WW25 2022

Picture This Nothing beats a meditative walk GET IN TOUCH
Find out what Woman’s in the forest to clear the head.
Way readers have been From: Philippa Thornton, Co Wicklow
up to recently…
Before After

Kids are trying out homemade
Christmas appetisers. They’re
calling these bunzas.
From: Jane White, Co Donegal

Glam treats
at my local
dog spa.
Bark-tastic.
From: Fiona
Holmes, Co
Dublin

When you've had a busy day... Decking the halls on a Christmas shop.
From: Joan Keating, Co Dublin From: Susan Smith, Co Kildare

Do you have photos you’d like to share?
Send them to [email protected]

WOMANSWAY.IE 51

THE 4 Ws 2 PRIZE CROSSWORD 25

1 WHO… Who is credited with
inventing Rugby Union?
WHO… became king and
queen of England following WHAT… Christian sect
the ‘Glorious Revolution’? is formally known as the
WHAT… sort of creature is a Religious Society of Friends?
lumpsucker?
WHERE… are the Selkirk WHERE… in Ireland are the
Mountains? Blue Stack Mountains?
WHEN… did former Bulgarian
communist leader Todor WHEN… was the Battle of
Zhivkov die? Clontarf?

WHO AM I? ANSWER: CLAUDIA WINKLEMAN; ACROSS: 6. DEVILISH (7); 7. CHANGE (5); 9. HINT (3); 10. RESPECT
LINDSAY LOHA. (9); 12. WASTEFUL (11); 15. SINCERELY (11); 17. DIFFERENCE (9);
1>> An astronaut, I was born in Lincolnshire in 1957. I joined 19. HAPPINESS (3); 21. HORSEMAN (5); 22. DECISIVE (7). DOWN:
NASA in 1983 and retired in 2013. I was the first Briton toANSWER: MICHAEL FOALE; SHAUN WRIGHT-PHILLIPS. 1. SEND (5); 2. SUMMIT (3); 3. FLANK (4); 4. UNREADABLE (9); 5.
perform a space walk. ANCESTRY (7); 8. MECHANISM (6); 11. EXPLAIN (9); 13. NUMBER (6);
ANSWERS: 1 WILLIAM AND MARY; A FISH; NORTH AMERICA AND CANADA; 1998. 2 WEBB 14. IMPOLITE (7); 16. COUNTERFEIT (5); 18. RIP (4); 20. CHOP (3).
2>> A footballer, I was born in London in 1981. I was adopted ELLIS; QUAKERS; DONEGAL; 1014.
by footballer Ian Wright. I scored on my England debut in QUICK CROSSWORD SOLUTION ISSUE 24
2004. ACROSS: 7 SOPHISTICATED; 8 PASTORAL; 9 DUKE; 10 SIMMER;
12 MORBID; 14 BEFALL; 16 TORPID; 18 SCAR; 20 GIGANTIC; 22
CELEB PIXELS COMPATIBILITY. DOWN: 1 VOLATILE; 2 RHYTHM; 3 USER; 4
DIPLOMAT; 5 WANDER; 6 BEAK; 11 RELEGATE; 13 INITIATE; 15 ABRUPT;
A tv presenter, I began my I’m an actress who started 17 RANKLE; 19 CLOY; 21 GIBE.
career doing travel pieces for out in the business at 10
the BBC in the long running years of age and got my big ENTER TO WIN W€O7R0TH
show Holiday. However, I break starring in the remake
found my niche presenting of The Parent Trap. I'm A CHRISTMAS
TV talent and reality shows probably best known for my PAMPER BUNDLE
like Hell’s Kitchen, Fame role in the movie Mean Girls
Academy and Britain’s and have recently spent One lucky reader will receive a customized
Best Home Cooks. I’m now time in Ireland working on Christmas bundle from Beauty Belle, featuring a
probably best known as one my new film called An Irish selection of their best-selling products to give you the ultimate pampering treat
half of the presenting duo on Wish. this Christmas. Prize includes Silcare So Rose So Gold Body Set, Celebration
BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing. Moments set, QUIN Deep Sea Mud Mask (Face and Body) and 2 premium anti-
ageing Timeless Truth face masks. Visit beautybelle.ie

HOW TO ENTER
Please send a picture of your completed crossword grid to
[email protected]. No postal entries please.
The closing date for entries is December 19, 2022.

