Who was Granny Smith?
Gardeners are the nicest people — honestly! How obliging and generous of spirit they are. They seem to take the view that they work for the common good of their communities, and any benefits that come their way are to be shared unstintingly. But then all gardeners are baton carriers, taking what has been handed them, before passing it on down to the next link in the chain. And not just the plants mind you, but knowledge, advice and encouragement. For a few, their names and reputation live on to be shared and enjoyed by as many as possible. Let me introduce you to some of these;
As mother of nine children, Maria Smith (1799-1870) was pretty much guaranteed to become a grandmother. She and her husband Thomas emigrated to Ryde, New South Wales, from Sussex as part of a government initiative to encourage skilled agricultural workers to that area. The apple that was named after her originated from a seedling of a French crab apple which Maria brought with her on her trip to Australia. At first she used the apples for cooking, but her son encouraged her to grow them for eating, and she soon began to cultivate them in proper orchards. Although popular locally, the apple was not marketed commercially until after her death and it was first imported into Britain in the 1930s. The New South Wales town of Ryde commemorates Granny Smith with a memorial park which is on the southern boundary of the former family farm.
was an acerbic woman who would inspect the bundle of weeds about to be composted by her under-gardeners then proceed to pick out anything she did not consider a weed. A member of the RHS, she attended many of their committee meetings wearing some rare bloom in her buttonhole with the sole intention of seeing how many of her colleagues didn’t know it! Her name is synonymous with the extremely sought after ‘thistle’ sold as Eryngium giganteum.
Miss Wilmott may have been acerbic but Clive Greves (of Scabious fame) was spivvy. A spiv normally dresses flashily and usually makes a living by disreputable means. He was also a salesman with many talents and he once bet his employer he could sell more of any plant if it was named after him! His employer agreed and Clive did go on to sell many plants, including the blue Scabious which now bears his name.
was another gracious character. She was the granddaughter of Charles Darwin and she grew up amid an eclectic mix of droll aunts and uncles. She dabbled in genetics at university and practiced hybridising plants, but contrary to belief, did not breed her namesake columbine (aquilegia). It had probably been known since the sixteenth century.
One of the most widely-grown garden plants today is the carnation, or ‘pinks’ as they’re commonly known. A popular variety is ‘Mrs Sinkins’ named after the wife of a master of the Poor Law Institution in Slough, England. It was her husband who bred the famous white and highly scented Dianthus, and because it put Slough on the map it now appears on the Slough coat of arms. The bloom is held in the beak of a swan.
was a Yorkshireman who tended two allotments along with jobbing in peoples gardens. He dabbled with hybridisation and was particularly interested in lupins. For almost a quarter of a century he persevered with crossing and re-crossing, his best efforts eventually reaching high standards of achievement. For years he refused to sell his plants or seedlings to nurseries and eventually only agreed to do so on condition that he could supervise their growth and discard inferior specimens.
It is recorded that of the 5,000 plants produced in the first year by Baker Nurseries, Russell destroyed 4,200. There were many more, including the Rev Wilks (no relation!) who refused to make money out of his Shirley poppies and E A Bowles who greeted visitors with the words “I hope you brought a basket”.
Irrespective of gender, all of the above-mentioned had fine characteristics and mannerisms.
It is also remarkable how many of them lived to a great age. William Robinson lived to be 97, George Russell 94 and Cedric Morris 97. Collingwood Ingram and Nora Barlow both reached 100. Gardening it would seem promotes longevity but it needs, I imagine, to be practiced from a young age!
HEDGES AND TREES: Continue the planting of bare-root deciduous hedging plants and trees. Put rabbit guards around newly planted trees and shrubs to protect the bark from damage. Plant roses, but avoid areas where roses were previously grown as this can lead to problems with replant diseases. Move established deciduous trees and shrubs, provided the ground is not frozen or soggy. Protect all newly planted trees, hedges and shrubs from cold winds and frosts, which can loosen and lift the roots. Gently re-firm them in if you notice this problem, and erect a temporary netting windbreak if there is no natural shelter. Thick dry mulches will protect the roots from cold, and branches can be covered with fleece, or even packed with dry straw and then covered with fleece, for tender plants. A wooden frame with clear polythene stretched over it does a similar job for evergreens without blocking the light, but don’t let the polythene touch the leaves, as condensation could freeze or cause rots.
