What to Plant in March in Ireland — Climbing Plants, Bamboo & Hardy Perennials
March is one of the most rewarding months to plant in Ireland — the soil is workable, temperatures are rising steadily to 4–10°C, and the long growing season ahead gives newly planted climbers, bamboo, and perennials the best possible start. The best plants to establish in March are hardy climbing plants such as clematis, non-invasive bamboo for garden screening, and frost-tolerant perennials including lavender and hardy geraniums — all of which will root through the cool spring and reward you with colour, structure, or fragrance from May onwards.
Ireland's mild Atlantic climate means the last average frost date is mid-March along the coast and late April in inland and upland areas. Container-grown plants from a nursery can be planted outdoors from mid-March in most Irish counties — the key advantage over seed starting is that root establishment begins immediately, giving plants a 6–8 week head start on the growing season.
What Can You Plant in an Irish Garden in March?
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Get a bulk quote →March in Ireland is the start of the serious planting season — and the list of what you can plant is longer than many gardeners realise. While you cannot yet plant tender summer plants like dahlias, pelargoniums, or half-hardy annuals outdoors (these go in after the last frost in May), March is ideal for: hardy climbing plants such as clematis and climbing roses; non-invasive bamboo for privacy screening; hardy perennials including lavender, geranium, and ornamental grasses; and bare-root hedging plants while they are still dormant. It is also the single best month of the year to repot houseplants as they come out of winter dormancy. The common thread is hardiness — plants that can handle an Irish late frost are safe to go in now.
What Are the Best Climbing Plants to Plant in March in Ireland?
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Clematis is the outstanding climbing plant to establish in March in Ireland — container-grown plants planted now will root through the cool spring and begin flowering from May onwards, covering walls, fences, and pergolas in colour just as the garden comes to life. The three varieties below represent the best of the clematis range for Irish conditions: a vigorous fragrant spring climber, a large-flowered classic, and a repeat-blooming double.
Clematis 'Multi Blue' Double Flowering — 4 Plants
Is March a Good Time to Plant Bamboo in Ireland?
March and April are among the best months to plant bamboo in Ireland. The soil is moist and warming — perfect conditions for bamboo roots to establish before the main summer growth flush arrives in May and June. Always choose non-invasive clumping bamboo (Fargesia species) rather than running bamboo (Phyllostachys species) for Irish gardens. Fargesia varieties are fully cold-hardy to -20°C, thrive in Ireland's mild, moist climate, and will never spread beyond their original planting spot. They mature to 1.5–2 metres, providing year-round evergreen privacy screening without the aggressive spreading that has made some bamboo varieties notorious problem plants.
Fargesia Rufa Non-Invasive Bamboo — 4 Plants
Fargesia 'Moontears' Compact Bamboo Hedge
Fargesia Rufa (Fargesia rufa) is the classic choice for garden screening and naturalised planting — it forms elegant, arching clumps with bright green foliage that moves beautifully in the breeze. Fargesia 'Moontears' is the compact, topiary-tolerant variety — ideal as a contemporary boxwood hedge replacement (boxwood blight and box tree moth have devastated traditional boxwood hedges across Ireland, making Fargesia an increasingly popular alternative).
What Hardy Perennials Should I Plant in March in Ireland?
Hardy perennials planted in March will establish their root systems during the cool spring weeks and then burst into growth and flower as temperatures rise in May and June — often producing a far more impressive first-year display than perennials planted in summer. The two most rewarding perennials for Irish gardens in March are lavender, for sunny dry borders, and Geranium 'Rozanne', the award-winning groundcover that blooms from May to October without stopping.
True Lavender — Lavandula angustifolia (6 Plants)
Geranium Rozanne Long-Blooming Groundcover — 60 Plants
Lavandula angustifolia (English/True Lavender) is one of Ireland's most-loved perennials — drought-tolerant, supremely fragrant, and a magnet for bees and butterflies throughout summer. Plant in full sun in well-drained soil (lavender will struggle in heavy, waterlogged Irish clay without improving drainage first). Geranium 'Rozanne' is the RHS Plant of the Centenary award winner — it produces an unbroken carpet of lilac-blue flowers from May right through to the first frosts of October, making it one of the longest-blooming perennials available. The 60-plant pack is ideal for filling large borders, slopes, or using as a mass groundcover under trees and shrubs.
Should You Repot Houseplants in March?
March and April are the single best months of the year to repot houseplants — and Irish gardeners who repot now will notice a dramatic improvement in growth rate and vitality throughout summer. As day length increases and light levels rise in Irish homes, houseplants exit their winter dormancy and begin producing new roots and leaves. Repotting at this stage gives them access to fresh, nutrient-rich compost and more root room just as they need it most. The rule of thumb: choose a pot only one size (2–3cm diameter) larger than the current one — too large a pot holds excess moisture and can cause root rot, particularly in the cool, grey weeks that March in Ireland can bring. Plants most worth repotting in March include Monstera, Ficus, Snake Plants, Pothos, and Peace Lilies — all of which typically outgrow their pots after 12–18 months and will respond dramatically to fresh compost and a larger container.
March Planting Guide — How These Plants Compare
| Plant | Price | Category | Mature Size | Blooms | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clematis Montana 'Fragrant Spring' ×3 | €43.95 | Climbing | Up to 6m | May–Jun (fragrant pink) | Fences, pergolas, fast coverage |
| Clematis 'The President' ×4 | €52.95 | Climbing | 2–3m | May–Sep (large purple) | Walls, obelisks, containers |
| Clematis 'Multi Blue' ×4 | €52.95 | Climbing | 2–3m | May–Jun + Jul–Sep (double blue) | Trellises, repeat flowering |
| Fargesia 'Moontears' Bamboo | €72.95 | Screening | 1–1.5m (compact) | Evergreen year-round | Boxwood replacement, formal hedges |
| Fargesia Rufa Bamboo ×4 | €85.95 | Screening | 1.5–2m | Evergreen year-round | Privacy screening, garden borders |
| Lavandula Angustifolia ×6 | €110.95 | Perennial | 45–60cm | Jun–Aug (fragrant purple) | Sunny borders, pollinator garden |
| Geranium Rozanne ×60 | €264.95 | Groundcover | 30–40cm spread | May–Oct (lilac-blue) | Borders, slopes, mass planting |
Frequently Asked Questions About March Planting in Ireland
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- Outdoor Garden Plants — full range of garden plants for delivery across Ireland and Europe
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