This Woman’s Way competition is open to anyone resident in NI and the Republic of Ireland,
aged 18 and over, except employees and their families of Harmonia Publishing, its printers and
anyone else connected with the competition. No purchase is necessary. We will only accept
one competition entry per reader. Prizes are awarded by drawing entries a er the closing date.
Winners will be notified by email. The editor’s decision is final.

52 WOMANSWAY.IE

THE BIG QUIZ TIME OUT

5 6

2

1>> Which actor plays the 8 11
Prime Minister in Love
Actually?
A Hugh Grant
B Colin Firth
C Alan Rickman
D Jude Law

2>> Which Irish singer- ingredient in Christmas A Lecanemab 14
songwriter recently played pudding? B Lukaku
a gig from the top of A Raisins C Livelab 13>> Marty Whelan’s eldest
Bewley’s café in Dublin? B Currants D Lifeline daughter recently tied the knot.
A Hozier C Plums What is her first name?
B Dermot Kennedy D Suet 10>> Which country has A Mairead
C Christy Moore no lyrics in its national B Jessica
D Bono 7>> Which famous chocolate anthem? C Johanna
brand’s HQ is in Zurich, A Spain D Cliona
3>> Which Christmas Switzerland? B Bosnia and Herzegovina
anthem begins with the lyrics A Green and Blacks C Kosovo 14>> Camogie star Miriam
“It was Christmas eve babe,”? B Cadbury D San Marino Walsh married Noel McGree at
A Last Christmas C Lindt the Langton House Hotel. What
B White Christmas D Godiva 11>> There’s been a surge team does she play for?
C Fairytale of New York in RSV infections a ecting A Dublin
D Baby It’s Cold Outside 8>> As she entered a World infants and older adults. What B Laois
Cup stadium in Qatar, ex- does the acronym stand for? C Kilkenny
4>> Richard Grogan, the Wales football captain Laura A Respiratory syncytial virus D Cork
Dublin-based employment McAllister said she was told to B Raucous star venality
solicitor who became a viral remove what? C Respiratory sinus virus ANSWERS: 1A, 2B, 3C, 4A, 5D, 6C, 7C,
sensation on TikTok, passed A Her shoes D Refined sugar virus 8D, 9A, 10ABCD, 11 A, 12A, 13 B, 14C.
away suddenly. What was his B Her Wales supporter jumper
catchphrase? C Her wristband 12>> How much does the €100
A That's the law and that's a fact D Her rainbow bucket hat gold coin commemorating 100
B You can’t handle the truth years since the establishment
C I am the law 9>> Researchers have of the Irish state cost?
D Stop in the name of the law announced a breakthrough in A €1,225
treating Alzheimer’s. What is B €100
5>> Ireland recently recorded its the new anitbody treatment, C €500
highest minimum temperature which will slow cognitive D It’s not for sale
in November. What was the decline, called?
record-breaking number?
A 18.5 Degrees
B 17.5 Degrees
C 16.5 Degrees
D 15.5 Degrees

6>> Which of the following
has never been a traditional

WOMANSWAY.IE 53

Two of Ireland’s best known chefs, Kevin
Dundon and Neven Maguire, share their
turkey and ham recipes to inspire your

Christmas day feast.

