Last Post 292 days 1 hour ago
31 July 2012 22:24:05
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Usually subtle, gentle, and calm have no place in my garden. But I can make an exception for this beautiful lily that opened in todays rain.
31 July 2012 21:50:36
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A neighbour recently commented on my overaul on the front garden, saying it looked really 'sunny'. I have to admit, he was right. The colours I have used in the planting, together with the colour of the kayak, make it seem sunny even on the darkest of days - like today!!!
But coming back home this evening from Birthday lunch with Dad and family, I was also rewarded by the sedums in the kayak flowering, adding to that very 'sunny' feel. Very happy the garden is finally done. And it's no longer an eyesore.
30 July 2012 21:54:15
Monopsis lutea for a change
Normally I plant up Bidens as a great yellow trailing plant for hanging baskets for summer. I chose something different this year and am glad I did. It makes a nice change with its 'pea-like' flowers and NO dead-heading required.
30 July 2012 21:42:53
Cat-napping this afternoon
I know how Holly was feeling today in the heat of the afternoon sun. The only thing is, if I had managed to get down that far, I might not have been able to get up again. :)
30 July 2012 20:05:36
Achillea (for Elizabeth??)
Here it is.
30 July 2012 19:55:24
Twinings Tea
Haven't had my hands in compost for weeks, even though I have been out of work for what seems like ages. But today I got a lovely little sisyrinchium striata from LadyGardener today, and it sparked off enthusiasm that I haven't felt in ages. It was very dry so has been soaking in a pot of water all afternoon.
Unfortunately though, I yanked my back again today, so hopefully tomorrow I will get round to potting it up. Thanks a mill, Anne.
30 July 2012 08:34:54
Rambling
All I did yesterday was have a brief ramble round the garden to try and loosen the back up. But noticed that some of my Oxalis didn't have the central purple markings. Hmmm!!
29 July 2012 22:24:44
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Why are they called blueberries when they are harvested when almost black????
Looking good very early this year.
28 July 2012 22:52:48
Oriental trumpet lily 'Montego Bay'
It's last years oriental trumpet lily. It stands at least 4ft this year. I love this one. It rewarded me today.
28 July 2012 21:53:10
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No gardening here again. So all I can share with you is a few photos, and some nice ones of this evenings sunset.
Having been off sick for the last two and a half weeks, I decided to hurt my back on Wednesday. It looks like my sick leave may be extended. Feeling old, really old.
28 July 2012 06:11:41
No flowers again
I have always loved this plant, but had been afraid to let it loose in my small garden. However, Fran kindly gave me some last year and I decided to keep it in a pot and sink them in the border to keep it in check. It didn't flower last year. And it doesn't look like it's going to this year either. So.......do I take a chance on it and take it out of the pot for next year and plant directly into the soil? Will I regret it?
27 July 2012 21:37:46
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This takes slightly acidic soil. Only planted it a couple of years ago, it had been confined to a very small pot with multipurpose compost before that. It did well last year, and is flowering even earlier this year despite the gross weather.
27 July 2012 20:02:55
Perovskia 'Russian Sage'
For once, I thought this planting combination out before actually planting them in the greenhouse border. I wanted fairly tall plants, that didn't take valuable light away from the greenhouse, something with an 'airy' feel to them. So I planted Verbena bonariensis, Thalictrum delavayi and Perovskia (Russian Sage), all almost identical in colour. Happy with the finished result. They're doing their job well. Here to stay.
26 July 2012 22:56:50
Cut and come again cucumbers???
While Kitty (Michelle) and her family visited here yesterday, I was lamenting the fact that I was really the only one here who likes cucumbers. And therefore, growing them seemed to be such a waste. But I was duly informed that you could cut half of the cucumber off the plant and the remaining piece would form a seal and either grow on, or preserve it a bit. New one on me. Did just that tonight. Seeing is believing! If it doesn't work out, there are plenty more on the plant. Thanks for the tip, Michelle. I'm sure there are plenty of people out there who didn't realize that.
26 July 2012 22:39:30
Ceratostigma willmotianum
As a lot of you know, blue flowers are my favourite. My Ceratostigma opened today. Ahh, breathless, to say the least!
26 July 2012 22:20:45
Francoa sonchifolia
This is what you have to look forward to.
