11 Interesting Plants Native to Ireland That You Can Grow at Home

Ireland is a land of rolling hills, dramatic cliffs, and emerald fields of clover. Beautiful perennials and wildflowers bloom in the misty countryside. Patchworks of stone walls guard home gardens with lush leafy greens. 

As St. Patrick’s Day approaches, you can get out into your garden and grow native Irish plants in your home. These plants are cold hardy and easy to grow. They put on showy foliage, lovely flowers, and sometimes delicious greens. 

Ireland ranges from zone 8 to 9 and has a surprisingly mild oceanic climate. The local native plants are adapted to the cool and misty climate. If you live in a cooler region, try growing these 11 interesting plants native to Ireland this spring. 

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Primrose

	botanical name Primula vulgaris
	sun requirements Partial to full shade
	height 6-24”
	hardiness zones 2-8

Primroses are my favorite native Irish native plants. When I was a teenager, I remember lying on the fields with my friends next to gorgeous primrose plants after hiking. The mist swept by us and I watched the cream-colored flowers dance in the wind. 

These multi-colored bloomers thrive in shady environments. They are some of the first blooming perennials you can grow. In most of the U.S., you’ll get pops of color appearing in mid to late spring. In Oregon and Northern California, they appear in the late winter. 

These flowers have a long history in Ireland. The Celts considered them sacred and even used them in folk medicines. If you live in a cooler climate with plenty of shade, you can grow abundant primrose plants with little effort. 

Shamrock

	botanical name Oxalis acetosella
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 6-18”
	hardiness zones 8-11

Shamrocks hold a deep place in Irish folklore and culture. The ancient Celts considered their three-leaf structure sacred. In the 5th century, the patron saint of Ireland, Saint Patrick, used them as symbols in his teachings. 

Many plants in the Oxalis genus could have been the original shamrock of Irish lore. The plants are actually wood sorrels and have clover-like three leaves and gorgeous green foliage. Most likely, the species Oxalis acetosella or the clover Trifolium dubium were the true species associated with the sacred Trinity Knot. 

Though Oxalis acetosella is the European native oxalis, the most popular plants sold as shamrocks around St. Patrick’s Day are Oxalis triangularis. These South American three-leaf plants bloom around the Irish patron saint’s holiday in spring. Even in Ireland, you’ll find South American wood sorrels sold around the holidays.

White Clover

	botanical name Trifolium repens
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height Up to 6”
	hardiness zones 3-10

There are many species of clovers growing in Ireland, however, the native Trifolium repens is the species most commonly associated with the legendary shamrocks of Irish and Celtic myths. This cover crop grows throughout the country, on boggy hillsides and fields.

Although they’re not as impressive as wood sorrels for their ornamental value, they are very important cover crops and stabilize the soil. They also add nitrogen to the soil like other legumes. Many clovers, such as red clovers, are edible. 

Clovers are easy to grow and cultivate in a variety of climates. They’ll stand up to full sun or shade. They are not picky when it comes to soil and can survive short periods of drought. Besides being easy to grow and useful, they’re probably the most symbolic plants you can find native to Ireland. 

Spring Squill

	botanical name Scilla verna
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height Up to 6”
	hardiness zones 3-9

Spring squill is a common perennial bulbous plant native to the coasts of Ireland. It has beautiful clusters of star-shaped violet flowers and low-lying green foliage. Most of its growth occurs in spring, right around St. Patrick’s Day. 

If you can find its seeds or bulbs, this plant is an incredible ground cover and spring bloomer. It prefers well-drained soil and continuous watering. It’s considered pest-free and flourishes with relatively little maintenance. 

One of the best things about spring squill is its ability to attract pollinators. Grow it around your edible garden or in your yard to help create a thriving habitat. 

Foxgloves

	botanical name Digitalis purpurea
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 2-5′
	hardiness zones 4-9

Foxgloves are colorful, tall, and ancient. They’re native to Europe and Ireland, where they’ve been cultivated for over 1,000 years. They have lovely yellow, pink, and white flowers that look like hanging bells and spiral-shaped leaves. 

