INTERNATIONAL ROSE BREEDING AWARD FOR IRELAND AN IRISHMAN has carried off the most coveted prize awarded by New Zealand rose society for a new rose at its national convention in Palmerston North. A new shrub rose bred by David Kenny, and entered by Tasman Bay roses of Motueka was awarded the Gold Star of the South Pacific award at the international rose trial grounds at the Esplanade recently. The russet red, the free-flowering rose has yellow stamens and was judged on its performance over two years’ growth. Mr. Kenny, a rose breeder for 30 years, said he was shocked to win the prize. That was partly because the rose did not look as spectacular as some others on the day – the first time he had seen it growing in the trial grounds. But the judges had been watching its progress through the seasons to assess it as the new rose that was most likely to succeed.  Mr. Kenny said the rose, named ‘Kentrooper’, took some of its genetic material from a traditional red, ground-cover rose from the Netherlands. “Back in Europe landscape roses are very popular, and we have been trying to get good, healthy varieties developed.” His part of the process involved many hours in the glasshouse, painstakingly hand-pollinating to establish the new line. It was then grown on at Tasman Bay and trialled in Palmerston North. The whole process can take eight to 10 years before a new rose is released commercially. ✽ |
MINISTER REJECTS APPEAL FROM NURSERY GROUPThe Minister of State for Agriculture Food and the Marine, Tom Hayes TD has flatly rejected a proposal put forward by a group of Irish tree nurseries for compensation relating to the financial impact of Ash dieback (Chalara fraxinea). In December last, a group of seven nurseries from the South Tipperary and Cork regions, who between them represent over 70% of the amenity tree production in Ireland and employ over 450 staff, prepared a detailed proposal for the Minister. In it, the group detailed how, since the 1980s, they had been encouraged to explore import displacement and more importantly, the production of Ash, the result of which was a huge investment in land and infrastructure. They also detailed how the confluence of the downturn, the loss of REPS and AEOS and two successive record cold winters had decimated their businesses. The advent of Chalara fraxinea presented the nurseries with another financial disaster. “the first we heard about Ash sales being suspended was Friday 12th of October. Despite their monitoring of the disease since 2008,” explained John Murphy, owner of Anneveigh Plants and group coordinator. “The inaction on behalf of the department left us with a huge stock of unsaleable Ash. A situation that continues to this day and we estimate the stock value to be in excess of €1.7 million.” Making their case to the Minister, the group presented evidence of compensatory payments being made to pig, poultry, potatoes and vegetable farmers for a variety of disease, weather and contamination issues. The group simply wanted to be viewed in the same light and proposed a package of compensation that would include measures to destroy the existing stock, thus limiting further spread of the disease. In his rejection of the proposal, the Minister stated that although he acknowledged the comprehensiveness of the proposal and the need to work closer with nurseries, he was not in a position to offer any compensation for losses incurred due to the impact of Chalara fraxinea. Commenting on the letter, John, said, “Do you think we really expected any different from this government? We are not finished with this yet. Not by a long way.” ✽ |
 Prestigious Award for Philip Moreau of Glenbrook NurseriesPhiliP Moreau, one of Ireland’s leading nurserymen – and contributor to this launch issue – was recently awarded one of the highest accolades achievable in commercial horticulture. At the IPPs conference in Kegworth, Derbyshire, held at the end of September, Philip and another renowned plantsman, Chris Lane were jointly awarded the Robert Garner Award. The award recognises the contribution of the ‘hands-on’ propagator to the horticulture industry. It was instigated in 1993 to mark the silver jubilee of the IPPs (Great Britain and Ireland region). The award is made every five years and the recipient is chosen by a panel of past IPPs Presidents. In addition to recognising a ‘hands-on’ propagator, the award also acknowledges plants skills, experience and willingness to share and pass on techniques. Robert Garner helped to start the Great Britain and Ireland region of IPPs and was for 30 years chief propagator at East Malling Research Station, where he was instrumental in the development of the internationally known series of East Malling fruit tree rootstocks. ✽ |
