Wild privet (Ligustrum vulgare) or Pribhéad in Irish bears heavily scented white flowers in June and July. (1) For hundreds of years this plant was used for hedging because its shoots regenerate quickly when cut and it afforded privacy to houses near one another. It is a deciduous shrub but if often retains some leaves…
The Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea) or Lus mór or Méirín púca in Irish displays its spikes of purple-pink bells from June to August. (1) The genus “Digitalis” derived from the Latin word “digitus” which means finger. A finger can easily be inserted into any of the tubular bells. The “fox” in foxglove may be derived from…
Education for Sustainable Development The production of these videos on Sustainable Development in schools is supported by funding from the Department of Education (2023-2025). Video 1 Composting with a Hotbin Video 2 Composting with a New Zealand Bin Video 3 Planting Garlic in a school garden Video 4 Sowing Winter-Hardy Broad Beans in a school…
The European larch (Larix decidua) or Learóg in Irish is unique amongst conifers in this part of the world because it sheds its needle shaped leaves in autumn. Conifers are usually evergreen. It is a native of mountainous regions in Central Europe and the Pyrenees. The drooping twigs from the flexible side branches give this…
These three thistles bloom from high summer until autumn. They are excellent for attracting a wide variety of insects because of their plentiful supplies of nectar. Their seeds are eaten by birds, especially goldfinches. They are also the foodplants of the Painted lady butterfly. (1) Spear thistle (Cirsium vulgare) or Feochadán colgach in Irish is…
There are well over a hundred species of Buddleia in the world. They are native to North and South America and parts of Asia and Africa. The most popular species in gardens is Buddleia davidii or the Butterfly bush. (1a;1b) The “Buddleia” part of the name refers to Adam Buddle an English botanist and cleric…
Masses of Cow parsley (Anthriscus sylvestris) or Persil bhó in Irish have been dominating and brightening up roadsides, hedgerows and woodland edges since April and are always a herald of summer. They are beginning to fade now and leave nature’s stage. (1a;1b) It is sometimes called Queen Anne’s lace because of the delicate and beautiful…