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Head Gardener Adam Whitbourn said ‘We are all absolutely delighted that the Witch’s Yew has won the Irish tree of the year. It’s an amazing veteran tree with a fantastic story and that’s what the competition is all about.Personally, I’m happy to see specimen trees like this getting some recognition, especially in the current climate where such devastation is happening to woodlands around the world. Trees such as this represent both our past and our future, and it is our duty to look after them. Our tree will now go on to represent Ireland in the European competition and I hope the public will get behind us and vote.’
The Witch’s Yew Tree will now go forward as Irelands representative in the European Tree of The Year vote which will take place throughout the whole month of February. The winner will be announced on the 17th of March at an awards ceremony in Brussels. With an impressive selection of trees from all over Europe, getting the support again from the public and all the local councils and press will be crucial in us trying to win the European vote.
Voting will begin this Saturday the 1st of February and will conclude at the end of the month. Voting will take place at treeoftheyear.org/IE
The Yew situated in the Rock Close on the grounds of Blarney Castle Estate, has been estimated by experts to be in excess of 600 years old. A folly, The Witch’s Kitchen, was built by the Jeffreyes family under the already existing yew tree in the 1750s as part of the famous Rock Close gardens.
Legend has it, the area is the home of the Blarney Witch, who first told mortals of the Blarney Stone’s magic powers i.e. the gift of eloquence. The Witch, imprisoned by day in the Witch Stone, is released after nightfall, only to be banished to the witch stone again at dawn. Some early morning visitors have claimed to have seen dying embers of a fire in her kitchen.
On the 10th of May 2020 Tyrrelstown House, Co Dublin www.tyrrelstownhouse.ie will host Rare and Special Plant Fair following Glin Castle, which played host to this special event in May 2019.
The Rare and Special Plant Fair was established in 2001 with the assistance of Bord Bia, to ensure that the gardening public has an opportunity to purchase rare and difficult to source plants, while at the same time visit a garden of note that they may not otherwise visit.
The fair is an annual event, always held on the second Sunday in May. Over the years the event has grown in stature and reputation with the fair being hosted in some of Ireland’s most notable and beautiful private gardens, and more recently in public and state gardens of note.
David Austin Roses is delighted to announce the introduction of two wonderful new characters to its collection of fine, British grown English Roses.
Celebrating the distinguished works of George Eliot, Silas Marner: The Weaver of Raveloe (1861) and James Woodforde’s The Diary of a Country Parson (1758-1802), the new arrivals offer visually stunning and beautifully fragrant additions to the world-leading breeder’s collection of twenty literature-inspired roses.
Named for the unassuming, reclusive yet kindhearted hero of Eliot’s classic novel, Silas Marner (Ausraveloe) is an unfussy rose of soft mid pink, bearing petals which are pale on the reverse and fade at the edges, creating a gentle quality. Held on red stems, the medium-sized cupped blooms have relaxed, almost ruffled petals set around an attractive button eye. Flanked by glossy, dark green foliage, the rose is enhanced by a sumptuous medium-strong Old Rose fragrance, exuding accents of fruity lemon, green banana and apricot. A very healthy, abundant variety with good repeat flowering, Silas Marner forms a medium-sized shrub of arching growth. Shade tolerant, its fresh pink blooms will sing out in shadier spots, or why not combine with grey toned foliage in a bed or border.
Paying tribute to Woodforde’s acclaimed narrative – an informal yet richly insightful account of the daily life of a late 18th century English clergyman – The Country Parson (Ausclergy) is a pretty, yet feisty rose of Scottish decent, bearing fully open, medium-large, almost flat rosettes of pure yellow. Appearing gracefully translucent towards the outer edges of each bloom, the petals create a ‘halo’ effect. Featuring greyish green leaves and a covering of modest spiny thorns, this tough little rose is softened by a medium-strong fragrance; a deliciously fruity blend of sweet apricot, green apple and honey, which on a warm day exudes the richness of its apricot notes. A robust and healthy variety, it forms a rounded small to medium sized shrub, giving continuous, plentiful blooms from June through to the first frosts. The Country Parson will work well planted in a pot on patios which may only get a few hours of sun. Alternatively, when planted en-masse as a hedge or as a group of three in a border, the glowing blooms will give an illuminating effect.
