Moya Brennan
Tourism Ireland will host a series of special programs at the 2010 Philadelphia International Flower Show, celebrating the horticulture, culinary arts and music of the Emerald Isle.
In keeping with the Flower Show’s history of new plant introduction, a plant recently developed in Ireland, the Phormium cookianum “Black Adder,” will be introduced by horticulturist Maurice Parkinson at 11 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 28, in the Gardener’s Studio. Black Adder was selected for its dark, shining foliage and robust but shapely form. On the East Coast of the U.S., the new plant is most suitable for large combo containers with flowering and foliage plants.
At noon, 2 and 4 p.m. on Feb. 28, harpist Moya Brennan, the First Lady of Celtic Music, will perform at Tourism Ireland’s exhibit in Hall A, which recreates sections of the renowned Mount Stewart gardens.
At 1:30 p.m., Irish Chef Noel McMeel will present a demonstration of fine Irish cooking in Room 204C.
At 2:30 p.m., Maurice Parkinson will lead a presentation on the Irish g
arden in the educational series in Room 201C.
The Flower Show is also proud to host a visit by Dara Calleary, Ireland’s Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise Trade and Employment, on Saturday and Sunday.
Monday, March 1, at the Flower Show will be Irish Heritage Day.
Moya Brennan will perform at the Irish garden exhibit at noon, 1:30 and 3 p.m. Noel McMeel will offer culinary demonstrations at noon, 1:30 and 3 p.m. Colman Andrews, co-founder and former editor of Saveur magazine, will sign copies of his new book, “The Country Cooking of Ireland,” from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Tourism Ireland exhibit. Maurice Parkinson will present “Ulster’s Gardens: A Richness in Plant Diversity” at 2:30 p.m. in Room 201C.
On Tuesday at 2:30 p.m., Frances McDonald will present a garden lecture, “A World of Plants in Ireland,” in Room 201C.
