Audio version

36

Aug/Sept 2010 www.esb.ie/em

LIFE

GLAM UP YOUR GARDEN: Pampas make their presence felt in the most delightful way...!

Silvery feather dusters!

GERRY DALY

Once considered old-fashioned, the pampas grass has made a remarkable bounce-back.

STRANGE HOW times change, and how grasses have become all the rage. This surge of interest has, of course, brought the pampas grass back to centre stage, and rightly so, because this is an aristocrat among grasses.

Few plants, flowers or grasses, can match its size and glamour. The large mound of leaves is the perfect foil for the spectacular flower-heads. The plant has real ‘presence’ — its size and shape are distinctive and handsome by any definition and can be used to great effect.

It could be argued that it has been over-used as a single specimen plant on a lawn, but a well-grown plant can look simply stunning in such a position. If a specimen is to be used in a lawn, it should be located on its own in a broad sweep of grass with green lawn behind it as well as in front. Then the statuesque beauty of the plant is enhanced and seen to best advantage.

Pampas grass can also be located in a mixed border, or in a shrub border, where its silvery flowers will make contrast with darker green foliage of late-summer shrubs. This placing is most effective if the light catches the feathery flowers against a dark background. In a border it is usually best brought forward to the front half where its size will not be lost among shrubs equally tall or even taller.

This is important too because to grow well, pampas grass needs full sunshine. If it is planted where large shrubs or trees will grow out overhead as the years pass, the shade will increase and the plant will stop flowering and can even die in heavy shade. It also likes well-drained soil and flowers best in reasonably fertile, free draining soil, though not bone-dry as this can cause stunting of growth.

The usual species grown is Cortaderia selloana, with silvery pale fawn flower heads. This plant is indeed from the vast grassy plains of the pampas in Argentina. There are selected varieties, especially the pink-tinged ‘Rendlateri’ and the silver-white ‘Sunningdale Silver’, much grown and very beautiful. They can be slow to flower, not appearing until well into autumn after a cool, wet summer.

There are two other species sometimes seen, both flowering early. The toe-toe, Cortaderia richardii from new Zealand has softly arching stems and open plumes. The lovely species, Cortaderia fulvida, has arching pinkish-brown plumes on upright stems. This is widely seen in northern parts of the country. Contrary to popular opinion, never set fire to the clump of dry leaves as it can blaze out of control and damage nearby plants.

Hostas are good for flowers too!

Much admired for the beauty of their emerging foliage in spring and the mature foliage in summer, most hostas also flower beautifully in shades of lilac and white. They can bring a touch of graceful colour to your bed or border in late summer. The flowers of some kinds are held above the leaves and these appear more elegant, such as Hosta ventricosa, Hosta sieboldii and Hosta fortuneii. But the best approach is to visit garden centres now and see which ones you admire in flower. Plant right away or in autumn in sun or light shade, and watch for snails in spring.

Ask Gerry

Chestnut tree bleeding?

‘We have a chestnut tree that one of our sons grew from a conker but it looks in trouble at the moment. It has dark ooze coming from the trunk in two places. It seems to be growing okay still. Is there anything we should be doing as it would be a pity to lose it.’

This is possibly horse chestnut bleeding canker, caused by a fungus. This cannot be treated as it is within the tissue of the tree. This disease can kill the tree if it manages to grow all the way round the trunk, but this does not always happen and some trees survive, or might lose a branch or two.

Sicily – escape to the Mediterranean

TONY CLAYTON-LEA

Sicily has always been coveted by those who know a good thing when they see it. The fact that it's the largest island in the Mediterranean certainly made it noticed. More significantly, perhaps, is its central Mediterranean position, which strategically made it a point of convergence between the European and African continents. The island is also very much a singular entity. Of course, many people will say it's ‘Italian’, but say that to a Sicilian and you’ll receive a curious look.

The truth of the matter is that the Italian mainland is just that – a landmass, slim though it may be. Sicily is on its own, associated with the ‘mother’ country but not tied to its apron strings. It is individual, it is formidable, it is often quite beautiful. And did we mention it has an active volcano?

Known locally, simply, as ‘the mountain’, Mt Etna is the volcano we have come to like these days (The unpronounceable one in Iceland? No, we’re not overly fond of that one). You'd like to think that it is you that approaches ’the mountain’, but in reality the mountain is all pervasive; its impressive bulk looms large over much of the coastal route south from Taormina. You might fly into Catania for a short break and decide that Mt Etna is not for you. My advice is to go for it, otherwise you'd be missing one of the world's most instructive natural wonders.

You can stay over in Catania, of course, but most visitors head to Taormina. It may have borne (and continues to bear) the brunt of global tourism over the past 20 or so years, but this resort town – with its pair of grandiose, panoramic bays, its relic classical theatre, its stupendous backdrop of ubiquitous Mt Etna – still shines. The downside is that if you visit here between June and August, finding accommodation could be a problem and the narrow cobbled laneways will be thronged with shoulder-to-shoulder visitors.

For somewhere quieter at most times of the year, yet still distinctly Sicilian, a trip to the Aeolian Islands is a must. The access point is the port of Milazzo, from where you can easily get across by ferries and hydrofoils to the central group of islands, Lipari, Salina, Vulcano and Panarea.

Beautiful islands all, close to Sicily, which is itself another gem in the Mediterranean. Talk about being spoiled for choice!

It is individual, formidable and quite beautiful...

GO: Aer Lingus (www.aerlingus.com) operates flights from Dublin to Catania, Sicily, three times per week.

SLEEP: Hotel Villa Paradiso, Taormina

www.hotelvillaparadisotaormina.com

Located in the historical centre of Taormina, this old-school four-star hotel boasts lovely, elegant twists. Rooms are smart, the library has signed prints from the likes of Joan Miro and Salvador Dali, and the views of Mount Etna from the sixth-floor terrace restaurant take some beating.

EAT: Giramapao, Via Marzamemi, 77

www.giramapao.it

This well-appointed restaurant in the fishing village of Marzamemi is a spacious and bright space dotted throughout with colour, and a menu that runs the gamut from Italian titbits to a full range of fish delicacies. And did we mention the amazing range of wine on offer/display?

SEE: Mount Etna

This is not just one of the world's best-known volcanoes (and, unlike some in Iceland, so much easier to pronounce), it is also one of the largest active volcano on the planet. Conical in shape, impressive in height (over 3,300 meters), and quite chilly close to the summit (even in summer), this is nonetheless an absolute must-visit.