On St. Patrick's Day in Denver, my secret garden typically has some green grass. Just before the spring equinox, St. Patrick's Day signals the last phase of winter for many landscapes. Traditionally, many gardeners plant peas on St. Patrick's Day.
St. Patrick's Day, naturally, brings to mind shamrocks. When I made a pilgrimage to Ireland for my birthday last August, I did indeed see many shamrocks.
And I also discovered that the Irish have green thumbs. They enthusiastically cultivate annuals. To my delight, I discovered in every city and hamlet, hanging baskets dripping with colorful flowers, window boxes and whiskey barrels overflowing with blooms, beds and borders crowded with showy blossoms.
I also discovered an ancient wonder, a secret garden, and many other delights.
To celebrate St. Patrick's Day, here are links to my Irish articles:
• Shamrocks Part I and Part II: Legend and lore about Ireland's iconic plant
• Newgrange: 500 years older than the pyramids at Giza, this passage tomb is a World Heritage Site.
• Kilfane Glen and Waterfall: a whimsical Irish garden
• Tea Whiskey and Guinness aren't the only drinks of Ireland.
• Oxalyis, shamrock substitute These plants make pretty houseguests.
• Shamrocks: How a plant came to symbolize a people, a place and St. Patrick’s Day
• My Wild Irish Rose and Other Flowers of Ireland: A Slideshow Move over, shamrocks: the Irish have green-thumbs, and their gardens are proof.
Happy Saint Patrick's Day to you and yours.
••• "Cultivate your corner of the world.
You grow your garden; your garden grows you." •••
• Colleen Smith's gift book "Laid-Back Skier" makes a sweet Easter gift! This whimsical, inspirational book includes lots of ski bunnies and encouragement for life's ups and downs. Watch "Laid-Back Skier's" brief YouTube video here.
• Colleen Smith’s first novel, “Glass Halo”—a finalist for the 2010 Santa Fe Literary Prize — is available in hardcover or e—book.
To learn more:
• "Like" Friday Jones Publishing on Facebook for frequent posts on gardening and other fresh topics.
• Follow FridayPublisher on Twitter.
• Follow FridayJonesWags on Pinterest.
Comments