26 July 2012 21:15:22
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This one is planted in a pot with my David Austin rose 'Teasing Georgia' (yellow). I love orange and yellow together. It opened today and is looking sumptuous.
25 July 2012 21:17:00
Jasmine 'Clotted Cream'.
This jasmine is so easy to grow. It's starting to flower now. Looking forward to an intoxicating aroma around the Logia.
25 July 2012 06:28:31
Definitely worth 50c!!!
Got this little beauty weeks ago at a great price. It has been cossetted and pampered in the greenhouse since then. Looking gorgeous now.
24 July 2012 22:35:44
Kitty (Michelle) and Rebecca in the rain
Such a rotten wet dreary day here all day. But I was spurred on a bit by the prospect of a visitor from the West visiting today. They made it to their destination in the end. What a pity it was peeing out of the heavens when they arrived. Lovely family. So easy-going, and such a pleasure to entertain. Kitty (and family), you are welcome ANY time. Great to see you all.
24 July 2012 06:31:21
Pretty little thing
I like the way this sedum is spilling over the edge of this frog planter.
23 July 2012 21:33:09
Steve just called me outside. Slugs at night time are a novelty for him. The drizzle has just started. Maybe we'll have a thunder storm tonight to 'clear the air'. I have just squashed at least thirty slugs underfoot. Maybe I should stay out longer in future, for the sake of my babies.
23 July 2012 20:53:15
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My peach trees are doing well this year despite the lack of feed. But today I noticed different types of leaves on the lower part of the trunk/stem. They must have been grafted on a dwarfing rootstock.
23 July 2012 20:03:37
Damsel fly in greenhouse
Oh, so humid today.
I haven't been happy with my grape vine for a long time now. Each year, it produces less and less. So this morning I was delighted when I spotted a vine (€3.49) in Aldi, so hopefully tomorrow I can locate the roots of the old one OUTSIDE the greenhouse, and replace it with this one. If I can do this successfully, it will be goin' a beggin'.
Did a bit of dead-heading in the greenhouse border today. And watered and fed stuff inside. I have been so preoccupied with domestic matters recently that I have failed to notice the important stuff, like the appearance of Damsel flies. This one was inside the greenhouse. And I have the ponds to thank for their appearance.
23 July 2012 07:10:39
Fuchsia
Recently I planted up three or more different fuchsias in front of the oil tank to eventually obliterate it's ugliness. They are all doing really well, with three of them flowering now. This is a little beauty, with its swept back sepals. I think these fuchsias were given to me by Bruno and/or Clara. So I'm hoping either of them can furnish me with this ones' name? If not, not to worry. I will just enjoy it year after year. Thanks to both of you!
20 July 2012 04:44:44
L. 'Landini'
Another lily opened yesterday. I love it combined with the orange ones behind it.
19 July 2012 21:07:14
Weed, or not?
I don't remember planting anything like this in the greenhouse border. I am assuming it is a weed, although the flower looks like it's gonna be nice.
19 July 2012 20:29:57
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A few really nice roses showing themselves in my garden now. I'm glad I added some to the garden last year, even though it's a pain in the .... spraying.
19 July 2012 18:43:45
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It's a beautiful climbing rose. You can clearly see the difference.
19 July 2012 06:20:32
Cucumbers in greenhouse
I really do love the flowers in my garden, but I think in a previous life (or maybe the next one) I had a polytunnel filled with delectable veggies/fruit.
Unfortunately my space is extremely limited here, so in the past couple of years I have almost stopped trying to squeeze stuff in.
The other day I spotted about 4 little baby cucumbers on my one little plant. Wahoo! The joy it gave me!
Had great news yesterday and still off sick for another two weeks maybe. So hopefully the weather is on the 'up' and I can concentrate on the great outdoors once again. God knows, my garden could do with lots of t.l.c. right now.
18 July 2012 05:40:27
R. 'Teasing Georgia'
'Teasing Georgia' opened yesterday. It just gets better and better as time goes on.
17 July 2012 21:24:47
Asiatic lily 'Netty's Pride'
I do like this one!
16 July 2012 22:07:03
Hedychium 'Tahitian Flame' today
Rachel gave me this Hedychium ages ago. However, it was wayyyy too soon to put it outside. So indoors it stayed, until the weather warmed up. And it stayed, and stayed. After a short time I realized that it seemed to be rotting. Plus I don't have a lot of window space so it could get plenty of light. I thought it was a gonner. I put it outside and left it to its own devices. It would help greatly if we got a bit of sunshine but...........c'est la vie.
