December by Joe Burns

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The Killarney Strawberry Tree

S we approach the grey winter solstice (Saturday December 21st) when the sun appears to stand motionless at its lowest point on the horizon, most gardens seem to lie waiting, and in retreat. It is as if nature and all of creation is awaiting Christmas and the suspense is tangible. The exuberance of summer is now long gone, and texture, shape, and form, continue to emerge and gain prominence and indeed dominance. Evergreen plants, once hidden behind tall perennials now grasp the attention, especially holly, conifers, ivy and mistletoe. These add a magical signiﬁcance to the midwinter celebrations and to the season of Christ’s birth. No wonder our ancestors revered these vibrant, living leaves that shine and show themselves best in the depths of a dark and dismal winter. But the most stunning of winter ﬂowers, I have found, always

confound expectation for some have all the glamour and style of summer. Their numbers run to dozens, yet one particular stunner is regretfully neglected, and seldom promoted for sale at garden outlets. I refer now to the Killarney Strawberry Tree, Arbutus unedo. This is quite an astonishing small tree, for apart from its scarlet ‘strawberries’ which appear in mid-winter, it also produces flowers in the autumn, has attractive, highly polished evergreen leaves which are never burned by frost, and a peeling bark which is chestnut brown with a hint of red. It can be grown anywhere. Its natural home may be in County Kerry and many areas around the Mediterranean, but it is decidedly hardy in just about all parts of the U.K. I am constantly amazed by its longevity and resistance to the winter winds, which, here in the south, blow in from three thousand miles of open Atlantic. These same winds are usually filled with burning salt spray but it does little to effect either the flowering or fruiting of this wondrous tree. If it grows in Kerry on acid soil, be assured that it is also tolerant of lime,

A very good specimen of Arbutus unedo showing ﬂowers, fruits, and the dropped fruits which make a magniﬁcent red carpet.

ﬁlling out to grow into a big rounded bush curbed occasionally by cutting branches for indoor decoration. It will grow densely from such a pruning and become ideal for noise reduction, shelter, and winter interest. The fruits themselves are edible but they have an acrid ﬂavor pungent as cheap gin. Finally, it seems to do extremely well in polluted areas, be this city, town or village. Small plants will establish most readily given the addition of plenty of humus-type material during planting time and occasional mulches of leaf-mold, garden compost or the likes of Browngold. The tree could eventually grow to over twenty feet, but if needed, can be held in check with selective pruning. Of course those with ground to spare and who live in exposed coastal areas will be anxious for this to grow tall and bushy quickly as possible and who can blame them? Should fruiting on a strawberry tree be slow try shaking the branches when in bloom as this will distribute the pollen more evenly from the tiny ivory pitcher blooms, normally carried in huge numbers on the branches.

Tips&Advice Most gardeners will have, over time, acquired tips and advice. Here we ask that these are shared with other members. Please send your tips to corkgardenclub2013@gmail.com

GARDENING & THE WORLD WIDE WEB Today, at any time of the day or night, an immense amount of knowledge is available to us through the wonderful internet, the world wide web. Though I am still addicted to books, and more books, I must confess, that the web probably holds all the information and ideas that should solve our garden problems, together with an array of on-line market places to make our purchases. What I have found fascinating recently is that even though I do not speak German, I could still make use of German websites that do not provide a translation themselves. This is done through Google Translate and is very easy to use. Allow me to explain. Suppose you have opened up the German online shopping site, www.edingershops.de, where you want to purchase a garden tool. Open another Google page and, up in the top right hand corner of the page, you will see a square of nine dots, click on these; a small pull-down page will open; go to More; click on More, a new small pull-down page will open; click on Translate. Now a completely new page will open which will provide you with the ability to translate from German to English (or from any other language to yet another language!). If you have problems go to https://support.google.com/translate. SOME FOREIGN WEBSITES www.senteursduquercy.com Very good for Salvia, and Lavenders Excellent all round site www.lumen.fr www.ophryshybrides.com Specialising in Orchids www.creapaysage.fr Bamboos www.pepiniere-laurent.fr Viburnums etc A guide to French gardens http://www.jardinez.com www.eurobulb.nl Bulbs from Holland If any member would like to pass on website they found useful please email them to corkgardenclub2013@gmail.com

