fran m's Journal

A little Terra Nova, here.

A little Terra Nova, here.

This is one of the plants I came away from Tera Nova with, an Echium. It seems to be doing really well.

Maria is always saying the flower bed in the back is fine, she says she wants nothing big or tall in it, always saying, leave well enough alone, hehe.

Time will tell, in this case ;-))

A year of firsts..........

A year of firsts..........

The last year has been full to the brim of firsts.

I joined Garden.ie (even if it did take me some time to post my first journal) I was sitting on the side watching for a while.

I then got the confidence to post photos of my garden.

I discovered there were so many like minded people, all over the country, and beyond. Discovered, and still am discovering new friends.

I have so many, first time ever, plants in the garden.

I have visited gardens, public and private alike.

Have learnt and hope I was able to pass some of my very limited knowledge to others.

Traveled to Chelsea and other great gardens in England. A long time dream.

Am planning a new garden for the front corner, which I know a year ago, I would never have even dreamed about.

But the best thing of all is that it is all been done for myself. I spent years involved in things for the kids, football, scouts, swimming etc etc. I have no regrets about any of it, I even feel sorry for the parents who never came to any of these events, they missed out on so much.

But for the first time in a long long time, I am doing something totally for myself. Boy am I enjoying it.

Thanks everyone.

Terracotta Corner

Terracotta Corner

The three wall planters I fixed to the wood fence are doing great. They seem to like the dry conditions and are filling the pots well. Will add photos to the June Album.

Pinhead Alliums

Pinhead Alliums

Never had Alliums, untill this year. So I started with the Giant Allium, very pleased with those.

These are Pinhead Alliums I picked up a few weeks ago, the are just about ready to open. The flower head is standing about 24'' off the ground, it is the size of a large bean, no idea of what colour they are,

I will just have to wait and see. 

Man Basket

Man Basket

The number of men on this site, is smaller then the number of women. We need to stand up and be counted a little more............

This basket is planted with good stong colours, I've even given it a name...............

Man Basket.

I must post another photo of my Red Hot basket in the front, it is really coming alive, with colour.

Grandad's Pinks

Grandad's Pinks

My Grandad was a great gardener. I only have a very vague memory of him. His favorite flower was the old fashioned, highly scented pink carnation. It was his house that my parents raised us in, so it was his garden.

And it was his big bed Carnations that when I moved to Shankill many years later, a clump those plants came along also. For all this time the have struggled and some years no flowers at all. I would not give up on them.

When I re-did the garden a few years ago, I was left with one small plant, again nursing and care were given.

Finally, it has worked, the plant is covered in buds about to open, will be taking a few cuttings this year as the plant is doing so well.

I wonder in plant terms, how many times removed, is this plant, from the ones my Grandad first planted?

Special one this one.

Broardbeans

Broardbeans

I have two Broardbean plants ( thanks Una meant to tell you on saturday they are doing fine) planted in a large planter in the front garden, I had nowhere else put them. I have never grown these before, when are the ready to harvest, and how can you tell?

For a little fun I planted a few sweetpea around the broardbeans, will be flowering soon, will post some photos then.

Weisteria Question

Does Weisteria have to be grown against a wall, or can it be grown against a strrong trellis?

I am planning a trellis, possible with a weisteria growing on it, it will be sheltered on three sides by a hedge, wall and shed.

Getting started, for sure this time.........

Getting started, for sure this time.........

This is the front corner, photo was taken last year during big clean up. I have a fairly good idea of what is going to happen. I am giving it one more cut this week all going well, then it will be sprayed, twice.

Iam planning to use Roundup, or does any one have any other ideas, it wiil cost a bit to spray this area, need to be sure it works. Thanks Folks. 

Rachel's 26.6.10

Rachel's 26.6.10

Short and sweet.

Great garden, Great weather, Great company, Great afternoon.

Thanks Rachel, A garden and a work in progress, to be very very proud of.

Thanks to the birds

Thanks to the birds

This planter had some seeds dropped from the birds while I was feeding then, in the Winter. I pulled a lot of seedlings out, missed this one, till it was to late.

Like the structure of the way it is growing. Different. I like different.

Allium Question

Can the seed heads of my Giant Alliums be dried, does anyone know?

I was looking at the them last night, and just wondered. Maybe someone has tried it already.

Thanks Martin

Thanks Martin

Martin, as you can see, all is well with the goodies you sent me, thanks again.

Let's see who can name this little beauty.................

