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Snowdrop Day and Winter Delights at Coosheen

By Hester Forde

It was wonderful to see so many RHSI snowdrop enthusiasts visit Coosheen for a guided tour of the snowdrop collection and the winter garden. The weather was kind, and the morning began with tea, coffee, and scones. Winter is a very special time in the garden and a time to really see the backbone of the garden. Trees reveal a fine tracery of branches and provide amazing shapes, sculptural when backlit by low sunshine. Lifting the “skirt” and limbing up were discussed in detail. Several Japanese maples have beautiful and elaborate, intricate shapes. Cultivars such as Acer palmatum, including “Inba Shidare,” “Shaina,” “Beni-Makio,” and “Villa Taranto.”

Scent is especially important in winter and early spring. Hamamelis (Witch Hazel) is one of the best for scent, and the wonderful spidery flowers of H. Aphrodite and H. Wisley Supreme were in abundance. Perhaps one of my favorites is Daphne, known as the Goddess of the wood. Two new additions to the garden were greatly admired: Daphne bholua “Mary Rose” and Daphne bholua “Cobahy Purple Clouds.” Cultivars and hybrids of Daphne bholua are the most dramatic of the genus. Their scent is utterly intoxicating.

Snowdrops, of course, stole the show, and drifts of Galanthus Atkinsii and Elwesii were at their best. Discussions on how to grow, feed, and divide were among the topics discussed. Hellebores had already begun to flower and make an impact, and their great variation in color and form were giving their best.

A winter garden is special; it enables us to go outdoors and embrace nature in that nice weather and also see that spring is well and truly on the way.

Airfield Estate Gardens

Ardan Garden

Ballintubbert Gardens and House

Ballycommane Garden

Ballyedmond Castle Garden

Ballymaloe Cookery School

Ballyrobert Gardens

Bantry House and Garden

Belvedere House Gardens & Park

Benvarden Garden

Birr Castle Demesne

Blarney Castle and Gardens

Burtown House and Gardens

Caher Bridge Garden

Colclough Walled Garden

Collon House

Coolaught Walled Garden

Coolwater Garden

Dawros Gallery & Garden

Douentza Garden

Dower House

Drimbawn Garden

Dromana House and Gardens

Festina Lente

Fota House – Victorian Working Garden

Gash Gardens

Glenarm Castle Walled Garden

Glenavon Japanese Garden

Hester Forde Garden – ‘Coosheen Garden’

Hillsborough Castle and Gardens

Hunting Brook Gardens

Irish National Stud and Gardens – The Japanese Gardens and St. Fiachra’s Garden

Johnstown Castle, Estate, Museum and Gardens

June Blake’s Garden

Kilfane Glen and Waterfall

Kilgar Gardens

Killruddery House and Gardens

Killyreagh Garden

Kilmokea Country Manor and Gardens

Kilravock Garden

Kylemore Abbey and Victorian Walled Garden

Lodge Park Walled Garden

Loughcrew Gardens

Medina

Mount Congreve Gardens

Mount Stewart House and Gardens

Mount Usher Gardens

Oakfield Park

Old Deanery Garden

Patthana Garden

Rothe House Museum and Garden

Rowallane Garden

Salthill Garden

Seaforde Gardens

Seanabea Cottage

Springhill

Strokestown Park Gardens

Tourin House & Gardens

Tullynally Castle Gardens

Tyrrelstown House Garden

Woodville Walled Garden

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