∂ 1 onion
∂ 2 tbsp thyme, chopped
∂ 2 tbsp parsley, chopped
∂ 2 tbsp sage, chopped
∂ 450g fresh white Breadcrumbs
∂ Salt and Pepper

KEVIN DUNDON CRANBERRIES AND SAUSAGE a pudding shape then wrap in tin foil to roast
MEAT STUFFING with the turkey the next morning.
Kevin Dundon is one of Ireland’s best known ∂ 450g Sausage meat Place the turkey and stu ng back in the
chefs and a regular on our TV screens. ∂ 4 tbsp cranberries, chopped refrigerator for the night.
He has cooked for the Queen, President ∂ 1 Onions, finely diced
Bush and Bono and served his time at top ∂ 2 Cloves Garlic, crushed ON CHRISTMAS MORNING
restaurants in Switzerland and Canada before ∂ 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped Step 6 Preheat the oven to 160˚C. Remove
he was head-hunted to take up the role of ∂ 1 tbsp thyme, chopped the turkey from the refrigerator and finish
executive head chef of the Shelbourne hotel ∂ 1 tbsp sage, chopped stu ng the turkey. Line the main cavity with
in Dublin. Kevin is now the chef/proprietor ∂ Salt and pepper some baking parchment paper and loosely
of Dunbrody Country House Hotel and ∂ 1 lemon zest pack the bread stu ng into the bird.
Restaurant in Wexford where he also runs a Step 7 If possible, using kitchen twine, tie the
cookery school. ON CHRISTMAS EVE legs together with the pygostyle or “pope’s
Visit dunbrodyhouse.com Step 1 Prepare the traditional stu ng. This nose” to keep the legs and thighs together
will go in the main cavity. while roasting.
Traditional Over medium heat, Melt the butter in a Step 8 Don’t forget to weigh the turkey again
Christmas Turkey saucepan with the onion for 2-4 minutes until with the stu ng enclosed (to assist with
translucent. Remove from the heat. accurate calculations for the cooking times etc)
SERVES 6 In a bowl, combine the breadcrumbs, – it should be 30 minutes plus 40 minutes
chopped herbs and lemon zest. Pour over per kg. For a 5 kg turkey, it should take about
INGREDIENTS the onion and butter mixture and stir well. 3 hours and 30 minutes. You can also set a
∂ 5 kg Turkey Season the stu ng and allow the stu ng to digital probe by the leg of the turkey and it
∂ 1 lemon, zest cool completely in the bowl overnight. should read 70˚C.
∂ 100g butter Step 2 Prepare the sausage meat stu ng.
∂ 1 tbsp. fresh thyme This will go in the neck cavity.
∂ 1 tbsp. fresh sage In a large bowl mix together the sausage meat,
∂ 2 large onions, roughly sliced cranberries, onion, garlic, herbs and season
∂ 3 carrots, halved lengthways well with salt and pepper. Keep aside covered
∂ 1 head garlic, helved until needed.
Step 3 Remove the turkey giblets from the
TRADITIONAL STUFFING main cavity if supplied. Keep aside for later
∂ 150g Butter use.
Step 4 In a small bowl, beat the 100g of
butter with the lemon zest and sage until
pliable texture. Then, on the turkey, from
the neck cavity (or wishbone cavity), using
your finger very gently loosen up the skin
attached to the breast (be careful not to
burst or slit the skin!). Push in the lemon
and herb butter.
Step 5 Pack the sausage meat stu ng in
the neck cavity to give a smooth shape. Any
excess roll in a baking parchment paper into

