May 2002

Visit to Ms Pat Hurley’s garden: Twenty five members of Cobh Flower Club paid a visit to the garden of Pat and John Hurley on Wednesday 1^st May at 7 p.m. despite dull weather. All assembled in Pat’s cactus laden conservatory, well togged out in raincoats and carrying umbrellas – thankfully the umbrellas were only needed for a few minutes. Soon everyone was too interested in the garden tour to bother about a few drops of rain. Pat guided us all around her lovely garden to see the many plants she had grown over the years – Agaves in pots abounded on the patios.(Rosetted, perennial succulents with sword-shaped, sharp-toothed leaves. Small species1 ft high, flower after 5-10 years. Tall species – 15 ft. may take 20 – 40 years. Most species with hard, blue/ grey leaves are half-hardy: grey/green or green leafed species frost tender. Needs full sun and well-drained soil.) Two Belfast sinks "doctored" by John - See below for the recipe! - sat side by side with numerous Irises – another of Pat’s favourite flowers.

We wandered over to her greenhouse where lots of interesting specimens were being carefully minded, along with John’s tomato plants – these take 1 ½ gallons of water every day!! The greenhouse was situated against an old wall and was surrounded by gravel through which peeped grasses of all sorts. An interesting Japanese style Pagoda stood on a slab of Valentia slate.

A stream tumbled downwards through the border at one side of the garden and many different coloured plants grew in profusion. Pat’s motto is "don’t get rid of anything" - and I can tell you truthfully, it seems to work.

Honesty (Lunaria – biennials and perennials, grown for their flowers and silvery seed pods. Fully hardy. Will grow in sun or shade and well drained soil) in shades of white and mauve sprang up here and there, as did "Granny’s Bonnets"(Aquilegia Vulgaris – Columbine – Graceful, clump-forming, short-lived perennials, grown for their mainly bell-shaped, spurred flowers in spring and summer. Suitable for rock gardens. Fully to frost hardy. Prefers well-drained soil in an open, sunny site.) All the time we were there a bird serenaded us from the top of an ESB pole. John says he sings from morning to night.

We meandered around to view the male and female Myrtles (Myrtus – evergreen shrubs, sometimes tree-like. Grown for their flowers, fruits and aromatic foliage. Frost to half hardy. In cold areas plant against a south or west facing wall. Needs full sun and fertile, well-drained soil. Trim in spring to restrict growth. All brides bouquets should contain a sprig.) – the bark of the male is particularly striking – presently, it is a reddish colour, but in Winter the outer layer peels off leaving a silver colour. John has placed a spotlight aimed on the bark.

A yellow-berried holly (could be – Ilex Pyramidalis Fructu Luteo) was next on the list and then we came to the corner where Rosie holds court under a weeping willow Salix Babylonica) and next to a contorted willow.(Salix Matsudana ‘Tortuosa’)

Apparently, years ago there was a castle nearby owned by a seafaring man, who spent a lot of time on the high seas. Meanwhile his wife amused herself by dallying with a landlubber. Unfortunately for her, her husband returned early from one of his trips and interrupted her shenanigans. He banished her and turned his attentions to one of the maids – Rosie. Her ghost walks the avenue at times. But generally, she can be found in the corner of Pat’s garden and is illuminated by night.

We came back up the other side of the garden now and were halted by the sight of a flame tree (Erythrina – deciduous or evergreen trees shrubs and perennials, grown for their flowers from spring to autumn. Half hardy to frost tender. Requires full light and well drained soil) Beside this is an interesting garden ornament – a tall cast iron post with a horses head – you could have hitched your horse to this in days gone by. I don’t think either Pat or John would encourage you to do this nowadays, however!!

In the centre of the lawn – which, incidentally takes John 1 ½ hours to cut, using a sit-on mower, a push mower and a strimmer – is a pond with another interesting ornament, an original gas lamp, beside it. The pond contains several healthy goldfish – obviously, the heron has not found them yet.

Several stone pots are placed around the garden – Pat will tell you where these may be obtained. A sundial sits on a 3-ft. high chimney pot. A gigantic Ali Baba pot holds a Phormium Tenax Dazzler – (evergreen upright perennial with tufts of bold, stiff, pointed leaves in tones of yellow, salmon-pink, orange-red and bronze. Height 6 – 8 ft. Spread 3 ft.)