Richard Austin, Head of Marketing commented:”We are excited and proud to introduce Silas Marner and The Country Parson to the collection in 2020, both of which will be available from the end of February along with the new 2020 Handbook of Roses.”
In this month’s magazine, Seonaid Renton tells Fionnuala Fallon how she found a passion in growing flowers after a successful and passionate career in horse racing
As a child, the Scottish-born flower-farmer and florist Seonaid Renton spent every spare minute of her time riding ponies, an all-consuming passion that eventually led to her working for some of Britain and Ireland’s best-know racehorse trainers including Henrietta Knight, Martin Pipe and Willie Mullins. “My father didn’t want me to go into the horse racing industry and instead insisted that I study hotel catering at James Watt College in Glasgow but it didn’t make any difference… Even though I completed the course, I was still absolutely determined to get a job working with horses.”
Soon Seonaid, pronounced ‘Show-na’, became what’s known as a ‘travelling head girl’, which meant that she was responsible for looking after horses travelling to race meetings around the country as well as preparing all the tack and the jockey’s colours – the distinctive jackets and helmets that jockeys wear in races to identify them, their horses and the horses’ owners. “I loved it but as anyone who has worked in the racehorse business will tell you, it’s full on, seven-days-a-week. You work long, unsociable hours from early in the morning until late in the evening and rarely get a day off. That inevitably becomes exhausting.”
To continue reading this article pick up a copy of The Irish Garden today. Or subscribe by visiting www.irishgardensubs.com. Prefer to phone? Call Kim at 01-2947712 (10am to 1pm, Monday to Friday).
Peckish Complete Seed & Nut Mix is a unique blend that’s packed full of high-energy feed and gives birds balanced nutrition. With 12 different ingredients including: sunflower hearts, three types of oats, kibbled peanuts, red dari and a unique ingredient, the Calvita Vitamin Mix, this combination gives birds everything they need. With seed husks removed, this no mess, no waste combination is proven to attract garden birds and bring joyful moments to your garden. Available in all good garden centres nationwide.
A stylish Henchman tripod ladder with adjustable legs is the safe alternative to a step ladder or traditional lean-to versions, providing stability and safe working at height whatever the terrain or gradient. Perfect for trimming hedges and trees or harvesting fruit, the Good Housekeeping Institute approved aluminium ladders are easy to manoeuvre and use. Henchman ladders can be ordered online at www.henchman.co.uk
In this month’s magazine, Mary Forrest tells the story of a tree species that has graced royal gardens and cities over many centuries
From ancient times, plane trees have been valued in verse and song. Plato’s dialogue between the philosopher Socrates and an aristocrat Phaedrus took place in the shade of a plane tree. In Virgil’s epic poem The Georgics ‘plane trees [were] already offering their shade to drinkers’. In an aria by Handel – “Ombra mai fu” – king Xerxes of Persia sings of ‘the dear, sweet shade of a Plane tree’.
The plane tree was valued too by the citizens of Athens. Plutarch described how the statesman Kimon planted the Agora or market place with plane trees so as to provide a shaded location for citizens to gather. Similarly in Rome these trees were planted in colonnades and groves – avenues thickly planted with plane trees.
To continue reading this article pick up a copy of The Irish Garden today. Or subscribe by visiting www.irishgardensubs.com. Prefer to phone? Call Kim at 01-2947712 (10am to 1pm, Monday to Friday).
Every year fungal diseases cost fruit growers and wine producers millions of euros in production losses. Koppert Biological Systems has developed and registered an effective and sustainable solution to fungal diseases; a non-synthetic fungicide called Noli. The spray suspension is applied directly to leaves, blossom and fruits of the plant and effectively controls fungus without leaving a trace of residue. Noli is based on the naturally occurring yeast, which prevents fruit decay.
In the Jan/Feb issue of The Irish Magazine magazine, Iain MacDonald visits Hanbury Botanical Gardens on the Italian Riviera, home to a large collection of plants from around the world.
