Gardening « Thurles Information

Yellow Witch Hazel Brings Colour To A Late Winter Garden.

The spidery flowers of Witch Hazel (Hamamelis) appear in shades of yellow, orange and red, and brings colour to any late winter garden.

Although slow growing, the shrub will eventually become larger, ranging from 2.5-5m (8-16ft) in height and spread. Potted in a large tub, and under-planted with yellow crocuses, or snowdrops, the Witch Hazel shrub is particularly attractive to the eye, while we await the full unset of Spring.

The leaves and bark of witch-hazel, for centuries has been used in folk medicine, herbalism, and skincare decoctions* by Native American tribes.

Inside witch hazel’s leaves, its bark and twigs are medicinal chemicals called tannins. If you rub these chemicals on your skin, they may reduce swelling and fight bacteria. Extracts of witch-hazel have been claimed effective in the control of psoriasis and eczema; to prevent dehydration of skin; to cure insect bites and razor burn, although more research is needed in relation to these claims.

People have used witch hazel for centuries to soothe chapped, scraped and irritated skin. However, in 2017, please note, that one manufacturer of a skin care product which contained witch-hazel, was warned by the American Food and Drug Administration, having made unsubstantiated health claims, while not providing evidence that their products were safe.

The freshly cut stems from the plant continue to be used by those persons involved in water divining.

Here in Thurles, Witch Hazel shrubs are available at O’Driscolls Garden Centre, situated on the Mill Road east of the town.

*Decoction is a method of extraction by boiling herbal or plant material to dissolve the chemicals of the material.

Daffodils Set To Hail Arrival Of Spring.

Out on Brittas Road, near Thurles town, where the latter joins the junction with the N62, the daffodils (‘Lent Lillies’ or ‘Peter’s Leeks’) have been in full bloom for some weeks, “stretched in never-ending line” along the roadside, “Tossing their heads in sprightly dance”.

**Daffodils ready to display their single flowers.**
*Pic: G. Willoughby, ©*

In Thurles town gardens, despite the recent cold spell of weather, it appears later arrivals will again be, “flashing upon our inward eye”, well before the first day of spring, which is set for Wednesday March 20th, (Vernal Equinox), 2024.

Interesting to note that a substance extracted from daffodil bulbs, called ‘galantamine’, is used as a treatment for Alzheimer’s disease. Extracts from daffodil bulbs have been used as traditional medicines for a wide variety of diseases, including tumours, for thousands of years.

Helleborus argutifolius, An Early Blooming Winter Beauty.

Helleborus argutifolius, the holly-leaved evergreen hellebore has large flowers bearing the green colour often reminiscent of a Granny Smith apple. These large blooms are set against a foil of spiny, evergreen leaves.

Helleborus argutifolius – *(argutifolius means “with sharp-toothed leaves”*).
**Today, hellebore plants of all varieties have strong associations with serenity, peace, and tranquillity**.
*Pic: G. Willoughby 2024*

The flowers of this plant appear in winter, just in time for Christmas, and remain in bloom on the plant during the winter months and often well into spring.
The plant enjoys a light shady area to live, and given the right conditions, it will self-seed sufficiently to provide replacement plants, particularly if surrounded by a gravel surface.
These beautiful plants are native to the island of Corsica and nearby Sardinia, and will grow to a shrub-like size in any garden when established; growing to over 120 cm (47 in) tall X 90 cm (3 ft) wide.

Same plants are a must for every garden, during those long dead months of winter.

Snowdrops Inform Thurles That Spring Is Imminent.

Snowdrops began emerging, here in Thurles, Co. Tipperary, last week. Soon they will stand just 7–15cm high, while exhibiting beautiful white bell-shaped flowers on the end of erect stems, which in turn will be surrounded by two to three leaves.

Yes, Snowdrops are informing us that Spring is most definitely en route to Co. Tipperary.

‘Snowdrop Time’

By English poetess, the late Mrs Mary Webb (1811-1927).

Ah, hush tread softly through the rime*
For there will be a blackbird singing, or a thrush.
Like coloured beads the elm buds flush
All the trees dream of leaves and flower and light,
And see, the northern bank is much more white,
Than frosty grass, for now is snowdrop time.
END

[*The little used word ‘Rime‘ is a type of ice that forms when the moisture in fog freezes suddenly.]

Daffodil Bulbs Emerging Before Their Scheduled Time In Co. Tipperary.

**Daffodils (Narcissus), usually among the first bulbs to appear in the Spring, are already appearing in gardens in Thurles, Co. Tipperary.**

Gardeners often worry when they see daffodils, and other spring bulbs emerge long before their scheduled time, but do not be overly alarmed as, fortunately, there needs be little cause for future concern.

If our weather is unusually warm, as it has been in Co. Tipperary this year, Daffodil sprouts may already appear above ground, showing a few inches of their green tipped stems.

Should weather become more volatile than is normal however, it is best to cover up these premature shoots with a layer of bark mulch, peat or straw, thus shielding them from future severe frost damage; latter which could result in the tips of the leaves turning brown.