However, it is doing well now and has sprouted again. I decided to put it under the cover of the greenhouse today. With all the rain, I can't afford to take any chances. I only hope it still has time to 'perform'.
16 July 2012 20:54:11
So what is it?
Kate was minding this plant for me. It was donated by Hosta (Margaret). I don't remember asking for it, and I don't remember it being offered to me at any stage. I certainly don't remember the name of it either. Thanks, Margaret.
16 July 2012 08:00:25
Plant id
Saw this plant in Kate & Grahams yesterday. I was immiedately struck by its intense blue. It grows to about 2 and a half feet, and its leaves have fine prickly spines on both sides. Anyone know what it might be?
15 July 2012 21:54:42
Field of Rapeseed
The sight of this field filled with rapeseed made me sit bolt upright on the way down to Roscommon. Maybe it was because the sun has been so sporadic this year so far. But you gotta admit...........it's gorgeous.
15 July 2012 20:37:00
Baked by Kate herself - gorgeous!
Headed to Roscommon today to visit Kate & Graham. Gotta say it didn't disappoint. Kate and Graham have put so much hard graft into creating their haven in only 4 short years. I was informed that four years ago the whole area was completely in lawn. All of this work to date has been done by sheer dedication, and during weekends only as they live in Dublin during the week. There are no 'exotics' or even unusual plants but the whole effect that they have created is one with a very natural feel. Kate informs me that most of her plants have been from seeds, cuttings or divisions, which is amazing.
Kate was worried that her borders didn't look right as there are some taller plants in front of smaller plants. But in my opinion the finished result is one of a more natural looking garden.
We were joined by a few of Kate's colleagues who were with her in Farmleigh, namely Ann (Ellis, who assisted greatly in recent days), Adrienne, and Brian, and our own Nuala (AitAlainn). Also there were Biddy, and her father who was Kate's old school master in Kate's 'younger' days. We were treated to a gorgeous lunch, and the weather was very condusive to dining al fresco for a change.
Kate & Graham, thank you so much for the invitation. It was worth the 2hr drive. Hopefully we will see you there again.
15 July 2012 05:28:51
Peaches in greenhouse
Peaches are looking well in the greenhouse and should be picked pretty soon. I'm still not getting too many from the three trees so that's something I'll have to improve on for next year. I have never fed them so I'm wondering would maybe Blood, Fish & Bone be best. All suggestions welcome.
14 July 2012 22:10:59
Flower Carpet 'Amber'
Flower carpet 'Amber' opened today too.
14 July 2012 21:41:02
Passiflora 'Constance Elliott'
Have been nurturing this passiflora since last year. People have been telling me that it was not as hardy as 'cerulaea' so I hoped that the winter wouldn't take its toll on it before I even got the opportunity to see it in its full glory.
It performed today! Gorgeous! Dead impressed! Will protect, and protect, and even PROTECT this coming winter.
14 July 2012 21:20:23
Spirea 'Magic Carpet'
This Spirea is looking good at this stage. Maybe in the near future it will get a permanent home so it can perform to its full potential.
14 July 2012 20:53:38
'Hiki Yuri' (Hardy Orchid)
There was I thinking I'd have this 'forever'. Not a sign of growth despite its 'hardy orchid' label. It is/was planted in an area that gets not too much moisture, not too dry, and partial shade. And even though we had a very mild winter, there is nooooo sign of life. So, what did I do wrong?
14 July 2012 19:44:21
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Fed up with negative feelings. So today I persuaded Steve that we needed a Garden Centre visit. We headed to Jones Garden Centre in Donabate. I gotta say I love their spacious layout, and first class cleanliness and tidiness. I was tempted to some asiatic lilies, and a banana 'Ensete ventricosum 'Maurelii'. Got home and I was immediately in form for whatever jobs were 'in need'.
Cut back lots of unwanted foliage on greenhouse vine. Going to get rid of it. Each year it gets less productive. Only 2 small bunches of very small grapes so far. Cut back lots of stuff in the borders and did a general tidy up. Gathered a black refuse sack of rubbish. Thinned out lots of lily pads in the Upper Pond, and oxygenators. Tied up self-seeded sweet pea. Not much done, but it's a lot more than I have been doing in recent times. No visible sun today, but it was dry, and warm enough to work in t-shirt sleeves.
