The Association of Irish Floral Artists
&
The Munster Agricultural Society

2021 VIRTUAL SUMMER FLORAL ART COMPETITION SCHEDULE

Click here for shedule   Cork Summer Virtual Show 2021 (1)

I first met Angela 9 years ago after I asked my course leader if I could work in an estate garden for my work placement. He suggested a few places that didn’t answer the phone – Angela did. I knew nothing about her apart from a mutual connection through my late great-uncle so there was little reason our paths would ever cross. How glad I am that she answered the phone and took a leap of faith with a young gardener just at the start of a journey into the world of horticulture.

I spent and initial 3 months working in the garden, just at the peak of Snowdrop season and the remainder of that summer was spent there too. Angela was a great teacher and had a brilliant way of questioning all around her, always inquisitive and reading up on one plant or another. She had hundreds of old gardening books and would stay up reading for hours.  She didn’t suffer fools either and we many a colourful row in the garden as instructions were misinterpreted or worse still, ignored completely! Despite all that I loved every trip there and enjoyed seeing the garden develop even in the few short years since I first saw it.

My own love of snowdrops was sparked by working with her collection and spotting a rather impressive clump of South Hayes under a large shrub in what she called the North Border. That opened my eyes to the magical and often daft world of snowdrops, but it also started a love affair that, thanks to Angela, would spiral out of control and culminate with me moving to the UK and working for a summer propagating snowdrops exclusively.

She was a collector and hoarder of the highest order, her sheds and barns were full of all sorts of knicknacks and salvage, meaningless items to many but she could tell you where each piece came from and often her intention for it. Plants were collected too and newspaper articles would often trigger a new obsession and hunt for the latest desirable plant. Indeed, one of my last conversations with her was about a deep red Nerine she had seen but not managed to get her hands on yet.

Gardening and plants were just one of her many talents, her initial work life as an Architect and working for the IDA brought her on trips all over the world. She was a founding member of the GLDA and was always keen to support the RHSI and other organisations. Others will know a lot more of her early years, but I have heard stories of an antique shop she ran in Dublin city that had the most magnificent Wisteria mural painted on the façade. She truly was a multi-talented woman and a driving force behind whatever she got involved in.

The 90’s, I believe, saw her move to Tipperary to take on Fancroft gardens which she spent some years developing before taking the plunge in the early 2000’s (when most people would think of slowing down) with Bellefield. She transformed a neglected garden and farmyard into a magical space, packed with all of the plants she was so passionate about. I recall her telling me the first day she arrived in the garden you had to crawl on your knees through the brambles and willow to get to the first clearing in the mess that would be transformed into a non-traditional walled garden, with her distinctive flair

Her early plant fairs were legendary too, attracting huge crowds before they became a commonplace fixture in the Irish horticultural calendar which they are today.

Her passion as a gardener was where our paths crossed best and on many a trip to Bellefield we would walk around the garden until our feet were numb and noses dripping, often at snowdrop time. But, like all plant enthusiast’s, snowdrops just heralded the start of the gardening year with the magnificent collections of old French roses, often sourced from trips to France, together with Nerines, Iris and Peonies extending the garden and the interest long into the season.

Indeed, it was on one of these plant sourcing trips to Devon for the Iris ensata that line her rill, that I had one of my most memorable road trips with her as we reversed up a dual-carriage way in search of wildflowers and she gave some unannounced lessons on tailgating in a way only Angela would dare!

Car trips were always memorable when Angela was involved, whether it was staying up all night and day to traverse the UK for Myddelton snowdrop sale or simply a trip into the depths of murky Tipperary on a damp February morning to trawl old gardens for snowdrops and other long forgotten garden goodies, lots of which now grow in Bellefield.

For as long as I’ve known her Angela had Poppy by her side, and other predecessors before her. She was devastated when Poppy died last year, but Boris brought her a new lease of life and was full of mischief on my few visits since his arrival.

On a personal level Angela was a great mentor and guide, always offering advice in the background and looking out for my decisions and giving her opinion, which she always expressed freely! I’ll miss her 2am emails updating me about her latest antics and also miss our road trips to see plants and gardens with or without permission.