The promontory of Cap Mortola juts into the sea, giving uninterrupted views along the coast from the Bay of Ventimiglia in the east to the Estrel Mountains behind Monaco and Nice. High mountains to the north and ridges on the flanks protect the site from cold and damaging winter gales. While predominately rocky and steep, there is a favoured flat area at the lower coastal plain and a seasonal stream tumbles down one side of the site. These natural attractions have encouraged people to live in the area for many millennia. Indeed, Stone Age artefacts have been discovered. Imperial Rome constructed the Via Iulia Augusta across the Cap as part of a route connecting the capital with Arles, completed in 12 BC.
To continue reading this article pick up a copy of The Irish Garden today. Or subscribe or buy single issues by visiting www.irishgardensubs.
Super Garden on RTÉ (in association with Bloom Festival 2020 by Bord Bia) are launching their annual call out for 5 budding garden designers who are ready to showcase their green fingered talents on Irish television’s only garden design show: Super Garden.
The design budget has DOUBLED to show-case the very best in Irish grown planting.
Now in its 12th year, the series follows five emerging garden designers as they compete for the chance to showcase their show garden at Bloom Festival 2020 by Bord Bia, Ireland’s premier garden festival taking place over the June Bank Holiday weekend.
Applications are welcomed from anyone aged 18 and over, who have not previously designed a garden for Bloom. Successful candidates will need to display a passion for garden design and demonstrate an obvious flair for creating desirable outdoor spaces.
Applicants must have the ability to bring their ideas to fruition and construct a high-quality garden design, which meets the homeowner’s requirements. The homeowners are real people with real gardens in need of real design. With just a few weeks to design, and build, a show garden worthy of a spot at Bloom, the 5 budding designers will be taking on a serious challenge.
To Apply for this year’s series, please click on the link below and fill out the online application form. For further inquires please contact Andrew or Brid at the number below.
Applications will close Monday, February 3rd 2020 but please make an expression of interest today by emailing us at supergardenshow@gmail.com All entries will be assessed and a short-list of potential candidates will then be contacted for face-to-face interviews.
As part of the renewed and new look Garden.ie – one of the most popular features, Ask Gerry is back!
Over the years, Gerry has answered more than 5,000 of your gardening questions. You can ask Gerry your own gardening question today with Ask Gerry, a free service open to all Garden.ie club members. First, search the Ask Gerry database to ensure your question hasn’t already been answered. If not, submit your question and Gerry will get back to you as soon as he can.
Not only is Ask Gerry a handy way to get expert advice, but you can find tonnes of handy hints and tips in the database. There’s advice on everything from tree spacing to improving soil texture. Check it out today at garden.ie/gerry-questions
Rentes Plants has gone carbon free. “Our pots, which are already made from recyclable plastic, are now 100% carbon free. Better yet, they’re also made from recycled materials. This means our pots can be disposed of in your household recycling bin, allowing you to garden with the peace of mind that you are caring for the environment as intended,” said Wiet Rentes. “Keep an eye out for the recycling logo and the Rentes Plants logo – a sure sign of quality that we are known for nationwide.”
Mr Middleton introduces the new Kelsey Dahlia range of single, collarette dahlias, ideal for pollinating insects into the garden, a wonderful addition to borders and pots, good for cut flowers from June until late autumn.
The Waterford Institute of Technology (WIT) horticulture faculty and Mount Congreve Gardens have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU), strengthening the link between the duo. Now, WIT Level 7 Horticulture and Level 8 Land Management students can access the 70 acres of intensively planted woodland which holds over 3,000 species and plant collections.
Owen Chubb has a very special offer: Every Gabriel Ash greenhouse ordered from January to February will come with a free Baby Grand Coldframe valued at €456 + VAT. These coldframes are made from the finest western red cedar and toughened glass, making them both long lasting and eye-catching in the garden. For more information or to make appointment to view the Terenure display, call 087-2306-128 or visit www.gabrielash.com
Shop-bought herbs in random pots on the windowsill? With Veritable you can experience how easy it is to grow aromatics herbs in your kitchen all year round. This system brings all the essential elements to your plants: automated irrigation, nutrients and specific light for a quick growth and the development of tasty flavours. Check web shop: www.thepolytunnelcompany.ie
Irish biotech company, Hexafly produces sustainable and natural foods for omnivorous or insectivorous animals. Insects form an integral part of soil ecosystems, and their droppings play a key role in returning nutrients to the soil for uptake by plants. Hexafly Insect Fertiliser is a natural by-product of black soldier fly larvae, which is collected during larval rearing and requires no further processing. The frass is a natural and sustainable soil enhancer for plant nutrition, as its 100% organic it is suited to the ecological marketplace. Hexafly Natural Fertiliser also mediates plant immune responses, leading to a vastly reduced susceptibility to diseases and pests.