HERONS are moving back nearer to town and city because their food supply in the countryside is getting rather thin. During winter, all fish move into deeper water for warmth and protection. Their movements become much more sluggish, and many move in under rocks and river ledges for added safety. In the garden pool, the water depth remains constant and hiding places are few and far between. As well as this, the natural cover and protection provided by water-lily leaves, floating plants, and oxygenators are now greatly reduced leaving the fish more exposed than ever. Because of this, it would be advisable to not alone cover the pool with netting or wire, but provide some form of shelter in which the goldfish can hide. Short sections of plastic piping sunk on the pool bottom will give them a safe, quite, resting place for the winter, and here they can be quite safe from the hawk-eye of the heron, if not his sword-like beak and deadly accurate stabbing actions.
AS Christmas and yet another New Year approaches I hope it will bring readers, as it has brought me, another satisfying period in their busy lives. My plants have thought me that life is a continuous circle, one of growing, maturing, and eventually one of rest. Gardening has also given me bountiful days of fun, health, and immense knowledge of how things evolve. It has given me innumerable gardening friends none of whom I would change for even the most desirable of ornamental plants. Best of all, it has given me laughter and tears and pictures of almost incredible beauty, unlike any I have seen on canvas or board. Won’t you join me then, on this page, for another few seasons? A Happy Christmas, and Joyous New Year, to all readers.
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- Readers will delight in the announcement last week that more than €30,250 was handed over to charity following DJ Murphy’s Open House at Killumney, Co Cork. Both Marymount Hospice and Saoirse Alzheimers Mount Carmel Hospital Clonakilty shared the gift, the generosity of many thousands of visitors over two long weekends. Thanks to all who donated.
- Ladysbridge and District Flower and Garden Club will meet for a Christmas Work Night on Monday at 8pm in the Garrryvoe Hotel. Please bring plant material, etc. Mulled wine and mince pies, also raffle and sales table on the night.
- A Christmas Farmers Market shall be held tomorrow from noon to 5.30pm at Hosfords, Enniskeane. A concert with Michael Lawlor (tenor), Veronica O’Keeffe-mezzo-soprano (Annabel Adams-accompanist) begins at 2pm tomorrow.
- The Frank Lewis Gallery, Killarney, are celebrating 25 years of trading, and to mark the occasion an exhibition featuring botanical artist Susan Sex (among others) is on view. The exhibition is open to December 24, Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm. Gift ideas aplenty.
- A spring seminar on snowdrops and other spring treasures takes place at Altmont Gardens, Co Carlow, on February 4 beginning at 9.30am. Lunch, lectures, admission to bulb sale and tour is included in €50 entry fee (before December 20) thereafter €60. Early booking is advisable so contact Hester at 086-8654972. Full details will be given during January.
- The Cystic Fibrosis Association will benefit from the sales of The Irish Country House Garden Diary and Journal. This month by month guide is inspirational and the fully illustrated journal costs €10 from www.cfireland.com or from Breda O’Kelly Lisamote, Adare, Co Limerick.
- Have breakfast with Santa today and tomorrow at the Greenbarn Garden Centre, Killeagh. Free Crafts at the Kids Live Crib.
- A one-day workshop on decorating your home with traditional floral creations takes place at Templebreedy Grounds Experience, The Old Rectory, Crosshaven on specified dates up to December 23. Maximum 6 persons per workshop. Materials and lunch provided. Contact 086 2888776 for details or mail TGECrosshaven@gmail.com
- Griffins creative team will inspire you with a workshop on Christmas tree dressing, mantel-piece swag, garlands, wreaths and more at noon on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday next. All welcome.
- Would any reader have an old photograph showing plants (even those alongside groups or individuals) at Ashbourne House, Glounthaune, Co Cork? Charlie Wilkins asks if he could borrow these for a very short time. Please contact charliewilkins@eircom.net
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