Bog of Allen Nature Centre Habitats & Gardens Guide

The Habitats and Gardens at the Bog of Allen Nature Centre are being developed on a 1 acre site to the rear of the visitor centre. In 2004 this area was a concrete yard. IPCC have just completed the first stages in the development of a conservation garden on this site which includes the following:

1. Bog of Allen Habitats: the stages in the development of the Bog of Allen over 10,000 years is reconstructed in the succession from lake through fen to bog.
2. Flytraps Greenhouse: a garden of insect eating plants from bogs all over the world.
3. Wildlife Conservation Garden: attracting wildlife and demonstrating sustainable gardening practice.sects. These include Buddleia, Marjoram, Lavender, Pellagonia, Yellow Loosestrife and Shasta Daisy.

1. Bog of Allen Habitats

The lake occupies an area of 115 square metres and has two marsh habitats on its perimeter. The depth of the lake is 1m and a perimeter shelf around the lake at a depth of 40cm was included for planting. The lake has been filled with rainwater collected from the roof of the buildings. The lake is planted with Water Lily, Flag Iris, Marsh Cinquefoil and Water Mint. You can see pond wildlife up close in our water trough.

The fen has a depth of 90cm and occupies an area of 30 square metres. It has been filled with a mixture of peat and organic alkaline soil to provide a suitable medium for growing plants such as Bog Cotton, Angelica, Bulrush, Marsh Cinquefoil and Water Mint. The water supply to the fen is from groundwater.

The bog occupies an area of 230 square metres and has a depth of 60cm. With the assistance of Bord na Móna, this has been filled with acid peat (from a non conservation worthy bog) and planted with Heather, Lichen, Feather Moss and Moor Grass. A pool in the bog was created to encourage Bog Moss to grow. The water supply to the bog is from rainfall.

The bog oak tree trunk between the wetlands is 7,000 years old and was found in the Bog of Allen.

A view across the raised bog and lake habitats created at the Bog of Allen Nature Centre. The greenhouse containing the flytraps garden can also be seen.

2. Flytraps Greenhouse of Insect Eating Plants

The largest collection of insect-eating plants in Ireland and Britain is on display in our Flytraps greenhouse. Inside you will see active and passive insect eating plants. Plants that move to trap prey include Venus Fly Trap, Sundew, Butterwort and Bladderwort. Plants that attract prey but do not move include tropical and temperate Pitcher Plants and the Cobra Lily. An exhibition in the visitor centre will tell you more about each species. For more detailed information about the Flytraps Garden use this link: Flytraps - garden of insect eating plants

3. Wildlife Conservation Garden

The wildlife conservation garden includes the following:

Arboretum
Native trees planted include Birch, Hawthorn, Yew, Hazel, Oak, Elderberry and Crab Apple.

Element Gardens
Representing Earth, Wind, Fire and Water these circular gardens are constructed within an ancient triple spiral of life pattern. In the centre is earth represented by a collection of polished and unpolished stones and crystals. Air is planted with grasses, which move in the slightest breeze allowing us to visualise wind. The sound of chimes adds to the sensory experience of air. The water circle holds at its centre a small pond. Fire is planted with hot coloured plants such as Crocosmia 'Lucifer' and is surrounded by logs which feed the flames. The edges of the fire are planted with Ophiopogon planiscapus 'Nigrescens', its black leaves representing the ashes of the fire.

Wild Flower Gardens
Along the greenhouse we have planted a variety of flowers to attract butterflies and other insects. These include Buddleia, Marjoram, Lavender, Pellagonia, Yellow Loosestrife and Shasta Daisy.

An early spring view of the Yin and Yang pond and rockery habitat.

Yin and Yang Garden
This feature shows the contrast between wet and dry habitats. The pool representing yin is in perfect balance with the hard landscaping of the rockery which represents yang. The rockery is a harsh environment. Plants here have narrow waxy leaves to help them survive the dry, hot conditions at their roots. The pool is planted with Flag Iris, Water Mint, Bog Bean and Duck Weed. These plants survive the waterlogged conditions by having air spaces in their roots which allow them to breathe whilst submerged in the cool water.

