwards.

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Many thanks to Victor and Roz Henry for photographs

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June 17, 2016

The Rectory Garden, Lismacloskey

Here’s some photos from Barbara Kelso of a recent IGPS visit to the Lismacloskey Rectory Garden, at the Ulster Folk & Transport Museum, Cultra, a few miles east of Belfast.  The sun shone, the garden was looking fantastic and all had a wonderful morning.
Just a little on the background of the garden:
The garden is a product of a partnership between the Museum and the IGPS.  Back in 1987, the IGPS was asked to design and plant a garden appropriate for a clergyman in rural Ireland around 1900. The house itself was built in 1717, but its interior has been furnished as it would have been around 1900.
A central straight path leads from the gate to the door, in front of the house there are two rectangular flower beds and the remainder of the garden is set out in an informal Robinsonian style. In keeping with the aims of the IGPS, as many as possible of the plants are old Irish cultivars. Many thanks go the the small team of volunteers, from within and outside the IGPS, who maintain the garden.
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The Rectory Garden, Lismacloskey

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The Rectory Garden, Lismacloskey

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The Rectory Garden, Lismacloskey

Volunteer Margaret Newman with Victor Henry, Carol Dobson and Roz Henry

Volunteer Margaret Newman with Victor Henry, Carol Dobson and Roz Henry

Volunteers Maureen Reid and Marion Allen busy working in the borders

Volunteers Maureen Reid and Marion Allen busy working in the borders

Volunteers Rachel Owen, Marion Allen, Roz Henry and Margaret Newman. Margaret declared it was water in her wine bottle. We believe her!

Volunteers Rachel Owen, Marion Allen, Roz Henry and Margaret Newman. Margaret declared it was water in her wine bottle. We believe her!

Billy McCone, Barbara Kelso, with volunteers Lorna Goldstrom organiser of the volunteer group, Maureen Reid and Yvonne Penpraze

Billy McCone, Barbara Kelso, with volunteers Lorna Goldstrom organiser of the volunteer group, Maureen Reid and Yvonne Penpraze

Maeve Bell and Billy McCone

Maeve Bell and Billy McCone

Museum volunteer in period costume bringing in turf for the fire to make soda bread

Museum volunteer in period costume bringing in turf for the fire to make soda bread

The plant in the foreground is the Irish Heritage plant, Osteospermum 'Lady Leitrim' from County Donegal

The plant in the foreground is the Irish Heritage plant, Osteospermum ‘Lady Leitrim’ from County Donegal

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The Rectory Garden, Lismacloskey

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May 16, 2016

Our AGM weekend in Blarney, Co. Cork.

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Shirley Musgrave, Christine Fehily and Catherine McHale all obviously enjoying the garden visits at the weekend.

Many thanks to the Munster committee of the IGPS who organised our AGM weekend in Blarney, Co. Cork. It was a great success and enjoyed by all.

Our first garden visit of the weekend was to Blarney Castle Gardens where we had a range of wonderful guided tours and this set the tone of the weekend which we all continued to enjoy.

Click here to see an album of photographs from Blarney Castle Gardens. 

Click on the link to view an album of photographs from Mairead Harty’s  Poulacurry House

Click to view Mary Byrne’s Garden

The final garden of the weekend: Hester Forde’s, “Coosheen” in Glounthaune.

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May 16, 2016

A “Thank You” to Martin Edwardes

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To mark Martin Edwarde’s ten years on the Munster committee of the IGPS Bruno Nicolai, Chairperson of the IGPS Munster committee, made this presentation at the AGM dinner in Blarney

 

 

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May 8, 2016

IGPS Stand at Russborough

Stephen Butler, Mary Tobin, Ricky Shannon and Kirsten Walker on the IGPS stand at the Rare and Special Plant Sale at Russborough House

Stephen Butler, Mary Tobin, Ricky Shannon and Kirsten Walker on the IGPS stand at the Rare and Special Plant Sale at Russborough House

There was a big turnout for the Rare and Special Plant Sale at Russborough House today and the IGPS had a stand there with Stephen Butler, Ricky Shannon and Kirsten Walker meeting people and promoting the IGPS. Mary and I dropped in to say “Hello”

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Stephen and Ricky on duty at the IGPS stand.

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May 8, 2016

Lismacloskey Daffodils

Ireland and particularly the north of Ireland has a fine reputation for breeding daffodils and the garden at Lismacloskey Rectory in the Ulster Folk Museum, which is planted and maintained by volunteers from the IGPS and the Museum, now has a collection of almost 40 different cultivars.

Narcissus 'Mary Lou'

Narcissus ‘Mary Lou’

The chilly spring this year has meant their jaunty blooms ranging from deep yellow through orange, lemon and delicate pink to ivory white have last exceptionally well. One of our earlier flowers was the all-white trumpet daffodil, Narcissus ‘Empress of Ireland’ which was bred by the famous Guy Wilson before 1952 and received an Award of Garden Merit (AGM) from the RHS as recently as the 1990s. Two other white daffodils in the collection merit a special mention: the dainty and delectable N. ‘Mary Lou’ bred by Brian Duncan of Co Tyrone and N. ‘Glasnevin’ bred by Kate Reade of Carncairn Daffodils and named in 1995 for the bicentenary of the National Botanic Gardens. Kate is a long-standing Honorary Member of the Society, elected for her outstanding contribution to daffodil breeding.