She was a great friend, teacher, mentor and most importantly gardener whose loss will be felt by all those who knew her.

May she rest in peace

Paul Smyth, May 2021.

Join Jimi Blake for a walk in his woodland spring garden

https://youtu.be/ppFLiR4kSdY

Head Gardener Adam Whitbourn takes us on a behind the scenes walk in the following video

https://youtu.be/CnrMgturAIg

What’s your favourite plant? As gardeners we tend to get asked this a lot! I find it the most unfair question, and often ask the perpetrator do they have kids and if so which is the favourite? This tactic doesn’t always work (and often backfires), but it does make people realise how difficult a question it is. The answer is its ever changing, that’s the joy of gardening, it’s so ephemeral that by the time you decide daffodils are you favourite plant its tulip season and so on! It keeps us on our feet as gardeners and allows the gardener to constantly change and adapt. As the list of plants on the planet is quite literally never ending, any plant that does feature on a list like this are usually ones I regard very highly and really are worth growing if you can get your hands on them.

1. Illicium simonsii
I’ve spoken about this plant before and I will again, its just fantastic. One of those lesser known plants that I hope in the fullness of time will become a regular in gardens up and down the country. It makes a small evergreen tree with a neat conical habit and its primrose yellow flowers are held on the leaf joints in profusion. Coupled with the fact that these flowers last a month and are followed by the most interesting fruit, very alike star of anise, which it is related too. It should not be used as a substitute to star anise though as it is poisonous! A real gem for a small garden

2. Holboellia brachyandra
Another plant from my time at Crug and another that will become more and more common. It’s an evergreen twining climber, with glossy green foliage. It survived a batter from the ‘beast from the east’ in 2018 with no issues. It flowers in May, around Chelsea week and has off white bell shape flowers in profusion, they are decorative, and very attractive- but the main attraction is the scent. It smells of perfectly ripe lemon and for those long balmy May evenings it fills the air in the most magnificent scent. It is followed by aubergine like fruits in the autumn that are edible, albeit bland. Stories circulate that they are great roasted, but its not something I’ve tried yet! Best planted in pairs if you want fruit!

3. Stryax japonica ‘Snowcone’
If you need a tree for a small garden, look no further. This small tree has a lovely narrow habit and like the Holboellia has the most incredible display of pure white flowers in early summer, even on young plants. Known as the Japanese snowbell it has wide fan shaped branches and once mature, they are carpeted in the white flowers. The seed that follows is small, but interesting and in autumn they produce the most spectacular butter yellow foliage before loosing their leaves. ‘Snowcone’ is a selected form for its prolific flowers and neater form.

4. Hedychium gardnerianum
Hedychium’s- members of the ginger family and slowly becoming more popular, but they have yet to grace the shelves of entry garden centre. The work well in lush tropical garden, but can fit into any mixed planitng. ‘This species is a shorter variety, making it that bit sturdier than some of the tall Hedychium and has heavily scented yellow flowers and very prominent orange anthers! Not very understated, but a brilliant plant. They are hardier than most people think, but if in doubt you can protect them with some extra autumn mulch, they will only need to be lifted and brought indoors in the coldest sites.

5. Roscoea ‘Vannin’
Roscoesas are a fascinating plant. Unlike any other herbaceous plants in term of foliage and flowers. The biggest issue is their reluctance to wake up! They don’t usually appear above until May, by which time there’s so much else happening you tend to forget about them! Vannin is a form selected by Sue and Bleddyn Wynn Jones of Crug Farm in Wales from a collection of seed they made in Nepal. One seedling in the batch stood out and was eventually named. Its orchid like flowers are white, but tinged with purple. The stems of this varierty have a deep purple colour, which look great long before and after the flowers. So far in cultivation it also seems to be self-supporting – when planted in a favourable position

6. Galanthus Mrs McNamara
I love snowdrops too much not to mention them, there are literally thousand of variations of these wonderful spring bulbs, but a few are particularly useful. ‘Mrs McNamara for me in Co Carlow is without fail in flower by Christmas day. By mid January its all over, but the other main season snowdrops begin to take centre stage then. To have a plant in flower that early is invaluable, especially at a time where the garden looks so grey

7. Quercus dentata ‘Carl Ferris Miller’
This is a new plant for me and its slowly making itself happy in my Welsh garden, I love all oaks, but alas like lots of gardeners don’t have the space to grow them. This is has some of the largest leaves of any oaks and are deeply lobed. As it’s such a slow plant to establish it would suit most small to medium gardens, in maturity it is a medium sixed tree. Its real joy is its fantastic autumnal colouration to orange and yellow.

