This October will see the second annual symposium, for head gardeners and professional gardeners, to take place at Coollattin House in Co. Wicklow. The symposium is a great opportunity for anyone in the role of professional gardener to meet and network with like-minded colleagues in similar positions and enjoy the enormous beauty of the Coollattin Estate. Throughout the day you will hear from expert speakers, each with their own experience as head gardeners in some of Ireland’s and Britain’s most iconic gardens.

The theme of the symposium this year is Trees. HGS welcome you to join with them to participate and engage at this exciting event. Morning and afternoon tea/scones and lunch at Coollattin House included for your enjoyment.

Date: 4th October 2024

Location: Coollattin House, Y14RF83

Time: 10am – 4pm

Registration with tea/coffee & scones from 9:30am

Cost: €95 plus Eventbrite handling charge

Further details and booking are now available via Eventbrite using this link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/951599478657?aff=oddtdtcreator

While they have endeavoured to share awareness of this event with as many as possible they would appreciate you spreading the word. If anyone you know would like to be added to their contact list please send an email to hgsymposium@gmail.com. Please note that places are limited, so if you want to secure a place don’t delay in booking.

As the days begin to shorten and the first hints of autumn color the landscape, gardeners are already looking ahead to the vibrant displays of spring. September is the ideal time to start planning and planting bulbs that will burst into bloom after the winter months. Ireland’s mild climate offers perfect conditions for a wide variety of spring-flowering bulbs, and with a little forethought and preparation now, your garden can be a riot of color come March and April.

Why September?

September is the ideal time to start planning and purchasing your spring bulbs. As the summer draws to a close, garden centers are fully stocked with a wide variety of bulbs, giving you the best selection to choose from. Shopping early ensures you can pick the healthiest bulbs and secure those in-demand varieties before they sell out. It’s also the perfect month to carefully plan your garden’s layout, considering color schemes, bloom times, and planting combinations. By purchasing and planning in September, you’ll have everything ready to plant at the optimal time, setting the stage for a spectacular spring display.

Choosing the Right Bulbs
Ireland’s temperate climate, with its mild winters and cool summers, is perfect for many types of spring bulbs. Here are some top recommendations:

Daffodils (Narcissus): These hardy bulbs thrive in Ireland’s climate and are one of the first to bloom in spring. Varieties such as ‘February Gold’ and ‘Tête-à-Tête’ are particularly reliable.
Tulips: While tulips prefer well-drained soil, they do well especially if planted in a sunny, sheltered spot. Look for varieties like ‘Red Riding Hood’ or ‘Queen of Night’ for a stunning display.
Crocuses: These small but vibrant flowers are perfect for naturalizing in lawns or under trees. The early-flowering Crocus ‘Tommasinianus’ is a good choice for our climate.
Hyacinths: With their intoxicating fragrance, hyacinths are a must for any garden. They prefer a sunny location and well-drained soil. The ‘Blue Jacket’ variety offers striking deep blue blooms.
Snowdrops (Galanthus): Snowdrops are a beloved harbinger of spring, often flowering as early as January. They prefer shaded areas and moist, well-drained soil but these are best planted in the green.

Where to Buy and What to Look For
When purchasing bulbs, quality is key. Look for firm, healthy bulbs without any signs of mold or rot. Reputable garden centers and online suppliers provide the best quality. It’s also worth seeking out local garden clubs or markets where you might find unique or heritage varieties.

Planting Tips: Timing and Techniques
Timing
Daffodils and Crocuses: These should be planted first, ideally in late September, as they require a longer period to establish.
Tulips: Plant tulip bulbs later in October or even early November to avoid the risk of fungal diseases like tulip fire, which can be more prevalent in warm, wet conditions.
Planting Depth and Spacing
Daffodils: Plant at a depth of about three times the height of the bulb (usually 10-15cm deep) and space them 10-15cm apart.
Tulips: Plant deeper, around 15-20cm, and space them 10cm apart for a dense display.
Crocuses: These can be planted around 5-8cm deep and 5cm apart, ideal for creating naturalized drifts.
Creative Planting Ideas: The Bulb Lasagna
One of the most effective ways to maximize the impact of your spring bulbs is by planting a bulb lasagna. This method involves layering different types of bulbs in a single container or bed, ensuring a continuous display of blooms throughout the spring.