Up near the house were drifts of bluebells,(Hyacinthoides – Spring-flowering bulbs, grown for their bluebell flowers. Suitable for borders and naturalising in grass beneath trees and shrubs. Fully hardy. Requires partial shade and plenty of moisture. Prefers heavy soil.) A very healthy Arum Italicum Pictum grew in abundance (Cuckoo Pint – Late spring-flowering, tuber. Produces semi-erect leaves, with cream or white veins, in autumn, followed by pale green or creamy-white spathes, then red berries in autumn. Is good for flower arrangements. Fully to half hardy.) On the walls opposite were several ivies and many mature trees.

Altogether, it is a lovely garden and well worth a visit. In fact, the author brought her own husband back again to take photographs. These can be seen on the website – and many of the plants mentioned can be seen in detail. Unfortunately, "the husband" is so busy on the website that he doesn’t have a lot of time to spend in his own garden!!

It is obvious that Pat really loves her gardening and like the many other talents she has she does it well.

And as if all this wasn’t enough – we all trooped back inside for tea and cakes of every kind, served by Pat’s daughter Aileen and her sister Mary. Altogether scrumptious.

Thank you Pat and John – we’ll be back!!!!!!!!!!!!!

John’s Recipe for covering sink

Wear rubber gloves to prevent hands getting burned by cement. Mix 2 parts peat moss, 2 parts sand and 1 part cement together. Add enough water to make a thick "goo". Coat the sink with polybond to ensure that mixture will adhere. Pat handfuls of the mixture onto sink – lots of patience is required, as it does not stick easily. Allow to dry before filling with plants.

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Dates for your Diary:

Rubka Ireland (helping elderly people stay independent) will benefit if you visit the garden of Mr and Mrs David Nicholson, Diamond Lodge, Monkstown, on Thursday May 16^th from 11a.m. – 5 p.m. Signposted from Monkstown.

Neill and Sonia Williams (former owners of Carewswood) will open their garden in Castlemartyr, on Saturday 18^th May, from 10 a.m. – 4.30 p.m.

Cork Flower Club will host a Gala Demonstration entitled "Fun with Flora" by

Keith Smithies from Wales in Jury’s Hotel, on Wednesday May 15^th at 8 p.m.

Sunday’s Well and District Flower and Garden Club will have Mrs Nuala Stack speaking on "Growing and Using Herbs" in their local Parish Hall on Wednesday May 15^th. at 8 p.m.

Youghal Flower and Garden Club will visit the Blackwater Garden Centre on Tuesday May 14^th at 7 p.m. Mr Michael McKenna will speak on "Summer Colour"

Flower Festival in Kilternan Parish, Dublin – 17^th-19^th May

Flower Festival in Dalkey Parish Church, Dalkey – 13^th-15^th September.

AOIFA meeting of Club Chairmen will be held on 6^th June in the Munster Arms Hotel, Cathedral St. Thurles from 11a.m.-4p.m.

AOIFA National Festival of Flowers: Tipperary Town "Behold the Lilies" October 3^rd-6^th. If you would like to act as a steward please contact club secretary Helen for details.

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The Private Gardens of Cork will open to the public from Saturday, May 18^th until Sunday, June 16th

Saturday, May 18^th                                                                  Des and Brid Hurley                                                  11a.m. – 5p.m.

                                                                                                 Castle Mary,

                                                                                                 Cloyne.

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Saturday, May 18^th                                                                   Sir Richard Keane,                                                     10a.m. –1.30p.m.

                                                                                                 Cappoquin House,

                                                                                                 Cappoquin,

                                                                                                 Co. Waterford.

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Sunday, May 19^th                                                                      Catherine McHale,                                                    2.30p.m.-5p.m.

                                                Rochestown Road,

                                                Cork.

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Saturday, May 25^th                                                                    Catherine Thompson,                                                  11a.m.- 5p.m.

                                                                                                  Agamertha,

                                                                                                  Carrigaline,

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Sunday, May 26^th                                                                       Eileen and Hugh Sherrard,                                          12p.m. - 6 p.m.

