fran m's Journal

A welcome sight for the first day of Spring

A welcome sight for the first day of Spring

These are planted in a pot at the front door. Love the colour.

Determined to flower

Determined to flower

Last week I posted a picture of a cutting of Fuschia that had a flower bud on it. Rachel and Liga suggested cutting it off to give extra strength to the plant.

So that was done. Six days later, another flower bud has appeared. Another little cut is on the required.

Drying

Drying

Clara's piece of driftwood which I covered up a few weeks ago is drying out well. I am planning to keep it covered for about six/eight weeks. Then the work will begin on it. Pleased with the way the drying is going.

Name please

Name please

My new year resolution of marking and loving plants as I split divide or pot on is going well.

This is a plant from last year, can't even remember the flower colour. It has held it's leaves all winter, cold snow and ice had no effect. There is a chance it is from Terra Nova, but not putting money on it.

If you can help, thanks in advance.

Spring Display

Spring Display

The great thing about having spring bulbs in pots is their movability. With 5 minutes work this display was set up. I know they are a bit bare at the moment, but there are lots of bulb tips peeping up. Poor old Mr. Head has not been allowed to settle in one place for to long. Another great day for gardening.

Carex on the up and up

Carex on the up and up

This Carex which is on the DECKING, it took a bit of a battering with the cold weather. Strangely the damage only started to show in the last two weeks, but there is plenty of new growth showing already.

Saturday 29th

Perfect end to a perfect day.

I was out early this morning, what a start. It was a little cool but not a breath of wind, I knew it was going to be a good day. First couple of hours were spent in the front garden. I took up what I hope is the last of the leaves, where these stragglers come from is beyond me.

Used the hoe to loosen up the soil, always looks great when this is done. Thanks to small cane markers, no damage done to any bulbs, as far as I know. One plant I was thrilled to see new growth on was Agastache ‘apricot sprite', this was a new plant for me last year and was really impressed with it. Sorted out and rearranged the pots in the front against the wall.

The large wood planter in the front had two of my €1 Clematis added to it, these will grow up the trellis that is on the wall. Myrtle's Alstromaria is bulking up very well in this planter. My idea of placing plants in pots into this planter to give short term interest seems to have added extra protection over the winter.  I think this will give great long time interest for this planter.

I then moved to the back, and started work on my raised bed idea, I have the base sorted out, but this a journal for another day.

I had a really good look around the garden, lots of new growth, what is it, that trills us so much when we see the first signs of life. The old back decided at 3.30 it had had enough, so in I came, made a cup of coffee and back out for a sit down on the decking, and right on time the sun came out. A perfect end to a perfect day.

The fun continues

The fun continues

Some of you may remember the journal I posted last year about the sprouting seed I found in an apple and the way it started to grow after I planted it.

This is what I have today, 13 inches high, lots of good buds on it, so the fun continues to see what comes of this in time.

WARNING

Folks,

I just received a friend request from abroad requesting private contact,bank account and phone details, either ignore or decline. I have sent a message to CraigK re the same.

TV Gardening

Carol

Carol Klein's gardening programme is the best I have ever seen. I have just finished watching last nights episode. All I can saw is that it is first class production, start to finish.

I loved the way in this programme she showed the benefits of how useful plants in pots can used to alter a boarder by placing them here and there in the boarder, classic.

It is also great the way you get flash backs of how different areas of the garden looked earlier in the year.

Well done Carol.

Itching

Fennel

As I was reading Rachel's Journal on what she got done in the garden today, you could feel the buzz she got from been out and about in the garden all day.

It has got me itching for tomorrow. Want to get stuck in to a few things in the front corner area.

There is so much movement in the plants, I can't wait to see what else might have appeared. One such plant that surprised me by seeing how far advanced it was, is this Fennel plant. Despite the delicate foliage and the recent weather it has surprised me by been even above ground, let alone this far advanced.

Adding a little interest

Adding a little interest

This is a corner that I have finally decided what I want to do something with. In Mount Venus last year I was really taken by a raised planter. Anyone who was there would remember it well.

I had planned on copying that idea, but Clara's piece of driftwood has taken the prime spot for the back garden.

So in this area I will be copying the idea from Mount Venus, but just on a slightly smaller scale. This needs to be done on the tight budget, so out of interest I am going to keep a record and will then post a journal when completed to help give people ideas on how things can be achieved, by reusing, and recycling, and keeping the cost to a minimum.

So, watch this space.