How to Plant a Bulb Lasagna:

Choose a large container or deep bed: Ensure it has good drainage.
Layer 1: Start with late-flowering bulbs like tulips, planting them at the deepest level (15-20cm).
Layer 2: Add a layer of compost, then plant mid-season bulbs like daffodils or hyacinths at around 10-15cm.
Layer 3: Finally, cover with more compost and plant early-flowering bulbs like crocuses at a depth of 5-8cm.
Top Layer: Add a final layer of compost and consider planting winter pansies or other hardy annuals to provide color through the winter until the bulbs emerge.
This technique not only saves space but ensures a succession of blooms, creating a dynamic display from early spring to late May.

Final Tips for Success
Watering: After planting, water the bulbs well to help them settle in. During the winter, the natural rainfall in Ireland is usually sufficient, but ensure the soil remains moist.
Mulching: Apply a layer of mulch to protect the bulbs from frost and to keep the soil temperature stable.
Labeling: If you’re planting a variety of bulbs, consider labeling them so you remember what’s where—this is especially useful when it comes to future garden planning.

By taking the time in September to plan and plant your spring bulbs, you’ll set the stage for a glorious display that will bring joy and color to your garden when the long winter finally comes to an end. Happy planting!

Partner Garden Visit

Glenarm Castle Walled Garden
Now an RHSI Partner Garden, the four-acre Glenarm Castle Walled Garden sits within the large estate of the Earl and Countess of Antrim on the far northeast coast of our island. A visit with a gardening friend on a recent glorious day confirmed the well-held view that this is a complete jewel of a garden. Absolutely worth our three-hour drive from Dublin! The little seaside village of Glenarm nestles into the Antrim coast and is reached once off the main motorways, via quiet rural roads with breathtaking scenery. Just above the village, parking is in the castle grounds along with several good eating choices for teas or lunch. There is also a lovely welcome centre and several artisan shops to visit. Thence to the Walled Garden….

This is accessed through a small and very pretty enclosed Kitchen Garden where a select and very healthy-looking collection of vegetables are presented in raised beds surrounded by low espaliered fruit. Artichokes, cabbages, lettuces, beans, potatoes and onions mingle with tall obelisks of sweet pea whilst against a nearby whitewashed wall fig trees with nasturtiums at their feet bask in the sun.

A gate from this area magically opens through to the south facing aspect of what is known as the older, lower part of the walled garden. At this point we were met by Jordan McWhirter, head gardener, who very kindly accompanied us for most of our visit and filled us in on much of the garden’s background. Regarded as one of the finest walled gardens on the island, it dates from around 1820. A large yew circle and several mature trees date from then, but otherwise the present design and planting has been continuously evolving since only the mid-1990s.

The immediate stunning vista ahead on entering through this gate is along a grass path between double herbaceous borders leading to an arch opening into the 200yr old yew circle. On both sides a glorious jostling mix of veronicas, stachys, verbenas, phlox, penstemons, cardoons and perovskia provide a gradually fading blur of pastel shades.

Whilst along the south wall there is an extremely long glasshouse used for growing exotic soft fruits and for propagating. Further along the wall is the hot border, famed in late summer for its vibrant mix of deep colours with splashes of yellow – dahlias, alstroemerias, crocosmias, monardas, astilbes, salvias and roses all providing this rich tapestry.

A further mixed border of shrubs and herbaceous planting runs along the west facing wall. An L shaped run of pleached limes adds superb definition to this part of the garden. New exotic plantings are now being tried on the north facing wall….

The remaining upper part of the garden is divided into a series of ‘rooms’ bordered by neatly clipped high beech hedging. So easy to wander and get delightfully lost – in a room with a classical column in the centre surrounded by a series of box balls, or another with a series of small pictorial meadows in jewel- like colours each surrounding a fruit tree, or another with a beautifully crafted central wooden obelisk, or yet another with a grass mound aptly described by garden writer Jane Powers as being like a “vast grassy blancmange”. I can vouch for the tremendous view of the whole garden and magnificent surrounding parkland from the top!