June Album Added

I have added some of my favorite shots of June, so far anyway.

Hope you like it.

Red Hot

Red Hot

During the winter, I picked up a book on planting ideas, for pots, planters, baskets etc. It had some great ideas. I followed one of these schemes, most of the way.

Once again, very pleased with this one.

Portrait in White

Portrait in White

Not great with roses.......yet. This is Iceberg, despite the way I treat it, it is doing great this year. Did not know I had this combination of white in this pot, very pleased with it.

I had extra sweetpea over and no where to put them. So, into a pot, and Last weekend that pot was placed in the planter at the back of the rose. Will post photos later as things develop.

Golden Harvest

Golden Harvest

I have been getting enough mangetout for a salad for my lunch for the last week or ten days. This evening I pulled enough for dinner. Have noticed plenty more flowers in bud. I will be growing these again next year, seem to be doing really well in the pot.

The name Golden Harvest is reflected in the colour, very tasty ;-))

Auction items

Auction items

These are the items I picked up at the Garden Auction last Saturday

Three regency style planters, a wall mounted, brass water tap fountain, and a wrought iron three tier planter.

The planters are grand a few chips, but might try some box hedging in them. Nothing for sure yet.

The water feature will be incorporated into a small pond that is at planning application stage with the relevant person.

The three tiered planter is in need of some paint. With the right pots and plants, I think this will be great.

Rhodochiton.........again

Rhodochiton.........again

I know I'm going on about this plant, but I have really been taken by it. It is busting into bloom at full speed.

My spot

My spot

This the view from what I call My Spot in the garden. The back garden tapers into a triangle. Last year I built a raised deck on this area, as there was not much more could be done with it.

It was nicely shaded during most of the day, yesterday. So ever now and then I sat down and cooled down, in this spot.

One must look after oneself every now and then.

Really pleased with this

Really pleased with this

This is a small shaded raised bed at the side of the extension. I replanted it earlier this year. It has really come on great. It gets about 4 hours of Sun at this time of the year. All the plants have come on so well. May have to try and raise the head a little so he can watch what is going on.

The thinking seat

The thinking seat

We had this wooden ornament of a thinking man, in the house. I saw it on the shelf yesterday, and thought it would be great to have a piece like that in the garden. Then today I thought if it was coated with yacht varnish, no harm would come to it while it will be outside for the few months. 

 I was walking around the garden, trying to find a spot of it. I sat down on the seat thinking, "where will it go", the phone rang, down went the statue. When I walked back out, Bingo. The spot had been found for it, and a name for my seat.

The Thinking Seat.

As you can tell, I had a very busy day today !!!!

Blue Sky Sunday

Just back from a cycle with Aoife. Went through Shanganagh Park and along the top of the cliffs. We stopped for a little while. The view was from Dublin to Howth, the Irish Sea, the Sugar Loaf Mountain in Wicklow, and back to the foothills of the Dublin Mountains.

There was not a single wisp of cloud in the sky, on the eve of the longest day of the year, what better weather could we ask for. Now back to work.

Enjoy

Saturday the 19th.

Saturday the 19th.

Started out cloudy, cool and windy. Quick enough the morning picked up, and turned into great day, and still is. Do some tidying in the shed, some weeding in the front garden, moved some of the pots around in the front also. I think I suffer from some kind of disorder in regards to moving pots and planters ;-)) but this does change the appearance so quickly.

Put weed killer on the driveway, will see how that works, in time. Then moved on to cutting the hedge in the back garden, as hinted by Headgardener, I wonder how he knew it was in need of cutting? Was he snooping around here, which he was admitted to doing in other peoples gardens!!!!!! But this would be a first, daring to come within the area big smoke.

Made a last minute decision on going to the Auction in Bray. I picked up 3 regency style planters €35, a classical style wall mounted water feature €40, and a wrought iron three tier plant holder, in need of some painting, but will look great when I'm finished with it :-))

Was trilled when I got home as our Passports had arrived by courier. We are travelling to the north side of the city this evening to visit a Garden.ie friend, but no way could we travel without the proper paperwork etc.

Looking foreword to a great time, hope you all get to enjoy this great weather. 

Verbascum starting to flower.

Verbascum starting to flower.

Picked this Verbascum 'white bush' up at Bloom, it is looking good, I think this is going to be a good one. It is standing at 3 feet on tall straight spikes.

Auction in Bray Co. Wicklow.

