fran m's Journal

For Liga, and all others

Liga, I was going to try this idea when I plant my new bed shortly. I am planning to take a photo of the bed once it is planted. I am then going to print an A3 page of that photo. I will then write the names on this photo.

I was also thinking there must be a system that on the photo, on the Laptop would allow you print the names onto the photo, am planning to do some checking on this, will let you know what I come up with

Here I go again.........

Here I go again.........

I had my mind made up, finally, on the front corner make over.

Had done some sketches, and was happy with my decisions.

Then a few hours work, the first bed is in place, which was planned I will add, and wham, most of my ideas are out the window. Just once, would love to make my mind up and stick to it.

Maybe there is more fun this way, but just once wish I could get it right from the start. One thing that is remaining is my idea of doing the makeover in three stages, which won't change.

Blocked Path

Blocked Path

When Lucifer blocks your path, you go the other way.

Changing

Changing

The leaves of the Sumach are starting to show the start of the Autumn colours. When I re-did the garden I nearly took this tree out, am so glad I did not, as it is now a main focal point in the back garden.

Not to be seen again.......

Granite in place

until the bed is finished and fully planted up. I got a couple of hours in this morning and got the granite in place. It is amazing how when you get any kind of edging in place, an entire area seems to take shape so quickly

Early morning shot

Early morning shot

I took this shot early this morning while on the beach, I always admire these trees as I pass them.

3.00 pm this afternoon.

3.00 pm this afternoon.

And after a lot of digging, removing roots and all sorts. Adding compost, and soil improver, it is now at this stage.

It is going to be raised, and granite will be used as an edging, like what I have in the back garden. I was hoping to place some of the plants in place just to see what it would look like, but time was against me.

I0.00 am this morning

I0.00 am this morning

This is what the new bed area looked like this morning.

18,262

Sunrise 27/9/10

I have been around now for 18,262 sunrises, only seen a fraction of them, thought it would be worth recording this one. Glad I did, it was so peacefull on the beach, good way to start any day.

Agastache 'black adder'

Agastache 'black adder'

Another purchase from yesterday, googled this earlier. It developes into a great plant. Fantastic colour.

Bless me Father, for I have

€6 bargain

I had to go to Woodie's this morning, as I was leaving a shout from behind me said 'no more plants'

Not a problem, after yesterday.

Iin the door, got what was needed, to the checkout. A man with a trolley full of plants, marked €1,2, 4 all of them.

Had to look.

I think he got the best of what was there.

Came away with, 3 primula vialli, pulmonaria majestice, astilbe, and a lovely varigrated bizzylizzy..........€6

Caught trying to put them with the plants from yesterday ;-))

For Liga

For Liga

Liga, this is the Day Lily that I will be splitting and giving to you.

With all the goings on yesterday, I have forgotten what plant I was going to buy, and you said not to, as you were going to split, some anyway.

What was the plant?

Maybe this memory loss is an age related thing................. 

Lady in Red

Salvia 'royal bumble'

A stunning red on this Salvia 'royal bumble'. Really great colour, will try and get some cuttings of this in the future to pass on. The flower spikes are a very dark purple, nearly black compared to the rest of the plant.

I might move my Salvia 'hot lips' beside it, when doing all the planting.

Keeping it simple

Cotula 'platt's black'

This is Cotula 'platt's black' , the smallest plant purchased yesterday. I love the leaf struture and colour. It just needs a suitable pot and away it will grow.

Like it, alot.

The Cat's got the cream...........

The Cat's got the cream...........

To say the least, I can't get the grin off my face. A great couple of hours spent in Mount Venus. Good to meet you Bruno. Also there was Rachel, Linda, Jacinta, Liga, and a passing visit from Clara, drivers Steve, Liam and Greg.

It was good fun, watching to see what each other was buying. At one stage I thought the UN were going to be needed, between Rachel and Liga, over the identification of certain seeds that Bruno had left with us.