And finally, a pretty double rill runs from the western, uppermost part of the garden down to a small rectangular pond with water lilies.

There is so much to see and love about this beautifully planted and superbly maintained garden. The associated cafes and small artisan shops are both welcoming and excellent, and the Antrim scenery en route is magnificent. What other reasons are needed to make a trip before summer’s end? And if a day trip sounds too much, the Glens of Antrim are as spectacular and beautiful as you’ll find anywhere in which to spend a few days exploring. You might even try staying in one of the stylish Ocean View Pods in the castle grounds!

For full information on opening times, directions etc please visit Glenarm Walled Garden on the Partner Garden section of the RHSI website.

Noreen Keane
RHSI Partner Gardens Co-ordinator

Friday, 4 th October – Sunday, 6 th October 2024

A festival of friendship, fun, food and fronds.
This October our ninth Symposium  promises to be better than ever. With a distinct International flavour, you'll meet five expert speakers over three days. In beautiful surroundings and with great food too.

Every gardener from beginner to expert will find something to enjoy.

Listening, Questioning, Discussing and Learning.
Adam Frost, BBC Gardeners’ World, England
“For a Love of Plants”

Jimi Blake, Hunting Brook Gardens, Co. Wicklow
“‘A Deep Dive into the Woodand Plant Collection in Hunting Brook”

Scott McMahan, Atlanta Botanical Gardens, USA
“Plant Exploration in Vietnam and North East India”

Derry Watkins, Special Plants Nursery, England
“Breathless – Plants of the Andes, Himalaya and Alps”

Raf Lenaerts, Botanic Treasures, Belgium
“Cultivating Rare and New Magnolias”

A brief history of the Southern Symposium
In Summer 2014, after 7 years in Kells Bay, Billy Alexander reached the “End of the Beginning” of his work at Kells. The mammoth task of reclaiming the Gardens and restoring the House was in hand, and it was now time to celebrate and publicise the achievement. A Who’s Who of Irish horticulture assembled at Kells Bay heard talks from Seamus O’Brien of the National Botanic Gardens, and the legendary Roy
Lancaster.
The weekend of discussion, food, wine and fun in the gardens was such a success it was instituted as an annual event to celebrate gardening, plants and landscapes. Since then, the event has become fixed as a highlight of Munster’s horticultural calendar. Its roll-call of speakers is a list of the horticultural Pantheon.
The wonderful hospitality, relaxed and friendly atmosphere ensure delegates return annually to renew, refresh and learn.

To reserve your attendance visit kellsbay.ie/the-southern-symposium

Seed saving is a timeless and sustainable practice that allows gardeners and conservationists to preserve plant diversity and ensure a continual supply of their favourite plants. This article will delve into the intricacies of saving seeds from plants, with a focus on different types of seed heads, collection methods, and storage tips. We’ll also provide examples of perennials from which seeds can be saved this August.

Types of Seed Heads
Perennial plants produce a variety of seed heads, each requiring different methods for effective seed collection.

Here are the main types:
1. Pods: Plants like lupins and columbines produce seeds in pods. These should be collected once the pods turn brown and start to dry out but before they split open and release the seeds.
2. Capsules: Foxgloves and poppies produce seeds in capsules. Wait until the capsules are dry and brown, then gently shake them to release the seeds.
3. Umbels: Plants such as dill and fennel form umbrella-like clusters of small flowers that turn into seeds. These can be harvested when the seeds darken and begin to dry.
4. Achenes: Coneflowers and sunflowers produce achenes, which are small, dry fruits containing the seed. Harvest when the flower heads dry out and the seeds are easily dislodged.