Let's hope it's the last snow photo for 2011

Dalkey Coastline

I know it's awful talking about snow again, but I just thought that this was a really good photo. It is along the coastline of Aoife's school in Dalkey with Dalkey Island in the background.

Photographer unknown.

Shoestring Bargain

Shoestring Bargain

I passed a Bargain Bookshop to day that was closing down. You know yourself, I had to have a look.

I got two RHS Wisley Handbooks, one on Succulents the other on Hellebores for the grand total of €4.00

When you consider, the same type of book I got recently on Ferns came in at €12.99, I am happy with that.

Gardening on a shoestring

Brighter Days

A lot of the plans I had for the garden are been put on hold for the moment. With the cuts in pay packs, a son possible heading to college, ''if his mind is ever made up'' and the way things are all over at present, things of a more important nature must take first place.

But with a little thought, progress will still be made. The bigger plans will go no where, and will be picked up at a later stage. These situations often end up providing better and more imaginative ideas at the end of the day. So who knows what might happen.

To brighten up a dull, wet day.......

To brighten up a dull, wet day.......

........ I thought I woud post this photo from last year. We will all have them for real very soon.

Crocus Rising

Crocus Rising

The Crocus in this pot are coming on well. I have tried something new this year.

I have under planted these with Tulips, have never tried this before so it is a case of watching and learning, will keep you all posted.

Spring Cleaning

Refreshed pots

Spent the morning in the garden, unlike a lot of the country it was much milder than of late, nice to be out. I tidied up the area at the back of the shed. Sorted some pots and bags of leaves that I was turning into compost were added to the new compost heap.

I bought 3 Terracotta pots last year in Kilquade. I was annoyed with them, as a green mould started to appear very quickly on them, they looked terrible. So today I washed two of them, emptied out the compost, placed a plastic bag inside, any replaced the compost. I am hoping that the fact that the compost is not in contact with the terracotta that the mould will be slower to return.

It is amazing how a little bit of gravel or a few stones placed on top of the compost in pots can change the look of them. I added a small Carex grass to each of the pots in the photo, to add a little extra interest.

As I write this it is 5.10 pm and still quite bright, real stretch coming into the evenings.

I know what this one is

Eremurus (foxtail lily) peeking up.

This is not a great photo, but noticed some shoots peeking above the compost. These are Eremurus (Foxtail Lily), I had these in the back boarder last year, very disappointed with them, all I got was a little growth, so I lifted them and put them in a pot to see what would happen.

So I will leave them where they are, and watch with interest.

''I got my timing wrong again''

''I got my timing wrong again''

is what this little guy must be thinking, after poking it's little head  above the ground with our current weather.

Are these

Are these

the tips of Hosta plants. I had Hostas in this pot last year and I am 99.9% sure there is nothing else in the pot. I have never seen this plant at this stage of growth. For what strikes me as a tender plant, I was not expecting to see it so soon.

Another one off the list.

Another one off the list.

I was able to tick another plant off my wish list the other day. Comments in recent journals reminded me about it. Hamamelis ‘westerstede' or Witchhazel.

Really pleased with this, love the colour and the scent around these plants in the garden centre was incredible. Thought long and hard about which one to get to get, pleased with the final decision

I have it sitting in a bigger pot at the hall door. Could I keep it in a pot for a few years, or does it need to be planted out. I only thought about this when I got home. The yellow flower looks great against the colour of the brick, so I would love to have it in this position for a while, if possible.

No Fairies in this Garden

No Fairies in this Garden

Gargoyles yes, Gremlins yes, and now Dragons. I picked this guy up the other day to add to my Chinese corner, he looks great and fits in great.

How to loose a morning

How to loose a morning

I got some Binders for copies of my Irish Garden. No problem I thought, I'll get them sorted out in no time. No magazine was fitted into the binders without have a good look and a read of an article here and there. A few cups of coffee and the morning is gone.

That's what I call 'me time'.

Fuschia about to flower.

Fuschia about to flower.

Not joking, but the plant is not out side that's for sure. Last year, I broke a tiny tip off one of my Fuschia, so I said I would give it a chance. It has been on the shelf in the kitchen ever since. It rooted and put on some extra leaves and is now about to flower.

Thanks Deborah

I have just spent the last couple of hours going through the seeds you sent out last year. I did do a little googling when I got them, but tonight I have gone through them one by one.

As you know some will flower this year others will be giving me a chance to really get the front corner sorted. Either way, there will be some amount of your Terra Nova magic growing across the country.

