Garden Digest: Events for your diary

Snowdrops continue to dominate the New Year garden events

A Snowdrop Garden Open Day in aid of the Cork University Hospital charity at Bride Park Cottage in Killumney.

• The Lough Flower and Garden Club will hold its AGM on Tuesday, January 23rd at the SMA Parish Hall in Wilton, Cork, opposite CUH. It takes place at 7.30pm. A lively meeting is promised for all.
• The 12th annual Snowdrop Gala and Other Spring Treasures 2024 takes place on Saturday, January 27, at Ballykealey House, Ballon, Co Carlow, R93A9K1. The speakers are Steve Edney, former head gardener at The Salutation and Canterbury Cathedral and the owner of No Name Nursery, and Michael Dreisvogt, director of Park Härle Arboretum in Bonn, Germany. For further information send an email to [e-mail].

• The Royal Horticultural Society of Ireland will host a gardening event over Zoom on January 17 from 7.30pm to 9pm. Paul Smyth will discuss snowdrops and other spring flowers. See www.rhsi.ie for more details.
• Snowdrop Garden Visit to Hester Forde’s garden, Coosheen, Glounthaune. Co. Cork takes place on Saturday, February 3 from 11am to 1pm. Booking is essential. €20 per person. Tea/Coffee on arrival 11am – Guided Tour 11.30 am. This “must-see” garden has a spectacular collection of spring flowers, a notable snowdrop collection and is a master class in how to create interest and variety in a suburban garden. Described by Shirley Lanigan as “nothing short of a tour de force.” Hester will also talk about trees in the garden and how we prune and use them in a small space. See www.rhsi.ie for details.
• A Snowdrop Garden Open Day in aid of the Cork University Hospital charity at Bride Park Cottage in Killumney, Co Cork (P31 VW52) on February 18 from 11am to 5pm. The event will include plant sales, antique sales and a raffle. Entry is €10. Tea/Coffee and light refreshments will be served.

• The Grow It Yourself (GIY) organisation is running a course on polytunnel growing on February 18 delivered by head grower Richard Mee. He will teach participants all there is to know when choosing the right polytunnel and will focus on design, dimensions and construction and ensuring your investment aligns perfectly with your goals. It's €80 to take part. Visit www.giy.ie for details.

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