It was so strange to arrive and find the plants I had ordered, sitting in crates waiting for me. Needless to say a few more were added to the collection.

Thank you to everyone for the gifts of plants,  they will be well used in this first bed of the front corner.

Too many plants to name but will be listed as the boarder is planted up over time.

A couple of enjoyable hours well spent.

Ingrid......Is it the same

Ingrid......Is it the same

Do you think they are the same?

Cat on a hot tin roof.

How childish can you get. But that is how I am feeling, this evening. I have never before, bought plants to the extent that I will tomorrow, at Mount Venus.

Really getting a buzz about this, I'm like a kid on Christmas Eve. The weather is to be good, there are a few of us meeting there.

Plants, Friends, and Apple Struddle, in that order, what else could a person ask for............ don't answer that.

What does everyone else do?

To cut or not to cut, that is the question..........

I went to Kilquade, the National Gardens, earlier in the year. There was a fair frost that night. I was amazed at the effect the frost had on dead and dried stems from the previous years growth.

I normally cut all this growth down, at the end of the year, but am thinking about this now.

Would love to know what other folk do?

Time to split.............

Time to split.............

I bought this Carex early in the Spring. It has done really really well. There are lots of young plants that i am going to split. Think I should six or eight plants. So if anyone wants there name put on one let me know.

It is great to be able to offer some plants for a change.

Looking out for..........

Since my unplanned Japanese corner has been developing I have been on the look out for a japaneses statue or structure of some kind. As usual when you don't want something they are everywhere, and then when you go looking, nothing can be found.

If anyone see anything anywhere along these lines, could they please let me know,thanks.

Shopping List

Shopping List

Have my list ready for my trip to Mount Venus on Saturday. The list is as follows,

Leonurus ‘cardiaca', Festuca ‘mairei', Acanthus ‘balacuicus', Nepeta ‘walkers low'

Aster ‘porzella', Gyposophilia, Aconitum ‘newry blue', Aster ‘pyramaeus',

Veronica ‘shirley blue', Miscansthus ‘malephosthus', Miscanthus ‘ferner ostea',

Veronicastrum ‘album', Hellebourous ‘orgutifolius' and ‘orientalius',

Hemerocallis ‘citrine', Echinacea ‘purpurea', Songuisorba ‘atbiflora',

Rudbeckia ‘fulgida', Agastache ‘ayala', Euphorbia ‘claracias'.

There will be others added on the day I'm sure.

These plants along with others that I have been gifted from members on the site, will be the backbone of the main boarder in the front corner.

If all works out and along with spring bulbs, the should be long interest in this scheme.

Finally, this project is getting under way, I would like to thank everyone who has leant a hand in donating and swapping plants to get this project under way.

For Martin

For Martin

Rachel and Clara

Pink and White

Pink and White

Snapped this the other day. I like the contrast of the two colours.

A right Socks of an afternoon

Socks

Geraldine, will not repeat what has been already expressed in other journals. Thank you, and will try and set up other meetings on Sundays.

The eyes have it.

The eyes have it.

Can't go to far in the garden without feeling your been watched by these sets of eyes. Took this photo yesterday, it is, Cuphea, and is another long flowering plant, the first flowers showed in May and will flower till the first sever frosts. One year, there was still some flowers on this plant in December.

Great growth.

Great growth.

This is Clematis 'blue angel' even though the flowers are pure white. This plant was the height of the canes when it was planted in this bed about five weeks ago. It is also showing flower buds, so it must be really happy in this position. I will have to get a larger frame for it for next year. It will be nice to have flowers on it in a while, it will give me an idea of what to expect next year.

No Green, and glad of it.

No Green, and glad of it.

The weedkiller, has really worked well on the front corner. I will rake a lot of the dead stuff off, prior to digging over. I am hoping to have the first bed planted up here in the next few weeks. Progress at last.

