Periwinkle's Journal

Specially for Dick

Hypericum 'Magical Passion'

Took this picture of Hypericum "Magical Passion" yesterday as I thought it might be of interest to Dick. Its what I consider a good value plant in that it looks good for most of the summer. First the yellow flowers and then the bright red berries. I have it planted in the "hot" part of the "Outer Circle" with Crocosmos "Lucifer", orange coloured Day Lillies, Emily McKenzie Crocosmus, Red Hot Pokers etc.

Pretty Picture!

Pretty Picture!

After a dull start to the afternoon the sun came out and we had a glorious evening here. I got some more work done on the border, mind you there is not a lot to show for such hard work but most of it went underground! had to dig a small drain and fill with gravel to help with drainage in what is a wet spot. So I "knocked off" early and enjoyed some "down time". Took this picture from the front porch. Actually several boats went up and down the bay as I sat:we were all making the most of the lovely evening!

Achievements and disapointments.

Nasturtiums in the Rockery from last year.

I managed about 2  1/2 hours working on the new "no dig" shrub border this evening. I have decided to do a mix of advice from from Greta and Concern and Gerry Daly and having previously sprayed of the weeds and grass I have now raked it off. Now I am covering the clean soil with wet cardboard and covering that with farmyard manure- aprox. 4ins. deep. Gerry Daly advised a mulch of Bark Chip but as my gardening budget is already over-spent I couldn't afford that!  At this stage I have about one third of the border done. Unfortunately, the remaining part is very wet so I will have to work in some gravel and grit to give better drainage. So finishing this job could take some time!

The disappointment? You will know that I have been expecting a visit from the Duchess but at the weekend , due to the inclement weather we are having here the Duchess has decided to wait for better weather before visiting! Really! And to think of all the times I hoovered the red carpet! I know that Jacinta will share my disappointment!!!!!!                                                                     

  Fortunately, the arrival of Noah, my new grand-nephew helped to take the edge of the disappointment!   :))

One of Granny's favourites!

They really make the autumn border!

Phlox was one of my grandmother's favourite flowers, and at this time of year her border was a picture with lots of phlox as well as Dahlias. Over the years I have lost some of the varieties that she grew but I still like to have lots of Phlox. Today I took some pictures of the different ones that I now have in the garden. I will put up a small Photo Album later.  Sorry some of the pictures are poor and the last one is just a repeat bloom on the pale purple one that blooms earliest in July. The varigated one was given me by a visitor to the garden, so Im looking forward to seeing it bulk-up.

From Cloncaw?

Lovely single Dahlia

This Dahlia came to me via Myrtle but I think it was one of Cloncaw's. Am I right? It is a lovely one with good sized single flower with those curled petals and a solt, buttery yellow colour that is easy on the eye. Im very pleased with it and want to say "Thank you" to the giver, who, Im assuming, grew it from seed.

A faithful Promise!

Hope!

And a beauty!

After a good sunny dry day here, this was the scene as I came in from the garden this evening in time to see Gardener's World!

I made a start on my new Shrub Border today. Only got a couple of Square yards done but great to have made a start!

Oh, nearly forgot to say that Im expecting The Duchess to arrive any of these days!

And then there were...

Good value!

... ten!

Back some time ago, Scrubber put up a journal mentioning a plant shopping-spree he had been on when among other things he purchased Astilbe simplicifolia 'Sprite'. The same week I had arrived back from the Cotswolds with the same plant bought at Kiftsgate Garden! It has been sitting in the pot since as I have been too busy with visitors etc. to do much gardening.

But this evening I decided to divide it up and pot it on. And now there are ten! That is one of the great things about buying herbacious plants at this time of year, they have been in their pot all summer and have had time to bulk up.

I could have planted all the pieces in the ground but dont yet have the place prepared so they may stay in pots until spring, or whenever!  But I do have a plan for them so "watch this space"!!!!!

Almost missed it completely!

Eucryphia blossom

Having been away on holiday for two weeks and being very busy on my return, it was a few days before I noticed that my eucyiphia had bloomed while I was away!!! I was so excited about that, as it it still quite small, (approx. 6ft) and had suffered during winter and June storm. There are still a couple of blooms left on it and I tried to take this picture yesterday evening but the sun was too bright so please excuse the shadows. The flower is lovely up close with the pinkish stamens against the pure white petals! What a wonderful world we live in!

Taking a stroll around Bob Brown's nursery!

Everything looking good here!

We found it! Cotswold Garden Flowers! And it wasnt easy, but well worth the effort so many plants and so little space in car boot, not to mention sterling in purse!

But seriously, I would recommend a visit to anyone travelling in that part of the world.( As well as the Hydrangea in previous journal) I bought  Eryngium giganteum 'Silver Ghost' and I planted it in its new home today. Hopefully it will be a reminder next year of a lovely holiday. 

Green, pink and white lacecap flowers(to die for)

Hydrangea macrophylla 'Quadricolor'

Not my words, but what it says on the label of this Hydrangea macrophylla'Quadricolor' which I bought at Bob Brown's Nursery in the Cotswolds! The label also says 'green, grey-green and cream leaves with occasional yellow corners'.  !!

I planted it in the shrub border this evening. Time will tell if it 'does what it says on the tin' (label)!!

And while I'm on the subject..

H. panaculata 'Unique'

....in the Inner Circle I have this Hydrangea panaculata "Unique" purchased at Kilquade a couple of years ago.

And not bad either..

And not bad either..

..this Lacecap hydrangea was a cutting from Myrtle's garden!

No wonder they are so popular!

Hydrangea villosa

Hydrangeas are not popular without good reason! They are so easy to grow and make such a colourful display for such a long period that it is hard to find another shrub with as much going for it.

This is a H. villosa that a friend gave me two years ago as a little seedling! Needs a bit of shelter from wind as the leaves are soft but it is worth taking the trouble with it as the flowers are more graceful and delicate than most other varieties.

August Shrubs.

August shrubs.

It has been a damp and dull morning here with all plants bowed down with the weight of water. But I took this picture anyway so you can see some of the August colour in the shrub border.  You may just be able to make out Escallonia Ivyii in the background of the picture, hard to see it properly as its white blooms dont show very well against the sky, but this is a great shrub and bears masses of blooms in July/Aug.

There are some flowers left on the white Buddleia and, of course, the Hydrangea are the most showy shrubs at the moment!

Need advice, please!

I am planning a new shrub border in the Lower garden, mostly to cut down on grass cutting, as I am beginning to feel I have too much of that to do.

Before I went on holiday I sprayed the area with weed killer and that has done its job; so now I am wondering if there is a good easy way of cultivating the soil without digging? Or with little digging? Thinking of putting a thick layer of farmyard manure over the whole area and leaving it over winter, anyone had any experience of doing this? Any other suggestions would be very welcome.

Back to porridge .....

Cottage in Ebrington.

...and rain!

Just back last night from a really lovely holiday in the Cotswolds! We had beautiful weather, warm and sunny. And, on inspection of the garden here, its seems to have been quite good here too. However, today is a real wash-out! Glad I cut some of the grass last evening after I got home!

We managed a few visits to gardens while across the Irish sea and you will be getting some glimpses of them when I get time to sort them out, but this is just a taste of the beauty of so many "chocolate box" scenes that we enjoyed!