8. Muscari ‘Golden Fragrance’
I love pretty much all bulbs so choosing just one or two for a list is a challenge. Muscari are really useful plants and quickly establish where little else will. The commonly grown Muscari armeniacum has a great flower, but terrible foliage. This variety has an equally great flower, which starts off like the other Muscari but soon takes on a purple colour before most of the flower turns to a rich gold colour, a great plant to brighten up the spring garden. What’s more its foliage is nearly symmetrical and displays itself very neatly at the base of the flower

9. Clematis cirrhosa ‘Wisley Cream’
Clematis are fantastic climbers. Being such a large and diverse group there is one for every season! There are lots to delight in summer, but a few are even winter Flowering. Wisley Cream is once such example and can flower as early as November but mostly likely will bloom from Jan through to March. Its evergreen and the leaves bronze up in wither too. The flowers aren’t as large or impressive as its showy cousins, but it brings some much needed cheer to the winter garden before disappearing in the background for the summer months

10. Phlox
I find Phlox an invaluable plants in my Carlow garden. Its probably the most ‘normal’ of all on my list, but its just a fantastic plant We have a free draining sandy soil that is very prone to drying out in summer and late summer interest can be difficult if not impossible some years. Often the only plant that shines through are the various phlox paniculata’s that I’ve accumulated. I cant name them as they’ve all been given as present or divisions from other gardens, so often I’ll name them according to who gave them to me. They are often criticised for suffer from powdery mildew, often an issue in dryer soils, but I don’t mind the bit they get and it has never affected the flowering for me. There are lots of new varieties and colours, come mildew resistant, ‘Glamour Girl’ is one such selections

I could go on, and I’m sure I will. Quite simply there are too many good plants in existence to only name 10. I’ve tried to pick a fair selection for every situation. A small to medium sized garden would easily take all of the above (and so much more). When faced with that initial trip to a garden centre the best advise is to always be prepared, take a list – even if you don’t stick entirely to it- it will remind you what you can buy and what you need. Fear not, you’ll always come back with more than you bargained for- one of the many joys of gardening … depending who you ask!

Suggestions from talk “For the love of trees” by Mary Keenan, Gash Gardens, Co. Laois

Acer griseum – paperbark maple
One of the finest small trees for any garden. Slow growing to around 5m . Bark is rich, warm mahogany and peels away in papery tatters that show brilliant orange against the sun, revealing smooth, cinnamon-coloured new bark underneath. Dark green leaves turn vivid, fiery scarlet in autumn. Can be sourced as a single trunk or multi-stemmed specimen. Grown from seed and so quality of peeling bark can vary – make sure that peeling effect is visible before purchasing.
Acer davidii ‘Serpentine’,Acer pensylvanicum – snakebark maples
All snakebark maples have handsomely striped barks – most are green and conspicuously streaked with silver to look just like a snakeskin. Most assume rich autumn leaf colour in attractive shades of orange, yellow and red and make interesting multi-stemmed trees, reaching up to 6m after 20 years
Acer palmatum cultivars – Japanese maples
Various small, slow-growing varieties available. Grow them in a sheltered spot, out of direct sun. May be crown-lifted by removing lower branches to from canopy and create space beneath. One of the most attractive is a purple-leaved form Acer palmatum “Bloodgood”. Also desirable is Acer shirasawanum “Aureum”. It eventually grows to around 4m tall. In spring, the golden-yellow, palm-like leaves open out from pinkish-red sheaths like elegantly pleated fans.
Acer platanoides ‘Globosum’
Contributes striking architectural impact in an area where space is limited. Normally top grafted at around 2m, the branches form a dense, globe-shaped head. Resembles a lollipop on a stick. Excellent yellow and orange autumn colour.
Acer pseudoplatanus ‘Brilliantissimum’
Leaves unfold in spring in the most amazing shade of shrimp pink, gradually toning down to yellowish-green. Look for a top grafted specimen to limit eventual size. Forms a neat and dense, dome-shaped canopy.
Amelanchier alnifolia ‘Obelisk’ – alder-leaved serviceberry