                                                                                                  Lissarda House,                                                                                   

                                                                                                   Lissarda,

                                                                                                   Co. Cork.

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Sunday, May 26^th                                                                        Carla Blake,                                                              12p.m.-6p.m.

                                                                                                   Carnaval,

                                                                                                   Conna.

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Wednesday, May 29^th                                                                  Donal and Norma Murphy,                                      12p.m.-6p.m.

                                                                                                    Bracken Lodge,

                                                                                                    Clogheen,

                                                                                                    Co. Cork.

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Sunday, June 9^th                                                                            Pat and Georgina Keenan,                                      11a.m.-5p.m.

                                                                                                     Glenkeen,

                                                                                                     Clogheen.

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Saturday, June 15^th and                                                                  Richard Wood,                                                       2p.m.-8 p.m.

Sunday, June 16^th                                                                          Rockroan,

                                                                                                    Carrigrohane.

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Proceeds from all visits go to St. Patrick’s Hospital and Marymount Hospice. Follow the Open Gardens signs. Insurance restrictions do not allow toilet facilities.

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AOIFA EDUCATION DAY:

This will be held on Saturday, 25^th May. The object of the day will be to encourage entries in Club monthly competitions. Tutor will be Una Fleming. It will be held in the Community Centre, Upper Aghada.

Programme:

10.00 a.m. Morning Tea/Coffee

10.30-12 noon. Teaching Demonstration by Tutor

12.00-1.30p.m. Club members will stage exhibits.

                                                            Novice: A Symmetrical Triangle on a raised container.

                                                                        an exhibit – tabling measurement 60cms wide

                    Intermediate: "Precious Little" – A petite exhibit – not exceeding 25

            cms in width, depth and height. This measurement

            not apply to the diagonal dimension. This exhibit is to be brought already              done.

Advanced: An exhibit "In the Modern Manner" – tabling measurement – 75cms              wide.

All students to bring notebook and biro.

1.30- 2.30p.m. Club members will have lunch (Tea/Coffee available – bring a packed lunch)

2.30-3.30p.m. Oral assessment and Questions and Answer session.

 

Five members from the Cobh Flower Club may attend this Day and we invite three to work – 1 novice, 1 intermediate and 1 advanced. Please use garden material where possible.

This is normally a really enjoyable and relaxing day. It will provide an opportunity to meet up with members of other clubs and learn more about flower arranging. There is provided by AOIFA for members of all Flower Clubs and there is no cost involved.

Volunteers apply to Club Secretary – Helen.

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Annual Outing : Sunday May 19^th.

Bus leaves from Convent of Mercy, Bishop’s Road, Cobh at 10.00 a.m. on Sunday May 19^th and will return to this point at approximately 10 – 10.30 p.m. (Please note new departure and set down point. (No other stops)

The programme for the day will include -

• Meta Tucker’s garden in Kinsale
• D.J. Murphy’s Garden Centre, Bandon.
• West Cork Garden Centre, Bandon.
• The Rectory Garden, Crookstown.
• Dinner in Bawnleigh House (approx. 6.30 p.m.)

Price will be 42 Euro to include dinner, entry to gardens and gratuities. Please bring a packed lunch – including drinks. (There may not be an opportunity to purchase lunch)

Further enquiries, bookings and money immediately,– Helen – Tel: 4812808 or

Carmel- Tel: 4811603

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Next Meeting

Monday June 17^th

Floral Demonstration by Ms Eve Swift NAFAS

Horticultural Competitions:

1. Three Roses.
2. Three Herbaceous Flowers
3. Three Herbs to be Labelled

July and August – Annual Holidays

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Upcoming Events

• Annual Outing – Sunday 19^th May

• Flowers for Corpus Christi in St. Colman’s Cathedral – volunteers needed.

• Flowers for Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner in Commodore Hotel on Friday, 7^th June at 10.30 a.m. volunteers needed.

• Flowers for World Federation of Carillioneurs, St. Colman’s Cathedral – end of July volunteers needed.

• WAFA world show in Glasgow – June 13^th-16^th. Two places available with Dungarvan Flower and Garden Club.

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Visit our Website at: http://homepage.eircom.net/~cfhc

E-mail us at: cfhc@eircom.net

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