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Fun Garden Decor
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Elfin Tree Door
Hang our tiny Door, Windows and Light on a tree
to encourage local
elves and fairies to come and go through your yard
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Glowing
Stepping Stone
Phosphorescent Celtic Knot design absorbs the
suns rays during the day
to create 6-8 hours of glowing night displays
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You can't
have a
gardening website without a little something about Ireland can you?
Ireland's
Climate and Plants
Ireland's emerald green hills are a result of mild winters and wet
summers. Ireland's vegetation is made up of three major habitats:
Grassland, Heath and Bog. In addition, many woodland plants have
escaped the woods to bloom in open meadows.
One of Ireland's most famous botanical sites is the Burren in County
Clare. Among the extraordinary features of this area is the combination
of alpine plants growing side by side with Mediterranean species.
This
is explained by the unique combination of cool, wet summers, which
enables the alpines, which cannot tolerate summer drought, to survive;
and the mild winters, which allow the frost-sensitive Mediterranean
species to survive.
Irish monasteries and castle gardens typically included plants for
cooking and healing. Some common flowers grown among the castle
walls include roses, geraniums, blue cornflowers, yellow pot marigold
and love-in-a-mist.
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Care and
Growing of Shamrock Plants
 All shamrocks are considered lucky and are
worn and given as gifts on
St. Patrick's Day.
Several different plants are sold as
Shamrocks.
There is some disagreement as to the exact plant, but
most Irish growers will tell you Trifolium repens, or white clover are
most commonly known as shamrocks.
White Clover
Trifolium repens, or white clover are
perennial plants, growing about 4 inches high. Trifolium take
full sun to part shade and like average water. They spread by
rooting stems and can be used as a ground cover. White clover get
white puff-ball shaped flowers in early spring and generally have three
leaves. Indoors they like sun or bright light and should be kept
slightly moist. In a 4 inch pot, they will probably need weekly
watering.
Wood Sorrel
Oxalis acetosella, or
wood sorrel is another plant called shamrock. Oxalis is a
perennial plant that grows about 5
inches high. They spreads easily by rhizomes and can become
invasive. These shamrocks like part shade and moist, woodland
conditions. Oxalis is commonly called clover and has white, five
petaled flowers sometimes tinted with purple or pink.
Oxalis is usually three-leaved. Indoors they like bright, indirect
sunlight and somewhat damp soil.
Protective Three Leaved Clovers
Three leaved clovers are worn as protective
amulets. They were used by St. Patrick to demonstrate the concept
of the Holy Trinity while converting the Druids to Christianity.
Lucky Four Leaved Clovers
Four leaved clovers are considered lucky and
protective. They are said to help the wearer find treasure.
Some Irish botanists say the Irish Shamrock only exists on St.
Patrick's Day.
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Ireland's
Native National Tree
Sessile Oak (Quercus petraea)
Ireland's National
Flower
Shamrock (Trefoil)
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