Second Flush

Second Flush

Iceberg rose is just starting it's second flush of flowers, there are about a dozen buds to open. I really need to pay more attention to the few roses I do have. That's my first resoution for next year.

Looking to the future

Looking to the future

Have just been checking the directions to Cloncaw for Sunday's get together. I got to thinking again about the way this site is bring people together, and the friendships that are been made along the way.

While planning of spring bulbs is growing fast, and all kinds of decisions are been made. Here's one people might like to think about, maybe some time next year, make a weekend away.

There are great deals to be had in Hotels, with the current climate. We could decide on some where in the midlands, to and suit as many people as possible, Do a couple of visits to different places, then have some time in the evening for relaxing and chatting.

Any takers?

Is it really a year ?

Just reading some of the journals of late, but Jacinta's and Rachel's of this evening really got me thinking. Where has the year gone? About this time last year similar journals were been posted.

I, even made my own chutney for the first time ever.

But a lot has happen in that year. The great get togethers, the swapping and exchanging of plants, the forging of friendships that will last and last. But to me personally, the increased interest, and knowledge that I have gained is fantastic, to say the least.

There's always something.

As we know, the leaves are starting to fall. as some of you have seen, one entire boundary is lined with large trees.

Came home this evening, and the pond was covered with fallen leaves. Not good thing to be sinking into the water. So at the weekend, I will have to rig up a light screen to be used for the few weeks at this time of year.

Never considered this before today, there's always something cropping up out of the blue.

Another sure bet for next year.

Another sure bet for next year.

Alestromeria, Myrtle passed on some of this great plant to me earlier in the year. Have been really impressed with it. Even Maria has commented on the fantastic detail in the flower. It has been producing flowers now for 3 months.

Sure bet for next year.

Sure bet for next year.

In my garden will be Squirrel Grass. We have all seen the fantastic photos of this grass from Rachel's garden. One lesson learnt is that, I will sow lots and lots of seed, I found the germination was quite poor.

It is fabulous, watching it swaying and shimmering in the wind.

Hibiscus

Hibiscus

This Hibiscus was struggling in the back garden for years. I moved it to the front garden maybe eight years ago. Since then it has gotten better and better. No name on this one either I'm afraid.

This will be flowering till the end of September early October depending on the weather.

No name

No Name

I don't have a name on this Clematis, but it has been flowering in ones and twos since about the end of May.

Take Five (or Six) pieces of wood .............

Take Five (or Six) pieces of wood ......... and see what happens.

Day went as planned, for once. Along with sorting out the leak on the extension roof, I played around with my few pieces of wood. I am pleased with the results, to say the least.

Album will be posted ' Six Pieces of Wood'

Take Five (or Six)

Take Five

pieces of wood, a fair few hours work and you get.................you will have to wait and see, because the work has not been finished .............. yet. Play suspended due to rain.

Gazinas

Gazinas

This the plant Clara gave me a month ago, really impressed with these flowers. More of these for next year, me thinks ;-))

Thanks again, Clara.

Still going

Still going

Dahlia 'deep desire' that I picked up in England on the Chelsea trip is still flowering. Really pleased with this one.

Pond Plants

Pond Plants

I have two floating plants in the pond, floating lettuce and a flowering hyacinth. They have both done really well, lots of new small plants attached to the main plant.

I broke a new plant off each one today to see how they go.

Buddleia

Buddleia

Snapped this guy on the Buddleia today, most welcome visitor.

At last.......

The wall between ourselves and the neighbours was built today, it will be plastered next week, I can then get it painted. Over the weekend, I hope to get the wood finished for this feature. I will then be Abe to get the last small section planted up.

Then it can be finally declared as finished, as far as any of us gardener ever finish anything.

Moving On

Moving On

Having done a lot of thinking and planning all this week on the Front Corner, things are really happening, mainly in my head, but decisions and plans are finally been made, and for the last time, I'm sure you are all glad to hear.

