Some of the world’s rarest plants are to be displayed and sold for the first time in Ireland at a special event in Fota House, Co Cork.
The event, which takes place on September 14, is being organised by the Irish Specialist Nursery Association (ISNA) whose growers will also offer free advice to gardening enthusiasts about how to nurture rare plants in the Irish climate.
ISNA secretary Gerry Hartford said around 20 exhibitors who import and propagate rare species will be in attendance.
“Interest is growing all the time about bringing new and more spectacular plants into gardens.
People are looking for something different. This interest used to be confined to gardeners of a certain age but enthusiasts are getting younger and younger all the time.
“That is partly due to more education about what’s out there through the internet,” Mr Hartford said.
The ISNA represents smaller, specialised nurseries in Ireland.
A Cryptomeria japonica ‘Spiralis’ tree at Fota arboretum and gardens. Picture Denis Minihane.
Most of these nurseries’ stock is propagated by themselves or sourced from other artisan producers.
Some of the plants on offer at the Fota event include Ertngium pandanifolium physic purple, which to date has not been available anywhere in Ireland.
It is an evergreen perennial with blue green sword-like leaves.
Part of the sea holly family, it produces cone-like, small, red flowers in late summer into autumn.
Also, another first timer is Linaria anticaria Antique Silver, a front of the border perennial which grows to about 20cm, and forms a dense cushion of flexible and slender stems.
A selection of flowering grasses will include Miscanthus sinensis Beth Chatto, named after the famous English gardener, and is also a first-time appearance at a public sale in this country.
There is also the magnificently named Miscathus sinensis Volcano, which has elegant fountain shape flowers which are brown red brown in autumn they emerge as corkscrew curls before changing to a purple/brown in autumn.
Mr Hartford added that another first never seen before in Ireland will be Salvia guarantica plum crazy.
He said it has amazing purple plum coloured flowers from early summer into autumn.
In addition, there will be a couple of very rare Lagunaria patersonii, which are medium-sized shrubs from Australia.
The event will run from 11am to 4pm, with food and coffee vendors on-site, in the area adjacent to the Fota House car park.
Admission is €5 per adult with children free of charge.