Every one's garden will be well enriched with seeds like these, Thank you once again.

Simple is best

Simple is best

This is another picture from my book on Tropical Gardens. Simple. I think it just looks great.

Tree Ferns and Montbretia

Toadstools

Toadstools

I picked up these 3 Toadstools in Kilquade today. These are to be placed in the new Fern Bed been planned at the moment. If you place them close enough they act as chimes, think I will skip on that. Getting a real buzz about the idea, now that the decision was finally made. Really like these.

The care instructions say, spray oil can be used to keep them looking good, I would never had thought of that, others out there might like to try it and see.

The range of Garden Ornaments has really improved since I was there last year, o to have some spare €0000's, I would be there in a flash.

A place worth keeping in mind fr a get together sometime.

In Clara's Absence

In Clara's Absence

Off today, so decided to try and fill the void until Clare gets a new camera. Photos are of the Sunrise over Dalkey Island and some shots from under Killiney Hill on the trip home.

Does you good .....

Does you good .....

...... to see things like this ;-))

Changes afoot

Changes afoot

In the front garden there are two boarders, left and right of the driveway. This is the boarder on the left hand side. I have never really been happy with it. There are some nice plants there. Despite the lack of sun in the Spring, Daffs seem to do very well there.

I have always wanted a little bit of a wow factor, in the front of the house. So over the coming months Changes will be afoot.

This is going to become a Fern bed. With Tree rings, and some small trunks to create a woodland type setting. I am also planning a couple of pots with some kind of a different twist to them, that I still have to decide upon.

Worth looking out for.

Worth looking out for.

I bought a book on Bamboos and Grasses today. Very Impressed, it is the Royal Horticultural Society book, very very good book.

They also have a collection of books on all different types, Clematis and Climbers, Containers, Shade Plants, Pruning etc.

If you want a book on certain topic, you could do worse than check these books out.

Jasminum

Jasminum

Just starting to flower at the moment. I need to move this plant, it is been smothered and hidden by other plants around it. Nice bright colour to have this early.

Name please.........

Name please.........

I have no idea what this little shrub is. It is about 2 ft tall, compact. It has never flowered, has shown no ill effects from the weather at any time. It has the most fantastic deep green glossy leaves less than half an inch long. Any ideas please?

For Clara

Libertia 'goldfinger' earlier this year.

Clare, photo of Libertia 'goldfinger'. I think it has the purest white flower you will ever see. I have noticed also that in cold weather the leaf colour seems to become more intense, the seed heads also add interest later in the year. Enjoy.

Pottering

Daffs 2010

Spent a few hours in the shed pottering and listening to the radio. Tidied up a lot of plants in pots that I had moved into the shed prior to the bad weather. There was lots of new growth showing, so I was very happy to see this.

It was lovely and mild, but wet and windy. Hope to do a bit in the garden tomorrow, weather permitting. I went out to the garden before it got bright this morning, and it was great to hear the birds singing and getting ready for the Spring mornings.

Once again I have plants in pots that I don't know what they are. Any thing that I did know and was unlabeled, was labled straight away. That is one of my rule for 2011.

So this is what I was thinking.........

Birr Castle, spring walk.

As Krista said last week, there is a rare Plant Fair in Birr Castle on 8th of May. What would people think of making a weekend of it. If there is interest, I would be willing to arrange it. In saying that, I will sort a Hotel, see if we can get a group discount etc. after that it is up to everyone to contact and book the Hotel them selves.

If the interest is enough, I will get working on it straight away. So let's hear from you.

Rhodochiton looking set for year three.

Rhodochiton looking set for year three.

OK, OK ........ I can hear the universal sigh of ''here he goes again'' on and on about his blooming Rhodochiton again.

Right, it's not blooming, but it is sending out new shoots all over. It is now going into it's third year. So I am hoping for an even better year than last. With the start it is now getting indoors, I will be expecting a show stopper.

Great Expectations

Great Expectations

Some of the planters with my spring bulbs, I kept these bulbs in the planters they are well above the soil. On Saturday, I weeded and loosened the soil and top dressed with fresh compost.  It is great having a mixture of bulbs in planters like this. It gives you the opportunity for placing the planters in bare areas of boarders etc. I of course have bulbs planted in the ground as well.

Casualty

Split along it's length

I bought a Callistemon (bottle brush) a few years ago, it did not do very well. I moved it and gave some TLC and it put on lots of new growth, I even thought it was going to flower last year, but it did not. Had great hopes for it this year.

