Rachel's Journal

Last Post 3 hours ago

Rare Plants & Rare Crack

08 May 2011 21:30:50

the gang

I had a wonderful day meeting the gang again at the Rare Plant Sale in Birr.

I was there when the gates opened at 10:00 and soon met up with Kristina, who was ahead of me in the queue. First port of call was the Terra Nova stall.

Before long the usual suspects started drifting in - Fran, keeping his beady eye on everything and making meticulous mental notes, Jacinta, gesumping me on the best plants and Liga, correcting me on the difference between kiwi and Chinese gooseberry. We all know the form by now :D

We all seemed to congregate intuitively around the Terra Nova stand, generally being raucous and obstructing poor Deborah and Martin's business. I hope we didn't scare too many customers away!

Over coffee, it seemed that hostas were all the rage. But while Ingrida's was called 'A Touch of Class', the one I'd bought was 'Striptease'. Do you think there's a hidden meaning there?

I bought lots of plants and I'm not going to embarrass myself by listing them on here. Notable purchases were arisaemas, variegated horseradish (to be used as an ornamental), Celmisia and Ferula communis.

The day was blustery with showers but the main drawback, as far as I was concerned, was the distance to the car park. I spent a lot of time to-ing and fro-ing and waiting in the car park and so completely missed Hazel at the end. Hazel, I have some bits for you, including the Persicaria cuttings and I will keep them safe until our next meeting.

But a great day, all in all :D

Photo, left to right : Orchid, Ingrida, Yellow Rose, Violeta, me, Deborah, Keego, Jacinta, Martin, Fran, Cloncaw, Liga.

Please login to write a comment or click here to register

INGRID15 08 May 2011 21:39:40

The day was fantastic ! I bought a nice few plants very happy with them and THANK YOU RACHEL for nice plants is well ..

fran m 08 May 2011 21:44:28

Beady

Well I never ...................... hump !!!!!!!!!!

TheH (Hazel) 08 May 2011 21:49:37

Thanks Rachel!

Hoeys 08 May 2011 21:51:11

oh its great day.. its always good crack when gardeners meets up. sorry i missed you all.

Moya 08 May 2011 21:56:10

Oh I wish I had been there - I haven't met any members of the club yet except Feverfew which was great.

Are any of you meeting up at Boom? I am going on Friday.

Lìga 08 May 2011 21:57:13

Ha,ha,,,ok Rachel,i'm glad you learn something new:)))LOL!!!

It was great day,but pity that time just fly like always when you meet friends.

MartinB 08 May 2011 22:19:58

Great to meet you all. Most of what we sold was to you guys. Thanks

Rachel 08 May 2011 23:05:55

You're welcome, Ingrida. I had a super day too :)

Now, now, Fran. Take it easy.

Hazel, it will give me a chance to ensure those cuttings have taken.

Jurga & Moya, you missed a good day.

Yes, Liga, but it seemed like I only saw you for a few minutes. You must come to see the Bay Garden in May and come for lunch. They open Sundays.

Ha ha, Martin. Is that because we were blocking your stall?

HeadGardener 08 May 2011 23:10:13

Aw damn I feel sad now I was'nt able to go :-( good to hear you had a great time and thanks for the mail Rachel... and Thanks Deborah and martin for looking after my plant list with Rachel.. in abstensia..

Cloncaw 09 May 2011 00:55:36

Was great to be there and the craic was good, thank you Rachel for the plants that you left for me with Fran and Jacinta hope that next time we meet there'll be more time to talk the fact that parking was scattered didn't really help swap plants etc.

Jacinta 09 May 2011 06:58:12

What do you mean 'gazumping'. I could take that personally.

Brilliant day all round. What date is Bills Garden? Need to get my spoke in early for a day off.

Rachel 09 May 2011 10:31:12

It's a pity you didn't come, Bill.

Yes, Geraldine, it was a bit disjointed and I only got to talk to some people, including yourself, very briefly. It was dead luck Fran had arranged to meet up with you later. I hope the plants do well for you.

Ah now, Jacinta. No offence intended. But it was damn lucky Deborah had two of those Geranium renardii and, yes, you did spot it first :) Bill's open day is Saturday aath June. I just sent you an invite on Facebook.

Bill, I put your open day on Facebook to keep track.

Myrtle 09 May 2011 16:34:44

Fun for all!

HeadGardener 09 May 2011 22:51:12

Rachel I had'nt actually decided on the Saturday or the Sunday... but it does'nt really matter I had better pick a day in any case and Saturday the 11th June is as good as any..

Keego 09 May 2011 23:32:16

I think Rachel Geranium Renardii was one of the ones I posted up last week Mary identified it for me - Pity I had some in the car for swapping but as you say car parking was very bad so not possible anyway would not like to have done Deborah and Martin out of a sale :) well two sales !!

Rachel 09 May 2011 23:37:28

You know, Mary, I think you have to feel the leaves on Geranium renardii to appreciate it :)

Ternie 11 May 2011 10:03:28

Oh, nice to see that garden.ie club people continue to meet each other :) On the 8th of May I had a long day of Irish dance :) My best regards to all gardeners :))