14 July 2012 06:04:01
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My little Island in the middle of the greenhouse pond is bursting at the seams this year. Last years trailing fuchsias survived and are starting to flower, bedding begonias have come back, and a few weeks ago I crammed in some seedlings of Nicandra physaloides. Nicandra are starting to flower too but are way smaller than the seedlings that Bruno gave me last year, probably because of all the surrounding competition.
I have a positive feeling about today!!!
13 July 2012 19:19:56
Actinidia deliciosa 'Jenny'
So anyone who owns a Kiwi plant, do they keep it in a pot, like myself? Or is it planted in borders? It specifies that it is frost tender. So how come it sailed through the last three winters (two of them being rotten). Admittedly, the foliage is lovely, with a lovely velvety texture. But what else has it got to offer? It doesn't even flower. Space is tight here, as you all know.
13 July 2012 18:10:39
Watsonia
Last summer was bad, but this one is really taking its toll on me. I've been off work sick for a week and a half already and haven't managed to get anything worthwhile done outdoors. The most I'm doing is tying in, trimming, cutting grass, watering and feeding. But I got a spark of enthusiasm this afternoon when I spotted my Watsonia in flower.
12 July 2012 06:06:38
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I don't often witness sunrise here as I'm usually sitting at the dining table in the back, which faces west. But this morning I noticed an unusual light coming in through the bedroom window with the sunrise, and wondered whether it was a good or a bad sign!!
Either way, I'm going to have to get the finger out today and get something constructive done. Have a nice day!
11 July 2012 22:06:56
Francoa sonchifolia
Starting to open now. Can't believe how much growth it has put on since last year.
11 July 2012 21:39:24
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Beautiful day in between showers. And boy, were they some showers. No gardening done here all day, too busy with other matters. But I thought I'd share my Santry Sunset with you.
10 July 2012 22:01:50
P. denticulata sown 06.09.11
Sowed these primula seeds on 6th September last year and completely forgot about them. Double Wahoo! They have finally germinated.
10 July 2012 21:44:08
'Totem'
Haven't been paying the garden very much attention recently due to more urgent issues. But today while watering and pottering, I spotted my first tomatoes. Hopefully tomorrow will see me getting back into the swing of things as much as possible.
10 July 2012 21:31:26
Canary Creeper
Very happy with this annual climber. It puts on great growth. I have it in a pot situated beside the downpipe, which is almost completely covered at this stage. It has even wrapped itself around the chains of a hanging basket beside the downpipe. Will be growing this again and again. Very happy!
09 July 2012 21:42:43
Knautia macedonica
macedonica (don't know which one) opened today, thanks to all the rain. I don't remember it being half as tall as that last year. All good, though. It looks well with the arum lily.
09 July 2012 20:55:40
I should know this....
but I don't. I got this at the weekend in the local supermarket in Skerries, while babysitting for my sister. It cost me €2. It strikes me as an indoor plant. I have 'Aralia' in my head, but I'm ALWAYS wrong! Any suggestions please?
08 July 2012 12:53:48
Phygelius 'Trewidden Pink'
Bought this last year and it's still waiting for a home. Not really sure whether I like the colour. A bit insipid for MY liking.
08 July 2012 12:36:47
Penstemon 'Raspberry Ripple'
But babysitting in Skerries for my sister, so no gardening AGAIN today. It's taking me back to my childhood with great memories of summer holidays here, year after year. There has been a constant drizzle since getting up early this morning.
Hopefully Cork is having better weather and all will enjoy the visit to Elizabeths garden.
06 July 2012 22:35:51
Eccremocarpus (photo taken Wednesday)
No outdoor gardening since Wednesday. But I cut back wayward stems on the greenhouse vine that were beginning to take over. Cucumber plant (yea, one single plant) doing nicely. Fed and watered tomatoes. And all the while, my little froggie companion was hopping about, hopefully keeping aphids at bay. It looks like he has taken up permanent residency in the greenhouse. But he's much tinier than the big one in the greenhouse pond.
Last years Eccremocarpus has opened.
