Purple Shamrock (Oxalis Triangularis)

A lucky few of us here in Austin can truthfully claim to be Irish or at least part Irish. Many only pretend to be one day a year. If that’s you, in order to be convincing, you’ll want to arm yourself with a few Irish Flower & Irish Wedding Fun Facts to bolster your Celtic cred this Patrick’s Day. We’ll start with flowers because that’s what we’re into.

Ireland was completely covered by ice during the last ice age. So, all native plant and animal life originated from other parts of the world, and mostly Europe. Yet, Ireland grows some amazingly beautiful wildflowers including Heather, Easter Lilies, Amaryllis, Thistle and Fuchsia, to name just a few.  If you travel to Ireland, you’ll have to resist the temptation to harvest a wildflower bouquet. Picking protected wildflowers in Northern Ireland is a crime which could leave pickers facing prosecution.

Shamrock (Oxalis)

Shamrock isn’t a four-leaf clover, it is but a mere three leafer. According to Irish lore, Saint Patrick used Shamrock leaves to teach the Trinity. He’d have no luck with the four-leaf clover on your lucky charm bracelet.

Bells of Ireland

Bells of Ireland, a member of the mint family, are native to Turkey.

Heather

Heather:  AKA Calluna from the Greek kallunein, which means “beautify, sweep clean”, in reference to its old-timey traditional use as a broom.

Hanging Fuchsia

Fuchsia was introduced from South America. It’s now very common along roadsides in South West Ireland.

Not the exact Irish wildflower of the genus, but thistle do.

Thistle, although a prominent wildflower of Ireland, is the national emblem of Scotland. One thistle is said to have saved an entire Scottish army during the Vikings invasion of Scotland. An advancing enemy warrior stepped on a thistle and cried out in pain inadvertently waking the sleeping Scotsmen. Scottish King Kenneth III was so grateful that he adopted the thistle as his nation’s emblem.

Amaryllis Photo: Liz West

Amaryllis flowers are symbolic of a hard-won success, particularly in artistic endeavors. Giving an artist a bunch of amaryllis flowers is said to encourage both their creative muse and their achievements and strength in the arts.

Irish Wedding Lore:

• Traditionally in Ireland, St. Patrick’s Day is the luckiest day to get married. 
• Many Irish brides traditionally carried wildflowers and/or wore a wildflower wreath in lieu of a veil.
• It was considered bad luck to get married in a pair of new shoes for they would entice the Irish fairies to steal the bridal couple and take them to the magical land of Tir na n’Og.
• The Irish Five Pence was given to the bride on her wedding day to wear in her shoe as a symbol of good luck and many blessings. Today many brides will do the same by placing a five pence in the brides flowers.