On Thursday 30th January, Martin Walsh will present a talk ‘Plant-hunting in the Land of the Thunder Dragon – Bhutan’.
Thursday 13th February, Cara Daly will present a talk on ‘My wow moments in Plant and Pest Science’.
All talks take place in the Community Workshop, Bellefield, Enniscorthy at 8pm. Non members welcome admission €5.
Tuesday 28th January in Foxrock Pastoral centre at 8pm – Zoe Devlin “Ireland’s Wonderful Wildflowers”. Books for sale.
Tuesday 25th February – Michael Wachter gardener at Great Dixter “Propagation and how to get most out of your plants”. Visitors €7.
Balancing disease resistance with a superb tomato taste has been the Holy Grail for breeders for years. Tomato ‘Consuelo’ is an indeterminate blight resistant variety with large cherry-sized fruits. It is suitable for growing outside as a staked or supported plant or in an unheated greenhouse. Seeds will be available in 2020, order yours from pennardplants.com.
Classic Garden Elements offer steel trellises in a range of designs and sizes to support your favourite climbing plant or instantly transform a dull wall. Unlike inferior wood alternatives, a classic steel trellis does not require annual treatment or rot as plants reach maturity. All classic trellis panels are steel galvanized with black powder coating and come with a free 10-year no rust warranty. For more information or to make an appointment to see the displays visit www.classicgardenelements.ie or call 087-2306-128.
The Irish Garden readers’ survey highlights the positive impact gardening has on mental health and wellbeing: Give the gift of joy this Christmas with an Irish Garden magazine subscription
Green therapy is a growing movement promoting the positive impact gardening can have on mental health and general wellbeing. In its latest survey, The Irish Garden magazine readers confirmed the sheer joy that gardening and gardens can bring, by scoring the joys on a pleasure-giving scale.
‘Beautiful flowers and colours’ was a clear winner at almost 80%. ‘Supports wildlife’ ranked second on the joy bringing scale with 60%. ‘Sitting relaxing’ and ‘Satisfying effort’ also ranked highly at 48% and 39% respectively.
A core finding of The Irish Garden magazine readers’ survey was the sheer joy, satisfaction and relaxation that gardening and simply being in a garden can bring. Given how many are impacted by stress and anxiety nowadays, many health professionals are recommending getting back to nature – whether by gardening, or simply spending time outdoors in plant filled spaces – as a core part of green healing therapy.
The joy of time spent in the garden and the satisfaction of beautifully maintaining your space cannot be quantified. You can bring that joy to your loved ones this Christmas, and you can command it for yourself, with a subscription to The Irish Garden magazine.
For almost 30 years, The Irish Garden has been helping gardeners to get the most out of their gardens. A subscription to the magazine is the perfect Christmas gift for any gardener, beginner or expert, as a new season of enjoyment in the garden begins.
To buy your Christmas gift subscription, visit irishgardensubs.ie or call Kim at 01-2947712.
As part of the leading rose breeder’s ongoing commitment to reducing its plastic consumption and impact on the environment, David Austin Roses range of bare root roses now comes in plastic-free packaging. Gardening enthusiasts will already know the many benefits of these eco-friendly beauties: great for mass planting, they are physically lighter to handle, easier to store and can prove a cost-effective way to overhaul any garden. Bare roots offer an even more sustainable way to create high visual and sensory impact in any outdoor space. All David Austin rose varieties are available in bare root and can be ordered year-round for delivery between November and April.
Green Retreats garden rooms are warm, dry and the perfect extra space solution this Christmas. As an extension to your home. Green Retreats rooms are perfect for occasional accommodation – ideal for the influx of family in the festive season, or a relaxing retreat to escape the hustle and bustle, or even a home gym for the New Year! Green Retreats is an eco-friendly, family run company, it makes use of sustainable and recycled materials and never compromises on quality.
Pictured: ‘Inspiration’ by Green Retreats. Price: £15,745. Size: 4.5m x 3m