I was going to work on this entire area, and transform it all in one go. This was what was bugging me all along, to big an area. So am splitting it in half, the first boarder will be dug and planted in the next few weeks.

I am using a planting scheme from Mount Venus, slightly changed and I will be adding plants I have here already, and others that will be moved or divided.

Roll on the weekend of the 25/26, Mount Venus here I come.

The picture shows where the Boarder will be. It will stretch from where photo was taken to the wooden fence. There will be a steps at the end of the shed to allow access to the work area at the back of the shed (still to be completed).

The weed killer is having an effect, you can see everything turning yellow. Definitely, the buzz on this project is really starting to take grip. Loving it.

Japanese Rain Drops

Japanese Rain Drops

Snapped this today after one of the showers. Slight hints of colour starting to show in the leaves.

Spoke to soon.

Winter reading.........sad, I know ;-))

Temperatures and shivers returned with a vengeance last night. So down to the Doc first thing. Off for rest of week, Viral infection. My first ever sick note for work, not bad after 34 years, granted a lot of that was when self employed.

Returned home and the post had arrived. So have spent most of the day going through my new book, Plant Names Simplified. Must admit am impressed, will take me time but can see how the names are broken down.

I have a long way to go, but this is my aim for this Winter, to really get into the understanding and use of the proper names.

One plant that when I pronounced it brought laughter to certain people, was the first I checked out. Yes your right, it was my, Rhodochiton.and just for me, there are two choices.

ro-do-ky-ton  or if you prefer   rod-ok-it-on

Not that I'm one to start an argument or anything like that. Take your choice.

Yesterday..... all my troubles seemed so far away.

Mountain Ash

I thought I had my mind made up on the front corner. Then I went looking for the copy of the Mount Venus Nursery catalogue.

All hell broke out, spent a lot of today looking at there planting schemes, googling plants, thinking, looking, dreaming, planning and scheming.

Why, oh why do I have to be so easily swayed, and so indecisive about this area.

Then I suppose that's where half the fun is  :-))

Better late than never

Tigridia

I planted Tigridia bulbs late, after they were left in the shed, hidden. They are about to flower, sadly this one was battered by the rains, looking a little worst for ware, but great colour all the same.

Great for colour

Great for colour

I bought these two Leucothites at our get together in Carlow at Christmas.

Talk about looking after themselves. I planted them up, water them, and then just admire them. They have year round colour, and small white flowers in the Spring.

Look good in the charcoal coloured planter I have them in.

Easy.

Like them or not

Like them or not

Spiders are amazing builders. I watched this guy last week for about an hour, as it built it's web. 

Left it to long.

Left it to long.

Feeling a lot better today, sorted out some seeds and paperwork this morning. Decided to go out and do a few small bits in the garden for a little while, went and got changed, and came down to this downpour, it must have been waiting for me to make the first move.

Can this be done?

I want to plant a feature plant in the gravel area. But I want this plant to be in a largish pot. If I use an angle grinder to cut the bottom out of pot, to allow the roots extend down into the ground over time, will this work ok?

Has anyone else done this and how did it work out?

Well tested

Raindrops, but not on roses

Every cloud has a silver lining.

I had tested the overflow system on the pond and all seemed ok. But it really needed a 100% test from Nature, which as you all know we have been getting for the last two days. Really great when you know what you have done works.

Under the Tree at...............

Unter the tree at........

This is the view from under the Sumac Tree at the side of the decking. In a few weeks, this tree will come into it's own with it putting on it's Autumn colour.

Despite the the fact that this tree does tend to sucker, I still maintain no garden should be without one.

New Plants

Lysimachia ciliata

Rachel brought some plant presents with her yesterday.

Echeveriu ‘black prince' two leaves for cuttings. Rachel checked out the website, so will do my best.

Coronilla valentina, a tender plant with a unusual yellow flower, hope this one takes from the cutting, really different.

