fran m's Journal

Another new plant, but love it already.

Another new plant, but love it already.

Love the rich colour of this Pulmonaria 'diana clare'. Great strong colour, thinking when the plant gets bigger a white companion planing of a white Arabis would look great.

Apologies connected with Rare Plant Show 8/5/2011

Early, but very good to see this today

I'm sorry to say I am not in a position to organise a weekend for the Rare Plant show on the weekend of 7/8 of May. A family event has been arranged for that Saturday and I have to attend.

I will be going on the Sunday alright, but if anyone else wants to step foreward any arrange something for yourselves, do not be shy.

Failing that happening, maybe we could try and arrange to meet up there for bite to eat or if weather was good have a picnic in the grounds.

What do folk want to do?

My poor bleeding heart

My poor bleeding heart

Is looking great.......................

Need some help on this.

Need some help on this.

Over the winter, I had all the patio furniture at the side of the house covered with plastic. This was also used as a bench for my cold frame. While sorting out the furniture and cold frame etc. I found a small piece of root with a shoot starting to emerge, so I potted it up and forgot about it.

This is what I have now. I know it's a long shot at this stage, but has anyone any ideas on what this is. I have nothing else that looks like this at all.

Just White

Just White

This is the white primula that was in my kris kindle present from the Johnstown get together. It really is a beauty.

I am planning on dividing this plant. I am also going to a another look at Carol Klein's programme where she does root cuttings. I find it hard to believe I have just said that, me trying root cuttings, who would ever have thought,

not me that's for sure.

Pieris

Pieris

Flame of the Forst is starting to show it's Spring colour to great effect, love this one.

Carex make over

Carex make over

A couple of weeks ago I posted a journal and photo of my sickly looking Carex. I tidied it up, cut back bad leaves, and some fresh compost. Really beginning to look a lot better, new fresh growth appearing.

This plant will be placed in the shelter of the house next Winter for some extra protection.

Could I have all these,.......... with no effort ?

Could I have these with no effort ?

Yesterday, while doing the fern bed, I had to move a Hellebore from Mount Venus last year. As I moved it, I noticed this clump of seedlings right beside the plant stem. I am taking it that they are Hellebore seedlings, really pleased and fingers crossed that's just what they are.

Fern bed sorted

Fern bed sorted

I had been thinking and planning the fern bed for some time now, so I knew what I wanted at the end of the day. I started early and stole time in between removing tiles from Bathroom floor. Colin was in bathroom I was in the garden, Then I gave Colin a break, then back out.

It really proved to me that when you have a picture well thought out in your mind, how quickly you can get something finished.

I removed some of the remaining plants, then started to place well aged tree trunks, large branches and granite to the area. Planted the area up with the ferns, I had already done my homework on height etc. so had a fair idea of where each fern was going.

Will post an album, it may look a little to much wood and granite now, but most will be hidden by the ferns to give a stoney woodland effect.

Good day done all round.

Willows planted

Willows planted

Limited time in the garden these days, due to work in the house, so was up and out there early.

Got the last of the slabs into place to divide the finished boarder area from the rest of the front corner, sadly did not get last three slabs cut due to no blades for the grinder.

Got Bills Willows planted. I am hoping this works out, as I think a living arch will made a a real statement to this area. When I went to plant them It was great to see roots breaking through and the buds breaking out.

This is a real case of a long term project, so only time will tell.

Thanks Bill.

Cirsium 'Atropureum'

Cirsium 'Atropureum'

Barely out of the ground and this plant is showing its flowers already. This a newish plant for me, it did flower last year but only the one so hoping for lots more this year. The flower is produced on long stems so this this mean that the flower is on show for a long period of time?

What am I?

What am I?

This plant is in my Boarder 50, I was very good as I planted this boarder up, I took note of what each plant and where it was planted. But this one seems to have slipped through the net.

I have no idea what it is, but I really like the leaves.

Can any one identify please?

Flavour of the month

Chionodoxa

Along with more Tete a tete, more of these are on my wish list for next year.

They really are great.

Pots of Spring colour.

Pots of Spring colour.

Who could be without some spring bulbs in pots, that add to the feeling of great day like today, and brighten a dull day when needed.

What ever else happens

What ever else happens

in the garden this year, nothing will be as good as what I spotted the other day and was 100% confirmed this evening.

There are new leaves on the Phyllostachys 'bambusoides' Castillionii that Martin gave me. This plant lost most of it's leaves after I planted it, then the cold weather did not help. A few months ago I noticed buds and was worried again as there was no movement on tham at all.

Now suddenly, new leaves are opening and I am one happy camper. Of all the plants in the garden, this one, I could not have had anything happening to it.

Was getting dark when I took the photo, but you can still make out the new leaf unfurling.

Colour for a Light Planter

Colour for a Light Planter

These planters that I bought last year at an Auction, need some thing special to set them off.

For this year, in one of them I am trying two small Acers, 'Little Princess' and 'Orange Dream'.

