March 27, 2017
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April 2017

Clare Garden Festival

Clare Garden Festival is a treat for gardeners and a great day out for all the family. Over 70 garden and food stalls from all over Ireland attend the festival. The festival offers a series of garden expert talks from an accessible stage and has much to offer and discover for young and older gardeners from demonstrations to show gardens. In 2017, the festival will take place on Sunday, 30 April at Ennis Showgrounds, Co. Clare, and Festival Fringe includes Mary Reynolds and her film ‘Dare to be Wild’. For more details see www.claregardenfestival.com

Tulips Extravaganza

The Bay Garden, Camolin, Co. Wexford opens early in middle of April when, in conjunction with Mr. Middleton Garden Shop, it showcases the range of tulips available from them. Over 5,000 bulbs were planted for the Tulip Extravaganza in 2016 and another 10,000 have been added for the 2017 display. Flowering season varies with the weather but mainly from late March to late May, and a succession of tulip colour will light up the garden. The Tulip Extravaganza at The Bay Garden is open on weekends form 15 April to 14 May. Other times by appointment for groups or individuals.

www.thebaygarden.com

Fota House Plant and Garden Fair

On Sunday, 23 April, Fota House and Gardens, Cork, hosts its annual Fota House Plant and Garden Fair in the new Car Park of Fota House. Eighty specialist nurseries will attend, providing an opportunity for visitors to purchase unusual and special plants, including rare trees, shrubs, alpine, herbaceous and water plants at reasonable prices.

Retailers of other garden products will attend and competition for the most attractive stand will also be held, the winner to receive the inaugural Brian Cross Memorial Prize, sponsored by Mrs Rose Cross. The Fair will run from 11am to 4pm and catering facilities will be available.

June Blake’s Month of Tulips’ at June Blake’s Garden.

A Month of Tulips will take place at June Blake’s Garden, Blessington, Co. Wicklow from 14 April to 14 May. June begins the season in style with her largest display of tulips to date and will give a free guided tour each Sunday at 2 pm during this time. Tea/coffee is available in the tea-room, plant sales in the courtyard and Back Avenue Books offers new, rare and vintage garden books.

Best in Fest ICON

Tom Harfleet, show manager of RHS Chelsea Flower Show, and other experts from the international festival and events scene speak at Best in Fest ICON on 27 April. Moderated by Dave Fanning, this event will include Michael Eavis, founder of the Glastonbury Festival. Event details and tickets available at bestinfest.ie

Kells Bay lecture

A lecture by Sir Tim Smit on Kells, Eden and the Art of making Magic takes place on 8 April in The Dining Room at Kells Bay House, commencing at 10.30 am. He will highlight various aspects of his career, including the discovery of the Lost Gardens of Heligan and the launch of The Eden Project, and will take questions and be available to guests from 10.30 am through to conclusion of the buffet lunch. There are a very limited number of places available for this event. Cost €50 includes coffee, talk and lunch.

Gardening and mussels!

Connemara Mussel Festival, Co. Galway, on 28 to 30 April, features west of Ireland gardener Klaus Laitenberger who will conduct a workshop to demonstrate among many other things, how to grow the humble potato. Author of the book Vegetables for the Irish Garden, Klaus’s talk on growing your own vegetables is on29 April in Tullycross, Connemara.

Tendence Outdoor Living
Tendence in Frankfurt am Main from 24th to 27th June 2017 will show a host of ways in which life can be breathed into outdoor areas of all kinds, from mini-balconies and roof terraces to park-like gardens. Under the title Outdoor Living, the international trade fair is devoting a prominent special area to this future-oriented subject. The location at Frankfurt Fair and Exhibition Centre has also been chosen for its thematic proximity – the spacious outdoor area in front of the entrance to Galleria 0 opens up to visitors when they walk through the Japanese Gate.

Versailles pewter planters

Stewart Garden has extended its decorative range with the Versailles family of pewter-effect planters. While desireable, real lead pewter planters are heavy, expensive and rare. However, with the Versailles range, Stewart Garden has created a collection of three pewter-effect planters that are lightweight, visually stunning and affordable, and ideal for laurels, olive trees, privet, hedging, walkways and door features.

Fruitlawn Garden spring course

Fruitlawn offers a one day spring gardening course with garden designer Arthur Shackleton on Saturday, 1 April, starting at 10.45 with coffee and scones. There is a delicious organic lunch and an informal gathering to relax, chat and discuss the morning’s work until 4pm. The cost including lunch is €75. See www.arthurshackleton.com, a deposit is required.

Jewels of the West

Galway Flower & Garden Club has announced a Flower Festival: Jewels of the West in St. Nicholas Church, Galway. It takes place on 5 to 7 May 2017. Opening hours: Friday and Saturday, 10am to 6pm; Sunday 1pm to 6pm. Admission is €8. The Opening Ceremony takes place on5 May, 7pm. €10 Closing Ceremony, 7 May, 7pm €10, in aid of Galway Hospice.

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