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IMITHE
wildflowers.ie
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Species Datapage
IMITHE
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Scroll down
the page to find specific species info
Scroll down
the page to Sign
Up to 'Imithe'
Imithe is for
professional craft gardeners only, NOT
SCHOOLS
Schools get sent a pack
for free anyway, so please don't sign up unless your a professional craft
gardener who's garden is open to the public.
for schools use these links
https://supervalu.ie/real-people/save-the-bees
https://supervalu.ie/real-people/save-the-bees/a-to-bees
https://supervalu.ie/real-people/save-the-bees/terms-and-conditions
https://supervalu.ie/real-people/sponsorship/tidytowns/impact-on-pollination
Note for
Craft Gardeners,
The seed
packets containing the five species presented to you should be planted and
grown on light sandy soil and in full sun.
They will
grow in a large tub, bales of sand, dry beds or well drained borders.
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Our new web will have full details, colour photos and more, come back
next spring, put you name on the new interactive map to mark who and
where is growing living gene-banks. Schools will also be able to upload
their gene-bank stories and photos online.
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'Disappeared'
The U.N. has declared a decade of ECOSYSTEMS RESTORATION
from 2020-2030.
To celebrate, we are giving Irelands Craft Gardeners and
school children, rare or endangered
wildflower seeds to grow.
Schools get sent the seed automatically via the
SuperValu giveaway. so dont sign up, your seeds are already posted
from March 3rd 2020.
'Throw out the tulips, dispense with the wallflowers,
dump the dahlias and summer bedding'
We want you to give over ONE SQUARE METRE of your
bedding scheme and turn it into a living genebank for species in-danger
or disappearing
We simply would like you to stop ordering enough tulips
and bedding plants to sow 1 or 2 metres of flower bed, and instead would
ask you to grow a plot of the plant species enclosed. As the project
grows we would hope to make more species freely available to you.
When the plants grow for you, we hope you would
transplant them into a more natural environment or give them away, esp'
to local schools or tidy-town group and then you could introduce another
species to the gene-bank.
Currently we have uploaded images and a short video on
'Facebook'
search: Imithe – Disappeared. and soon www.Wildflowers.ie will launch a new web site
in 2020 showing a map of Ireland of which gardens are growing these species in
living gene-banks, the official launch is to be decided. When gardens establish the
plots, upload the photos, we will then send out new species each
year.
Wild plant species are in decline. In Ireland 'on site'
conservation in the wild is the first priority, as climate and land use
change, increasing visitor foot fall, bad or poorly managed sites,
issues with landowners, plant hunters, change of ownership, bad feeling
towards officials, lack of political will, the clash between departments
fighting over funds and many more reasons, have all resulted in more and
more plant species getting rarer and rarer. The national strategy of the past
50
years, has failed many species especially those whom receive no targeted
legal protection.
DBN have actively targeted a plant conservation message
at all levels of Irish society. In 1988, DBN published privately the 'Cornflower
Response' in which we alerted the Irish states' senior botanists that
there was an urgent need for living gene-banks, we sourced EU funds and
convinced the Dept' of Agriculture to help establish a genetic resources
umbrella in Ireland.
Yes, great work has been done and our understanding has
come along way since then. Trinity Collage established a seed gene bank
for the rarest species, Universities and the National Biodiversity
centre have since made strides in understanding and scientific
advancement.
Yet. to-date very few living gene banks are to be found
in Ireland other that tiny collections of very few species. If only one
of the hundred gardens we have sent these seeds to successfully grows
these wildflowers then there will be a doubling of the national
population, if many of you grow them, we will save this species from
'near extinction'.
Think National collections of garden plants, we encourage you to freely give the seeds
or cuttings that are produced to known accomplished gardeners that visit
your domains, thus eventually spreading these plants into private
gardens, especially now that we have 'turned so many on to wildlife
gardening' that there are plenty of gardeners who wish to grow rarer
species to save them, for we get many requests and have to turn them
down. We decided it's better for craft gardeners to start with the first
rare seeds, and then give them away.