Narcissus 'Coral Dance'

Narcissus ‘Coral Dance’

Some other cultivars bred by Brian Duncan which have delighted us this year include the pink-cupped N. ‘Cape Point’ and the flamboyant N. ‘Coral Dance’, a white and coral-pink double. The Northern region chose one of Brian’s introductions, N. ‘Tyrone Gold’ AGM, as one of the six plants to feature on their display banner.

Narcissus 'Lemon Cocktail'

Narcissus ‘Lemon Cocktail’

Many of the bulbs in the collection at Lismacloskey have been obtained from Nial Watson of Ringhaddy Daffodils in Co. Down www.ringhaddy-daffodils.com

. One of his own introductions is N. ‘Lemon Cocktail’; its blooms are not only a delicious sherbet-like lemon colour  but very long lasting in the garden and should be on anyone’s shopping list. Thinking of shopping lists, why not make a resolution to grow some of our own wonderful Irish varieties next year instead of a run-of-the-mill pack from the garden centre?

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Text and photographs from Maeve Bell. 

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April 24, 2016

IGPS at the Clare Garden Festival

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A photo of the Irish Garden Plant Society stand at Clare Garden Festival today.

Bruno Nicolai had an IGPS stand at the Clare Garden Festival today – as well as presenting a talk to those attending.

A great day was had, with lots of requests for an IGPS branch to be set up in the west.

If there is anybody interested in helping set up a branch in the west, we would love to hear from you.

 

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April 24, 2016

A Woodland Garden

A large group of IGPS members made their way to Co. Meath on Saturday, 23rd of April. We were blessed with good weather, and everybody thoroughly enjoyed the visit. The woodland was planted with a great mixture of native spring flowers and choice woodland plants with an imaginative uses of ivy as ground cover.

Photographs from Stephen Butler and Jenny Constable. 

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April 18, 2016

IGPS at Fota Plant Fair.

 

 

Blarney stand at Fota with Bruno Nicolai (3)

The Plant Fair at Fota Island today with Bruno Nicolai promoting the Irish Garden Plant Society at the Blarney Castle Garden stand reminding all to come to the Blarney in Bloom Festival on the 10th of July

There was a huge attendance at the Plant Fair at Fota Island on Sunday, 17th April, and the IGPS had a presence there, sharing a stand with Blarney Castle Gardens to both promote the upcoming Blarney in Bloom Festival on the 10th of July and to promote the IGPS itself.

Bruno Nicolai, Chairperson of IGPS Munster, was at the stand and reported a very good response from those attending the fair. Bruno will also be at the upcoming Clare Garden Festival to promote interest in the IGPS and to deliver a talk.

Blarney stand at Fota with Bruno Nicolai (2)

Caught by surprise!

Caught by surprise!

 

 

 

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April 14, 2016

A Visit to David Ledsham’s Garden – 9th March

It was a testimony to David Ledsham’s garden that we enjoyed it enormously despite poor weather conditions. We met with so many beautiful plants, so well cultivated, that is was a joy from beginning to end. Hellebore, trilliums and primulas were especially fabulous.

Here are just a few photographs of plants which caught the eye.

Primula megaesifolia

Primula megaesifolia

Polylepsis australis, fabulously shaggy bark

Polylepsis australis, fabulously shaggy bark

Narcissus minor with fritillaries

Narcissus minor with fritillaries

 

Many thanks to Maeve Bell for the photographs!

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April 4, 2016

Narcissus ‘Countess of Annesley’ An Irish cultivar presumed extinct – alive and well

Narcissus ‘Countess of Annesley’

 

An Irish cultivar presumed extinct – alive and well

 

Narcissus ‘Countess of Annesley’, a late nineteenth century, large early-flowered daffodil that originated at Castlewellan in Co. Down, Northern Ireland, and long presumed extinct, has recently been found alive and well in a number of Irish gardens. The discovery was made by Alwyn Sinnamon, Foreman Gardener at Castlewellan Arboretum and Annesley Garden, at Castlewellan, and it was possible to trace its identity using original descriptions and drawings of the cultivar.

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Narcissus ‘Countess of Annesley’ is an extremely vigorous and distinctive daffodil with bright sulphur-yellow, twisted perianth segments and a rich full-yellow trumpet that’s reflexed at its apex.

The cultivar was first found by Thomas Ryan, Head Gardener to Hugh Annesley (1831-1908), the fifth Earl Annesley, and was named by William Frederick Burbidge, the former Veitchian plant hunter and Curator of the Trinity College Botanic Gardens in Dublin.

During the 1890s Narcissus ‘Countess of Annesley’ was grown as a cut flower in Ireland and the Isles of Scilly, and several tonnes of blooms were annually sold to the English and Scottish markets. It was planted en masse in front of Kew’s Great Palm House in the late 1890s, and it also became extremely popular in New Zealand.

During the twentieth century it was superseded by modern cultivars and was presumed extinct until plants were positively identified from stock at Castlewellan and nearby, at Rowallane Gardens. Further investigations have found a third population is thriving at Annesgrove House and Gardens in Co. Cork.

 

With thanks to Seamus O’Brien, National Botanic Gardens, Kilmacurragh, Co. Wicklow.

RHS Woody Plant Committee (corresponding member).

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