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Geraniums grow well under trees

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By Debby Looney, gardening expert

Perennials come into their own during summer time, as do lupins, scabious, geraniums and countless other well-known flowers. However, one of the most versatile and beloved perennials has to be the hardy geranium.

I think everyone should have at least one variety somewhere and if your conditions are less than ideal, there should be many in your garden! Almost all varieties available are fully hardy and tolerate all soil types except completely waterlogged soil. Most do as well in shade as a sunny spot and are the least fussy plants I have grown.

They flower in shades of white, pink, mauve, blue and purple, and provide colour from May to October. One of the earliest varieties to flower is G. phaeum, a hardy plant which is has masses of purple, maroon, violet or white flowers from April onwards.

The foliage grows to about 15cm, but the flowers reach about 50cm tall and are of an upright habit. G. sanguineum is the next to make an appearance in my garden. It is a low growing spreading habit and is covered in pink cup-shaped flowers all summer. The leaves are toothed, and flowers range from pale pink to cerise. G. Ann Folkard is a favourite - it has a lax habit producing long shoots with golden leaves.

It has an abundance of magenta flowers with almost black centres and veins from May until frost. It covers a large area and is ideal for keeping weeds down. Another favourite would be Johnson’s Blue, often said to be the bluest and longest flowering of the geraniums. It has a fairly upright habit, and if this is what your space needs, don’t be tempted into buying Jolly Bee, Rozanne or Heidi.

Though these are all beautiful plants with blue flowers, they are all low growing and need a lot of horizontal space! An evergreen variety is G. cantabrigiense ‘Biokovo’, a low growing geranium with bright green foliage and pink flowers. G. machorrizum stays green in my garden over winter, with the added bonus of scarlet leaves in the autumn.

G. renardii has soft, hairy foliage, an upright habit and white flowers with dark veins. It is quite unusual but absolutely lovely! G. cinereum is a dwarf variety which is ideal for alpine gardens, and G. x oxonianum is probably one of the oldest, most common varieties we have - ‘Wargrave Pink’ often growing in hedgerows near old cottages. One of the largest varieties is G. maderense, or the Madeira geranium, which grows to almost a meter tall when in flower. Unfortunately it is a biennial, and I advise anyone who has this stunning plant to collect the seeds.

There really are geraniums for every situation and are ideal when trying to cover a bank or a large crockery. They grow well under trees and are not too badly affected by sap. If the seed is collected they will germinate easily, though the clumps can also be divided in autumn or spring. Lastly, a good reason to incorporate geraniums into your garden is that they provide a veritable feast for pollinators!

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Killarney couples renew vows at St Mary’s Cathedral

Several couples celebrating significant wedding anniversaries gathered last Saturday at St Mary’s Cathedral to renew their vows. The annual event, organised by Killarney Parish Administrator Fr Kieran O’Brien, is a […]

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Several couples celebrating significant wedding anniversaries gathered last Saturday at St Mary’s Cathedral to renew their vows. The annual event, organised by Killarney Parish Administrator Fr Kieran O’Brien, is a local tradition for those marking significant milestones and anniversaries.
Fr O’Brien was assisted by Fr Vitalis Barasa.
Following the ceremony, the couples, along with family and friends, moved to St Brendan’s College for refreshments. Attendees exchanged stories, and reminisced about their wedding days.
Couples Celebrating Anniversaries:

25th Wedding Anniversary

Andy and Norma McHugh, Carhoonahane, Beaufort
Mike and Sheila Daly, Glean Tober, Gortdromakerry, Muckross
Cathal and Mairead Dunphy, Lyranes Lower, Glencar
Michael and Susan Keane, Aughacasla, Castlegregory

30th Wedding Anniversary

Bernadette Randles and Vincent Casey, Muckross Road
Paul and Deirdre McEnteggart, Ashgrove, Firies
Tony and Teresa O’Gorman, Glosha, Cromane, Killorglin
Seamus and Ella Clifford, Ardaneanig
Hillary and Moira Fleming, Whitebridge
Donal and Caroline McCarthy, Countess Road

35th Wedding Anniversary

Paudie and Joan Mangan, Riverhaven, Coolcorcoran
Michael and Marian Lucey, Knockeenduff
Liam and Marie Courtney, Minish East

40th Wedding Anniversary

Joe and Caroline Hurley, Whitebridge Manor
Michael and Cliona O’Sullivan, Knocknasartnett
Sean and Margaret McCarthy, Kenmare Road, Muckross
Noel and Rita Curtin, Pinewood Estate
Tim and Catherine Moriarty, Gortagullane, Muckross
Neilly and Bridie O’Mahony, Knockeragh
Donal and Linda O’Donoghue, Knockeenduve
Padraig and Mary Kissane, Minish

45th Wedding Anniversary

Tony and Marie Nolan, Whitebridge Manor
Jerry and Lena Kelleher, Islanderagh, Rathmore, Co. Kerry
Liam and Helen O’Brien, Rookery Road

50th Wedding Anniversary

James and Margaret Arthur, St Brendan’s Place
John and Chris Mannix, Flesk Lodge, Muckross Road
Patrick and Breda Moriarty, Gortagullane, Muckross
Batt and Nora Healy, Upper Lissivigeen
John and Margaret Mc Carthy, Muckross Grove
Sean and Mary Kavanagh, “Tiriúil”, Muckross Road
Frank and Siobhán Lewis, Gortagullane, Muckross
Bernie and Katherine Cronin, Knopogue, Aghadoe
Ted and Phil Ahern, Faha
Michael and Kathleen Doyle, Carhoonahone, Beaufort
Joe and Breeda Lyons, Kilbrack, Oakpark, Demesne, Tralee
Eckhart and Patricia Gogsch, Demense, Ross Road
Will and Teresa Burke, Muckross Grove

55th Wedding Anniversary

Paddy and Mary Casey, Gortacoosh, Glenflesk
Pat and Alice O’Sullivan, Minish
Michael and Noreen Marshall, Muckross Grove
60th Wedding Anniversary
Marie and Sean O’Brien, New Road
Jimmy and Myra O’Gorman, Dunrine, Tralee Road
Pat and Joan Cahill, Flesk Bridge, Muckross Road
William and Maura O’Neill, Park Drive

63rd Wedding Anniversary

Sean and Breege O’Donoghue, Flesk Castle, Mill Road

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Trainee chef wins two medals at Chef Ireland Competition

Iryna Kravchenko, a chef trainee from Killarney studying on the City & Guilds Diploma in Food Production and Cooking Programme, has won two medals at the Chef Ireland Competition. The […]

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Iryna Kravchenko, a chef trainee from Killarney studying on the City & Guilds Diploma in Food Production and Cooking Programme, has won two medals at the Chef Ireland Competition.

The competition, held at the RDS last month and hosted by The Panel of Chefs of Ireland, saw Kravchenko receive a gold medal for the Hand-Crafted Chocolates Competition and a Silver medal for the Hot Pudding Souffle Competition.
“We are immensely proud of our students and their dedication and hard work earned them their awards,” said Frances Griffin, Catering Instructor at the National Learning Network in Tralee.

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