The Extraordinary General Meeting to consider the special resolution to change the name of the RHSI was held at Bellefield on Saturday 18th May. Twenty-eight members attended in person. Proxy votes were received from 431 members. These were verified and counted under the supervision of the auditor.  The result of the poll was:

Total electorate 1620 (members entitled to vote)
Valid poll 457 (proxies plus votes at the meeting)
For the motion 106
Against the motion 341
Abstained 10

As the votes cast in favour of the motion failed to reach the required 75 percent, the resolution was defeated.

The Board would like to thank all the members who took the time to consider the resolution and to express their opinion.

The exhibition is the first in a series that will highlight rarely seen artworks

23 May 2024 – The Chester Beatty has today launched a new, in-focus exhibition, Heavenly Flowers: The Hamilton Field Book of Hours, concentrating on an exquisite fifteenth-century manuscript from their collection. This is the first time the book in its entirety is on display.

Opening to the public tomorrow, 24 May 2024 and running until 22 September 2024, this in-focus exhibition is the first in a planned series from the Chester Beatty to highlight and closely examine rarely seen and unique treasures from their collection.

Books of hours refer to Christian prayer books that were used throughout specific times of the day. They were especially popular in Europe between the thirteenth and sixteenth centuries and while no two are alike, certain volumes like the Hamilton Field Book of Hours emerge as exceptional.

The Hamilton Field Book of Hours, which was named after its previous owner, artist, collector and critic, Hamilton Easter Field (1873–1922), dates from the early fifteenth century. Originally crafted in Paris for the Contet family of Champagne, this unique manuscript is noteworthy and original for its full-page calendar illustrations. While many illustrations are devoted to agricultural activities—hay harvest, wine making and sowing seeds—some scenes depict the leisure activities of the wealthy—courtly love, hunting and banquets. These illustrations are one of only two fully developed sets of landscapes in French manuscripts from the first half of the fifteenth century.

Further distinguishing itself from its contemporaries, the manuscript boasts intricately adorned and realistically rendered floral borders that feature roses, strawberries and columbines, rich in symbolic significance. Although these types of motifs were often used in other devotional manuscripts, it is unusual to find realistic flora in a French manuscript of this time.

The paintings and borders prevalent in this work show links with Italian artwork of the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries, suggesting the artist was from or trained in Italy. The illuminator has been designated the ‘Master of Walters 219’, named after a manuscript in the Walters Art Museum in Baltimore, Maryland—the Hamilton Field Book of Hours is probably this artist’s masterpiece.

“Our aim when we were devising ‘Heavenly Flowers: The Hamilton Field Book of Hours’, was to find a way to offer visitors a deeper analysis of this exceptional manuscript, explained Dr. Jill Unkel, Curator of Western Collections at the Chester Beatty. “Sometimes when our manuscripts feature in a wider exhibition, our visitors may not be able to study them closely. The real beauty in this manuscript is the layers of intricate detail, meaning, and care the artist applied to the work. Every time you see it, you can find a new, hidden detail and this makes for such a joyful experience. By highlighting the book through this in-focus exhibition, visitors can delve deep into its pages, uncovering the layers of history and artistry woven into every illustration and border. We hope that visitors will find both enjoyment and enlightenment as they explore this remarkable manuscript and engage with the accompanying events we have planned.”

Chester Beatty Director, Fionnuala Croke said, “The launch of ‘Heavenly Flowers: The Hamilton Field Book of Hours’ marks the first in a series of in-focus exhibitions that will allow us, and our visitors, to closely engage with some of our collection’s rarest and most captivating objects. This first exhibition shines a spotlight on the unique qualities of the Hamilton Field Book of Hours, inviting visitors to explore its rich history and exquisite illustrations. We look forward to sharing more rarely seen treasures from our collections in the coming months.”

The exhibition will be accompanied by an educational calendar that includes a series of Wednesday evening public talks, an Audio-Descriptive tour and family activities.

For more information: https://chesterbeatty.ie/exhibitions/heavenly-flowers/

Admission is free.