The above is the first page of the first chapter of ‘The British Gardener’s New Director, Chiefly adapted to the Climiate of The Northern Countries, directing the Necessary Works in the Kitchen, Fruit, and Pleasure Gardens, and in the Nursery, Green-House and Stove’, by Sir James Justice, Bart. FRC, printed in Dublin by John Exshaw in Dame Street in 1771. Have some fun over Christmas and see can you read some of the old English. They were surprisingly ahead of their time.

Gardener’sDiary

THE DEVIL’S COACH HORSE A log pile’s usefulness is not confined to feeding the fire in winter. An undisturbed pile of logs can become home to garden pest eaters such as spiders and the nimble black beetle known as the devil’s coach-horse (Ocypus olens), a voracious consumer of slugs and leather-jackets. For these reasons do not be too concerned about the scurrying you’ll notice as you remove logs over the coming weeks. Let these run free, and you will be repaid handsomely. WINTER FLOWERS I reckon that one garden bloom in January is worth ten in June-but make no mistake about it, it is a constant battle. My love for winter flowers has its origin in my undue adherence to an unrealistic dream; I want the garden to go on month after month without interruption for I cannot bear to think of it as a place that is nurtured, tended and tenanted only in the easy months. I simply refuse to have it draped with Nature’s dust sheets. Roll on early January! WORK IN THE DECEMBER GARDEN RELAX; There won’t be much attention given to the garden for the next few weeks so enjoy what comforts your home has to offer. The comparative bareness of the ‘room outdoors is in its own way welcome, because changes can be planned without the distraction of too much leaf or flower. This is also a good time to fill in mail-order forms for seeds and young plants, before the late winter rush. My own sweet peas are already on their way in pots and containers in the greenhouse. I can smell that unmistakable perfume already. In these dark days, there’s nothing like a bunch of sweet peas to cheer you up-even imaginary ones! WEATHER The garden was full of mystery and wonder when under the

spell of a hard frost a fortnight or so ago, and I’m inclined to think that much in the line of cold weather may yet arrive. The presence of large numbers of waxwings from Scandinavia is another indicator, and these first arrivals may be the forerunners of many, and a sign of a very hard winter to come. These colourful birds rarely visit Ireland unless their food sources in northern Europe are drastically diminished or their numbers increase dramatically. Their chosen diet are the berries on holly and rowan. BULBS The (temporary) respite from winter cold will prompt many bulbs to show face and some shrubs to put out early blossom. Roses in many gardens are still showing wonderful colour, so too the odd sheltered dahlia, hydrangeas, kaffir lilies and cyclamen. The only drawback with getting blooms now, rather than in spring, is that the display will not be repeated. Forsythia and other early spring-flowering shrubs can be encouraged to bloom much earlier is shoots are cut now and brought into the house. WOOD ASH Soft white plumes of smoke slowly rise into the chilly air from a distant garden fire and once again I’m reminded that bonfire ash is always best added to the compost heap since its soluble nutrients are easily washed away when added directly to the soil. Mix wood ash with other ingredients whenever possible or add it as you turn the heap. Try to put some form of covering over your compost heap now so that the contents do not become sodden. That would only reduce the heat generated and delay the rotting process. OLD FRIEND An old friend never tires of pointing out that decomposition is part of life, and the life of all plants. And so, I watch the garden pretending to die, when all the time it is secretly limbering up for another spring another summer! Only gardeners can see the profound logic in all of this. And then there’s the untold delight, quite late in the year, of finding a patch of cyclamen in full bloom under a wispy thicket of brittle stalks and here and there the odd rose making a second coming. Even the salvias remain good and in this dark season yet on the plants there’s still plenty of material for the taking of cuttings for

next year. Tip cuttings of the shrubby salvias such as gregii and microphylla can still be inserted around the edge of a four inch pot filled with an equal parts peat and sand. Place on a bright windowsill (if you have a porch, greenhouse or cloche then all the better) but cover the cuttings in the pot with the bottom half of a two litre, clear plastic, soft drinks container. This will act as a kind of mini-greenhouse ensuring a better take and far fewer losses. The top half of the drinks bottle can be similarly used (put on the cover). RED HOT POKERS With frost and cold winds in mind, and especially for those who garden in cold, inland locations, cut the faded and dead flower spikes from Red Hot Pokers (kniphofias), then draw up the foliage over the centre of each plant and tie it together. The foliage will then look