Campanula 'sarastro'

Campanula 'sarastro'

This is a full view of this stunning Campanula, really pleased this is one, will hope to grow more of this from seed.

Tumbling Pots

Tumbling Pots

The tumbling pots are just starting to show some colour. Despite the winter the fuchsias have come back great. Really like this effect with the pots, last year I used terraotta pots, worked grand, but dried out two fast.

Black Bamboo

Black Bamboo

Last year, I bought a Black Bamboo, label is in the shed, not sure of the full name. The winter took it's toll on the poor plant, it really looked beat up all spring. About four weeks ago I noticed a few shoots of new growth. Boy has it taken off since then. This one of the plants that will feature in my new front corner, when I start getting it sorted out. Have some rough ideas scribbled down and some even rougher drawings of bed designs etc

Clematis

Water Therapy

Water Therapy

What a wonderful day. Real annoying day in work, had great plans for this evening from early this morning, but as the day went on, interest disappeared, big time.

I finally rigged up the hose for watering the front garden. Spent some time watering the two beds and the planters. A neighbor across the way is away for a few weeks and her indoors with tea and coffee, willingly offered my services. So after a solid hour of watering, boy does the head feel better. Stress ........what stress.........job..............what job?

Bottle of beer, and garden chair, what else does a body need?

Enjoy...................

For whom the bell tolls.........

For whom the bell tolls.........

Campanula 'sarastro' I bought in Bloom, has just started flowering. The bells are 4 inches long and look great. Really happy with this plant. Need to do some checking on hardiness etc. want to keep this one safe.

More Raindrops

More Raindrops

Hope it's not boring, but I find it interesting the way the droplets sit on some leaves and not on others.

Name please.

Name please.

I have this small tree or large shrub for about 12 years, pulled it out of a crack in a footpath beside the parent tree. It is now six foot, had a few flowers in the last few years, but it is covered in flower buds this year. It is a tiny flower and leaf.

I would love a name on it, if possible.

Night Lights

Night Lights

The last time I took a photo at this time in the evening was six months ago in the snow. Just been sitting outside for a while, lovely evening.

Thanks Periwinkle

Thanks Periwinkle

The other evening I posted a journal on needing to plan my planting better and possibly using pots to help with the lack of colour at certain times. Periwinkle you hit it right on the head, when you made the comment of "limited space". That is what the problem is, sometimes we just don't see the wood for the trees. I want so much, but the space is not there for it to work right. So it's back to plan B.

So it will be the case of cheep pots, some thought put into what plants I will use and set up a rotation system. You would not believe the time I have spent on this, thinking this way and that.

I am sure it will work with early summer bulbs just as well. Happy Days ;-))

Looking good out there

Looking good out there

Sadly I'm working today, but have just had a cuppa at the end of the garden in the sun. A little bit cool, but think it will be a great day for the garden. Enjoy.

Do you see what I see.............

Do you see what I see.............

Have been meaning to ask this question since I place this driftwood piece in the garden, recently.

Well..............

Hanging Pots

Hanging Pots

I picked this pot hanger up in Bloom. I have it hanging from a black hanging basket fitting at the tree at the end of the garden. Because the fitting is black, it blends into the background, which makes the pot hanger look as is if it is just hanging in space.

This is the kind of thing I will forget to water, so I will be picking up some small Sedums etc. which should do ok in the pots.

Better planning needed.

Better planning needed.

This is a shot of the main boarder in the back garden. I need to to put more thought and planning into it. There was great spring colour, very happy with it, in a few weeks there will be a mass of main summer colour. I am missing early Summer colour to provide the step from spring to summer. I was even thinking I could have plants in pots to move in and out as needed, that could work well.

Maybe.

 I really need to do more planning for this not to happen again.

Chillies doing great

Chillies doing great

Spotted flowers on the chillie plants the other day, really pleased, lost two, the remaing two are doing great.

New plant

New plant

Anthericum 'illiago', a white flowered Lily the likes full sun. I saw a large clump of them in Mount Venus yesterday. It looked great.

Also picked up, Drumstick Alliums, and Geranium phaeium.

Hoping to get the hedge in the back garden cut this morning.

Libertia 'Goldfinger'

Libertia 'Goldfinger'

Libertia is just coming into full bloom. This is the best pure white plant I know, love it.

Aquilegia

Aquilegia

Spotted this today. I never had one this colour before, Wonder did it self seed and not come true, or is it a blow in? Either way, I like it.