While out in the garden the other day, I noticed it was looking very sad. On looking closer, it could see that all the new growth was hanging down. I thought the snow had broken the branches. When I cut the branches back I noticed the branches were not broken, but had totally split into section along their lengths.

Has anyone seen this before?

Was it the weight of the snow or did the frost split the branches?

For Martin, and others

For Martin

Martin, don't know if you saw it, but on Nationwide on RTE 1 this evening there was a section on the Kilarney Fern. You can watch it on the iPlayer.

Hanging on till the last

Hanging on till the last

The last few apples are hanging on the Malus 'Sentinel'. They wont be there for long, as I saw the blackbirds starting to pick at them the other day. The frost burst a lot of them during the cold spell, only for that the tree would still be covered.

Great colour to have still showing.

Worth doing

Damaged

One thing I did today was take out all my pots with spring bulbs in them. I have been storing these at the back of the shed. With experience from last winter, I had lifted all the pots off the ground using wooden feet made from off cuts of decking.

Some how I missed this one out of 14 terracotta pots. This is the only pot damaged by the frost, so there must be something to this idea of keeping the pots off the ground.

I will be making new ones, the ones I made were a little rough. I will be leaving no pots with out  these legs in future.

What bad weather are you talking about.

What bad weather are you talking about.

This is what this little Cotula 'platts black' fern must be asking itself. It is looking as good as it did when I planted it in October. None of the weather has had any effect on it at all, great to find a plant like this.

Correction, this is a Fern - like plant, thanks Martin.

What am I up to now............

What am I up to now............

What little scheme am I plotting now?

I need a jump start.........

In need of a tidy

Can not seem to get in the mood at all this weekend, is it the weather or what.

So while the boss is still asleep, I will bring the clematis plants I got yesterday, and tidy them up and get rid of all the dead leaves etc. I may even split the one with the trellis that has two plants in it.

It's a case of 'while the cats asleep the mouse will play'.........

Thanks Jacinta

Thanks Jacinta

I called to Jacinta this morning, while there I collected some plants that she had put aside for me, these were ones that were marked down to excellant prices as only she can do ;-))

3 pampas grasses, 1 3ft acer, and two tiny acers that were 20 cent each, Thank you once again.

Despite the early hour, it was great to sit and chat with yourself and Steve. It put pay to me doing anything today, easy relaxed day and it's all your fault...........

My best Bargain ever

Bargain to beat all

I was in B&Q early this morning, needed compost. On the way out of plant area, the reduced to clear stands jumped out at me as they do............

Everthing looked really really sad. Then on a Clematis that looked as dead as dead could be new buds were breaking out on it, so a closer look was had.

2 Clematis 'westerptatte' on trellis

1 Clematis 'piilus'

I Clematis 'general sikorshi'

2 Heuchera

1 Aster 'barbados'

Total Cost €118.70

I paid to the total cost of .......................... €1.00 for each plant

total saving of €111.70

Very very happy with that.

The plants may not look great in the photo, but there are new buds and growth all over    ;-))

Walking with Dinosaurs

From Great Dixter, May 2010

Since been press ganged into Martin's Fern Club, I have been looking for a book on ferns to try and learn a little more than about them other than liking them.

Picked up a RHS Wisley handbook on Ferns by Martin Rickard, looks really good, so much so while reading it on the train coming home this evening I missed my stop and ended up in Bray.

When dinosaurs were walking the earth, ferns were the dominant plant group on earth, something to think about there the next time you look at a fern.

When you are looking at a fern the next time, it is not just a fern. It is made up of stipes, pinnas, pinnulets, rachis, pinnules, acroscopic pinnules, etc. etc.

Who ever said a little knowledge, is a dangerous thing............

Leaf colour

Caladium 'red flash'

This is the leaf from Caladium 'Red Flash'. It is in a book Clara gave me on The New Exotic Garden. This is the perfect weather for enjoying a book like this, great book, thanks again Clare.

Am I on my own?

New growth on Clematis 'vyvyan pennel' with dried leaves.

I was thinking about Kindespirit's comment on wanting names of evergreen plants for the wood arches he is installing at the moment.

Am I on my own, in thinking that the winter garden holds a lot of interest. The dried leaves, bare branches have an interest all of their own. The give you a better idea of the structure of plants. Recently we all saw the effect of snow sitting on bare branches, dried grasses etc.

I enjoy looking at bare trees, studying the branch structure and marvelling at nature and the way she works.

Bare plants also allow you see the buds, new growth, as the year changes in the favour of the gardener.