Conspicuously columnar, small tree reaching up to around 3.5 m. Adds ‘height interest’ in a garden without occupying a lot of space. Good autumn colour, Fragrant, white blossom in spring followed by red, edible berries which mature to black in June. Its skeleton provides a striking shape during the winter when branches are bare.
Amelanchier lamarckii- snowy mespilus
In spring, clouds of starry white flowers are enhanced by the unfolding leaves, tinged with coppery pink. Leaves fade from dark green to gold in autumn. Eventual height around 5m.
Amelanchier x grandiflora ‘Ballerina’
Foliage unfurls attractive bronze colour in spring, turning dark green in summer and taking on striking reddish-purple colours in autumn. Broad, vase-shaped crown and fine branching pattern create a striking winter silhouette. Star-shaped, white flowers borne in large, loose, pendulous flower clusters in spring. Followed by small red berries which can be eaten and are very popular with birds. Height 4m.
Arbutus unedo – strawberry tree
Native evergreen that starts life more as a shrub but in time will grow into an attractive multi-stem specimen rarely more than 7m high. Can be crown lifted to improve its appearance. Against a backdrop of glossy, dark green leaves, bright red shoots and rough, reddish-brown bark, it produces pendant clusters of white, lantern-like flowers and bright orange, strawberry-like fruits at the same time during autumn and into winter. Given a sheltered position, it is hardy in all but the coldest locations. Prefers neutral to acid soil
Cercis canadensis ‘Forest Pansy’
Grown for its beautiful, heart-shaped, purple leaves. In spring, bright pink pea-like blossom borne on the bare branches – needs a warm, sunny position to flower well. Forms a small multi-stemmed tree with a bushy habit.
Cercis siliquastrum- Judas tree
In May, the naked branches are studded with clusters of bright, rose-purple, pea-like flowers. Leaves colour copper yellow in autumn. Thrives and flowers best in full sun.
Cornus controversa ‘Variegata’- wedding cake tree
Distinctive horizontal branches dramatically arranged in tiers. Leaves are pale green with an irregular creamy white margin and flattened heads of tiny, creamy white flowers are produced in June. Position where there will not be a future requirement to prune or shape will be compromised.
Cornus kousa var. chinensis – Japanese dogwood
In early summer, masses of tiny green flowers are surrounded by conspicuous creamy-white, petal-like bracts that fade to lovely shades of pink as they age. When autumn arrives, the foliage turns a vibrant shade of crimson alongside the knobbly, strawberry-like red fruits. Small, bushy, multi-stemmed tree to around 3.5m. Many other forms of C. kousa also available.
Cornus mas – cornelian cherry
Multi-stemmed small tree. Bare branches are smothered in tiny, mustard yellow blooms in January and February. Remove lower branches as it matures to form canopy.
Crataegus laevigata ‘Paul’s Scarlet’
Double-flowered variety of ornamental hawthorn with rich, rosy red flowers in May.
Crataegus orientalis – eastern thorn
In small gardens, it is particularly useful to purchase plants with more than one season of interest, to make the most of the space – this tree fits the bill perfectly. In May, clusters of chalk white flowers are produced against a backdrop of deeply cut, downy, grey-green leaves followed in autumn by large haws in shades of warm amber and deep orange. Eventually forms a rounded crown, wider than tall, reaching about 4m in height.
Eucryphia cordifolia
A valuable evergreen tree that smothers itself in large, honey-scented, white flowers throughout late summer and autumn. Glossy, dark green, rather leathery leaves. Forms a neat, columnar tree. For best performance, ensure it has shelter from cold winds and a neutral to acid soil.
Euonymus europaeus ‘Red Cascade’ – spindle
Cultivated form of our native spindle tree. Prized for its autumn leaf colour when laves turn glowing crimson. Small, relatively insignificant yellow flowers in early summer lead on to bright pinky-red ornamental fruits that peel open to reveal orange seeds inside.
Euonymus planipes
Somewhat inconspicuous during spring and summer but makes show-stopping impact in autumn when its handsome pinnate leaves change to flaming scarlet. and masses of large seed capsules appear in a striking colour combination of crimson-pink and orange. Slow growing at first, but eventually matures into a small tree of vase-shaped habit.