Q. Some of the leaves on my camellias have produced lumps on their undersides but I can’t ﬁnd any pest. What is wrong and can it be corrected? A. The problem you have is exaggerated by high rainfall. The bumps are known as oedema. Water taken up by the roots does not evaporate from the leaves and they get waterlogged. Camellias and ivy-leaved geraniums are particularly prone to oedema. Be assured that it won’t interfere with the plant. Q. I have read that weed-killers only work best when the weeds are in active growth. I have been sick and it is only now that I can tackle the weeds on my small patio. Am I too late? A. Use ‘Weedol’ and the growths will be dead and gone in three days or so. This product works even in winter when conditions are cold and wet. Be warned, it kills everything green.

Kniphoﬁa Percy’s Pride

Kniphoﬁa Little Maid

on growths made the previous year so no cutting is ever permitted. Individual shoots around the outside of the plant can be removed of course if they are getting too wide.

rather like a tent and this will help to keep excess moisture away from the crowns and so prevent losses due to rotting oﬀ during winter. In very exposed gardens it is a good idea also to put straw or bracken over the crowns as an added protection. Some of these are not ‘red’; hope you like my lemon varieties.

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS Q. I had no hydrangea blooms this year. Last autumn the bushes were cut down when tidying up and this year they produced nothing but leafy growths. Should I cut these? A. No. These will bloom next year. Hydrangeas always bloom

Q. Can I grow a honeysuckle in a pot? I want plants with a good perfume for next year and someone recommended this to me. A. Honeysuckle will give you oodles of perfume but it won’t do in a pot. I suggest you plant it into a half barrel at least making sure that there are plenty of drainage holes in the bottom. Fill with a good brand of compost not garden soil.

ForYourDiary Garden & Landscape Designers Association are holding a seminar, entitled Strip: Exposing Layers & Meaning in 21st Century Garden Design, this coming February 8, at Crowne Plaza Conference Centre, Northwood Park, Dublin. It is open to non members. Design styles are a rich fusion of the traditional and the contemporary. This seminar will explore the layers of ideas and meaning which influence landscape design today, bringing together designers who work at all levels of the industry from the macro to the micro, from iconic and historic landscapes on a grand scale such as the Giant’s Causeway Visitor Centre, to the design of the private garden; from plant combinations to the potential of an individual plant to impact on the landscape in a sculptural way. The creative process that underpins good design in outdoor spaces, or in any other creative art may not be immediately obvious but is crucial to the finished product, separating the ‘classic’ from the ‘bling’. Inspiration comes from a myriad of sources; cultural, conceptual, symbolic, historical or futuristic and from the local landscape to the natural world. Beneath these layers are the functional considerations and the choice of materials consistent with the design, be they traditional and local, or new and innovative. This layering of ideas becomes even more interesting and exciting when coupled with new approaches to planting: the ‘fabric’, often now being woven rather than in blocks. Words such as matrix, tapestry and stitching rest easily with this new ‘look’ – inspired by nature, and a more considered approach to ecology and maintenance. The GLDA have put together an unmissable line-up of speakers who share not only a breath-taking knowledge of their subject, but also a passion for what they do. Whether you have a love of plants or your interest is in garden or landscape design, this seminar will inspire and inform you. Attention to detail is a theme that runs through the day’s line-up. Landscape architect, Feargus McGarvey’s title is ‘Observation’ where he reflects on spatial relationships and site context that inform the design process, from concept to detail. Plantsman and garden designer, Oliver Schurmann, in his talk entitled ‘The Feeling of Space’ shares with us his

