Types of Popular Irish Flowers
Ireland, known as the Emerald Isle because of the lush green countryside, has a relatively low number of flowering species because of the country's arctic past. An array of habitats, including bogs, heaths, woodlands and mountainsides, host the limited native Irish species and more common alien floral species from the United Kingdom and other locations throughout Europe.
Shamrock
White clover, with its three and sometimes four-leafed foliage, is also known as Ireland's unofficial symbol, the Shamrock. Trifolium repens grows freely along the countryside, and is used as a cover crop.
Easter Lilies
The Easter lily, while not native to Ireland, is a widely-recognized symbol of remembrance for the Easter Rising of 1916. Lilium longiflorum, native to Japan was introduced by Cumann na mBan, an organization of Irish Republican women.
Daisies
Daisies (Bellis perennis) most commonly grow as wildflowers on the grasslands of the Emerald Isle. From the wild daisy varieties to the popular garden-grown Gerberas, daisies have been an Irish favorite for centuries.
- Ireland, known as the Emerald Isle because of the lush green countryside, has a relatively low number of flowering species because of the country's arctic past.
- Daisies (Bellis perennis) most commonly grow as wildflowers on the grasslands of the Emerald Isle.
Sunflowers
Another alien to Ireland's soil, the Sunflower (Helianthus annuus) is a beloved flower that grows well in those areas of the island that see more sun. Sunflowers, and their seeds, are often given as gifts.
Wildflowers
The best way to see flowers in Ireland is to look in nature. The island hosts a vast array of delicate wildflower species on the coasts and plains. With the sparse population of native plant life in Ireland, many of the wildflower species are now protected and listed as endangered species.
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Based in Ohio, Deborah Waltenburg has been writing online since 2004, focusing on personal finance, personal and commercial insurance, travel and tourism, home improvement and gardening. Her work has appeared on numerous blogs, industry websites and media websites, including "USA Today."