Espalier apple trees
To make the best use of space, grow an espalier apple tree. Plant against a warm, sunny wall or use as a garden divider. Reliable fruit supply, great spring blossom, and a compact clematis can even be grown up through it.
Halesia monticola – snowdrop tree
Seldom reaches more than 6m in height and, with a broadly conic crown. Creamy-white, snowdrop-shaped flowers hang from long stalks all along the branches and make a glorious sight with the newly flushing leaves in late spring.
Hoheria sexstylosa- ribbonwood or lacebark
An unusual evergreen tree of upright, columnar habit. Usually seen as a multi-stemmed specimen up to 6m tall. Leaves are glossy green and in late July and August, the whole canopy is flooded with small, white, starry flowers. Prefers a moist, neutral to acid soil and ideal for a shaded garden.
Koelreuteria paniculata – golden rain tree
Rarely seen, this is a small and rather slow-growing tree with large and elegant, pinnate leaves that colour well in autumn and lend the tree a subtropical look. On established trees, upright panicles of small, yellow, scented flowers are produced and followed by conspicuous, papery, lantern-like seed capsules. Rarely grows above 8m and then only after many years.
Laburnum x watereri “Vossii”
One of the best flowering forms producing long cascades of golden yellow flowers during early summer. Small tree with compact habit or train it on an arch or pergola. Caution – while this variety produces very few seed pods, the seeds are poisonous, so it should not be grown if you have young children who may eat them.
Ilex sp.- holly
Hollies are useful for their evergreen foliage, long persisting berries and especially for the ease with which they can be clipped to hold a shape. Usually seen as shrubs but if trained to a single leader many will grow into small trees Plants are either male or female and therefore both must be planted to ensure that the female produces berries. For a confined space, choose Ilex aquifolium “Pyramidalis” which has attractive, glossy green leaves and an interesting shape. It’s also self-fertile.
Luma apiculata- myrtle
Small, evergreen tree often with multiple trunks. As it matures, the cinnamon-coloured outer bark peels off in patches exposing the cream-coloured inner surface. Small, oval leaves are dark green and dainty white flowers adorn the branches in late summer and autumn. Best in mild locations.
Magnolia sp.
Numerous species and cultivars to chose from. Most prefer neutral to acid soil, but some are remarkably lime tolerant. Can be crown-lifted to form canopy and create space beneath. Good choices for small gardens include M. stellata – starry white flowers’; M. x loebneri ‘Leonard Messel’ – pale pink blooms; M. ’Genie’- dark, burgundy-red goblet-shaped flowers
Malus sp.- flowering crab apple
Ornamental crab apples are great all-rounders for the small garden, with attractive spring blossom, colourful fruit and plenty of food for wildlife. Most reach a height of 4-5m. Make good pollination partners for culinary apple trees.
Malus aldenhamensis
Bronze-green foliage. Wine-red flowers in spring and early summer. Prolific large dark red fruit, excellent for crabapple jelly.
Malus ‘Golden Hornet’
One of the showiest yellow-fruited crab apples with a plentiful and long-lasting display of bright yellow, bauble-like fruits and masses of pink-budded, white flowers in spring.
Malus ‘Royalty’
Prized for its rich, purple-tinted leaves and abundance of large, purplish-red, flowers. Followed by very dark red, cherry-like fruits that mature in autumn and are popular with wildlife.
Sophora tetraptera
In late spring, just as the new leaves emerge, branches are festooned with pendulous clusters of bright, golden yellow flowers. Seed pods which follow look like dangling rows of beads. Valued also for its dainty, rounded pinnate leaves. If you can find a warm sunny spot for this treasure you will not be disappointed. Grows up to around 6m.
Sorbus sp.- rowan
Most rowans have pretty, pinnate leaves, complemented by spring flowers and autumn berries. Excellent trees to grow for garden birds such as robins, blackbirds and thrushes, which love the nutrient-rich berries. Bees and other pollinating insects are attracted to the hanging clusters of small, creamy-white flowers in early summer.