passion for plants and planting design, the pleasures of seasonal transitions and the appreciation of plants on an individual level. The relationship between the plant and the designer is also important for sculptor and topiary expert Jake Hobson. In ‘The Changing Face of Topiary’ he explains how his organic topiary responds to the characteristics of each plant to create unique living sculptures. Writer historian and critic Tim Richardson, will round off the day with his thought-provoking views on modern design in ‘The New English Garden’ Feargus McGarvey is an award winning landscape architect, garden designer and lecturer, whose portfolio of work spans a diverse range and scale of landscape projects across Ireland. These include private garden design commissions, to high profile public landscape design work, the most recent Feargus McGarvey being the Giant’s Causeway Visitor’s Centre in Co. Antrim, with Heneghan Peng Architects, which was shortlisted for the 2013 RIBA Stirling Awards. In his position as Associate Director with Mitchell & Associates, international project work has taken him across Europe, the Middle East and China. Feargus believes that observation of space and landscape is essential and this should follow through into how a garden/landscape designer deals with design, right from large scale landscapes through to more intimate details. Feargus, who lives in Co Offaly, is a former president of the Irish Landscape Institute, and has authored ‘Building for Everyone’ and ‘Play Space Guidelines’. He promotes the concept of ‘Inclusive Design’ in which he says the making of diverse landscape spaces is not just about visual beauty, but more importantly, ensures usability by all kinds of people. Oliver Schurmann, a garden designer, plantsman and lecturer and has gained a reputation for creating unusual and extraordinary gardens for clients all over Ireland, as well as back in his second home Germany, where he trained in a specialist nursery. This is true especially of his show garden history, where he along with his wife Liat have achieved a series of consecutive gold and silver medals, most notably at Bloom in the Phoenix Park Dublin, and at the Hampton Court Flower Show in the UK.

As well as running his garden design and construction business, Oliver together with Liat operate Mount Venus Nursery within the old walled garden of Tibradden House, near Rathfarnham, Dublin, where they specialise in, and grow over 1600 different and unusual perennial and Oliver Schurmann ornamental grass species. Over a four year period Oliver and his team of plant experts restored this long neglected historical garden to the former glory it once enjoyed in the 50’s & 60’s. ‘In my planting design schemes, I like to highlight each individual plant and flower, and to encourage my clients to enjoy the transition from full flower, to leaves fading to yellow, orange and red, to seed heads, which can be incredibly architectural and add to the planting structure throughout the winter. For me it’s important that the plants are happy, if they’re happy and thriving, and happy with their neighbours, they start creating a kind of a plant society. This develops over time into a matrix of plants and low maintenance, where there’s less necessity for a gardener to intervene’. Sculptor and self-professed pine pruning ‘nutter’ Jake Hobson, who trained initially in London and then Osaka Japan, is a recognised expert in the area of cloud pruning and organic topiary. It was during his time spent in Japan that Jake developed a passion for Japanese gardens and in Jake Hobson particular their traditional technique of training and pruning trees. What is unique about Jake’s approach to pruning is his deep understanding, passion and practice of this Japanese art form, which he now applies to all manner of conventional trees and shrubs at home, and on commissions abroad. In his book The Art of Creative Pruning, Jake explores a wide range of imaginative, creative and funky pruning, in all shapes and sizes, from all over the world. ‘I’m interested in combining the Japanese style of cloud pruning (Niwaki style) with a more European style of topiary; to create