“It’s all about the Gardens!!” The passionate words last week of Mount Congreve’s estate manager Ray Sinnott speaking of the world famous gardens. We are delighted that this magnificent County Waterford house and garden, left by Ambrose Congreve to the State on his death in 2011, is now the 60th addition to our Partner Gardens Scheme. Mount Congreve House was built in the 1760s but the superb gardens surrounding it, were created by Ambrose Congreve with his Dutch garden director Herman Dool mainly through the 1950s and 60s, and now some 70 years later have entered a new exciting phase of renewal and restoration. The RHSI is both delighted and privileged to now be part of this new drive launched in 2023 following major redevelopment, helping to bring Mount Congreve very deservedly back to the wider attention of plant enthusiasts and garden lovers throughout the country.

Sixteen kilometres of pathways and trails lead you around all the mystery and magic of these 70 acres of gardens. The renowned spring display of acid-loving plants starts the year in the large woodland area in March with the stunning magnolia blooms on the sloping Herman Dool Walk followed by colourful swathes of camellias, rhododendrons and azaleas. Huge banks of sequentially flowering varieties allow for several months of surprises around every corner of this woodland.

At this time of year the eye moves on to the 4 acre walled garden with wisteria in full bloom and soon will be followed by a magnificent double bordered display of peonies, edged by catmint and with a backdrop of blue delphiniums and rambler Paul’s Himalayan Musk. A must-see for a visit shortly in June! A large kitchen garden supplies fresh produce for the garden’s cafe, The very large walled garden is gradually being restored, with the vital help of student gardeners from the new Mount Congreve School of Horticulture, and from nearby Kildalton College and French exchange placements – a work in progress. Further into the summer the woodland area is back in play with terraces of astilbes, and peonies, hostas, dahlias, hydrangeas and a rockery area. Watch out for lots of lovely features along the way such as the Temple where the ashes of Ambrose and his wife Margaret are buried, and the Chinese Pagoda referencing his time spent in the Far East. And don’t miss the fabulous 1 km display of hydrangeas running from the walled garden to the Pagoda…..

There is plenty more to see and enjoy in these amazing gardens with their huge world-renowned plant collections of literally hundreds of varieties and cultivars of plants. The last full plant inventory was done in 2008, and a new one is currently underway by Mount Congreve’s new Plant Collection Officer, matching what is currently on record with what is actually in the gardens – a very big job!

Your visit to the gardens will be greatly enhanced by a paid tour with one of the gardeners, or a free Audio Tour Guide by former Garden Curator Michael White. Paths have been resurfaced and signage introduced. And finally, the magnificent house! A fine restoration of part of the ground floor provides the garden entrance and visitor centre, while the converted courtyard area now houses a most tempting Foxford gift shop and the Stables Cafe (run by the excellent Cliff Group) with a small art gallery. We all love some relaxation and retail therapy after a garden visit so this indoor visit is absolutely essential! There is also a small eco playground for children tucked away at the very top of the gardens. Dogs are welcome on the Wetlands Walk near the estate entrance but are not otherwise allowed around the gardens.

Mount Congreve MUST be a forever jewel in Ireland’s cache of great gardens but only we the public can keep it that way by supporting it. So do come and tour the gardens this summer, enjoy the excellent shop and cafe ……and tell all your friends to come too!

See our Partner Garden web page for full information – directions etc

Noreen Keane
RHSI Partner Gardens

Now, at the end of May,  is the ideal time to perform the ‘Chelsea Chop’ to keep perennial plants compact and reduce the need for staking, while also extending their flowering period.

This technique derives its name from the renowned Chelsea Flower Show, held in late May, which coincides perfectly with the best time to give your plants this beneficial trim.

Herbaceous perennials, which die down to the ground each winter but have roots that remain alive and send up new growth each spring, can quickly become leggy and prone to flopping over as soon as the soil warms up.

The Chelsea Chop: How to Do It
The primary goal of the Chelsea Chop is to cut back herbaceous perennials by about a third to a half. This encourages the formation of side shoots, resulting in more compact, bushy growth and reducing the necessity for staking.

An added advantage of cutting plants back in this manner is the delay in their flowering. While the flowers produced on pruned plants are usually smaller, they are more numerous, prolonging the flowering season and ensuring a burst of color in your garden later in the year. To extend the display even further, you can chop some plants while leaving others untouched, thereby staggering the flowering period. Alternatively, you can trim some stems on a plant by a third while leaving other stems on the same plant uncut. The uncut part will flower first, followed by the trimmed part.

