News from the National Botanic Gardens | Irish Botany News | Research Projects | Kilmacurragh News
This is a round up of news stories from the National Botanic Gardens. We also run an Irish Botany News page, a Research Projects page and news from the National Botanic Gardens, Kilmacurragh.
Gardening Shorts from the Children’s Garden
See more videos on our YouTube channel » How to Plant Broad Beans in Newspaper PotsCiara demonstrates how to plant broad bean seeds in eco friendly newspaper pots. Things you will need: broad bean seeds, compost, newspaper or similar paper, glass...
How to Make a St Brigid’s Cross
See how to make a traditional St Brigid's Cross using reeds. If you don't have access to reeds you can use alternatives such as willow, straw or paper! Ciara also discusses the pagan origins of Brigid's Day/Imbolg (1st February). See more videos on our YouTube channel...
Garden Birds in Winter
Even the dark clouds of Covid have a silver lining as many of us are spending more time outdoors. It’s good for body and soul and when we get back to running guided tours in the Gardens, you should come along to one of our Biophilia tours and learn a bit about the...
Introducing Narcissus ‘Kilmacurragh’ – a new daffodil cultivar
We are delighted to announce a new hybrid daffodil cultivar - Narcissus 'Kilmacurragh' (pictured). This wonderful flower was bred by the famous Northern Ireland daffodil breeder Brian Duncan in 2005 and is a Narcissus poeticus (old pheasant’s eye) hybrid. Brian Duncan...
Online Exhibition: Decorated Pumpkins 2020
The 2020 Exhibition is Open! This year for the very first time we changed the format of our very popular Pumpkin decorating competition to an online event. We have been amazed and thoroughly entertained by the very high standard of all the entries and it...
Halloween Pumpkin Decorating Competition winners!
Announcing the prize-winners of the Decorated Pumpkin Competition 2020! There were an impressive 321 entrants this year! Congratulations to the following entrants. A One4all voucher will be sent to you once we have received your postal address. Please...
Fruits of Autumn, Samhain Special ‘What are yew looking at?’
As autumn turns towards winter with the ancient festival of Samhain, the original Halloween when the veil between the worlds of living and dead is lifted, the baleful eye of the yew berry surveys the change of season from its sinister branches. Why...
Magical Plants in the Witches’ Garden: Pumpkins!
Join the coven again for a look at some of the pumpkins and gourds in the Witches' Garden! Happy Halloween! We hope you have a spooktacular evening We give you a look at pumpkins. Find out where they originate and how to grow your own for next year! ...
Magical Plants in the Witches’ Garden: The Glasshouse
Join the coven for a look at magical plants in the glasshouse! Here's one of our Botanic Witches bringing you into the glasshouse, over in the Witches' Garden! The Gardens are a place to enjoy the wonder and beauty of nature. The site will remain open...
Magical Plants in the Witches’ Garden: Wand Woods II
Join the coven for another look at some more wand woods! Happy Halloween! Are you ready for more Magical Plants? Here's one of our Botanic Witches discussing wands and trees, over in the Witches' Garden. The Gardens are a place to enjoy the wonder and...
Magical Plants in the Witches’ Garden: Potion Plants III
Join the coven again, for one more look at potions plants in our Witches' Garden! Find out which plants keep vampires and werewolves at bay! The Gardens are a place to enjoy the wonder and beauty of nature. The site will remain open over the...
Magical Plants in the Witches’ Garden: Potion Plants II
Join the coven again, for the second part of our potions plants in our Witches' Garden! It's another treat: a short video on magical plants with one of our botanic witches. The Gardens are a place to enjoy the wonder and beauty of nature. The site will...