06 July 2012 06:10:13
Ricinus officianalis
I have just TWO ricinus plants this year - one which I grew from seed provided by Rachel while she was swanning around in hotter climes, and one which I grew from seed bought in Lanzarote last November. I think I sowed about 5 seeds of Rachels - only one germinated. It is smaller than the bought seed but much stronger looking. My own Ricinus officianalis only produced 3 seedlings, two of which perished. They both suffered from a severe check in growth once they were planted out and are developing VERY slowly.
This is one from my bought seed. Rachel's one is in much further, and I can't really get a close up without trampling on everything else. I'm only hoping that they will both get large enough to produce seed for next year.
05 July 2012 22:05:22
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Here we go.
05 July 2012 22:00:14
Corylus avellana
I love the purple foliage of this hazel. But there are lots of green leaves appearing now. I should have taken them out a while ago. But then, it does give a bit of a focal point.
Will cut them out tomorrow.
Wahoo, we have a choice of submitting one, two or THREE photos. Nice job, Craig and team.
05 July 2012 06:26:25
Chard propped up
Gosh, if this sun decides to stay, will we have to acclimatise? It took a lot out of me yesterday to stay out in the sun without melting. I got a small bit done, like trimming back my Spirea, Vinca minor, perennial poppies, and small pampas grass. It took me a while to get into my stride, but was thoroughly enjoying my own little world after about 30 minutes.
Decided to prop up my Chard that had fallen over onto the grass. Let's see now if the new shoots will decide to grow in the right direction.
Beautiful morning out there now, so let's hope it will last for the day. I don't even bother to watch the weather forecast any more.
04 July 2012 20:27:31
white zantedeschia
If it had been raining ALL day, I wouldn't have spotted this zantedeschia. No idea which one it is, but it's sooooo pure!
04 July 2012 06:17:08
Sambucus 'Black Lace'
Bought this Sambucus at the end of the season last year at a great price. Happy to report that it's doing really well. But I didn't realize that the new growth would be green. Nice!
03 July 2012 22:55:45
Trifolium ochroleucon
.....or otherwise known as Trifolium ochroleucon is a clump-forming, herbaceous perennial. I bought this in Ratoath GC last year and I'm very pleased with it. It requires moist soil (thankfully!!) and wait for it ......yea, full sun. So how come it's doing so well?
03 July 2012 21:39:41
First lilies, today
Any optimism we gardeners possess is being whittled away bit by bit with this constant wet weather. But I bet we'll all bounce back as quick as lightning.
02 July 2012 22:54:57
Rhodohypoxis
Some people find this a difficult little plant. Gotta say, I don't. And it is self-seeding in my Alpine Circle and also some pots around this area.
02 July 2012 18:43:39
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
And there was I outside Dad's house this evening hoping my car would sprout inflatable sides to get me home. It didn't happen, needless to say.
So glad that Steve got the grass cut on Friday.
01 July 2012 21:19:01
A curious thing indeed!
This little primula in Hazels garden today had me totally perplexed. Flower stem with NO leaves.
01 July 2012 19:51:20
I came home with some of this! Thanks again, Hazel
What better way to spend a drizzly day than in the company of Hazel and Brendan. It rained the whole time that Steve and myself were there. We started off our visit with much-longed-for cuppa and a spot of lunch. Afterwards Hazel and myself left the menfolk indoors while we did the 'rounds'. And what an eye-opener Hazel's garden is. A great selection of plants, with space to let them reach their full potential. I don't know why she had been worried last week prior to her Open Day. Yea, one or two weeds. My garden is a fraction of the size but I have way more weeds than Hazel does.
I loved her use of gravel and shingle for pathways, and each section of the garden was completely different in planting schemes. But then a lot of you already know this, after having visited last week.
I had two favourite areas, her Sedum bed, and a small area that Hazel informed me was the first area she planted, with a manageable-sized pond and lots of gorgeous, contrasting plants like Rogersia, Astilbe, Lysimachia, grasses etc. All worked very well and provided lovely strong colours. I was so gobsmacked with her Sedum bed that I actually forgot to take a photo of it. But I came home with a few seedlings which I can't wait to place here.
Hazel and Brendan, thanks for a terrific day.
01 July 2012 07:57:41
Elizabeth's waterlily in my pond
Wouldn't be grand if this last month of Summer were to be extra kind to us to make up for lost time???
Here is my newest waterlily in the greenhouse pond. It was given to me by Elizabeth. It opened yesterday. Thanks, Elizabeth.