Our proof that this idea works can be found in just
one story of nuns in a local convent who many years ago, unknowingly dug
up from the wild, one of Ireland rarest species the Meadow Saffron or as
they thought Autumn crocus and
planted it in their garden, so successful was their care and culture of
the plant and conservation that they distributed many bulbs to local
gardens in Carlow and established a roadside planting,
sadly the council since widened the road and the species has disappeared
from the roadside. The samples we collected from the garden were sent to
the National Botanic Gardens, where the students lost the plants. It
was this event that inspired us. we need lots of gene banks of the same
species, unlike national collection of single species in single or
duplicate gardens. The collections should also be regionally based, on
advice form the National Botanical Gardens. Senior Botanists advising
the NPWS are suggesting that we should not apply to grow protected
species, but if we succeed at this level who knows what citizen science
can do.
When you first establish these beds we would encourage
you NOT to provide 'signage Nor story' to inform your
visitors. But as the plants grow and thrive by all means set out the
story and give the plants away. But keep the gene-banks secret until
well established.
IS THIS LEGAL? Yes, it is,
We will not be sending you species 'Protected by Law
'. Each year, we will be sending you rare,
endangered, uncommon and no 'longer common' species especially non food
or medical plants that will not receive the aforementioned protection.
Where is this going? That is entirely up to you,
ideally we would hope you evolve spaces that are clearly labeled,
separated from cross pollination by cultivars of same species and weed
free. We would hope you collect more seed and share these plants.
Our new web will also answer planting suggestion
enquiries, for now, germinate them from early spring sowing indoor, or
in March/April out door.
Imithe, is a campaign to directly intervene to save
native Irish wild-flowers.
Campaign Manager. Contact: Sandro
Press release, this is the letter we sent with seeds to gardeners.
Dec/21/2019
Imithe
'Disappeared'
The U.N. has declared a decade of ECOSYSTEMS
RESTORATION from 2020-2030.
To celebrate, we are giving you, rare or endangered
wildflower seeds to grow in your garden
'Throw out the tulips, dispense with the wallflowers,
dump the dahlias and summer bedding'
We want you to give over ONE SQUARE METRE of
your bedding scheme and turn it into a living genebank for species
in-danger or disappearing
To assist ecosystems restoration and direct species
conservation the E.U. and F.A.O / W.H.O. announced they are to support
and fund living gene-banks of edible or medical species in Ireland. Dr
Tom Curtis is charged with this action. The above action will 'leave
out' about two hundred rare or endangered non food or medical plants
from living gene-bank protection, so we have decided 'to step in' to
bridge that gap, and give the seeds away for free.
We need your help and its at no cost to you.
Germinate and grow these rare seeds on one square metre,
you will directly conserve some of our rarest species. These living
gene-banks in flowerbeds will be of great interest to your botanical
work and to visitors alike. The annual cost per meter is the same as
replaced bedding. So no cost at all.
What's the catch ?
As print/post is too expensive, instead were asking you
to visit our website to download the species names, growing data and
information for the seeds enclosed. Www.wildflowers.ie/imithe.html
Early 2020 we are launching a new web with a shop,
replacing the current 20 year old web were asking you to visit the old
web before it goes off air, it has no shop or advertising, nor tracking,
so there is no catch, just some more info about the 'Imithe' project and
the species data for the seed packets we have sent you. Our new web will
have an interactive map showing all Ireland gardens and gardeners that
are taking part in 'Imithe and who want the publicity of being on our
map. So you have to opt in.
Well sorta!
When the plants grow for you, we hope you would
transplant some spare flowers into a more natural environment or give
the seeds or divisions away, esp' to local schools or tidy-town groups
who can grow them on in larger quantities. There is little or no market
for many species that need protection, we will need large quantities for
Ecosystems Restoration and if we all grow a small bit all-together, we
will have the seed for ecosystem restoration projects, We've sent this
seed to about 200 craft gardeners. President M.Higgins and staff at Áras
an Uachtaráin have already received their seeds,
NPWS gardens, OPW gardens, Council Gardens and well
known private and public gardens and 3500 schools are getting free
wildflower seeds this spring. The schools mix has been sponsored and
contains the same rare species and a few common ones. Its all go.
Project partners, - To date, dec/'19, facilitation has
been from:,
Dept' Culture, Heritage and Gaeltacht (NPWS), National
Botanic Garden with advise and expertise, Project management and
concepts, Hannah Hamilton (A New Leaf) . Re: Five year plan for schools
to grow a living library / gene-bank. The plan is with the Heritage
Council for guidance and funding consideration. The plan includes
dedicated teams to teach the teachers and primary students, a support
web and prizes for the best school gene-banks and associated projects.