54 WOMANSWAY.IE

CHRISTMAS RECIPES

Step 9 Prepare the roasting tray; place at the Prep Time; 5 minutes ∂ Salt and pepper
bottom of the tray the giblets, onions, carrots Cooking time ; approx. 1h 15 minutes
and the garlic head to create a “ra ” for the The gremolata is added at the last minute and METHOD
turkey and gravy later on. will bring a kick of spring freshness on the 1. Place the ham in a large heavy based
Step 10 When ready, place the turkey in the ham. saucepan, add the studded onion, carrots,
oven, season with salt and pepper. bay leaf. Add enough water to cover the ham
Roast according to the weight of the stu ed SERVES 4-6 completely. Bring to the boil then reduce the
turkey. A er the first two hours, loosely cover heat and allow to simmer for about 1 hour
the turkey with tin foil to prevent excessive INGREDIENTS approx. (20-25 min / 500g or pound) Remove
browning. ∂ 1 x 1.4kg (about 3 pounds) Irish Ham or from the heat and allow the ham to cool in the
Step 11 Remove the turkey from the oven, cooking liquor.
li away from the roasting tray onto a carving gammon 2. In a bowl, combine the marmalade, brown
board, and again cover with loose tin foil. ∂ 1 onion studded with 3 cloves sugar with honey.
Allow the meat to rest for 10-15 minutes ∂ 1 carrot 3. Preheat the oven to 160˚C/ 325˚C.
before carving while doing the gravy using the ∂ 1 bay leaf Place the boiled ham on a roasting tray. Using
roasting tray trimming. ∂ 4-5 tbsp Whiskey Orange marmalade a sharp knife carefully remove the skin from
∂ 1 tbsp brown sugar the ham, then gently score the fat. Spread the
Carve and enjoy the turkey and the day! ∂ 4 tbsp honey glaze over the ham with a spoon.
4. Place into the oven for 10 - 15 minutes until
Orange Marmalade GREMOLATA: golden brown then remove from the oven.
Glazed Ham ∂ 2 tbsp. parsley Using a pastry brush, brush any missing spot
∂ 1 garlic clove of the ham and let it rest for 20 minutes.
∂ 1 lemon, zest and juice 5. Next, prepare the gremolata in a bowl,
∂ 1 tbsp. olive oil combine the parsley, garlic, lemon zest and
juice with the olive oil, salt and pepper.
6. Carve the ham and sprinkle the gremolata
over. Serve immediately with vegetables and a
side of colcannon mash.

Continued overleaf >>

WOMANSWAY.IE 55

NEVEN MAGUIRE

Neven Maguire is such an expert on festive
feasts he even wrote a book about it, Neven
Maguire’s Perfect Irish Christmas. One of
Ireland’s best loved and well known chefs, he
began cooking at 12 years of age alongside
his mother, Vera, in the kitchen of MacNean
House and Restaurant. He is now the chef
proprietor of the award-winning restaurant in
Blacklion, Co Cavan, which he runs alongside
his wife Amelda.
Visit nevenmaguire.com

Buttermilk Brined
Roast Crown of Turkey

with Lemon and Tarragon

A great alternative to roasting a large bird, ∂ 1 garlic bulb, separated into cloves and sliced paper. Gently loosen the neck flap away from
the crown is the turkey breasts and wing ∂ 15g (½oz) fresh tarragon sprigs, roughly the breast and pack the flavoured butter right
joints with the legs removed. From feedback under the skin (this is best done using gloves
this is the most popular recipe I’ve ever done, bruised on your hands). Rub the butter into the flesh,
as the buttermilk brine ensures that the flesh ∂ 3 tbsp sea salt or kosher salt then re-cover with the skin and secure with
stays wonderfully succulent. ∂ 2 tsp freshly ground black pepper a small skewer or sew with fine twine. Cover
the top of the turkey crown with the rashers.
SERVES 6–8 METHOD 4. Put the prepared turkey crown in the oven
1. Mix together all the ingredients for the and calculate your cooking time: 20 minutes
INGREDIENTS buttermilk brine in a turkey bag, then add per 450g (1lb) plus 20 minutes. This will
∂ 1 x 1.8–2kg (4–4½lb) turkey crown, o the the turkey crown. Tie up the bag securely and cook much quicker than a whole turkey, so
put in the salad drawer at the bottom of the make sure to baste it o en. You can cover it
bone fridge – up to two days is best, but brine for with foil if it’s browning too quickly. When
∂ 75g (3oz) butter, so ened at least 24 hours. cooked, cover with foil to rest and keep
∂ 1 garlic clove, crushed finely grated rind of 1 2. Preheat the oven to 190°C (375°F/gas mark warm. Drain away the cooking juices to make
5). the gravy.
lemon 3. Cream the butter until so , then beat in 5. To serve, carve the turkey crown into slices
∂ 1 tbsp chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley the garlic, lemon rind and herbs. Remove the and arrange on warmed plates with a selection
∂ 2 tsp chopped fresh tarragon crown from the brine and drain o any excess of your favourite accompaniments.
∂ 4 rindless smoked bacon rashers liquid, then pat the skin dry with kitchen

