Spend some special time at Fota

WOULD you like to give your best friend an unusual gift? A rare or unusual plant perhaps, rather than a gift voucher for lunch? I have always believed that the gift of a plant is like no other.

You cannot eat it, use it up entirely, or store it away for a rainy day. It may, like an early summer peony disappear underground for much of the winter, but, like a good friend it picks up again in spring and acts as if winter has never been. Gardeners constantly give gifts. !! If therefore you want to purchase something really special for your friend reserve Sunday Apr 21 for the 2013 Fota House Plant and Garden Fair. This fair, which takes place in the world-renowned Arboretum and Gardens of Fota House, Carrigtwohill, Co Cork is now, I believe, the biggest such event in the country and 70 to 80 specialist nurseries are expected to attend this year.

Visitors will be able to purchase rare trees, shrubs, alpines, herbaceous and water plants at reasonable rates. Retailers providing garden furniture, pots, sculptures, ornaments and tools will also be in attendance.