List of Plants Suitable for the Chelsea Chop
Here are some plants that respond well to the Chelsea Chop:

Helenium
Rudbeckia
Sedum
Phlox
Echinacea
Aster
Solidago (Goldenrod)
Nepeta (Catmint)
Campanula (Bellflower)
Helianthus (Perennial Sunflower)
Implementing the Chelsea Chop on these plants will help you maintain a tidy garden and enjoy an extended flowering period throughout the growing season.

Happy gardening
Orlaith

The Oregon grape, or as the botanists call it, Mahonia aquifolium, is a native superstar of the Pacific Northwest. With its shiny, holly-like leaves and bright yellow blooms, it’s a real head-turner. But the real treasure? Those deep blue berries! Their tart flavour makes them perfect for culinary adventures, like turning them into a unique vinegar, a sweet syrup, or even some flavourful booze!

Let the Berry Hunt Begin!
First things first, we need to gather those berries. They ripen in early summer, and every year it’s a race between me and the starlings. This year, I won! Armed with my haul of ripe, juicy berries, I headed to the kitchen to get started.

Prepping the Berries
Step one is to give the berries a good wash to get rid of any dirt or debris. Pick out any that are too ripe or mouldy. With a big carton of clean berries ready to go, I decided to start with a syrup. You’ll need about 2 cups of Oregon grape berries for this recipe.

Crushing Time
To unleash the juices and natural yeasts, crush the berries using a potato masher or something similar. Toss the crushed berries into a saucepan with a cup of caster sugar and half a cup of water. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 10 minutes.

Straining the Juice
I’m lucky to have a jelly bag, but a piece of muslin or a clean pillowcase will do the job too. Suspend the bag and pop a bowl underneath to collect the delicious juice. Pour the hot liquid berries into the bag and let gravity do the rest. You may need to leave this overnight, but once it’s done, bottle, seal, and label your concoction. It’s perfect for dressings, over ice cream, in a fruit salad, or even in a gin and tonic on a warm evening in the garden.

Making the Vinegar
Next, crush about 4 cups of berries in a bowl and stir in about 1 cup of caster sugar. The sugar will draw out that lovely deep purple juice. Once it’s all mixed together, pour 1.5 liters of any vinegar into the bowl and give it a good stir. Cover with a clean tea towel and let it sit for about 3 days. You should see the mix start to bubble—this is perfect. Strain the mix and discard the berries. Bottle, label, and store away for about 4 weeks, or as long as you can bear it. This vinegar adds a delicious umami flavour to tomato sauces, stews, or casseroles—and yes channel your inner Keith Floyd, it’s also fabulous in a gin and tonic on a warm evening in the garden.

Making Flavoured Gin
If you have any berries left, crush them as before, then add a cup of gin to half a cup of caster sugar. Stir and then add your crushed berries. Using a funnel, pour this mix into a bottle, then label and store it away until Christmas! When it’s ready, decant the flavoured gin and discard the berries. It’s wonderful in trifle or over ice cream. In fact, the only limit is your imagination!

Happy Garden Foraging

Orlaith

Imagine stepping into your garden and feeling as though you’ve been transported to a lush, tropical paradise. Despite Ireland’s cool, often damp climate, it’s entirely possible to cultivate an exotic garden brimming with vibrant, big-leafed wonders. This guide will help you turn your Irish garden into an exotic oasis, covering everything from planning and soil preparation to plant selection and maintenance.

Planning Your Exotic Garden
The first step to creating an exotic garden is thoughtful planning. Consider the layout and aspect of your garden. Most big-leafed plants, such as Rogersia, Gunnera, and Tetrapanax, thrive in sheltered locations that protect their leaves from wind damage. These plants typically do well in part-shade, making them ideal for those corners of the garden that don’t receive full sun.

Incorporate pathways that allow you to explore and appreciate the dramatic foliage up close. Position taller plants like Tetrapanax at the back of borders or as focal points, with lower-growing species like Rogersia in the foreground. This creates a layered effect, adding depth and visual interest to your garden.