A Taso plant, I got one of these bulbs to germinate, but it died off shortly afterwards.

Lysimachia ciliata ‘Firecracker' This has fantastic bronze foliage with yellow flowers. I think I have a home for it already, it looks great against the painted wall of the extension next door, it will look great in that position, unless I change my mind, which is the norm with us gardeners.

There was also some great looking Strawberry plants, roll on next June.

Thank you again, hope I will be able to pass on good reports in time.

Down but not out

Still got pockets of colour

Was not feeling 100% yesterday, thought it was just a sore throat. Overnight a right dose has gotten grip, cold, temperature etc. feeling rotten. At least it is wet out there and would not be doing very much anyway.

I was googling and spotted just the book for me. Plant Names Simplified 'Their Pronunciation Deviation and Meaning' so hopefully things will improve with by ability to remember names of plants and meanings etc.

Rachel

Rachel

The fern you commented on yesterday is,

Dryopteris filax-mas 'Cristata Martindale'

I am moving some of the plants in that bed in a few weeks, I will have a clump for you.

FYI re; Gardener's World

Squirrel Grass

Just discovered last evening that Gardener's World is repeated on Saturday evenings at 6.45pm, so you now have a second chance to see it.

E-ne, Me-ne, My-ne, Mo........

E-ne, Me-ne, My-ne, Mo........

.......... says the Bumble Bee as he collects nectar on my standard Fuchsia.

Brolly needed.............

Brolly needed.............

Rachel came a calling today, sadly so did the rain :-((  Not to be deterred, jacket and umbrella were called on, and out we went.

After a coffee, we continued, rain had stopped at this stage :-))

I had a long talk with Rachel on what I am planning for the front corner. Some things to be thought about.

We then took a trip to Mount Venus Nurseries, I thought Rachel would enjoy, as they carry a lot of different plants. I think it will may not be Rachel's only visit.

Thank you for the plants Rachel, I need to do a little googling and will do a journal later. Great day despite the wet start.

Fourth time round.

Fourth time round.

My standard Fuschia is just putting it's fourth flush of blooms this year. Have no name on this one, but for €12, am very pleased with it.

A New Home

A New Home

has been found for my Thinking Man. He is now sitting on the side of the pond under the Bamboo. Think he fits in very well.

For Martin

For Martin

While you slept this morning I snapped this.................

Name found

Name found

I was so proud of myself, when I first posted a picture of this Hibiscus 'Rose of Sharon' only to be told, all Hibiscus are known by this name.

Found the label this evening, Hibiscus, 'Red Heart'. Well suited name, and easy to remember.

First Sedum

First Sedum

Believe it or not I never had this type of Sedum before. It has done really well, and is about to burst into colour.

Jacinta, this is the one you gave me, would you know the Name by any chance?

Changing colour.

Changing colour.

The apples on my Sentenial are starting to change colour. This time last year, the apples were totally red.

Sallysarah, thank you.

Sallysarah, thank you.

I planted the Lampranthus that arrived in the post yesterday, from Sallysarah. I also addeed in a yellow flowered Sedum (I think). This will look well with both plants thumbling down by next year. Thanks again Sallysarah.

Reflection for Cloncaw

Reflection for Cloncaw

Cloncaw asked if I could take a picture of the reflection of the Sumac Tree without me "spoiling the shot"   Humph !!!!!!!!!!!

This is only a small mirror 600 x 600, but mirrors can and do give great effects in a garden.

Geraldine, I am posting an Album called Reflections for your interest

A few days late..........

A little later than planned, but I got the Front Corner sprayed with the weedkiller last evening.

I know it's a small step in the transformation of this are area, but it is a start. If all goes to plan I hope to have it rotavated before it gets to wet, if that works out it will be a blank canvas, and I can lay out some of the beds and do one or two of the structural ideas I have over the winter, and all going well, get the grass sown in the spring.

One small step for .......