Saturday, November 19, 2011
PLANTS have always lent themselves to interpretation and never more so than at Christmas.
PLANTS have always lent themselves to interpretation and never more so than at Christmas. At other times, and in different lands, people have always taken pleasure to see the rendition in floral displays and to attribute qualities to their character. Many flowers have ‘secret’ meanings, from daffodils which stand for regard and chivalry, to campanulas for gratitude. ! Plants and flowers even in this 21st century still carry meaning and where best perhaps to see some ultra modern interpretations than at the forthcoming 11th World Flower Show which is being held here in Ireland during the period 2011 to 2014.! The Association of Irish Floral Artists (AOIFA) is delighted to have been elected as the WAFA (World Association of Flower Arrangers) host country for the period 2011 — 2014 and the WAFA Ireland Management Committee has pleasure in announcing that the 11th World Flower Show will take place in the Royal Dublin Society in Ballsbridge, Dublin from June 18 to June 22, 2014. But long before then, many flower arrangers will visit the country for seminars, workshops and related events.
The first meeting will commence with a pre-seminar tour on May 8 next at Kinsale, Co Cork. The seminar proper will commence on May 10 at the Fota Island Hotel Cork, with delegates visiting Cork city and county before leaving for Killarney. The entourage will then continue on to Limerick and Clare where delegates will follow in the footsteps of botanists and geologists on a special visit to the important limestone landscape of the Burren. Throughout these nine days the delegates will attend demonstrations by AOIFA demonstrators and take part in workshops by some of their most talented tutors. Garden visits have also been arranged throughout the tour. The seminar will culminate with the post-seminar tour around Co Galway on May 21, 2012.
The tour will pass through some of our most beautiful counties and it is hoped visiting delegates will return home with word of mouth details on their Irish tour, the forthcoming World Flower Show and the welcome afforded them. Their account will surely entice many to visit during the show in 2014.
The Royal Dublin Society (RDS) was founded in 1731 to promote the development of Agriculture/Horticulture, Arts, Industry and Science and is one of Ireland’s premier venues for conferences, exhibitions, trade and public shows and, of course, the famous Dublin Horse Show. The RDS is minutes from the city centre and 30 minutes from Dublin Airport. There are a hotels within walking distance and a good transport system links the venue to the city.
WAFA Ireland looks forward to welcoming delegates from the 31 countries on what has been called a Celtic Journey, organised by seminar chairman, Cork’s Mary C O’Keeffe.
- www.wafaireland.com
WORK FOR THE WEEK
MAINTENANCE: Before the weather closes down completely and puts a stop to any serious gardening, it might be a good idea to get as much tidying up done as is possible. Most people will already have made a start but I would urge others in their endeavours, for to leave it is to invite untidiness for the whole of winter and this can be an annoyance and a worry. Dirt in the form of leaves, dying stems, rotting foliage etc only encourages slugs, snails and vermin, and nobody wants these.
LAWNMOWERS: Now that the mowing season has finished for the majority, the
lawnmower should be cleaned and put away for winter. The cutting blades and all raw metal parts should be coated in a film of light grease. If the machine needs an overhaul now is the time to get it done, not during St Patrick’s week. On no account park it in the back of the garage and forget about it until next spring, for here it will deteriorate steadily.
SEMI-TENDER garden plants which cannot (from a practical point of view) be
lifted for winter can be covered now with bracken; green as when freshly cut, or brown following heavy frosts. I’m thinking now of the likes of the blue-flowered agapanthus, selected forms of osteospermums, strong growing tender fuchsias and some of the better salvias. Simply lay the fern fronds over their positions and with some short lengths of fencing wire, pin them in position so that the wind won’t blow the lot away. Bracken will be found best of all for it does not allow wet or dampness to ‘stand’ beneath its multi layers irrespective of how much rain might fall.
GARDEN NOTES
- Petals Floral Design Ballinlough Road will hold its Christmas open night on Thursday from 7pm-9pm. Proceeds will fund St Vincent de Paul. !Tel: 021 4295040.
- Ballycroneen National School will hold a flower demonstration with Michelle O’Keeffe of Woodland Flowers on December 7 at 8pm in Churchtown South Hall. For tickets ring 087-9619299.
- Mitchelstown Flower and Garden Club will hold a Christmas floral demonstration with Enda Thompson Phelan in the Firgrove Hotel on Thursday at 8pm.
- Bandon Flower Club will hold its annual dinner in The Munster Arms Hotel on Monday at 7.30pm. A demonstration by Mary Coleman will follow. Tickets from committee or from June 023-8842167.
- A Christmas floral extravaganza by Richard Haslam will take place at the Greenbarn Garden Centre on December 8 at 7.30pm. Phone 024-90166 for tickets.
- Alpine/Garden Plant Society presents Ciaran Burke of The Garden School (Mayo) to speak on "Woody Wonders" at their meeting on Thursday in the Lavanagh Centre, Ballintemple at 7.45pm.
- Bandon Art Group has a Christmas exhibition with a coffee morning in aid of the local St Vincent de Paul on Friday at 10am in Hosfords Blue Geranium Cafe and Garden Centre.
- Mallow Flower and Garden Club host their gala Christmas demonstration in the GAA Complex Carrigoon on Tuesday at 8pm.
- A talk on "How to protect your garden this winter," followed by a lunch for €10, takes place at Griffins, Dripsey on Tuesday and Thursdayat 12pm. Christmas Demonstrations every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
- Lough Flower and Garden Club will host a gala Christmas demonstration by Una Fleming in the SMA Parish Centre Wilton on Tuesday next at 8pm. Tickets €15 includes supper and aids Cork Penny Dinners and Simon Cork.
- Rita Moore will give a Christmas flower demonstration at Douglas Community Centre on November 29 at 8pm. Tickets €10 available from the Community Centre on Church Road. Proceeds go towards new Meals on Wheels kitchen.
- East Cork Flower Club will hold a gala Christmas demonstration with Bernadette Scanlan on Thursday next in the Park Hotel at 7.30pm. Tickets €15, includes refreshments.
- Ladysbridge and District Flower and Garden Club meet on Monday at 8pm in Garryvoe Hotel for a Christmas floral arrangements demonstration with Rose Hickey.
- The decorated home of DJ Murphy at Killumney, Ovens, Co Cork will be open today and tomorrow from noon to 8pm, and from Thursday to Sunday of next week. Proceeds will be shared between Marymount Hospice and Saoirse Alzheimers Unit West Cork.
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