Dry Creek
The creek suggests moving water. Our dry stream meanders through the nature gardens. Rising from beneath an ancient bog oak tree trunk it broadens out to form a rock lined plunge pool before carrying on to disappear again beneath the earth near our "bullaun stone". Use the stepping stones mid stream to cross the creek to the other side.

Woodland Garden
The birch woodland garden is located to the left of the visitor centre. With the support of Coillte, IPCC volunteers planted a native hawthorn hedge to screen the woodland from the road in 2005. This will eventually create dark, humid woodland conditions. This habitat is the place to watch birds. Have a look at the insect hotel in the wood.

Sustainable Garden Management
The Bog of Allen Nature Conservation Gardens are managed without using pesticides, peat based soil improvers or tap water. We collect rain water to fill the water features. We compost all the weeds and grass clippings using compost and worm bins. We collect autumn leaves to make a seed compost. We control pests such as snails by encouraging a healthy population of frogs and beetles. We make our own fertiliser from plants such as Comfrey.

Symbolism in the Gardens

The Four Elements
Everything in the material universe can be divided into solid (Earth), liquid (Water) and Vapour (Air/Wind). These three are transformed one into the other, through the agency of Fire (Energy). The four seasons of the year are related to the four elements. The bare earth representing Winter while the Spring rains germinating seeds relate water to Spring. The heat of summer relates this season to Fire and the Winds of Autumn relate to Air. Other patterns of four are the compass points (north, south, east and west) and the periods of life (childhood, youth, womanhood/manhood and old age).

Celtic Spiral
The spiral is one of the earliest decorative ornaments used in Celtic art. The magic of three is found in the triple spiral which comes from the prehistoric site of Newgrange, Co. Meath. Three spirals of life spring from a common centre, a potent symbol of creation and growth, and the togetherness of things.

Bullaun Stone
Originally thought to have been used to grind grain or herbs for cooking and medicinal purposes. In Irish folklore, the rainwater that collects in such a stone was said to have healing powers, especially for warts. To gain a cure a person had to visit the stone three times in the same week and go around the stone seven times on bare knees.

Yin and Yang
Yin and Yang are concepts of the ancient Chinese art of Feng-shui. At a simple level they are opposites, for example - negative and positive. Yin governs the earth and all that is female, dark, water, soft, cold, deadly or still; whilst Yang derives from Heaven and all that is male, light, fiery, hard, warm, living and moving. The combination and permutation of the Yang and the Yin forms the rest of the Universe.

Project Volunteers

Volunteers levering the hard rock elements into position on the rockery during Februrary 2006.

IPCC wish to thank the volunteers who are helping us to create a haven for wildlife at the Bog of Allen Nature Centre. These include: Anne Reynolds, Anne Shanahan, Bridget O'Brien, Bryan Pinchen, Catherine Keena, Con Hurley, Elizabeth Kelly, Ethan O'Neill, Fiona Culhane, Frank & Francis O'Doherty, Gabrielle Farren, Jayne Byrne, Josephine Herlihy, Martin Conlon, Martin Kelly, Paddy Madden, Pat McAneny, Paul Bolger, Peter Reinsma, Rob Reynolds, Wilbert Gelens & Yanny Petters. Garden volunteers are always needed and very welcome. Please contact us by email or telephone.

Project Sponsors

Carbury Mushrooms, C.J. Sheeran Ltd., Bord na Móna
IPCC Friends of the Bog, Carnivorous Plant Society, Coillte.
IPCC acknowledges the support of KELT and the LEADER Plus programme which is funded by the Irish Government and part-financed by the European Union under the National Development Plan, 2000-2006.

Garden Opening Times

The Bog of Allen Nature Centre Habitats and Gardens are open Monday to Friday from 10am to 5pm. (Last admission 4pm). Special openings on Saturday 27th May, Sunday 30th July and Saturday 25th November from 10am to 4pm. Guided Tours available. Admission Euro 5.

Bog of Allen Nature Centre
Irish Peatland Conservation Council,
Lullymore, Rathangan, Co. Kildare
Tel 045-860133 Fax 045-860148
e-mail: bogs@ipcc.ie
web-site: www.ipcc.ie

Irish Peatland Conservation Council Registered Charity Number CHY6829