We have yet to present our final proposals to The Dept' of Agriculture,
National Biodiversity Centre, NPWS and DAFM.
Were hoping craft gardeners will assist the kids as
well. Over time we hope to freely introduce many more rare species to be
grown in living gene-banks through out Ireland, these will be planted by
Councils, Irish waterways , Tidy-towns/community and business such as
Bord na Mona and Coillte. Wildflowers are also needed for conservation,
integrated pest management and ecosystem services.
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Species Datapage IMITHE
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Free Seed Packet No: 1 of
5:
English Name: Nettle-leaved
Bellflower (recently removed from
Protected species list)
Botanical name: Campanula
trachelium, Irish Name: Scornlus
Legal Status: (endangered,
but not protected, was protected under previous act)
Ref : http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2015/si/356/made/en/print
Family: Campanulaceae,
Genus: Campanula may be annuals, herbaceous or evergreen
perennials, with bell or star-shaped, often blue, flowers in late spring
or summer
Plant range:
Eur. N Afr. & Sib. It is a Eurasian blue wildflower and now
naturalized in south-east Ireland. Once listed on The Irish 'Protected
species list' it has recently been removed.
Hardiness:
Withstands severe cold. listed as H7 on www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/2983/Campanula-trachelium/Details
Aspect:South-facing
or North-facing or West-facing or East-facing
Exposure: Exposed
or Sheltered Moisture: Moist but well-drained to dry.
Soil: Sand,
Clay, Loam pH: Alkaline, Neutral
Details: C.
trachelium is a Blue/purple flowering robust perennial with nettle-like,
deeply toothed leaves and erect. Leafy stems bearing a raceme of
bell-shaped lavender-blue flowers 3cm long in summer, Campanula
trachelium is a perennial plant with one or more unbranched, often
reddish, square-edged stems that are roughly hairy.
The leaves grow alternately
up the stems. The lower leaves are long-stalked and ovate with a
heart-shaped base. The upper leaves have no stalks and are ovate or
lanceolate, hairy with toothed margins. The inflorescence is a one sided
spike with a few slightly nodding flowers. Each flower has five sepals
which are fused, erect and hairy, and the five violet (or occasionally
white) petals are fused into a bell that is hairy inside. There are five
stamens and a pistil formed from three fused carpels. The fruit is a
hairy, nodding capsule.
Height: 0.3-.7
metres, Spread: 0.1- 0.25 metres Foliage: Deciduous
Habit:
Bushy, Competes well in semi-shade with other upright wood edge species.
Pruning: Can
be cut back after flowering to prevent seeding and to encourage a second
flush of flower
Pests:
Vulnerable to slugs and snails, Diseases: Powdery mildew and rust
Cultivation: Any
fertile, well-drained soil in sun or part shade. The flower colour is
best in shade
Propagation: Propagate
by seed in containers in a cold frame in spring. Divide in spring or
autumn. Take stem-tip cuttings from new growth after flowering
Suggested planting
locations: Flower borders and
beds, Under-planting of Roses and Shrubs Cottage & Informal Garden
Wildflower meadow, Orchard gardens and Wall base.
Living Gene-bank & Seed
Collection:
Campanula trachelium: Sow <15
plants per m2 . Spacing between Plants: 50 cm, clean weed
free soil. In Year two, Pinch growing point of flowering stem
when emerging to cause multi branching flowers stems. After flowering
seeds ripen 4 to 6 weeks. Cut long stem and dry as per normal.
Seed Yield per metre:
3rd year = Very high yielding >100 grams, Seeds per gram: >5000
Grams required per 100
plants: 0.015
Germination Time:
Fast , keep seed moist with temperatures above 18°C
Press seed to soil, cover
ever so thinly or not at all, and do not over water.
Once germinated, enjoys cool
growing climate, such as shade house.
Transplant out:
Early spring or Autumn.
Weed Control:
Mulch, Hoe or chemical spot control- weed wipe bar.
Estimate seed harvest time
from sowing: 2 to 4 years
Seed Storage: Normal,
Pre-sowing Seed treatment: None required
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Free Seed Packet No: 2 of
5:
Common Name: Hare's Foot Clover
Botanical Name: Trifolium arvense
Slender, branched, hairy, leguminous annual, found commonly in dry sandy places, but not on calcareous soils. Very local in Northern Ireland.