Name please

Name please

I thought I had kept names and lables of everything I planted this year. Can any one name this. Thanks.

SOS....Arisaema in trouble

SOS....Arisaema in trouble

This was fine on Tuesday, this is what I found this afternoon. It is been eaten from the centre. Not a sign of anything, will check later when it gets dark. Not slugs or snails for sure. Can I spray it if I find nothing, and what would I use?

Good day done.

Geranium Phaenium 'mourning widow'

Up and out early this morning. First on the list was the front right hand side bed. Took up the Daffs, Nearly every bulb has split in two and some even in three, plenty for next year. A good weeding was badly needed, even more than I had thought, the winter had no effect on the weeds thats's for sure.

When that was done, out came the strimmer. The front corner weed and some small amount of grass area needed a cut, badly. I am hoping this is the last time, as I am planning on spraying this area several times of the summer, prior to the makeover.

At 3.30 I headed up to Mount Venus Nursery, what a treasure trove of plants. To be honest, I only knew a fraction of them. So much for the notebook only visit, came away with a few plants, details to follow.

On returning home, did some weeding in the back bed, and plnted some things I had waiting to go in. I think this bed is going the way I want. One or two things to be moved out or split later in the year.

Finished the day off, listening to the birds, the sound from my little water feature, and a glass of vino. Good finish, to a good day.

Sambucus

Words of Wisdom.....

The true gardener must be brutal and imaginative for the future.

Gardeners have three weapons against drought; mulches, watering cans and prayers.

And just for Jacinta.......

The would be gardener requires more patience than most mortals

Safe bet for the new garden

Safe bet for the new garden

One plant that will be sure to be found in the front garden is the Iris.  After all the visiting we did on the Chelsea trip, I saw so many different iris plants, that i will have several with out a doubt.

This is one we saw in Merriments, called 'Sable'

If there's kids in the house............

If there's kids in the house............

If there are kids in the house, you will most likely have Ice cream, then you may also have Sprinkles for the Ice cream.

I have started to use the empty container for spreading slug pellets. Most on the pellet containers just have an open top, and I often end up pouring out more than is needed. Simple and handy.

Cistus ( Rock rose )

Cistus ( Rock rose )

This is in full bloom at the moment, looks great. But sadly the rain over the weekend destroyed most of the blooms, still plenty to come. I moved it to the front two years ago, has really improved since then.

Every cloud has a silver lining

Carrying on from my Aggghhh journal of yesterday. Overnight the old grey matter is working. Now that the raised bed is empty, I am now in the procession of perfect structure that can provide a pond / water feature. This can be done very easily and with little effort, it may be a little small, but will take a few nice pond plants, and maybe even a few fish.

Now all I need do is talk to "her indoors with tea and coffee"..........

Not doing well

Not doing well

This Bottlebrush Callistemon is not doing well. It has been in the same spot for two years. A sheltered south facing bed, full sun for about six hours, goodish soil.

Any ideas on what might be the problem?

Agggggghhhhhhhhhh

The Builders started next door today. I spent last weekend emptying a raised planter, disconnecting lights, taking up sections of decking as the plan was they were building up to the boundary. I also cut back a 15 year old Pyracantha to the base as I knew it would be at major risk as the foundations went in.

came home this evening, to be told my wood, tile, and mirror feature was able to stay. Agggghhhhhhh..... I can't believe it. Sometimes we just do to much for people. What a total waste of so much..............

Not a happy camper    :-((

Liked this one

Liked this one

This garden really cought my eye at Bloom. Loved everthing about it. Design, planting, colours etc. has really got me thinking.

If planting is done right and tight enough, there should be no room for to many weeds.

Right or wrong, what do you think?

Raindrops

Raindrops

Took this shot this morning before work.

€15.......well spent.

€15.......well spent.

Bought this Fushia a couple of weeks ago, always wanted a standard one. It really suits the pot it is in. Only lost one Fushia this year, was worried about a lot of them, they are way behind but are all doing well.

Veronica

Veronica

One of my plants from Bloom, Veronica gentlanoides Variegata. The flower is small but it is great. Got it on the Mount Venus Nursery stand, they are not far from me, going to make a visit at the end of the week when I'm off.

It will be a pencil and notebook visit   ;-))

Front Corner

Front Corner

This is the shape of the front corner. it is a rough drawing and not to scale. X marks the entrance to this area from the back garden and the house. While I have always said it is a weird shape, I have since come to understand that the shape will lend to the final design.