Enhancing Soil Quality
A successful exotic garden begins with healthy soil. Most big-leafed plants prefer rich, moist, well-draining soil. Before planting, improve your garden soil by incorporating plenty of organic matter such as well-rotted manure or compost. This enhances the soil structure and provides essential nutrients for your plants to thrive.

For water-loving giants like Gunnera, choose areas of your garden where the soil stays damp. Conversely, plants like Tetrapanax prefer well-drained spots. Assess your garden’s natural soil conditions to place your plants wisely. Group plants with similar needs together—moisture-loving plants like cannas and bananas can be clustered, while drought-tolerant varieties like some Plectranthus can be placed separately.

Choosing Exotic Plants
Selecting the right plants is crucial for achieving a stunning and sustainable exotic garden. Here are some excellent choices that thrive in the Irish climate:

Rogersia: With its large, palmate leaves, Rogersia adds texture and depth. It likes moist, humus-rich soil and thrives in dappled shade, making it a perfect understorey plant.

Tetrapanax papyrifer ‘Rex’: Known for its enormous, deeply lobed leaves, Tetrapanax is a fast grower that can give an instant tropical look. It prefers a sheltered position in well-drained soil but can tolerate some moisture.

Hostas: With a wide variety of sizes and impressive foliage, Hostas can complement your bigger plants and help fill the understory of your garden.

Fatsia japonica: This versatile plant offers large, glossy leaves and thrives in shady conditions, making it a perfect addition to the exotic shade garden.

Gunnera manicata: Often called giant rhubarb, Gunnera’s massive leaves create a dramatic focal point. It needs space to spread and a damp environment, making it perfect near a pond or in a bog garden.

Banana (Musa spp.): While not frost-hardy, banana plants can be a splendid addition to an Irish exotic garden during the warmer months. They need a sheltered spot, plenty of moisture, and protection from wind. In colder regions, consider growing them in large pots that can be moved indoors during winter.

Schefflera (Schefflera taiwaniana): The leaves are a wonderfully glossy dark green. It’s highly exotic forming a wonderful mid-sized shrub. During late summer green-brown flowers form which are followed by black-purple fruit. Relatively hardy in warmer areas of Ireland. Requires well-drained but moist soil in full sun or partial shade. Do not allow to become waterlogged.

Cannas: With their broad, vibrant leaves and stunning flowers, cannas are perfect for adding height and color. They enjoy full sun to partial shade and rich, moist soil. In areas with harsh winters, their rhizomes can be lifted and stored over winter to be replanted the following spring.

Begonia Species: Begonias offer a wide variety of leaf shapes, sizes, and colors. Fibrous and rhizomatous begonias, in particular, are excellent for shady parts of the garden where their dramatic foliage can really stand out. They prefer moist, well-draining soil and some protection from direct sunlight.

Plectranthus: Known for their ease of growth and striking leaf patterns, Plectranthus species are great for adding ground cover or filling under taller plants. They thrive in partial shade and well-drained soil, making them quite versatile in a mixed planting.

Coleus (Solenostemon): Renowned for their incredibly vibrant and varied foliage, coleus plants can create a tapestry of color in the garden. They prefer shade to partial sun and moist, fertile soil. Being tender, they should be protected from frost, treated as annuals, or moved indoors during colder months.

Maintenance Tips
Maintaining an exotic garden requires attention to specific needs to keep your plants healthy and attractive.

Big-leafed plants often require more water than average garden species, particularly during dry spells. Mulching can help retain soil moisture and reduce watering needs.
Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in the spring to support the lush growth of these nutrient-hungry plants.
Regularly remove dead or damaged leaves to keep plants healthy and gardens tidy. Some plants, like Tetrapanax, may need pruning to control their spread.
Provide winter protection for tender plants like banana, cannas, and coleus. This might involve moving pots indoors or applying a thick mulch over the roots of in-ground plants.
Exotic plants can sometimes attract specific pests or suffer from fungal diseases due to the damp Irish climate. Regular inspection and prompt treatment can help keep your garden healthy.

Benefits and Challenges

Benefits:
Creates a visually stunning impact with diverse textures and forms.
Provides an immersive, tropical-like experience.
Offers a habitat rich in biodiversity, attracting various wildlife.
Some plants, like begonias and coleus, offer spectacular foliage that remains attractive across seasons.