Management: keep grassland
open
Further details to follow on new web.
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Free Seed Packet No: 3 of
5:
Common Name: White Campion
Botanical Name: Silene alba
If you have limy dry sandy or light soil in full sun, then this is one of the very best wildflowers for you to grow. the flowers do not last long but the plant flowers for a long-time and attracts many insects.
Management: Allow to self seed. Short lived and if the plant disappears re-cultivate or gap create to get it
back.
Tolerance of cutting: Low,
Cutting time: None,
Edible / Medicinal:
Like Catchfly, a similar species, often sticky. Occasional in our seed
sources.
Life Cycle (Form): Perennial
Flower Height: 20 to 40 cm
Foliage Height: 5 - 10 cm
Flower Colour: White,
Flowering period: June, July, August,
Time to Flower: 12, months
Soil Type: Will grow in dry, sandy, Loam,
pH Type: Neutral, Alkaline. Moisture: Dry,
Aspect: Full sun,
Wildlife Value: High, Attracts Insects.
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Free
Seed Packet No: 4 of 5:
English Name: Field
Scabious
Botanical name: Irish
Name:
Management: Responds to cutting, In the garden, dead head for longer
flowering.
Tolerance
of cutting: Normal, will re-grow and flower
Cutting
time: End of summer, or spring in short meadows
Edible /
Medicinal: Do not consume unless
advised.
Life Cycle (Form):
Perennial
Flower Height:
50 to 120 cm
Foliage Height:
35 - 50 cm
Flower Colour:
Blue,
Flowering period:
July, August,
Time to Flower:
24 months
Soil Type:
Will grow in most soils, best in deep, dry, sandy, light or rich soil.
pH Type:
Neutral, Alkaline.
Moisture:
Dry, Moist,
Aspect:
Full sun
Wildlife Value: High, Attracts Birds, Butterflies, Hoverflies, Bees and
Bumble Bees
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Free Seed Packet No: 5 of
5:
Common Name: Burnet Saxifrage
Botanical Name: Pimpinella saxifraga
Management: Moderate persistence grassland. Keep fertility poor,
Tolerance of cutting: None, except end of season managementCutting time: None
Edible / Medicinal:
Burnet Saxifrage is the white flower growing here on an EskerLife Cycle (Form): PerennialFlower Height: 30 to 50 cm
Foliage Height: 10 - 20 cm
Flower Colour: White
Flowering period: July, August, September.
Time to Flower: 12 months
Soil Type: Best in dry, light and sandy poor soil. Waste Places and gravel pitspH Type: Neutral, Alkaline
Moisture: Dry,
Aspect: Full sun.Wildlife Value: Low,
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Blank:
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Common Name:
Botanical Name:
Management:
Tolerance of cutting:
Cutting time:
Edible / Medicinal:
Life Cycle (Form):
Flower Height:
00 to 000 cm
Foliage Height:
00 - 00 cm
Flower Colour:
0
Flowering period:
0
Time to Flower:
0
Soil Type:
0
pH Type:
0
Moisture:
0
Aspect:
0
Wildlife Value: low
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This page was written with old
vintage software developed in 1997. Our new web will be on a different platform
using wordpress
and be mobile and IT interactive and
responsive. We have commissioned a web developer and are currently about
to upload it
following 24 months of design and
build. We hope you return when we launch.
If you wish to
sign up now instead of on the new web, please return the following form or email
us on your official letterhead. if you dont wish to be involved, do nothing, for
if we don't hear from you we will not publish your name on the map and will
remove you from the list.
Sign Up to 'Imithe'
'disappeared'
Imithe,
a 'no cost' direct action campaign to
intervene to save native Irish wild-flowers in 'Living Gene-banks' in
Ireland's gardens.
Please return this form by
'print and post' or 'copy and email'
Your details will be stored on the Imithe database, in time if you wish you can add your personal detail on the new website and map of Ireland showing where the living gene-banks exist.
Your Name:
Your email:
Your website:
The Name & Address where 'gene-bank' will be :
The name of site/garden where species will be grown:
example (walled garden)
Size of area you can give to living Gene-bank:
Please tick:
Your role: craft / head / professional gardener / estate or land manager, park superintendent / botanists / official or other. If other ?................
In signing and returning this form:
You give 'Imithe' permission to send you free seeds when
available, seed that you wish to grow in living gene-banks.
Sign:
Date:
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