The corners and angles will be added to by screens and planting that one will have to walk around, to see what is beyond, so to speak. 

Have waited for these

Have waited for these

The first of the Rhodochiton flowers have opened. Really pleased with this plant, and the fact that I nursed it through such a bad winter................have to try to get another year out of it.

The name fits

The name fits

My first Mangetout, or should I say,, my first two Mangetout,

I see now why they are called 'Golden Harvest'

Two mangetout, do not a dinner make.............. ;-))

Idea for a bog garden

Gate in a Bog

To be totally honest I had never heard of Bog Garden features in normal gardens until recently. Am even more interested after seeing how easy it is to set one up on the TV last night.

The picture shows a sunken gate in the bog garden in Merriments. I love this kind of thinking, it is only barely peeking above the top of the plants.

Looks great.

Let there be light (solar)

Let there be light (solar)

Have seen these Granite solar powered lights around for quite a while now. They were on a really good price deal for buying two. Really pleased with these.

Bloom on Friday

Primula 'beesiana'

What a day, it was today.

It is great to see such good weather, when so many people have put so much time and effort into the whole event.

I was at the show gardens by 10 past 10. Hardly a soul there, which was great for taking photos. It did not take long for it to start filling up. I was very impressed with the gardens, compared to Chelsea, I felt the gardens at Bloom were more realistic.

Had a quick hello with LindaB early, and Headgardener later on.

Picked up some nice plants, (has to be done you know).

A beauty of a Primula 'beesiana', Campanula 'sarastro', Verbascum 'white bush', Veronica 'variegata'

The idea of been able to leave your plants as you buy them in the plant creche, is a fantastic idea.

Going a begging.....................

Going a begging.....................

Am not big into roses, only have two.

This one was on it's last chance, did not flower for two years, 12 buds on it this year. Do not like it at all, don't know where I got it, no name on it.

First come first served. If anyone would like it, I will keep it safe till I can get it to you.

Giving up

I have been trying to get photos of the fox cub that I have spotted in the garden in recent weeks. Was sitting having a cuppa  a little while ago. Out he came from the hedge, yes, camera was right beside me. At last.

Up he came onto the decking, switched camera on, nothing.............battery was recharging...............ahhhhhhh

You just gotta laugh at yourself............

Have a good day.

Going, going..............

Going, going..............

This is the wood, tile and mirror feature, that sadly I am loosing due to the extension work that is starting in the next few days. Not sure what is going to replace it. Have some ideas, and am hoping to find some ideas at Bloom tomorrow.

Another case of wait and see...............

Clematis

Clematis

The first flower is open on my Clematis 'vyvyan pennell'. I only got one flower on this last year, it was only planted then and was very small.

It has grown well since and am hoping to put some wires from the trellis it is on,  up into the Silver Birch which is at the end of the garden

Martin........name please

Martin........name please

Martin could you name this fern by any chance please?

Ant's eye view.

Ant's eye view.

I spotted some ants climbing the stalk of one of the Alliums, and just wonder what it would look lke to an Ant.

So, here you go.

Sad I know, but Martin will understand.............

Evening Sun

Evening Sun

Took this photo this evening of the setting sun on an Oak, a few gardens away.

Mangetout, day two, update...........

Mangetout, day two, update...........

And so the saga cotinues. Came home this evening, had a look around the garden, as one does. The flowers on the mangetout are two toned, these two flowers are from the one stem. Totally different colours, it seems to be the same accross all the plants. Either all the one colour or mixed.

What will day three provide?

Could put up with this Iris......

Iris of Kent

Spotted this Iris in several of the Gardens we visited accross the way. Not big into the Iris, but could put up with this one, Iris of Kent

Apple seedling

Apple seedling

This is the apple seedling that am growing. I was eating an apple one day, when a pip fell out that had already started to sprout. So it could not be ignored, and I planted it.

As you can see ti is doing fine. It is starting to trow out some side shoots already. Does anyone know if I should leave them or pick them out. Seems to me to be a little small to be sending out side shoots.

The neighbours extension is starting in the next few days. A large Sycamore was taken out just to the left of the seedling, the difference is great in the evenings with the extra light.

Surprised with this.........

Surprised with this.........

This is the flower on my Mangetout plants, it started flowering yesterday. I was really pleased and surprised with this flower, has a great colour. I am nearly doubting that they mangetout, only I planted and grew them myself.