Sorbus cashmiriana- Kashmir rowan
Very large glistening white fruits are particularly eye-catching feature. Pale pink spring flowers. Height 5m.
Sorbus ‘Joseph Rock’
If you want berries to remain untouched by birds and last into winter, opt for yellow-berried varieties like ‘Joseph Rock’. Birds tend to prefer red and orange fruits. With ascending branches and a narrowly pyramidal growth habit, this lovely, compact tree matures to a height of about 6m. Leaves turn fiery orange, red and purple in autumn.
Sorbus vilmorinii
Rarely grows more than 5m tall, with very dainty, fern-like leaves. Clusters of white flowers in early summer give way to pendulous bunches of small, round berries that gradually change from rosy red at first, through every shade of pink. to white. Leaves turn crimson in autumn.
Stewartia pseudocamellia
Handsome deciduous, multi-stemmed tree with white, camellia-like flowers that are a magnet for bees. Colourful bark that exfoliates in strips of gray, orange, and reddish brown once trunk begins to mature. It can reach 8m in height. Prefers neutral to acid soil.
Styrax japonica- Japanese snowbell
An uncommon small tree, best placed where the dainty, bell-shaped, fragrant, white flowers can be admired from beneath. Needs a moist, neutral to acid soil and is ideal for a shaded garden. Look out for a gorgeous delicate pink flowering form ‘Pink Chimes’.
Syringa reticulata
Trained to form a single trunk it will form and upright, pyramidal to oval growth habit. Large clusters of fragrant, creamy-white flowers in early summer.
Prunus sp.- ornamental cherries
Several ornamental cherries are perfect trees for small gardens but plant them out of the way of paved surfaces as their shallow roots can cause lifting and cracking of paved and concrete surfaces. Blossom may be fleeting but while it lasts it is superb and many forms offer a bonus of autumn leaf colour. Pollinators favour simple, single-flowered types.
Prunus “Accolade”
An outstanding early performer bearing masses of rosy-pink, semi-double flowers. It grows into a small, arching tree up to 5m high.
Prunus cerasifera ‘Nigra’
In early spring, the bare branches are bedecked in a profusion of blush pink, single flowers. These are followed by dark purple leaves for the rest of the year and are useful to relieve the predominance of green in the garden, although dark foliage can sometimes appear oppressive in small spaces.
Prunus padus ‘Watererii’- bird cherry
Broadly conical growth habit to around 7m. Racemes of small, almond scented flowers in spring followed by small black fruits in autumn.
Prunus ‘Shirotae’
Distinctive horizontally spreading branches form a broad spreading. flat-topped canopy. Clusters of large, semi-double white flowers in spring. Leaves turn orange red in autumn. Height 5m.
Prunus ‘Snow Goose’
Narrow, upright tree, widening slightly with age, with large, white, single flowers appearing before the leaves. Will grow to height and spread of around 4 x 2 metres in 20 years. Displays all the beautiful features of the Prunus family without taking up as much space. Leaves take on tints of bronze and red in autumn.
Prunus x subhirtella “Autumnalis Rosea”
Not be as flamboyant as the spring-flowering cherries but provides welcome display throughout winter and early spring when the bare twigs are sprinkled
with pinkish white, semi-double flowers like dainty snowflakes over prolonged period.
Pyrus salicifolia ‘Pendula’- weeping pear
Narrow, silvery foliage and slender weeping branches. Creamy-white, sweetly scented blossom appears in spring. Likes a sunny spot. Weeping trees are useful in small gardens bounded by high walls as their pendulous branches draw the eye downwards to focus attention on ground level details and distract from the dominance of the walls in such situations.
Thuja occidentalis ‘Smargd’
Remarkably upright-growing conifer that forms a narrow pyramidal shape with bright green, sweetly scented, evergreen foliage. No pruning or shaping necessary to maintain distinctive shape. Creates a strong focal point and, in a small garden, its upright habit serves to draw the eye upwards creating the illusion of more space by emphasising the vertical dimension

