Clara's Journal

Getting there

My Rose 'Compassion '

I have looked at all the Journals for the past week but did not comment as my arm is in a sling and it is still hard to use it but I am getting there.

The garden is looking like a hurricane went through it but what the heck I am not going to worry about the leaves and plants that have keeled over am taking it easy and just doing a bit of watering and am fed up as I am always on the go its not me to be sitting lookng at journals or reading but patience is a vertue.

This is my beautiful rose  "Compassion" which is flowering today love it and my poppies are in flower also.

Thank you all for the good wishes, esp. Jurgita (Hoeys )who paid a visit here on Tuesday so glad you enjoyed the Apple Pie and cream ha ha ! and thank you for your lovely plants which was a beautiful White Geranium plus....

It has taken me ags to write this going over it deleting all the mistakes etc.

Patience is what I need.

Still standing

Still standing

After reading Jacintas journal I had to go down the garden to see if my Clematis was still there and was so suprised to see it still ok. as we have it up 4 steps and on the back of the glasshouse I realy thought it would be down so happy at that , but just having a look around a few things are a bit battered but nothing to bad.

Worked way to hard yesterday.

My garden yesterday after all the work

I got out early as Greg said it was going to rain so I started to clear the Clematis which had died it was all over the dividing wall in the middle of the garden but I am paying for it today, as when I was finished baging all the dead clematis I took out the lawnmower and cut the grass and then tidied the edges and then put out my hanging baskets,  made up a few big pots finished off with a shower and then went to do my charity work which is 3 hours iorning , and then home to make dinner and just sat for the evening doing nothing.

 This morning when I woke up I thought a lorry had gone over me so when all was done like breakfast cleared I prepared dinner which was cottage pie left every thing ready and went up to bed at 2 and did not wake up until 6, it is the first time for ages that I did not go out to the garden at all today.

 But feeling a bit rested now and ready for another day lets hope it is a good one.

I like this

I like this

I love the colours together Jurgita gave me a present of this I think a Primula and I just put it in the middle of some London Pride,  Thank you Jurgita (Hoeys) I love it.

A visit to Hoeys

A visit to Hoeys

Greg and myself went to Avoca to visit Jurgita yesterday morning and we were greeted by this beautiful dog who is tied and has a great long lead attached so he can roam around.

What a big change, has had a digger in to clear the river area and it is looking brilliant it is so natural with Ferns and different kinds of plants growing near it what sight and what a beautiful setting.

We enjoyed our tea / coffee and homemade apple pie looking out the kitchen at such a brilliant view.

Thank you Jurgita for a lovely few hours which went by so fast as we were heading for Gorey for 3.  We had lovely fresh eggs for breakfast this morning and am looking forward to the peppers and the rest of your lovely plants you gave me and I got a kiss from Simon he's a lovely happy little fellow and I would have him anytime as we spoke about.

My 5 th attempt to getting this journal as it got lost 3 times came out huge and I deleted it so here goes again fingers crossed. 

When to get seeds from these

When to get seeds from these

I love these and would love to collect seeds from them so when do I do the seed collecting?.

Love these

Love these

Big suprise as I did not know what they were as a mixed bag was planted, I love them and only open when the sun shines.

I am going a bit mad but I have not been on as the computer was giving trouble so in case I go off again.

Not what it says on the pack.

Not what it says on the pack.

I put up a journal  some days ago as I had sown 10 Tigridia Pavonia and this is what they came up as,  am happy with them but would love to have seen the others also so now thank you Hosta and Bruno for the name lovely little flowers and I have 10...........

Sambucus nigra 'Black lace'

Sambucus nigra 'Black lace'

Love this as the pink colour is looking good just now.

Have had trouble with the computer for the past few days

Hostas in St Stephens Green

Hostas in St Stephens Green

Was walking through on Monday and just wondered how they keep the slugs away?

