Irish native Spindle now available at Griffins!

Spindle or An Feoras is truly a wonder tree/shrub that is very hardy and can be grown in virtually any soil!

The wood of some species was traditionally used for the making of spindles for spinning wool – this use is the origin of the English name of the shrub.

The fruit is a pink/red pod-like berry, which splits over to reveal it's orange seeds.

Spindles are quite popular, and especially grown for their foliage, exhibiting very bright scarlet autumnal colouring. Birds will love you for planting a spindle tree as it's steady supply of food all winter makes life very comfortable.

A new dwarf mahonia

For most people with small gardens, mahonia, while a beautiful shrub with outstanding winter colour, was not an option as it grew too large.

Well, now a brilliant new mahonia called 'Cabaret' is available at Griffins and it is suited to a very small garden.

A tidy, compact shrub with spectacular winter colour and gorgeous scented flowers, this variety is a must for all gardens. They can be grown successfully in a pot or container; imagine it with early flowering daffodils – such a sight to behold for those who enjoy spring colours; or could be spectacular with muscari (grape hyacinth) planted around the base of the shrub. Growing to just 2.5ft  high, elegant and colourful flowers appear from late August until November. The flowers are followed by bluish, berr-like fruit tgat stand out against the foliage. Very hardy, it will withstand a very cold winter and can be grown in the sun or the shade.

The woodland challenge!

Do you love woodlands but just don't quite have the space? How about a woodland from containers? Pots of Bluebells, snowdrops, crocus etc! What an exciting front door or patio you could have with pots brimming over with woodland colour!

For snowdrops and crocus and bluebell, the best compost to use is John Innes Multipurpose. Add grit so your mixture will be half grit, half compost. The best guideline for planting your bulbs is to plant each one twice the depth of the bulb. Put an extra layer of grit on top of the pot. Place in situ and these pots won't require any maintenance – no watering is needed! Enjoy the explosion of colour in spring!  

*Cyclamen – 5 for €10 - this Saturday & Sunday only!*

VIP Night Thursday 11 October, 5-8pm at Griffins - food tasting, restaurant open till 7pm, talks by Margaret and interior designer, 10 per cent off and more.

 We would love to hear your feedback! Any comments or questions on our new gardening column? Contact Margaret Griffin at info@griffinsgardencentre.ie, 021-7334286 or find us on facebook.