‘Grottos and Shell Houses in 18th Century Ireland and England’ Gerald and Margaret Hull. NBG Glasnevin January 12th 2.30pm How many times when visiting a garden is it a novel aspect that stays in the memory – the odd plant, or the unusual building? Grottoes, often built around a natural spring, made to look ‘natural’, […]
Author: Paddy
Morocco in Bloom
Morocco in Bloom by Giuppi Pietromarchi “To be places of respite and joy, gardens combine the lively scents of the day and the night, the harmoniously clashing colours of the flowers, foliage and soil, the warmth of the shade and the freshness of the waters. The colours of the flowers and the clay, softened by […]
From Show Gardens to Real Gardens
Here are some photos from our meeting on Wednesday evening when Oliver Schurmann delighted us all with his lecture ‘From Show Gardens to Real Gardens’ in Malone House, Belfast. As well as enjoying his inspirational and thought-provoking lecture, we also enjoyed the ambience of the venue with its elaborate Christmas decorations which Belfast Parks kindly […]
Cor van Gelderen – at the National Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin
Cor van Gelderen, owner of Esveld Nurseries in Boskoop, The Netherlands, gave an entertaining talk on garden design, plant use and association. He is well known in Ireland as he has been a judge at Bloom, and has several books to his name – and more planned. His nursery is a family affair – he […]
The Irish Garden, A Cultural History
The Irish Garden, A Cultural History The Irish Garden, A Cultural History by Peter Dale, Illustrated by Brian Lalor What is it that makes an Irish garden different? Our gardens and what we can grow in them are most influenced by our climate and soil type. Devon, Cornwall, western Scotland and, indeed, many parts of England […]
At West Dean – A Review
At West Dean – A Review A view to the college at West Dean West Dean, as we see it today, is a 19th century country house with gardens in the Arts and Crafts style. The walled garden, with its range of Victorian glasshouse and gardened in a style which is deeply rooted in Victorian practices, is […]
Book Launch at Old Courthouse, Antrim
In the Footsteps of Joseph Dalton Hooker – A Sikkim Adventure by Seamus O’Brien. It was a super evening in the Old Courthouse in Antrim and was attended by 100 people. Seamus, who was introduced by Lady Anthea Forde of Seaforde Gardens near Newcastle, Co Down, gave an enthralling lecture. Many thanks to Maeve […]
Book Launch at Fota House
What a wonderful event! This afternoon we had the book launch of Seamus O’Brien’s “In the Footsteps of Joseph Dalton Hooker – A Sikkim Adventure”, organised by the committee of IGPS Munster and hosted by Fota House. It was a wonderful venue, a great attendance, a delightful introduction by Kristen Jameson and an outstanding talk […]
Shades of Green
Shades of Green! Paddy Tobin Book Review October 17, 2018 The National Trust in Great Britain is probably one of the most successful conservation and preservation organisations in the world. It is the largest landowner in Britain and, were it not for the National Trust many irreplaceable buildings and gardens would have been lost. Despite these achievements […]
Flying the Flag at Rowallane Plant Fair
The new IGPS banners were given an airing at the recent plant fair at Rowallane Gardens on what turned out to be a great day with excellent weather, most generous donations of plants and very brisk plant sales. Another successful and enjoyable event. Check out our Events Listings and come along to join us at […]
In the Footsteps of Joseph Dalton Hooker: A Sikkim Adventure – a review.
A fabulous adventure and a wonderful book – read a review in the Society’s Blog Check the Events listings for related events – launch dates in each region.
In the Footsteps of Joseph Dalton Hooker: A Sikkim Adventure
My goodness, this is an extraordinarily good book! I had expected something wonderful along the lines of the author’s previous book, “In the Footsteps of Augustine Henry and his Chinese Plant Collectors” but this volume has surpassed my most hopeful expectations. The depth of research, the volume of original material reproduced, the quality of the […]
The Lismacloskey Rectory Garden
The Lismacloskey Rectory Garden: The Lismacloskey Rectory Garden, in the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum at Cultra, east of Belfast, is maintained by volunteers from the Irish Garden Plant Society and Museum volunteers. It is planted in a style suited to the era of the rectory, pre 1900, with plants of Irish origin incorporated as […]
A Scrapbook of Things that Caught my Eye!
John Brookes made garden designers of us all and his final book, A Landscape Legacy, is to be treasured. There have been other books over the years, a great legacy of gardens, and we are most fortunate that he has, at the very end of his life, written this present volume which he describes as […]
Setting the Scene: A Garden Design Masterclass from Repton to the Modern Age – A Review
Humphrey Repton, one of the greatest landscape designers of the world, died in 1818 yet George Carter shows that his thoughts on gardens and design are as pertinent, relevant and applicable today as when he alive. Read all in Setting the Scene: A Garden Design Masterclass from Repton to the Modern Age. George Carter has had […]
The Private Gardens of SMI Landscape Architecture – A Review
The Private Gardens of SMI Landscape Architecture – edited by Jorge Sanchez It might not be immediately obvious what relevance or appeal a book on American gardens – almost all in Florida – would have for an Irish readership but the value of this book become obvious very quickly. Here we are presented with an […]
You Should Have Been Here Last Week – Tim Richardson: A Review
You Should Have Been Here Last Week – Tim Richardson If ever there was a gardening book to be carried in the glove compartment, to be permanently in the handbag, to always find a place in your holiday luggage, to be at the bedside, the bath side or even to sit beside the throne it […]
The Lismacloskey Rectory Garden
The Lismacloskey Rectory Garden, in the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum at Cultra, east of Belfast, is maintained by volunteers from the Irish Garden Plant Society and Museum volunteers. It is planted in a style suited to the era of the rectory, pre 1900, with plants of Irish origin incorporated as much as possible. The […]
In the Footsteps of Joseph Dalton Hooker: A Sikkim Adventure
Seamus O’Brien with Mary O’Neill at JFK Memorial Park after Seamus’ talk last week on plant hunting in Sikkim and China. Seamus gave an insight into the contents of his forthcoming book, “In the Footsteps of Joseph Dalton Hooker: A Sikkim Adventure” and it promises to be a fabulous volume. Seamus will deliver a talk […]