It is all part of the circle of Life.

Easy Day

Deep Desire from last Summer, looking foreword to it again.

After the trip to town yesterday I was all set to do more heavy work over the Front Corner. The body was willing but the mind seems to be way behind. Am back to work tomorrow, so have settled on a tidying of the shed instead.

Pleased enough with what I got done over the last few days anyway, so not feeling to guilty. Forecast says another cold spell on the way in the next few days, hopefully nothing as bad as before. Nice clear and sunny out there, if a little cold.

One last cuppa before I head out, there must be a deep desire from within to take today easy, it's a bad idea to fight with these inner feelings   ;-))

Present to myself

Present to myself

Paid a visit to Mr. Middleton's today, treated myself to a Bonsai. It's a Podocarpus 18 years old, was €60, paid €18. Really happy with that, need to do some googling later.

Then to Chapters bookshop, picked up 'Gardening Techniques' by Susan Berry. 320 pages of info, ideas and techniques. Was a little disappointed with the range of books there, but that's always the way when you have the time to really look around.

Tree Ferns

Tree Ferns

In the picture, are the ferns Martin so kindly gifted to me earlier in the year.  The front two are the two Tree Ferns, they have a long way to go, but looking good as I said the other day.

A couple of questions if you can answer for me please.

How much growth can I expect on these in a year?

How long before they can be left out for a winter(with protection)?

How much would a 3 ft tree fern cost?

Thanks, as always.

Garden Buddies

Sulking as always

Crinken was not impressed with the attention I was paying to some other garden buddies this morning. I am posting an Album for your interest.

Flower Buds

Flower Buds

While in the shed the other day, I spotted these two flower buds on a Passiflora that Liga gave me last year. I never got it planted out, I potted it up alright. I will bring it into the house to see if it will flower. No harm in trying........

Boarder 50

Boarder 50, Oct 2010

Really pleased with my two days in the garden. The back is nearly sorted, all the hard work is complete. At lunchtime I made around to my Boarder 50, which was planted last October.

There has been a fair few comments in the last few days about cutting back and removing, whether to do this job or not. This is the first time and last time) I have ever been so late removing fallen leaves etc. The amount of slugs I found hiding in amongst the leaves was unreal.

But today in my Boarder 50, I found 100's of small white eggs around the leaves. I do not know what they were but am sure they are better off out of there. So am really pleased I got that job sorted out.

I was worried about a lot of these plants, with the weather etc. and been so newly planted. I had little to worry about. Most of the plants are showing signs of new growth already, be it because of the blanket of leaves or not, I do not know.

These plants were bought in Mount Venus, who say most of their plants are hardy, great to find somewhere that does do what it says on the tin.

Tree Heather

Tree Heather

I have this Tree Heather for years, it has never flowered. But that is made up for the lovely fresh green of the growth. It looked great yesterday, as the sun caught it for a brief few minutes.

Right of Passage

Looking good

These ferns are my right of passage into the Fern Club.

The fact that they all came from the Secretary of the club is neither here nor there, they do need looking after and the secretary does not provide that service.

Doing my best to learn the correct names of plants. How do I get around these tongue twister of fern names?

Martin the tree ferns are the two plants in the front, looking good.

Looking better

Looking better

The difference is unreal out there. Three boarders tidied and cut back, a few things planted or moved. The last of the bulbs planted, I have never been so late planting bulbs before.

If I have the same time in the morning, I should get it all finished. Come hell or high water, I will never let the leaves sit for so long again. I have a great mound on the embankment that will be covered to provide my first planned compost heap.

I need to get leaves out of the pond tomorrow, hopefully the water won't be to cold. The last two fish are still doing fine. The Robins were all over the garden today as I worked, at one stage  there was five of them. Once the mating season gets nearer, the fighting will start and I will be left with just a pair. They really are great to have around as you work in the garden.

I'm always amazed

I'm always amazed

at what we discover in the garden. Today while tidying up one of the beds, I spotted this new growth on a plant that was new in my garden last year. I had never seen new growth like this before.

The photo does not do justice to the colour of the new growth.

Does anyone know what plant, this wonderful growth belongs to?

Waiting for Daylight

Tidy Time

Today is mine, all mine. I want to get the place tidy up out there. It is such a mess. No side effects from last night, Kids were out or sleeping over and Maria is down with a bad Flu, in bed early.

Off for a few days, now so itchy to get this all sorted, even Maria said the other day, that the back looked a mess.

Have a good day and a great year.