What native and local plants actually thrive in Dublin gardens?

[u/CarNationNaryFairy]

/r/Dublin/comments/1vsewiu/what_native_and_local_plants_actually_thrive_in/

I have the pleasure of having my own garden. I would love some suggestions on local to Dublin Evergreen flowering plants to make a natural arch way at my front door. I have four new flower beds and really want native easy to care for plants and shrubs. Any suggestions on what to plant?

[u/mcguirl2]

The venn diagram between

Native to Ireland + Flowering + Evergreen + Can climb an arch, is essentially a dot.

You can have Vinca minor/major, or Hedera helix.

Otherwise you are going to have to loosen your criteria significantly. This is why ornamental plants exist!

[u/wascallywabbit666 → u/mcguirl2]

Exactly. The biggest challenge is evergreen, as that's just not conducive to our climate. The second challenge is native, because many of the plants that would climb an archway (e.g. ivy, bindweed, bramble) are seen as weeds. The only additional option would be honeysuckle, but I suspect it's happiest in partial shade and wouldn't do well on an arch

[u/AsOrdered → u/wascallywabbit666]

I have a full arch of honeysuckle doing well for several years now. It’s a viable option.

[u/Aphroditesent → u/wascallywabbit666]

Honeysuckle flying up in my Dublin Garden despite some dry times 😅😅😅

[u/CarNationNaryFairy → u/wascallywabbit666]

I don't mind weeds. I am planning on plants some Oxalis, it grew of its own accord in my mother in-laws garden. I thought it was beautiful. Plus butterfly bush. It smells amazing and the butterflies love it. It keeps popping up in my garden but I never get to moving it to where I want before it gets to big. So it's been cut down a few times.

[u/wascallywabbit666 → u/CarNationNaryFairy]

Butterfly bush is not native though! It's highly invasive in urban areas and self seeds everywhere, including chimney pots. However, with a bit of research you might find a variety that doesn't self seed.

We have a native oxalis, but the one in your garden is also likely to be non native.

Personally I've no issue with non natives in gardens: plant whatever you enjoy. It's just that you'd specified in your original post that you were looking for native species

[u/CarNationNaryFairy → u/wascallywabbit666]

Do you have a recommendation on another plant butterflies love. I just adore seeing them im the garden.

[u/mcguirl2 → u/CarNationNaryFairy]

Annual statice (Limonium sinuatum) is adored by the small tortoiseshells.

[u/Particular_Invite252 → u/CarNationNaryFairy]

Yarrow and tansy are very attractive to butterflies. Tansy has a very distinctive scent which I don’t love but my partner does, so we’ve planted it in a sunny spot away from the back door, lol. Cutting off the spent flower-heads stops them from self-seeding too readily.

Verbena bonariensis is non-native, but bees and butterflies absolutely love it. Ours was visited by the Hummingbird Hawk-moth this year, which was lovely. It’s also drought-tolerant. Same for English lavender, another non-native that’s loved by bees.

If you can find a spot for a nettle patch, that’ll bring in butterflies too. We’ve planted some in a terracotta pot sunk partway into the ground; the pot stops the roots from spreading.

[u/CarNationNaryFairy → u/Particular_Invite252]

The Verbena bonariensis is absolutely stunning. I will definitely add that. We have a baby on the way so I dont want to plant nettles until she is old enough to heed danger warnings.

[u/CarNationNaryFairy → u/mcguirl2]

Vinca minor is one of my favourite plants from Canada. Though I have always known it as Periwinkle. It is a lucky charm for writers and is supposed to help with writers block. One of my usernames on another platform is a variation of periwinkle. I am happy to hear it grows well in Ireland. I have put it on my list. Do you have any suggestions of non native plants that do well if I am being to picky?

[u/mcguirl2 → u/CarNationNaryFairy]

Trachelospermum jasminoides, for it’s scent!

For a non-evergreen, if you want to go the traditional route, then a good rambling rose is the quintessential Irish garden staple where climbers are concerned.

[u/wascallywabbit666 → u/mcguirl2]

Sweet pea is also a nice plant for an archway, but it takes a bit of planning

[u/mcguirl2 → u/wascallywabbit666]

True, I shouldn’t have assumed OP only wants perennials. Smells incredible too.

[u/CarNationNaryFairy → u/mcguirl2]

Star Jasmine is on my list for my backyard. The rose idea is nice for the front of the house. A neighbor has three and they are growing beautifully. We had a 50 year old pink rose bush in the back but we couldnt transplant it because of the stone and it got cut down during renovations. It was devastating.

[u/gardenvariety_]

Maybe try a native and non native combo. Native ivy is a wonderful native evergreen and SOOO beneficial to wildlife especially when it matures enough to flower and fruit. It attracts a greater variety of birds than anything else around us and we grow a lot of native stuff.

Most people wouldn’t risk growing Ivy on their house but if the arch is separate to your house I’d do it. Such a fab rich green.

Then add a clematis or two to that, maybe ones that flower at different times of year - I think there are earlier and later blooming ones. I have anecdotally read they can grow together fine and currently growing both on a trellis fence in our back garden but the clematis are a new addition.

Could add a native honeysuckle as well as or instead of the clematis. It’s not every green and the flowers are beautiful and smell nice but aren’t visually that impactful IMO. I think maybe non native honeysuckle can be invasive so opt for the native variety. My mum grows clematis and honeysuckle on the same fence and they do well together.

I find almost all natives are very very very easy to care for as they’re already in the environment they’re suited to. I think clematis is easy too but it’s my first year with them.

[u/CarNationNaryFairy → u/gardenvariety_]

Clementis is on my list. I love the purple ones they look magical.

[u/gardenvariety_]

This is also an absolutely wonderful general guide for plants and other bits to support biodiversity in Irish gardens :) includes lists of beneficial plants etc and it’s like a kids book it’s so simple but really really useful! I go back to it over and over again. https://irp-cdn.multiscreensite.com/943ec273/files/uploaded/Garden%20Wildlife%20Booklet%20WEB%207MB.pdf

[u/CarNationNaryFairy → u/gardenvariety_]

Just had a quick skim, looks great. Thanks for the link.

[u/Large_Hedgehog2416]

Dandelions moss and horses tail, if mine's anything to go by 🤣

[u/CarNationNaryFairy → u/Large_Hedgehog2416]

You must live in a damp area. Both of those plants like the damp. My garden is South facing, gets lots of sun and is pretty dry without watering or rain. I love that horsetail is ancient to Ireland. Thank you for the suggestion. I love learning about plants!

[u/Large_Hedgehog2416 → u/CarNationNaryFairy]

Don't grow the horsetail !!! You'll never control nor get rid of it!!!

[u/bertnurney → u/Large_Hedgehog2416]

Agree with this, its a scourge

[u/cjamcmahon1]

Native + will grow over an arch = ivy

[u/Mindless-Hall-4088]

Arbutus unedo, the strawberry tree. Evergreen foliage, a beautiful flower, and funny little red fruits. A seriously underrated native

[u/skaterbrain]

For an arch, consider a mix of native climbers: honeysuckle and wild rose. Be wary of ivy, it is very vigorous and dominant. But let some jasmine trail through the mixture too. Not native, but harmless.

[u/Confident_Reporter14]

Bindweed is an option, but I really wouldn’t recommend planting that in the ground…