With spring just around the corner, it’s the perfect time to prepare your garden for the growing season ahead. If you’re of Irish lineage (or just enjoy celebrating the culture), consider adding Irish elements to your garden to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day and the start of a new season. Here are some great elements to feature:
- Shamrocks/Clovers: The shamrock is a three-leaf clover used as a symbol of Ireland. Give your garden a burst of green by growing shamrocks in your garden or as ground cover.
- Green Man Sculpture: Green Man plaques, statues, and sculptures can make interesting décor for your garden. The Green Man symbolizes the cycle of growth each spring.
- Lilies: The Easter lily symbolizes unity and freedom for Irish people everywhere. Known for their attractive, trumpet-shaped blooms, lilies can add instant vibrancy and fragrance to an Irish garden.
- Dog Rose: The dog rose is a type of deciduous shrub native to Ireland. Plant dog rose in the spring and when it begins to flower, you’ll know summer is near.
- Spring Squill: Referred to as “sciolla erraigh” by the Irish, spring squill produces beautiful blue and pale purple flowers in a star-like shape. The plant generally flowers from April to May.
- Ragged Robin: Ragged robin is a common wildflower in Ireland. The delicately fringed bloom is loved by bees and butterflies.
- Sheep’s Bit: Found on rocks in the coastal areas of Northern Ireland, sheep’s bit is a low-growing plant with fluffy, light blue flower heads. Its small size and preference for rocky terrain make it a great choice for borders and rock gardens.
- Powis Castle: Known for its distinct silver-gray foliage, Powis Castle is a type of fragrant foliage often used as a filler plant in gardens. The plant is also drought-resistant, making it a great choice for places that don’t see an abundance of rainfall.
- White Spotted Orchid: Native to Ireland, the white spotted orchid belongs to the family Orchidaceae. It often appears with white, purple, or pale pink flowers with spots.
- Fairy Thimble: Fairy thimble, or foxglove for us in the U.S., is an eye-catching flower featuring red, pink, purple, yellow, or white tubular blooms. The plant is a biennial native of Ireland and can be found growing across the Irish countryside.
- Pot Marigold: With their large yellow and orange flowers and bright green leaves, pot marigolds are a bold addition to any Irish garden. The plant is a three-season bloomer, lasting from early spring through summer and well into fall.
- Chamomile: Common chamomile produces daisy-like flowers that emit a sweet smell. Some varieties can be harvested and made into tea for enhanced digestion.
- Daisy: The daisy is an herbaceous perennial that happily thrives in a wide range of conditions. The cold-hardy flower is commonly found in shades of white and yellow and provides a lovely backdrop to other blooming perennials.