Known as the Emerald Isle, Ireland has lush flora, due in part to the abundant rainfall and the proximity of the Gulf Stream. Ireland’s climate is a temperate maritime, with warm, sunny summers with the occasional light shower and mild winters. There is only a ten degree Celsius difference between temperatures in July and January, according to Wesley Johnston, an Irish native. From the Irish peat bogs, to the dry plains of the Burren in County Clare, Ireland has some of the most diverse flowers in the world.
Known as Lus mor in Ireland, Foxglove is a biennial plant, meaning it lives for two years. Tall stalks of bell-shaped flowers bloom in shades of purple, pink or white. The leaves are large and grow from a central stem. These flowers bloom from June into August and thrive throughout Ireland except in the center of the country, where the winters are colder than the rest of the island. Foxglove grows to about 4 feet tall. All parts of this plant are poisonous.
The sunny yellow centers of the daisy are surrounded by white petals that are sometimes tinged pink on the underside of the petal. The perennial is a common sight along the grasslands, roadsides and even in the gardens of Ireland. In Ireland, the daisy blooms throughout the year but grows only to about 6 inches tall.
Stalks of greenish-white bell-shaped flowers bloom on stalks above almost round green leaves on this plant. Wall pennywort grows along walls, among rocks and in the woodlands of Ireland. This plant flowers throughout Ireland from June to September and grows to 15 inches tall. Depending on the climate, wall pennywort can be a biennial, lasting two years, or a perennial, returning year after year.
The wood anemone grows in rich, moist soil along springs, stream beds, and in wooded areas. This perennial has deeply divided leaves and grows to 5 inches tall. The delicate pink or white flowers bloom from February into April. This perennial is widespread throughout Ireland. In the Cappoquin area, located in south-eastern Ireland, the flowers of the wood anemone are blue, according to Irish Wildflowers.This plant spreads along underground rhizomes.
Blooming from June to September, yarrow grows along roadsides and fields in Ireland. It prefers dry soil and full sun. The flowers can be white, yellow or pink and bloom in clusters on long stalks. The leaves are grayish-green and similar to feathers. Yarrow is a perennial that reaches about 16 inches high.