IN BRIEFIRISH BUSINESSES CONFIDENT ABOUT FUTURE PROSPECTSThe New Year brings a time for taking stock of the year gone by and setting goals and objectives for the year ahead. Irish businesses are the most optimistic in Europe in terms of their 2014 prospects, according to Grant Thornton’s International Business Report, with 84% of businesses expecting turnover to grow this year compared to an EU average of 52%. Irish food companies are similarly optimistic, with some 75% of exporters expecting their export sales to grow and more than 8 out of 10 reported higher or similar turnover in the last 12 months, according to Bord Bia’s end of a year client survey. ✽ RENTES SPRING TROLLEY FAIRBuilding on the success of their 2013 trolley fair, which attracted in excess of 200 buyers during over two days, Rentes Plants are delighted to announce an even bigger event for 2014. On the 18th and 19th of February, Rentes will host buyers from home and abroad to view over 700 top quality individual plant varieties. In addition to quality plants and expert assistance, attendees can look forward to top quality food and refreshments served throughout the day. The event will represent a great opportunity to network and touch base with the various garden centres, landscapers and designers. For more NEW VENUE FOR GARDEN SHOW IRELANDGarden Show Ireland is moving to the magnificent setting of Antrim Castle Gardens. New dates for 2014 are the 9th to 11th of May. The new venue is a few minutes walk from the centre of Antrim town, close to the M2. It is recognised as one of the most unique and historically intact gardens under public ownership in Ireland, containing over four centuries of garden heritage. It has been beautifully restored by Antrim Borough Council and incorporates newly revived garden features with fully accessible pathways through its 60 acres of parkland. ✽ |
GAIRDÍNÍ NA LUS TV SERIESINSIDER LOOK AT BOTANIC GARDENSThe TG4 6-part series goes behind the scenes to give the public an insight into the day to day work and lives of the staff of the gardens. It follows the ongoing work of the gardeners both behind the scenes in the nurseries and in the public grounds. It also presents the vital role being played by the botanists to study and safeguard our natural heritage. It continues to screen until the 16th of February. ✽ |
DESIGN STUDENTS MAKE AN IMPACT ON MALAHIDE BOTANIC GARDENSLandscape design students from Senior College Dun Laoghaire, who are currently working at Malahide Botanic Gardens as part of a pilot scheme between the college and The Parks Department at Fingal County Council, are set to make an impact with proposals to redevelop the existing alpine yard. The student group has been working on the alpine yard for several months removing undesired plants and helping to uncover the renowned Tresco Wall. The students are currently preparing proposals for the yard’s redevelopment and hope to secure funding over the coming months. The group has made contact with several experts around the country and welcomes input from industry and the public with knowledge of Southern Hemisphere plant species. Senior College Dun Laoghaire offers a two-year Diploma in Landscape Design with formal progression links to year three of several Landscape Architecture programmes. The college will shortly be moving to its new, purpose-built campus in the heart of Blackrock and will be rebranded as Blackrock Further Education Institute. For more information visit www.scd.ie. ✽ |
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UK GARDEN CENTRE SALES ON THE UPTHE GARDEN CENTRE ASSOCIATION’S (GCA) Barometer of trade (Bot) figures revealed Christmas sales were up by 12.57% in November and 5.95% in December compared to the previous year. Peter Burks, Chairman of the GCA, explained: “Sales of gifts during November were up 8.14% compared to the previous year and December gift sales were up 5.58% on 2012”. “It’s encouraging to see more people preparing for Christmas by visiting garden centres in their areas instead of high streets to pick up essentials,” he added. November sales of clothing were up by 13.37% compared to the previous year. outdoor plants also performed well during December with a 16.13% change. The best performing categories overall during 2013 were food hall/farm shop, which was up 8.05% and furniture and BBQs, which saw an increase of 6.46% due to improved weather. Overall sales at GCA garden centres in 2013 were up 3.3%. ✽ |
 Nigel Dunnett Inspires StudentsNIGEL DUNNETT, Professor of Planting Design and Vegetation Technology and Director of the Green Roof Centre, University of Sheffield, visited ITB during his recent trip to Ireland. Nigel visited the construction site of the new teaching facility for horticulture. the modern design incorporates a rainwater harvesting system and a ‘green roof’ on each of the buildings in an attempt to minimise the impact on the new buildings on the environment. Professor Dunnett also gave an informal talk to the horticulture students and staff on the topic “Rainwater Meadows and Roof Gardens – an ecological approach to planting”. ✽ |