FOR THE BUTTERMILK BRINE:
∂ 2 litres (3½ pints) buttermilk
∂ 2 lemons, thinly sliced

56 WOMANSWAY.IE

CHRISTMAS DINNER

METHOD
1. Soak the gammon in cold
water for at least 6 hours (or
overnight is best), then drain.
2. Preheat the oven to 120°C
(250°F/gas mark ½). Use a
large deep roasting tin with a
rack that’s big enough to hold
the ham. Put the celery, onions,
fresh ginger, thyme, peppercorns, cloves
and star anise in the tin and pour over the
cider, then put the rack on top. Sit the ham
on the rack and cover with a large tent of foil,
sealing it well. Put on the hob over a high
heat and bring to the boil. Simmer for 15
minutes, then transfer to the oven. Cook for
12 hours or overnight – you can now leave it
for one or two days before finishing the recipe.
Alternatively, leave to rest and cool down for at
least 30 minutes.
3. Raise the oven temperature to 180°C
(350°F/gas mark 4).

Caramelised

Onion Relish

MAKES ABOUT 450G (1LB)

Neven says: " is onion relish can be used
in so many different ways and it will keep
happily for up to a month in the fridge. We
get through a lot of it in the restaurant and
at home I just love having it over the festive
season with cold ham or turkey or as part of
a cheese board."

TURKEY STOCK cold. It can be cooked and left in the fridge INGREDIENTS
Ask your butcher for the giblets with your for up to a week, making it extremely handy. ∂ 2 tbsp olive oil
turkey as they make excellent stock. I ∂ 5 onions, thinly sliced
always soak mine in cold water overnight to INGREDIENTS ∂ 1 garlic clove, crushed
remove any impurities. Place them in a pan ∂ 5.25kg (11½lb) leg of gammon, on the bone ∂ 200ml (7fl oz) red wine
with a chopped carrot and onion, six whole ∂ 4 celery sticks, roughly chopped ∂ 100ml (3 1/2fl oz) balsamic vinegar
peppercorns, two bay leaves and a sprig of ∂ 2 onions, sliced 5cm (2in) piece of fresh ∂ 50g (2oz) light muscovado sugar
thyme. Pour in 2 pints (1.2 litres) of water ∂ Salt and freshly ground black pepper
and bring to the boil, then reduce the heat ginger, sliced
and simmer for 45 minutes. Strain and use as ∂ 1 small bunch of fresh thyme METHOD:
required. ∂ 1 tbsp black peppercorns 1. Heat the olive oil in a large pan and cook
∂ 4 whole cloves the onions on a gentle heat for about 10
Ham with Sticky ∂ 2 star anise 1.5 litres (2½ pints) dry cider minutes, stirring occasionally, until so but
Apricot ∂ 1 tsp ground ginger not browned.
2. Stir in the garlic and sugar and then pour in
& Ginger Glaze FOR THE GLAZE: the red wine and balsamic vinegar. Cook gently
∂ 175g (6oz) good-quality apricot jam or for about 35-40 minutes until thickened and
is ham is a firm favourite in our house over sticky, stirring occasionally. Season with salt
the festive season, whether served hot or conserve and pepper to taste.
∂ 100g (4oz) light brown sugar juice of 1 lemon 3. Store the onion relish in an airtight
∂ 4 star anise container or sterilised jar in the fridge and use
∂ 4 pieces of preserved stem ginger, cut into as required. WW

small matchstick-sized strips

WOMANSWAY.IE 57

Cake

OF THE KING

A dessert fit for royalty is traditionally eaten on
the day the Magi found baby Jesus. Cahernane

House Hotel Chef Cormac Vesey shares his
delicious and simple Galette des Rois recipe.

