Scrubber's Journal

Last Post 1 day 20 hours ago

Visit to Elizabeth's Garden

10 February 2012 18:48:23

This is a last year's picture/ will try for same tomorrow

I dont think I qualify!Its been so long since I was out in my own garden to be a bona fide member of Garden.ie! Had that nasty throat. Then Anna and I went to Cork for a short break. Then back and final dentist's visit Hurrah! (And another hit and run, on Glanbia. Anne there are Hostas out there for 2 Euro if you ask! Patriot and another greyish one.) But thats the last of the old stock. I even picked two pyracantha out of a rubbish bin! Finally home today.

HOWANDEVER!!!! Even if I was not in my own garden I had the great joy of visiting (albeit briefly) Elizabeth's! And that folks was the highlight of my Cork break. There are gardens you admire, there are gardens that daunt you and then there are Gardens you love and this was one of them! Even though it was February all the flowers bloomed for me as Elizabeth and Meg showed me round and explained what comes where in Summer etc. Lovely inviting paths and the stile and the magnificent Bird sculpture and the viewing platform with a view to die for. I could see it all baked in summer sun and sipping our lemonade and looking down on the blue border and over towards the red....Maisie tolerated me quite benignly. Now there's a cat!

I loved the feel of this garden and felt one could be blissfully unaware of Greek Debt and Current Bail outs and all that tosh, working away quietly here in communion with place and nature and reality. ELIZABET TAKE A BOW! I am so proud that my snowdrops will be part of that lovely and well loved garden from now on.

Now Im home and have all the stuff from my Glanbia raids to put in and I must get some photos of the snowdrops before the first flush goes over...

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Drumanagh 10 February 2012 19:07:02

Just spotted Elizabeth's open day as I was flicking through my calendar earlier. (7th or 8th of July?) Would love to see it, Sounds like a garden well worth making a journey for.

Scrubber 10 February 2012 19:58:30

Norradourabourra!

Elizabeth7 10 February 2012 20:22:34

Scrubber it was so good to see you both and thanks for taking the time to call and for the humongous number of Snowdrops you brought me.

I am so pleased you got the ‘feel' of the garden. From the time I came , before there was any garden, I found an amazing sense of peace here , both in the house and the garden. I can take no credit for that it seems like a legacy from those who have lived here all those years ago , and times must have been so hard then. The garden in a weird way I think of as a tribute and thank you to them. I feel , though I suppose they would best like a farm here, that they would approve of the type of garden I am trying to make.

I so hope you manage to visit during the Summer .

ladygardener 10 February 2012 20:49:11

I knew you'd love Elizabeth's garden; from the moment you get the directions; over the bridge, past the castle you know you're going somewhere magical. And of course you've still got to see it in the summer. Sounds like there's absolutely no point anyone else visiting Glanbia for some time, you've completely cleared them out, and saved them disposal costs!

Clara 10 February 2012 20:55:51

Looking forward to your open day Elizabeth and well for those who can visit any Season , it looks so good, well done on all your hard work.

Beautiful photo Peter.

Hoeys 10 February 2012 21:30:14

oh really looks magic... great garden and i hope to see it one day..

Hosta 10 February 2012 22:59:14

So glad you enjoyed Elizabeth's garden and what a wonderful discription of it you have given. It is a credit to her and shows what can be achieved in a short time with a good eye and obvious love of the place and good plants.

Another lovely Hosta for the collection --- Patriot is a great plant. Now is a good time to divide them so might be an idea before you plant it if it is big enough.

Must be the day for dental visits, had my last one today as well --- glad to have that out of the way :-)

fran m 10 February 2012 23:39:45

A great trip all round, good to have you back. Happy planting.

corktony 11 February 2012 11:21:11

What a coincidence of timing.

With Saturdays generally revolving around our bundle of joy and attitude, I am having a cuppa waiting to collect her from her gymnastics. Before setting out I had a brief chance to enjoy the cluster of crocuses - lovely purple burst - and all the bulbs pushing up - the alium gigantium is living up to its name already. i then did my watched kettle (obsessive compulsive) and checked progress on seeds from last evening - sad or what.

So off we set to gymnastics with her looking forward to Don Quixote musical this evening and then the memory of a five year old shone through.......

she pulls out this shiney white little stone from her bag and asks do i remember the lady from whose garden she took the stone. obviously, i did not remember and pressed for details in order as they came out - the lady; black dog; nice garden; big garden; cat who did poos; glass of water

Elizabeth, your impression was well cast.......oh, and she asked can we go back!!!

Elizabeth7 11 February 2012 11:44:25

What an amazing memory she has. Tell Izzy she is welcome here any time as are her parents. I did not tell Maisie the magnificent that she was remembered for her poo!!

As you say Tony what a coincidence.