Cobh Flower and Horticulture Club

• The bus will leave from outside the Mercy Convent on the Bishop’s Road at 9.30 a.m.
• Please bring a packed lunch. A fruit punch will be served in the first garden, but bring a flask if you would like tea or coffee.

• We will visit two gardens – We will arrive at Tim & Helen O’Brien’s garden in Knockpatrick, Foynes at approximately 11.45 a.m. This is a natural three-acre garden, under the shadow of Knockpatrick and overlooking the Shannon estuary, where, according to Charlie Wilkins, "you can delve through the garden in your search for perfection in plants and setting". The gardens contain a collection of Rhododendrons, Azaleas, Magnolias, Tree ferns, Bamboo, "all set amid fat plantings of bulbs which bloom in Spring. Come see the blue poppies in their woodland setting during May, if for nothing else." It is situated approx. 1.5 miles on the Limerick side of Foynes. There will be plants for sale and there is a toilet available. Fruit punch will be served and members can eat their packed lunch at this venue.

• The second garden is Terra Nova Garden belonging to Deborah and Martin Begley, Dromin, Kilmallock. This half-acre garden began eight years ago, and is full of unusual plants including many grown from seed sourced from around the world. A large collection of aroids, particularly Arisaemas, woodland plants, roses and pergola, log cabin and seating areas. The garden is also home to "Terra Nova Plants" – a small nursery that specialises in uncommon plants. Plants will be for sale, and yes, there is another loo available here!

• We will also visit two garden centres in the area – more details next month.

• Dinner will be at Springfort Hall and the bus will return to the Bishop’s Road at approximately 10.00 p.m.
• The cost for members is 46 Euro. Visitors 48 Euro.

Annual Dinner:

Afterwards, the discerning audience was entertained by "Three" (well, Two and a half!) consisting of Pat Hurley and Martha O’Brien – singing "The Cobh Flower Club" written by you know who – with apologies to "The Boys of Fairhill". By popular demand the words are not printed here! However, if you would like to practice in the privacy of your own home, I will provide a copy, or you can check it out on the website - homepage.eircom.net/~cfhc

And you all thought that you would learn how to arrange flowers when you joined the club!!

The next meeting on Monday, 12^th May, will be a worknight with Mary O'Keeffe AOIFA.

Members are requested to bring the following with them:-

Flowers suitable for your arrangement.

Remember that oasis, tape, wires, containers etc are all available from the Sales table (Angela Heffron) at a minimum cost.

Beginners:

Your base must be smaller than the measurement given for the exhibit. But don't worry if you do not have a suitable base - you can borrow one from a more experienced club member. Other suggestions are - table mats, slates, (yes, I do mean one from your roof!!) trays, teapot stands, use your imagination. You can paint or cover them with fabric if necessary. Remember the base should compliment rather than dominate your arrangement.

Your container can be a margarine tub, a glass ashtray, a coffee jar lid etc.

Foliage should be small and dainty for a small exhibit, and larger leafed foliage can be used for the bigger ones. Vary the texture, shape and size of the plant material. You do not need flowers to achieve an arrangement - variety of foliage can be enough. Take a stroll through your garden (or even your neighbour's!) and cut a bunch of foliage - I bet you will be pleasantly surprised. Soaking plant material in water for a few hours before arranging will make it last longer.

Garden flowers may not last as long as bought ones, but are very suitable and will give you great satisfaction if you have grown them yourself. It might even encourage your lover to work harder in the garden!!

Seed heads, fruit, bare stems - all can add another dimension to your creations.

You can incorporate an accessory if you like (some schedules may not allow this)– a figurine or ornament – but remember it should not pre-dominate.

Not all plant material has to be in water retaining oasis. Succulents and turgid material can be included in your arrangement, and may be intertwined or incorporated in such a way that the stems are not in water retentive material.

There is a little book of rules called the "Schedule of Definitions" available from the Sales Table for the competitive souls in the club! However, do not let rules and regulations inhibit you in making arrangements at home for pleasure.