22 June 2011 15:18:48
I know now, but do you?
We had a few great days in Cork last week. The only problem was we didn't have enough time to visit all the gardens I would have liked to. However, on Hosta's advice (thanks again Margeret) we went to Ballymaloe and Cedar Lodge. Brian Cross' garden was top of the list too but unfortunately it wasn't open to visitors while we were there. Ballymaloe is famous by now and if you are thinking of visiting be aware the well known gardens are actually at the Cookery School near Shanagarry rather than at Ballymaloe house as I thought. They are lovely, especially the herbaceous borders leading the way to the shell house. However, I have to say Cedar Lodge garden blew me away with all the interesting plants - things I have heard of but not seen growing, and things I had never heard of at all, including the plant pictured. Can anyone identify it? We were given the tour by the very knowledgable owner (who is 85 by the way) and we learned so much in a short space of time. Hope to put up more journals later about individual plants but for now I'll just say while I would have to dispute any claim that Cork is the true capital of Ireland, I might just have to admit that it probably is the Garden capital :-))
12 June 2011 08:50:50
A little detail
It has all been said already but just look at this for an example of the flair that Bill and Gabriel have! Who would have thought of putting a Rhodochiton tumbling out of a rustic old wheelbarrow? A plantsman's paradise, a weed free miracle, a children's real wonderland, a beauty to behold. How you have managed to achieve a garden that ticks all the boxes, but mostly provides so much enjoyment in just 3 years is just stunning. I don't know what else to say! I did feel a little like I did after visiting June Blake's last year - that I was going to give up gardening but no I'll keep trying! A sincere thank you for opening your home and garden to us, and for all the plants and inspiration.
10 June 2011 14:45:04
Scrophularia auriculata Variegata
Picked this up at the Mount Venus stand at Bloom. Its a relative of the Common Figwort, a wild plant I found growing in the garden in Westmeath (which I put up in my journal in June 2009!). This is a little showier though, with lovely bright leaves but similar unusual flowers.
10 June 2011 13:20:53
'To find pleasure in all their simple joys, remembering one's child life, and the happy summer days'
I know Bloom is sort of old news now here but I just wanted to say I really enjoyed reading everyone's accounts and looking through all the photos. They definitely helped me get more out of the whole Bloom experience as I went on Sat after a few Garden.iers had reported back. I adored some of the gardens especially the ones with the natural approach like the Focus Ireland one with the large nest, the Kells Bay inspired one, and the Portach/Anu Green one which made me think of an Avatar inspired landscape much more than Diarmiud Gavins big Pink Elephant.
But one thing that really annoyed me in the Showgardens was the Alice in Wonderland garden. Artificial grass has been mentioned on here in the past and while it may have its uses(?), what on earth was it doing in a 'Showgarden'????? I think maybe a Chelsea style ban should be introduced.
As we were making our way along the path in the garden, my 6 year old pipes up 'Hey, this grass is Fake!' as if someone was trying to trick him. It was an Emperors new clothes moment. At a time when we are trying to encourage kids to experience and appreciate nature why deprive them of the basic right of rolling around on real grass? Real grass is after all one of the 'simple joys' that brings pleasure on happy summer days.