Collecting Seeds
The timing and method of seed collection are crucial for ensuring viability. Here are the steps for collecting seeds from perennial plants:
1. Timing: Harvest seeds when they are fully mature. This is usually indicated by a change in colour (often to brown or black) and a dry texture.
2. Tools: Use clean scissors or pruners to cut seed heads. Collect in dry weather to prevent mould.
3. Cleaning: Remove chaff (non-seed material) by hand or using screens. For seeds in pods or capsules, gently crush and sift to separate seeds.
4. Drying: Spread seeds on a screen or paper in a warm, dry place. Ensure they are completely dry before storing to prevent mould.
Storing Seeds

Proper storage is essential to maintain seed viability. Follow these guidelines:
1. Containers: Use airtight containers like glass jars or sealed plastic bags to protect seeds from moisture and pests.
2. Environment: Store seeds in a cool, dark, and dry place. A refrigerator is ideal, maintaining a consistent temperature and humidity.
3. Labelling: Clearly label containers with the plant name, variety, and collection date to keep track of your seed inventory.

Seed Viability
Different seeds have varying lifespans. For example
• 1-2 years: Echinacea, lupin
• 3-4 years: Black-eyed Susan, coneflower
• 5+ years: Peony, delphinium

The following guide covers both annual and perennial plants, providing more instructions on how to collect and store seeds. Let’s explore five additional perennials to add to your seed-saving repertoire.

Annuals to Collect Seeds From

1. Marigold (Tagetes spp.)
• When to Collect: When flower heads are fully dried and brown.
• How to Collect: Dry the heads on the plant, then pull them apart to reveal needle-like seeds. Dry thoroughly before storing.
2. Sunflower (Helianthus annuus)
• When to Collect: When the back of the flower head turns brown and seeds are plump.
• How to Collect: Hang the head to dry, rub seeds off, and ensure they dry further before storing.
3. Zinnia (Zinnia spp.)
• When to Collect: When heads are dry and brittle.
• How to Collect: Dry on the plant, pull heads apart to access seeds, and dry seeds on paper towels.
4. Nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus)
• When to Collect: When seeds turn from green to brown.
• How to Collect: Collect seeds naturally as they fall, dry thoroughly before storing.
5. Cosmos (Cosmos spp.)
• When to Collect: When heads are fully dry and brown.
• How to Collect: Dry on the plant, remove long, thin seeds, and allow to air dry.

Perennials to Collect Seeds From
1. Echinacea (Coneflower)
• When to Collect: When heads dry and seeds darken.
• How to Collect: Let heads dry on the plant, then gently shake or rub to release seeds. Dry further if necessary, before storing.
2. Rudbeckia (Black-eyed Susan)
• When to Collect: When flower heads are dry and seeds are easily dislodged.
• How to Collect: Allow heads to dry on the plant, then break apart to collect seeds. Ensure seeds are dry before storing.
3. Lupinus (Lupin)
• When to Collect: When pods turn brown.
• How to Collect: Collect pods before they split open, dry them, and then shell out the seeds. Dry seeds completely before storing.
4. Aquilegia (Columbine)
• When to Collect: When capsules dry out.
• How to Collect: Harvest dried capsules, gently crush them to release seeds, and spread seeds to dry.
5. Digitalis (Foxglove)
• When to Collect: When capsules are brown and dry.
• How to Collect: Collect capsules, shake them to release seeds, and allow seeds to dry further if needed.

General Tips for Seed Saving
• Timing: Collect seeds when they are fully mature to ensure high viability.
• Cleaning: Remove plant debris and chaff to prevent mold and pests.
• Drying: Ensure seeds are completely dry before storing. Spread them on a screen or paper towel in a warm, dry place.
• Storage: Store seeds in airtight containers in a cool, dark, and dry place. Label with the plant name, variety, and collection date.
By saving seeds from both annuals and perennials, you contribute to biodiversity and enjoy a sustainable garden.

Happy seed saving!

Orlaith

Our one-day coach tour to the Gardens of County Down on Saturday, July 27, 2024, was a resounding success! The day was filled with the perfect blend of history, beauty, and camaraderie. Our visits to the magnificent Hillsborough Castle and Gardens and the enchanting Fernhill Cottage Gardens left everyone in awe. The seamless organisation by Mags Quinn ensured that everything ran smoothly, allowing all participants to relax and fully enjoy the experience. The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with many praising the effortless travel, delicious meals, and the opportunity to connect with fellow garden lovers. Thank you for joining us and making this day truly special!

All images thanks to Gillian Davidson