If you’re sick of the heavy traditional of 24cm. Wrap the pastry in cling film and
desserts around Christmas this is a lighter refrigerate for an hour.
and wonderfully easy one to try. The Step 2. In a bowl beat the sugar and
Galette des Rois is a French dessert eaten butter together, add the egg followed by
on the Epiphany, on January 6. The custom the ground almonds then the flour, vanilla
goes: as you assemble the tart you hide a extract and liqueur if using. Don’t over mix
porcelain figure inside the almond cream. once the flour goes in.
Whoever gets this in their slice becomes Step 3. Place the smaller base down on a
the king (or queen) for the day, having their baking tray lined with baking paper, spread
wishes granted. Hence the name Cake of the jam around this leaving a 3cm gap from
the King. the edge. Repeat with the almond mix
making a slight dome.
INGREDIENTS: Step 4. Hide your figurine. Very important
∂ 500g or 2 sheets pre-made all butter no one is watching where it goes! You can
pu pastry use a dried bean if you don’t have one.
∂ 100g unsalted butter at room Step 5. Brush the rim with beaten egg
temperature then carefully drape the larger piece of
∂ 100g Caster sugar pastry over it, gently push out any air
∂ 1 egg beaten (plus 1 more to glaze) pockets as you seal. Press the edges tightly
∂ 100g ground almonds to seal and crimp.
∂ 25g plain flour Step 6. Brush the top with the beaten egg
∂ 1Ts vanilla extract then chill in the fridge for an hour, preheat
∂ 5TBs apricot jam the oven to 180c.
∂ 2TBs apricot schnapps (This is optional, Step 7. Gently score the pastry in a spiral
a di erent liqueur could be used) pattern then bake for 45mins, allow to rest
for 5mins before slicing at the table.
METHOD: Enjoy your royal treat. WW
Step 1. Cut out the pu pastry and make
it into circular bases of 22cm and another Visit cahernane.com

58 WOMANSWAY.IE

FOOD

TIP:

You can add whatever you
like to the mix be it chocolate,
jam, cooked sliced apples etc.
Just be careful not to use
anything with a lot of
moisture as it will make the
pastry soggy. Here I am
adding apricot jam.

WOMANSWAY.IE 59

Raise Porterhouse Brew Co.
Cra Beers from €2.79

aGlass Cra Cocktails Yuletide
Ireland is home to incredible craft breweries Negroni from €12.50
and distilleries, each bringing unique flavours
and personalities to the market. Here’s a Teeling Whiskey Blackpitts
selection of the best tipples to indulge in over Cask Strength Big Smoke €75
the festive season. Sláinte.

The Wicklow Wolf
Christmas Hamper €30

Powers John’s Lane
Whiskey €75

Coole Swan
700ml €26

Sausage Tree Pure
Irish Vodka €40

Cantastic Irish Sampler
6 X 440ml Can €22.50

60 WOMANSWAY.IE

GIFT GUIDE

Guinness
Nitrosurge €29.99

Jameson Roe and Co 106
Orange €31 Blended Irish Whiskey €38

Tribe Irish Skellig Six18
Gin Hamper €55 Gin €49

Dingle Gin Limited Edition Limited Edition Fercullen
Christmas Gi ing Tube €38 21-year-old Single Malt €225

By Rachel Spillane The Midnight Silkie Irish
Whiskey Gi pack €58

WOMANSWAY.IE 61

WiCnotenrtainers
Add conifers, evergreen you structure right the way through the Buying conifers small will always save
shrubs and filler plants
to the mix, as expert season,” says plantswoman and container you money. “Eventually you can have a big
Harriet Rycroft explains.
expert Harriet Rycroft, whose new book conifer, like a tallish pine or a cryptomeria
There’s still time to plant winter
containers before it gets too Pots offers practical advice on all aspects of with a dense rootball, which needs to live
cold, as garden centres are
awash with violas, pansies, container planting. in a pot by itself,” adds Rycroft. “But other
skimmias, berried plants,
evergreens and much more. Yet so “ en you’ve got a framework. You can things can be put on top of it, so you could
often when winter sets in, colours fade,
cyclamen rot, pansies and violas sulk, and fill in the gaps with seasonal colour that even arrange some pots on top of the pot
containers can look a little lacklustre.
comes and goes, like bulbs and pansies, to decorate it, or it can be a really useful
“Conifers are great because they come in
so many shapes, sizes and colours and give but you have that structure.” backdrop to other pots.”