Challenges:
Requires considerable maintenance and attention, especially in terms of watering and feeding.
Some plants may become invasive if not controlled.
Vulnerability to wind and cold snaps; protective measures may be necessary.
Tender plants require more effort in winter protection and may not suit all gardeners.

By carefully selecting and maintaining these diverse plants, you can elevate the complexity and beauty of your Irish garden. Each species not only contributes its unique charm but also enhances the overall ecosystem of your garden. Embrace the challenge and enjoy the transformation of your garden into an exotic paradise. Happy gardening!

Orlaith

Our RHSI Russborough Garden show on May 5th was an absolute triumph!

Our volunteers dedication and hard work made every moment magical. Those who manned the RHSI stall and directed visitors through the courtyards and onwards to the walled garden, the amazing walled garden volunteers, the team in the speakers tent and all who helped. You are pure gold. Nothing happens in the RHSI without your input. Sincere thanks to everyone. Your passion truly embodies the spirit of our Society, and we couldn’t be more grateful for your unwavering support.

Of course, none of this would have been possible without our friends and allies in the Russborough management team. Together we cultivated an atmosphere of warmth and camaraderie, fostering memorable moments for the throngs of visitors who graced our gates.

Among the thousands throught the gates were of course, the avid gardeners but also this year we saw an increase in families who revelled in the beauty of Russborough, accompanied by their beloved four-legged companions who, it seems, have embraced their inner gardener with fervour!

As we bask in the glow of this year’s success, we’re already looking ahead to next year’s Garden Show. But of course, we want to make it even better, so can you help! Share your ideas and suggestions with us—we’re all ears!  Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your unwavering support. Together, let’s keep cultivating experiences that bring joy, inspiration, and connection to our wonderful community.

Article taken from The Journal Spring 2023 edition

Running down to the woodland at the bottom of our farm in County Wicklow are several fields that, when we bought them, were grazed to a short sward by horses and sheep. We decided to leave one field ungrazed to see what flowered there and the result was spectacular. What emerged was a diverse flora with at least nine meadow grass species, speckled with the yellow flowers of bird’s foot trefoil, blues forget-me-not, red clover and purple vetches. As one of the driest, hottest summers on record took hold, butterflies danced over the grass and swallows, that had bred in the barn, gorged themselves on the clouds of insects above the field. We knew that this permanent pasture, which had not been ploughed in several generations, could be made even richer by introducing yellow rattle, a traditional hay meadow plant. When the hay was cut and cleared in late summer we scraped the surface of the ground in strips to open the sward and scattered seeds of this plant, hoping that it would do the trick.

By June the following year the meadow was in full flower. The grasses swayed in the summer breeze enlivened by masses of yellow rattle, plantains, vetches and clovers. There was a loud buzzing as millions of tiny creatures went about their daily business. Hundreds of bumblebees were feeding on the yellow flowers. Clouds of meadow brown butterflies rose from the ground as we walked through the sward with common blues and small coppers also feeding there. The insects were benefitting from an abundance of pollen and the diversity of food plants that succeed each other throughout the summer months. Apart from a few mown pathways we leave the meadow undisturbed until September, allowing these creatures to breed in peace, to hatch and distribute their eggs for the following year. The grasses and other flowering plants all set seed which blows around to maintain the sward for future seasons. When the hay is finally cut, we toss it several times to dry in the late summer sun, bale and remove it from the field to reduce soil fertility. The hay is used as mulch on our vegetable gardens.

To diversify the meadow even further we collected seeds of yarrow, devils-bit scabious, greater knapweed, red campion and ox-eye daisy from local wild areas and planted these up in seed trays. Over the winter they were plug-planted into the meadow, in bare areas that had been left under some of the hay bales. In the years that followed, the sward became even more diverse as the density of grasses decreased and other species benefitted. The meadow is not empty at night as we have recorded seven species of bats flying over it. Badger trails and diggings show that they too are foraging in the meadow. Spear thistles are not cut as their flowers are very attractive to bees, hoverflies, butterflies and the dayflying six-spot burnet moth.

