28 February 2011 14:45:42
First Spring tree blossom in my garden
This tree, which is one of my favourites, is now out in blossom. Flowers on and off from Nov to Feb if the sun is out. Come early to mid spring, it then makes a big show - I love it. Nice for a small garden and has the bonus of autumn colour
28 February 2011 14:31:46
Bought this slate tea-light cover from Car Boot Sale yesterday. Handmade by the seller, but I could see how it would sit in my garden!! Worth the fiver paid for as it's a one-off............... Got some nice bits yesterday so will put photos up over the coming weeks - I can hear you all yawning................... My bergenia came out pale - a deeper pink in real life! Tete-a-tete daffs.
21 February 2011 20:55:41
George with Myrtle's primula
Colour co-ordination going on here. Planted one of the Irises I got last week - George toned in nicely with Myrtle's primula. When Myrtle was in Westport last year she brought me a clump of this primula, got quite a few pots from it, so thanks for that Myrtle!
21 February 2011 19:21:43
P.Denticulata and pot of Eremurus
Jacinta - photo here of my Primula Denticulata 'drumsticks' which I think is the mystery plant you have!!! I found my pot of Eremurus in the cold frame. To my amazement it has really good new growth. Leaves are strap-like. As you can see I've got it next to the P.Dent which has convinced me that you are the proud owner of P. Denticulata!!! Photos in album so that you can see more clearly...............
18 February 2011 14:19:21
Iris 'george'
Went into Westport this morning - called in at the sooper dooper low cost vegetable shop. The veg shop came in to a new shopping parade where Tesco is and didn't seem to be doing too well. Now it's taken off with a combination of helpful cheery staff and lots of bargains. Couldn't believe it when I saw these Irises for 1 euro a pot. There are 4 irises in each pot - I know they're past their 'sell by date' - but will bulk up over this coming year for next Spring. I'll put them in my cold frame until I find a suitable sunny spot. Must watch out for other named Irises next September when the bulbs come in to the shops - the cheapest way to have these little beauties!! Terrible rainy miserable day here. Yesterday was glorious - what a contrast to today.
18 February 2011 09:10:34
Yesterday was just such a glorious day. Got lots done in the garden. I should have cut back my HAGLEY HYBRID Clematis before this, but yesterday I cut it back to 1 foot high, just cutting above the buds on each stem. Put a nice mulch of seaweed around it. HH is one of the clematis that flowers on this year's growth.
12 February 2011 08:34:20
winter aconites
I ordered 50 of these winter aconites from Nightpark Nursery in Co. Kildare. I saw the advert for spring flowering plants in Jan/Feb 2010 The Irish Garden magazine. I'm sharing the order with a friend. I paid 15.50 but you could get 100 for 22 euros. I've potted them up for now - they'll be really strong plants for next year. The nursery seems to have a good selection of plants. Their email address: nightpark@eircom.net Last week I had to go into Castlebar so took the opportunity to look round the garden centres there. If I see another pot of tete-a-tetes I'll scream. That was the only daffodil for sale in all gdn centres including Woodies. Year in year out they just roll out tete-tete. There is such a variety of mini daffs - why can't they order in a mixed selection. The only place selling Iris reticulata was Woodies and theirs was 'Harmony', which I've got in my garden! Horkans which is the big garden centre in this area didn't even have Irises for sale. They were the only place that had snowdrops for sale, Nivalis 'flora plena' which I have. We are very badly served here in the West for the plant nurseries selling 'different and unusual' plants. Irish Plants Direct has a Saturday stall in Westport but hasn't started up yet for this year - they have unusual bits from time to time.
10 February 2011 18:27:00
Sarcococca - but which one
This little shrub has sat in my garden for round 5 years - looks quite healthy but has never moved, though it does flower (creamy white). I can't decide which Sarcococca it is. Apparently some like damp and some like dry, so mine might not be in the right place. I've put a photo of it in my 'Feb flowers' album. You'll also see a photo of a 4 year old Hellebore that must have at least 12 bunches of buds waiting to break into flower. It really has spread and I'm loathed to split it. Has anyone split up a Hellebore and if so, when?
07 February 2011 16:31:08
Daphne 'mezereum'
I brought this Daphne 'mezereum' from England 6 years ago. It's come into its own this year - a glorious purple fragrant flowering small shrub. A welcome sight in the garden at this time of year!!!