62 WOMANSWAY.IE Evergreen shrubs such as >> CREATE GROUPS
holly are tough and can be

bought small cheaply and Rycroft likes to create

initially added to planters groups of pots, focusing

in a mixed display, after on details. “With conifers

which they can be moved and grasses, you can

to a larger pot as stand- make a framework so that

alone specimens and when you stand back and

even made into topiary look at the group, there’s a

in subsequent years, she satisfying occupation of the

suggests. space,” she says.

Harriet Rycro

GARDENING

“ ere are ups and downs and plant small bulbs under the soil
things drooping over the pot. You around them, such as crocuses,
can get classic triangular pointed anemones or scilla. ey will
shapes, but there are lots with be coming out at the foot of the
much more character, which grasses.”
cascade or look fluffy or weird.
If you mix that up a bit, you’ve >> CHEAT WITH COLOURFUL
got a framework that’s always STEMS “Look at the stems of
interesting.” plants – things like cornus – and
you can cheat. You don’t have to
>> ADMIRE SUBTLE COLOUR put a whole cornus plant in your
pot. If you or a friend has a lovely
e detail might be the fine red or yellow-stemmed one, just
needles or sprays of leaves cut a few stems from them and
or tinges of colour in winter, put them in the pot. I’ve also
she observes. “Some conifers put glass nuggets in a pot (on
are bright blue, others are the surface) just to give a glint of
green. ings like Cryptomeria colour or just use pretty pebbles
‘Elegans’ forms a feathery, to give a bit of interest.”
upright tree that’s bright green
in summer, going rusty red when Standard holly with underplanting >> WHEN PLANTING WINTER
it reacts to the cold in winter. POTS… Avoid using compost
with added wetting agents,
“Hellebores are also very because you won’t need that
useful, as they start flowering in winter, she advises. “Make
very early,” says Rycroft. “One sure the compost doesn’t feel
of my favourites is Helleborus x sticky. If you squeeze it and it
sternii ‘Silver Dollar’, which has
really nice blue-grey leaves and sticks together
pink-grey clusters of flowers. and doesn’t fall
apart, it probably
ey need a deepish pot to won’t be great for
thrive.” winter. But mix in
grit or leafmould if
the compost is too
moist.”

Winter plants can
be fed habitually
with slow release
fertiliser granules,
which will release
nutrients when
they are needed,
she adds.

>> WHAT ABOUT
WATERING?

Check the

Pots featuring conifers and crocuses Pinus densiflora 'Low Glow' compost in your
pot every week,

>> CHANGE FILLERS FOR MORE Rycroft advises.
INTEREST Look in garden centres,
which are great at creating seasonal in April or May they will come out the If it is dry, give it some water. If a pot
displays and giving you ideas, she same time as the tulips.”
By Hannah Stephenson, PA suggests. Also, lift plants out of your own freezes, plants can’t pull moisture up
garden to use in pots, such as grasses that >> CONSIDER ORNAMENTAL
have self-seeded. Even forget-me-nots, GRASSES Rycroft says: “Grasses from the roots. “Keep them
which have self-seeded, could be lifted. provide movement. ere are lots of
“ ey occupy the surface of the compost good carex with different colours, consistently moist so that if
well, with their little green rosettes, then while Festuca glauca makes lovely
little tufts of blue or green. You can it freezes, they won’t be so
put them in pots on their own or
stressed.” WW

Pots by Harriet Rycro is published by
Frances Lincoln. Available now

WOMANSWAY.IE 63

ink before you prune, Rose
because these red Hips
and orange seedpods
provide valuable pops of Rosa moyesii 'Geranium' hips

colour.

Try to avoid deadheading the
last of your roses, because
their hips will provide you
with rich red and burnt
orange shades through
winter.

e eye-catching little fruits – which
emerge after your roses have done their
best in summer, and are actually the
seedpods of the flower – can be used to
add lustre to Christmas decorations, or
even feature in simple festive wreaths for
your front door.

