31 March 2009 12:49:04
Leucojum
The Snowflakes are starting to come into bloom now and are a pretty sight. They are much taller than snowdrops and flower much later. They came from my Mother's garden where they were beginning to take over.
31 March 2009 12:21:30
Rosebay Willowherb
I noticed this plant coming up in a few places, including in the grass. It took me a while to figure out what it is but now I'm pretty sure it is the weed Rosebay willowherb. It has a pretty pink flower but is proving to be a bit of a thug. Up until now I have been able to pull it up easily but now it is spreading like wildfire and has put down thick, deep roots and will regrow from any tiny piece left in the soil. I read it was one of the first plants to brighten London's bomb sites in the Second World War and is also called 'fireweed' as it often colonises ground cleared by fire. Its going to be a major job just to get it under control.
23 March 2009 15:04:09
Cabbages and Kings (or Presidents!)
I've just read about the plan to turn part of the White House Lawn into a Kitchen garden where they will grow 55 varieties of vegetable, and I saw pictures of the First Lady digging up the lawn with some children from nearby schools. I'm wondering what are the chances of turning some of the currently uninspiring grounds of Aras an Uachtarain over to a productive garden? Could cabbages, carrots and turnips be growing in sight of the State rooms? Now that really would be going back to our roots!
20 March 2009 08:38:35
Tullynally Castle
Here is a view of Tullynally Castle near Castlepollard. I can't wait for the gardens to open again this year.
20 March 2009 08:28:51
Ornamental Rhubarb in flower last summer
I finally dug up my Rheum palmatum tanguticum. It was a tough job as it had established itself well but it was in the wrong place and had to go. It was just outside a window so it blocked the view in summer and turned to an unsightly soggy mess in the autumn as soon as the frosts hit. I dropped it off at the wonderful Tullynally castle gardens nearby as they may be able to find a place for it there and that way I don't have to feel guilty about getting rid of it! Also, if it settles in, I may be able to visit it in the future.
18 March 2009 08:28:10
The Wishing Tree
Happy St. Patricks Day! We went for a drive and ended up in Donadea Forest Park in Co. Kildare. Its an old Demense that is now Coillte forest and there are lots of interesting trees and shrubs from the days of the big house. The house is in ruins but is still impressive and imposing and overlooks a lawn where lots of people were picnicing and enjoying the sunshine. The kids were delighted to discover this Wishing Tree, and wouldn't you love to know what they wished for!
16 March 2009 10:18:42
Partridge Breast Aloe
The variegared Aloe I got at Snaily Garden last summer now has lovely salmon coloured flowers that look very exotic. It was on the kitchen window sill and hasn't had any special treatment which leads me to the conclusion that it flowers very easily. There is a little offset growing at the side of the pot which I plan to separate and pot on as soon as the flower spike has faded.
10 March 2009 09:29:19
Garden Fairies
My daughter got some 'Grow your own Fairy Garden' seeds for christmas and yesterday we decided to get started on our fairy garden, with help form our fairy friends of course! In fact the Fairies did most of the work and we took lots of photos to prove it. First the magic block of compost had to be soaked so it expanded to fill the seed tray, then seeds were sprinkled on the surface and of course no fairy gardening exercise would be complete without a little sprinkle of fairy dust for good luck. Now we just have to wait and see what favourite fairy flowers will emerge!
06 March 2009 11:18:01
Crimson Flowered Broad Bean
I'm a bit slow off the mark with ordering vegetables seeds this year but with no greenhouse, and limited windowsill space there was no rush, and thankfully Brown Envelope Seeds in Cork still have a great selection to choose from. I ordered Crimson flowered broad beans which look and smell so lovely they could be grown for their flowers alone! They have grown well for me in the past. I also ordered some peas, kale and the summer salad mix which can be grown in a container so I'm planning to sow some of that in a box at the back door.
01 March 2009 17:23:40
Euphorbia robbiae, an invasive weed!
I put in a little euphorbia plant a few years ago but now I am severely regretting it as it has spread like crazy and I'm finding it hard to get rid of. The books say Euphorbia robbiae is one of the best for groundcover - I can see why, but it should come with a warning! Every time I think I have gotten rid of it, it raises its ugly head again. I'm not sure if it is spreading by the roots or seeds but it is impossible to control. It is nice for a few weeks in the spring with its yellowy green blooms but for the rest of the year it looks ragged. I'd like to try Euphorbia mellifera as it smells of honey but I think I will have to think twice if it spreads like robbiae.