Many years ago, I had an interest in acquiring antique gardening tools. On that basis I attended a local auction and old potato graip was raised for sale by the auctioneer.  The rest is one of immense surprise and good fortune. It was not purchased for use but rather for display but soon after the day of purchase it became one of the best garden tools we have. During gardening workshops, I often have this graip in use, invariably to the surprise of everyone but it quite amazing the tasks that it can assist with. 

The graip’s greatest use is for the collection of the vegetation from borders which have been cut back in early winter. Because the tines are spaced at approx. 1.5 inches, virtually everything can be raked and lifted yet at the same time leaving many smaller pieces which add to the enrichment of the soil and provide for wildlife.

Unfortunately, the soil at Ballyrobert Gardens is very heavy and liable to smearing and compaction. The graip is the perfect solution because the version I have has spiked tines which insert the soil relatively easily The general shape of the implement enables one to prise the soil upwards allowing the soil to open up enabling water to escape and air exchange to improve. When used on lawns in this manner, I provide a top dressing with a coarse sand which is then worked in.

My graip is also perfectly at home when preparing areas of soil for grass seed sowing for lawns etc enabling the easy removal of larger sized stones. It has been used on occasions for cultivating soil in the veg garden.

Remarkably and for the first time this autumn I actually used it to scoop up potatoes which had been dug up and left on the soil surface for a few weeks to allow the heavy soil to be washed off by the rain.

You may be surprised to know that this list represents only some of the jobs that are assigned to it, but it would be interesting to know if others use the potato graip in the garden.

I have yet to meet anyone who has!

The Irish Society of Botanical Artists is delighted to announce the launch of SCEITSE – IRISH BOTANICAL SKETCHBOOKS on Friday the 20^th of November 2020.

This exciting new publication seeks to de-mystify and celebrate the complex journey of botanical artists as they collect information and prepare to illustrate a particular plant. This includes ‘visiting’ plants in their habitat or in gardens, to see them in their natural or intended setting. The sketchbook pages in this collection show the breadth of information a botanical artist may collect, from plant features and measurements, to colour notes and descriptions of the setting.

Irish botanical artists are fortunate to have access to unique and diverse gardens, both public and private, in which to glean information and complete research for their paintings. We have included beautiful pictures and writing from those in which we worked for this project, hoping to celebrate the island’s horticultural treasures and encourage visitors to seek them out.

Since its formation in 2014, the Irish Society of Botanical Artists has burgeoned into a thriving, lively and reciprocal group of botanical artists. The Society has undertaken three ambitious projects, staging successful exhibitions and producing three wonderful books, Aibítir – The Irish Alphabet in Botanical Art (2014), Plandaí Oidhreachta – Heritage Irish Plants (2016) and Éireannach – Celebrating Native Plants of Ireland (2018) For each book, our artists created finely detailed and finished portraits and illustrations of both cultivated and wild Irish plants. An enormous amount of work went into each painting as each artist sought to identify and illustrate the key features of their chosen plant and portray it in a beautiful way. The resultant collection of paintings in the ISBA books are of an extremely high standard and have been lauded in botanical art and botany circles.

SCEITSE – IRISH BOTANICAL SKETCHBOOKS will be available to pre-order from the 1^st of November 2020, on our website: www.irishbotanicalartists.ie/shop, at a reduced price of €20.00. Orders will be shipped soon after the launch date of Friday, 20^th of November.

The normal retail price (from 20^th November 2020) is €25.00. Trade prices available.

For further enquiries, please email isba.committee@gmail.com