A lot of roses grown for their hips as
well as their flowers are used as hedging,
because many tend to be tall and wild
in their growth, while ramblers and
climbers produce great trusses of flowers,
which will all become hips if left to their
own devices. e best hips are generally
produced by species (or wild) roses.

While many of us will want to
deadhead repeat-flowering roses –
effectively cutting off the hips – the types
which only flower once may be more
suitable candidates. If you have repeat-
flowering roses, you can deadhead the
earlier blooms, but leave the later ones to
develop hips.

>> WHICH ROSES ARE
BEST FOR HIPS?
“Roses from the Rosa moyesii family
boast some of the most attractive hips,”
suggests Philip Harkness, managing
director of rose breeder Harkness Roses.
“ ey are long, orange to red in colour
and shaped like un upturned flagon,
beautiful sculptured curves hanging
through most of the winter.

“ e petals tend to have a slightly waxy
texture, the flowers in early summer are
single blooms of a good size. e hips are
more showy than the flowers.”

Sarah Squire, chair of Squire’s Garden
Centres, adds: “In my garden the best
hips are found on our sweet briar roses
(Rosa rubiginosa), which are in a mixed
native hedge we planted, mainly with
wildlife in mind. Our climbers ‘ e
Simple Life’ and the ‘ e Generous

64 WOMANSWAY.IE

GARDENING

Gardener’ also have a good display – helped Black hips of Scotch roses
by the fact we cannot easily reach up to
deadhead them.”

Ian Limmer, nursery manager at Peter
Beales Roses, recommends Scharlachglut
(‘Scarlet Fire’), a handsome, hardy shrub
bearing an abundance of large, rich,
scarlet-crimson single flowers with
pronounced golden stamens followed by
large urn-shaped hips carried throughout
most of winter.

He also rates Rosa helenae, a vigorous
tree-climbing late flowering rambler, with
creamy white flowers followed by masses
of orange hips. It looks fabulous grown
over arches and along walls.

Violas in terracotta pots

Rosa nitida Rosa glauca Rosa R Filipes ‘Ki sgate’:

Rosa canina is beautiful large white-
flowered rambler emits the
David Austin Roses recommends most wonderful musky
‘Francis E Lester’, a rambler smothered fragrance in summer, followed
with huge bunches of small, blush white by impressive oval-shaped,
single blooms, delicately tinted with pale coral-red hips
pink at the edges, giving an apple blossom
impression. ey are also fragrant and delicate single bloom followed by many Rosa canina: e egg-shaped
produce masses of small orange-red hips deep red rounded hips,” says Harkness. hips of the wild dog rose are
in autumn. a magnet for birds and can
>> WHICH OTHER ROSES STAND Rosa ‘Morning Mist’: is large shrub also be cooked, producing a
OUT FOR THEIR HIPS? rose, which grows to around 6ft, produces tart flavour. In early summer
Rosa glauca (aka Rubrifolia): “As the masses of single coral-pink flowers in you can enjoy the white to
name suggests, it has foliage with a red summer, followed by striking orange pale pink flowers of this glorious
tinge which holds interest from March to hips. It is repeat-flowering, but try not to hedgerow shrub which grows to 3m
November. e flower is a small light pink deadhead too many of those spent blooms high.
if you want a dazzling display of hips.
Scotch roses (Rosa pimpinellifolia):
With yellow or white blooms, these
plants are smaller than many of the
other hip-producing shrub roses –
growing up to 1.2m tall – producing hips
which ripen to black.

By Hannah Stephenson, PA Rosa nitida: ose with a smaller space >> HOW TO GET THE BEST HIPS
might plump for this little beauty, which
can be grown in a pot and will reach As well as not deadheading, to get the
barely 1m high. It produces deep rose pink best hips, you’ll need to look after your
flowers in summer, which turn crimson roses during their growing season,
in the autumn and then you’ll be treated watering regularly and feeding with a
to a display of hundreds of pearl-like red fruit and flower fertiliser at least once a
hips and fiery autumnal foliage. month. e more flowers you have, the
more hips should be produced. WW

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