My new Clematis 'Josephine'

Mine at last

Finally went to Avoca yesterday morning and picked it up, but was so dissapointed as it had an awful bashing with the hailstones and wind and I now have it in the glasshouse to give it a little TLC.  I also got a tiny Bouginvilla it is only 10 inches and look like a standard it. The Clematis was dearer at €35. as the little ones were so bad after the hailstones  and the little Bouginvilla €4.99

Never saw one

Woddie woodpecker

My Sister has just sent me this photo , she lives in Dorset and thought I would share it

Clematis Frenzy

Clematis 'Josephine'

Keego said on a journal yesterday and yes it is, I went to Avoca with my Sister yesterday who has not been so well , we had a great gawk as they say"  and I fell in love with this Clematis and said after we had a cuppa I would go and  buy it and we meet a  neighbour and had a chat and what do you think I came home without it, but I will be going back this afternoon to get it as I am busy until 2 has any one got this one?   as I have not seen it before    € 14 95  but worth it.

Euphorbia

Euphorbia

Just noticed this yesterday as I was fixing the stepping stones I love the colour of the stems will put up proper name later

Stepping Stones

Stepping Stones

Today I went to Woodies for compost and saw these slabs and thought yes!  my problem solved and checked the price and at €1.99 each they would do the job and I bought 4 and here is the result .... I am happy now as it is a very wide area and when I wanted to weed or do anything I had to walk into the clay so no I can step on my stepping stones

Any one get a request for a friend ?

Fuchsia

Fuchsia

Fran paid a visit last night and when he was going I said my Fuchsia had died but beady eyes found new growth am so happy as I thought it was dead so happy I did not dig it out as it is so big, now looking forward to seeing it again.

 Thanks Fran for the delivery of all the new plants from Geraldine and Kego, thanks to both will hopefully see you both at Bills open day

Kilquade Gardens

Kilquade Gardens

We went to Kilquade Gardens this morning and as soon as we got there it started to bucket down and my camera battery went down so all we did was go in and have a lovely lunch and went home and Greg said we will go back again on Thursday as we only live 20 min. away from it I dont believe it is a year since we were there.

I took 4 photos and not one is a flower as I thought these were so beautiful all carved priced well so will not be buying any....

Waiting for this day for 3 weeks now

Not what it says on the packet

This is what I am waiting for and will have to wait for a while to see them open and they only open for 1 day.

They are called Tigridia Pavonia.

Will post up a photo when they open.

Hi Guize have a great day in Birr

Hi Guize have a great day in Birr

Just to say have a great time tomorrow in Birr and enjoy it , take loads of photos and Spend Spend Spend like there is no tomorrow

Going to be a biggie

Going to be a biggie

Today when I was planting out small plants this Poppy is so big I veered away from it as you would not see them.

What a Day

What a Day

I decided today I was getting most of the plants out of the glasshouse and plant them and yes got nearly all out and planted and before I tidied up down came the rain saved me from dragging water from the barrell. Am tired now but so pleased as now the tomatoes can get into the bigger pots and all the rest in waiting.

My Azalea 'Arabesk'

My Azalea 'Arabesk'

I have had this for about 8 years and now I feel  it should be potted on when is the right time  to do it,  I love it in a pot as I can move it around .

So please let me know when is the best time to repot it.

Glasshouse filling up

Glasshouse filling up

I have had a bad few days with a return of my bad arm giving me so much pain and keeping me awake all night as I sleep on my right side and my right arm is my problem.  

 I went out to the glasshouse yesterday and it is going mad as all need to be planted out or planted on I cant believe the growth and it is my job so no use asking my beloved to do it as he is not that way inclined he will do a lot but not that.

I took the bull by the horns today and planted out 50 white Cosmos and 50 French Marigolds and about 50 Cornflowers and that was it,  it was raining at the time so was soaked but got it done and am happy I did it at last. Now there is a bit more room for my Tomatoes and Cucumbers and Peppers  to grow.

Embroidered Flowers

Embroidered Flowers

I had to show this as my Niece does this work I cannot believe the detail in it, just love it

Clematis is out in full bloom

Clematis is out in full bloom

I have not been to well for the past few days and have done nothing at all, went down the garden and my glasshouse is getting a bit over run by plants that need to be put out or potted on.

We went for a walk today and am feeling a bit better still very cold and so windy out but maybe it is because I did not feel well but back now ready to go, grass needs cutting , seedlings need potting on and some need to be put into the ground, so kill or cure I am ready.