Many people, Irish and non-Irish alike, celebrate St. Patrick's Day by drinking green beer, attending or participating in local parades, and eating corned beef and cabbage. Whether you are hosting a St. Patrick's Day get-together or if you simply want to adorn your space with holiday-inspired decorations, it's easy to create festive atmosphere come March 17.
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Bells of Ireland
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Despite their common name, bells of Ireland flowers (Molucella laevis) are native to Syria, Turkey and the mountainous Caucasus region of southeastern Europe. The plants, however, are now a symbol of Ireland and many associate them with St. Patrick's Day. They feature distinctive, bell-shaped clusters of green "flowers" that are actually the calyx, or outer green supporting petals, of smaller white flowers. You usually can't see these white flowers, however, because they are hidden within the bells.
Blossoms Floral designs recommends putting bells of Ireland in a white vase for a quick, simple option or adding them to an arrangement with hydrangeas, hypericum and mums for a more elegant and extravagant display. You may also want to adorn your bells of Ireland with miniature jingle bells, ribbons and other ornaments.
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Shamrocks
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The shamrock is a national emblem of Ireland, and derives its fame from St. Patrick's legendary use of the three-leaved plant to explain the Catholic concept of the holy trinity to native Irish pagans during the fifth century A.D. Today, no other symbol is more commonly associated with the St. Patrick's Day celebration.
Adorn your space with bowls, jars, cups or vases filled with bunches of live, growing shamrocks. While the scientific classification of shamrocks is still under debate, people most commonly associate then with the genus Oxalis, which contains sorrels, and the genus Trifolium, which contains clovers. You should have no problem purchasing these plants at a local Florist, garden shop or greenhouse. You could also adorn your space with artificial shamrocks by cutting shamrock shapes out of green felt.