Pollinators are primarily insects that feed on flowers and inadvertently carry the pollen from plant to plant. Without pollinators it would be impossible for farmers or gardeners to affordably produce many of the fruits and vegetables we need for a healthy diet. Pollinators are also necessary for a species-rich environment. One third of the 100 wild bee species in the island of Ireland are threatened with extinction. This is because the areas where they can nest and the amount of food that the Irish landscape provides for them have been drastically reduced. As well as the loss of rare species, the abundance of common pollinator bees in the countryside is on a steady downward trend due to the use of pesticides and loss of habitats.

The All-Ireland Pollinator Plan was published in 2015 by the National Biodiversity Data Centre listing numerous actions to make Ireland more pollinator-friendly. At ground level, this is a shared plan of action. Everyone from farmers to councils, local communities, businesses, schools, faith communities, gardeners and transport authorities have a role to play. A key focus of implementation has been the publication of a wide range of guidance and advice such as information leaflets, videos and posters to help explain the steps to making more pollinator-friendly habitats (see https://pollinators.ie/). By working together, participants can take simple steps to reverse pollinator losses and help restore populations to healthy levels. To date hundreds of local communities have taken genuine steps to make their local areas more attractive to pollinators.

In mid-summer our meadow is alive with bees, hoverflies, butterflies and other insects collecting pollen from the numerous flowering plants. The bumblebees make nests in the soil, collect pollen and have a worker caste. Solitary bees often make nests in bare ground or in the hollow stems of hogweed or other tall plants. The mechanisation of agriculture, loss of hay meadows, extensive use of pesticides and reductions in the density of the flowering plants as well as the removal of rough grassland where they nest and overwinter have all combined to cause serious declines in pollinator populations. Many species forage within a kilometre from the nest, so nearby areas must be both flower-rich and diverse to provide enough flowers to sustain the insects each year. To see some magnificent wildflower meadows, visit Castletown House, Celbridge, Co. Kildare (see https://castletown.ie/).

Even small patches of native wildflowers in the corner of a garden can be valuable foraging areas for bees and other insects. If possible, don’t buy commercial packets of wildflower seeds but collect your own seed from other local meadows. Studies have shown that the seeds in many wildflower seed mixes are imported from other countries, and are not native, despite what the packets might say. There is also a risk of accidentally bringing in invasive species. Our pollinators need the native wildflowers alongside which they have evolved. By simply reducing mowing to a single cut in late summer, valuable wildflowers like dandelions, buttercups, clovers and bird’s-foot-trefoil appear naturally year after year at no cost. These common flowers provide the nutrients our insects need. Anyone with space to offer has a part to play. Meadows are a valuable contribution to conservation of Ireland’s wildflowers and pollinating insects and a joy to experience.
Richard Nairn is an ecologist and writer who has published six books. Wendy Nairn is a lifelong organic gardener and member of RHSI.

90 percent of all slug problems in the garden are caused by the Spanish slug (Arion vulgaris), the green, yellow and black slugs are not a problem as they feed on decaying matter, also snails are quite harmless.
In our experience the most susceptible plants are lettuce and brassicas.
Slug control takes first of all discipline, discipline and discipline and a bit of common sense. Natural predators like frogs, runner beetles, hedgehogs and birds will be on your side.

To prevent a slug problem there are a few key actions:
• Keep grass around your garden beds short.
• Tidy up any possible hiding places (pots, boards, mulch etc.).
• Water only in the morning.
• The following barriers work in our experience: 3-5cm wide copper strips, gorse twigs.
That is the discipline bit and here is the common sense approach:
• Always raise plants in modules and plant out as sturdy “teenager” plants, not as “baby”-seedlings. If slugs attack, the plant will most likely survive and you can take action.

To catch slugs:
• Identify slug hot spots
• Lay out traps for slugs like boards, sheets of plastic in problem areas and pick up in the morning.
• Torch and bucket (the Spanish slug is most active 90 minutes after sunset and one hour after sunrise)
• Beer traps (in our humble experience better than slug pellets, but rain will dilute the beer and craft beer is expensive!)

Maintenance (again discipline is important)
• Capture slugs routinely (see above methods)
• Water in the morning
• Keep grass in the garden short

So, do you have the discipline it takes?

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