These majestic plants are also known as witches’ fingers or fairy gloves. They’ll bring an otherworldly aesthetic to your garden. If you live in zones 4 through 9, they’ll thrive as perennials. 

Grow these colorful Irish flowers in slightly acidic, well-drained soil. Give them consistent watering and keep the soil from becoming soggy. Depending on the varieties, you’ll get blooms in spring, summer, or early fall. Be careful when touching them because they are poisonous. 

Blackberries

	botanical name Rubus fruticosus
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 4-20’
	hardiness zones 4-8

Blackberries and other brambles, particularly Rubus fruticosus, are native to Ireland and grow thick patches of dense, thorny foliage around castles and stone fences. Since ancient times, these nutritious fruits have been staple crops. Today, they’re some of the world’s most popular fruits and a must in most gardens. 

Grow them as hedges or natural fences. Thornless varieties are easy to train and harvest, while throoned varieties provide excellent protection around home perimeters. 

Brambles need very little maintenance and thrive in a variety of climates, from the Southeast to the Midwest and Northwest. They grow well in a variety of soils and attract all kinds of beneficial pollinators. 

Heath-Spotted Orchid 

	botanical name Dactylorhiza maculata
	sun requirements Partial shade
	height Up to 2′
	hardiness zones 5-9

Ireland has 31 species of native orchids. The heath-spotted orchid is particularly common in the countryside. This terrestrial species blooms from May through August. Its flowers are brilliant pink, pale purple, and white with adorable spots decorating the petals. 

This Irish orchid species loves acidic soils and garden beds. It grows easily and requires very little maintenance, especially compared to other orchid varieties. The plants will die back in autumn and go dormant. The following spring, you’ll see this native Irish flower return.

Yarrow

	botanical name Achillea millefolium
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 2-4’
	hardiness zones 2-10

Yarrow is one of my favorite flowers native to Ireland and the rest of Europe. It’s an easy-to-grow herbaceous perennial that attracts tons of helpful pollinators. Plant this cold-hardy flower and you’ll get swarms of bees, hummingbirds, and butterflies feeding on its nectar. 

In Ireland, the flower is called Athair thalún, which means ‘Father of the Earth’. It has vibrant, multicolored flowers that give off a lovely, sweet scent. Each flower contains hundreds of colorful florets that dance in the breeze. 

You can grow yarrow in almost every climate zone in the U.S., from Florida to the northern coast of Alaska. It’s remarkably low-maintenance.

Roman Chamomile

	botanical name Chamaemelum nobile
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height Up to 2’
	hardiness zones 3-10

Roman chamomile is one of the oldest medicinal plants native to Ireland and Western Europe. People have been using its fragrant blossoms to make soothing teas for millennia. From the ancient Egyptians to the Celts of Ireland, this delicious and healthy tea was beloved by the ancients. 

Today, it’s one of the world’s most cherished plants and teas. It’s easy to grow in a variety of climates throughout the US. Once established, it grows as a self-seeding herbaceous annual that returns each spring. 

Harvest the flowers to make chamomile tea. Pair it with some Oscar Wilde poetry, James Joyce novels, or Irish folk music. 

English Daisy

	botanical name Bellis perennis
	sun requirements Partial to full shade
	height 3-6”
	hardiness zones 4-8

Contrary to their name, English daisy plants are also native to Ireland. They’re some of the most adorable small perennials you can grow. Some gardeners treat these little flowers as annuals but if you live in zones 4 through 8, they’ll return year after year. 

English daisies have small flowers that can be blue, white, pink, and yellow. They’re easy to grow and maintain and thrive in a variety of soils. They’ll attract plenty of wonderful pollinators. 

In Ireland, these small flowers grow wild on hills and meadows. When they bloom, they cover the boggy hills in waves of color. 

Common Nettle

	botanical name Urtica diocia
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height Up to 6′
	hardiness zones 3-10

The common nettle Urtica dioica is a spectacular native Irish plant. Although it produces stinging hairs, it’s valued for its edible foliage which packs tons of nutrients and flavor. When I was a teenager, I experienced my first nettle stings while hiking in the Wicklow Mountains south of Dublin. 

Although it’s considered a weed, many people harvest the plant for food. Its boiled leaves and stems make excellent tea and soup stock.