a style of pruning I call organic topiary. For me this means enhancing the natural shape of plants, as much as creating a formal volume and mass, or a sculptural style of pruning which we see in Europe. I particularly enjoy experimenting with different plants and reacting to their individual character, whether it’s their leaf size, shape or their habit. I like the idea that as a plant I’m working on grows and develops, so too does my understanding of that plant. I feel there’s a relationship between the plant and myself, and there’s no real defined conclusion to that relationship, it’s on an ongoing thing”. London based writer, garden/landscape historian and critic Tim Richardson is known for his enlightening, entertaining and sometimes irreverent commentary, on all matters gardening and garden design. His monthly articles written for The Garden Design Journal often have deliberately provocative and controversial themes, with titles such as ‘Are “real gardeners” deluding Tim Richardson themselves in their continuing contempt of garden design’, and ‘Conspicuous design is a matter of taste–but how do the clients and critics react if presented with an “over-design” garden?’ He is currently garden columnist for The Daily Telegraph, and regularly contributes to House & Garden, Gardens Illustrated and Country Life. He is the author of many books including Avant Gardeners and Futurescapes, English Gardens of the 20th Century, Arcadian Friends: the Makers of the English Landscape Garden, and his latest, The New English Garden. He is trustee of the Garden History Society, sits on the National Trust’s garden advisory panel, and wrote Oxford University’s first garden history course. Tim, who lives in London, is the founder-director of the Chelsea Fringe Festival. In September 2013 he joined with Martha Schwartz and Tony Heywood in setting up a new four-year diploma course in ‘Landscape art’ at Vienna University (Arts). For tickets and further information contact the GLDA office on: 01 2940092, info@glda.ie or via www.glda.ie. Places are limited so book your ticket early to avoid disappointment. Tickets cost from €40 students, €55 members, and €65 non members, includes refreshment breaks and lunch.

GardenNotes

Snowdrop Gala & Other Spring Treasures

Venue BALLYKEALEY MANOR (near Altamont, County Carlow) Date Saturday, February 1, 2014 Programme Richard Hobbs 9.30am: Registration, tea/coﬀee, biscuits. 10.00am–11.00am: RICHARD HOBBS Tales About Snowdrops…The people, the plants, the past & the future 11.30am–12.30pm: JOHN MASSEY Winter into Spring John Massey, Ashwood Nurseries, will give a lecture which follows his garden at Ashwood from mid winter into the unfolding of spring and looks at all the treasures in his garden from snowdrops to hellebores and many more. John Massey

Club Agenda

Thursday, 9 January, 2014 AGM Shane Lehane: Beekeeping & What it Entails No Plantt Sale, Tip of the Month, Garden forum, Raﬄe, Refreshments No Competition

Cork Garden Club meet on the second Thursday of every month (except July and August) in Ashton School, Blackrock Road, at 8.00pm. Membership €30.00, Partners €50.00, Visitors €5.00 per lecture.

12.45pm–1.45pm: Lunch at Ballykealey Visit to Altamont 2.00pm: Bulb Sale 3.30pm: Guided Tour of gardens with Paul Cutler 4.30pm: Refreshments. NURSERIES Avon Bulbs (snowdrops), Paul Cutler Richard Hobbs (snowdrops), hellebores supplied from Ashwood Nurseries and Harvington. Also many more specialist nurseries Cost €70 (ﬁnal booking date January 17, 2014) includes lectures, lunch, refreshments, admission to bulb sale, guided tour. Early booking advisable. No refunds. Ticket event, limited number. For further information and bookings forms please contact Hester Forde (Coosheen Garden) 086 8654972 Robert Miller (Altamont Plant Sales) 087 9822135 BOOKINGS can also be made in writing by advising on the number of tickets required, and enclosing names, addresses, telephone numbers, together with cheque (€70 per person) made out to Robert Miller, Altamont Plants, and posting to Hester Forde at 15 Johnstown Park, Glounthaune, Co Cork, by January 17, 2014.

Gardening Adverts

WANTED Pulmonaria ‘Diana Clare’. Please contact Eileen Lalor, telephone 021 4293336, or email, eileenlalor6@gmail.com Cyprius x Cyprius. Joe Burns, mobile 0879882858, or email jmburns@eircom.net Any member who may have plants, or garden related items, FOR SALE to submit advertisements (their free!). Indeed, also we would very much like to see members who have speciﬁc WANTS to submit adverts. Please remember this Newsletter is for you, the members of the Cork Garden Club. Please use it to its fullest, and enjoy. Comments, articles, notes, photographs, and advertisements greatly received by the Editor, Cork Garden Magazine. Please email to corkgardenclub2013@gmail.com