I'm hoping that the colour of the Acers will work, a real case of just having a go and seeing what happens.

Make the most of it

Make the most of it

Just heard the forecast for the next week and a bit, good all the way. So if you can make the most of it and get out there, do and if you don't, no complaining from you when the weather is not on our side.

ENJOY

Greenhouse Question

Strange question, but here goes...........

Does anyone know if it is possible, or has anyone ever moved an Aluminnium greenhouse that is in place for about 22/23 years?

Hyacinth

Hyacinth

A good few of my Hyacinths are just about to open, this one was fully open when I got home today, we are really moving on with the plants in flower.

Astelia....... sorted

Vain, I know .......... But it looks great

I planted up the Astelia into it's final pot on Saturday.

Trilled with the difference a darker pot makes to this plant.

A flying visit.........

Looks great, Myrtle. Well done.

I called over to Myrlle's on Saturday afternoon to collect a Eunonymous that had been put by for me and will be put to great use in the next section of the front corner.

Myrtle was happily working in the garden, and I was treated to another viewing of the garden, it is great to see gardens at different times of the year. I have also seen the chenges Myrtle has made, and her latest project is a great addition and will only look better in time.

Myrtle, thank you again, the plant will not be planted for a while yet, but it will be great. I am sorry it was a short visit, but a Rugby match between Ireland and England cannot be missed, and the way the match went am very glad I missed none of it.

You are doing great work, well done.

3 in 1 planting.

3 in 1 planting.

I will be keeping this planting of spring bulbs as I am more than happy with the results.

I first planted Tulips, covered with compost, and then planted Crocus bulbs. The light coloured crocus flowered first, followed by the dark one and now I have the Tulips to look forward to.

Think I will be copying this idea again.

Not what it say on the tin..........

What am I?

This is one of my 50c bargains from Woodies last year. It was meant to be Primula Vialii, there was no growth on them when I bought two. I was a little unsure over the last feww weeks as I saw the new growth appear, I spotted this little flower about to open yesterday, and am now sure it is not what it says on the lable.

Any ideas?

Hellebore

Hellebore

Picture, paints a thousand words...................

What am I?

What am I?

These look like Tulips. but there is something telling me that they are not. Also at this stage of a tulip, there would be a flower stem.

Any ideas?

Best day ever

Best day ever

Today was a pet of a day. From first thing this morning you knew it was going to get better and better.

Spent a lot of time on the main boarder in the back garden. loosing up the soil, planting and moving a few things. I should have got more done, but had several cups of tea and coffee and just sat and took the day in and enjoyed it to the fullest.

Spotted several plants I'm not sure about but time will tell. One great find was to see new growth on Clematis 'blue angel', I just had a feeling that this was a little tender, was trilled to see several new shoots on it.

Took the garden furniture out of hibernation, and cleaned it all down. Sorted lots of other things, a real pottering day, but got lots done. A truly great day to be alive and to be able to get out and make the best of it.

Ricinus

Ricinus

The true leaves are come out on my Ricinus plants. I sowed six, and like everything there was one runt, the last seed to germinate is really weak and small, but I will leave it be for a while yet, sometimes the runt of the litter comes good in the end.

From a little Pip, grows

From a little Pip, grows

who knows what.

This is the result of the sprouted pip I found in a apple last year. It is just breaking bud at the moment, so we will see what it will do for this year.

Attention Rachel and others

Taking things for granted

Taking things for granted

Like the old saying, you don't notice the things you have till they are not there. It was weird not been able to log on while the site was down, glad all is sorted now.

Had a crazy mad but very enjoyable day working on the streets of Dublin yesterday, on the whole great craic and the buzz was unreal.

Off today, so will be heading out soon to get a bit done. Have to divide my time between the garden and doing up the bathroom ;-((

I placed the Astelia 'banksii' I got in Johnstown into this pot just to see what it would look like, The non gardener here likes it, but I think it needs a dark pot, it will be done on the QT, and once it is planted there it will stay ;-))

Looks good out there, so off to get some gardening done, nice to have a long weekend ahead, have a good one whatever you are doing.

Pots

Pots

By now most of you know, I like and am into my pots.  I had to move them off the decking the other day, to allow the deck to be power washed after the winter. The garden table and chairs will be coming out soon.

Some people think pots are a lot of work, watering etc. I find when they are grouped together in groups like this all the water is done in one go, at one time.

One job to be done this year is to replant a lot of these spring pots, as the compost is well past a selby date.

After I sorted these out the other day, I stood back to see if I was happy with them. Aoife walked out of the house, moved one pot about 2 inches, commented,  

'' this gardening is hard work '' and went back in.

Kids................who would have them ;-))

Chain Reaction

White Blossom (from web)

I am wondering as I drive around the South Dublin / North Wicklow area in the last couple of weeks and looking at the wonderful displays of blossom on the trees and shrubs etc. even at this early stage, if the really cold Winter we had some how, helps the plants put on a better show.

It seems this year everything is putting on a bigger and better show than I have ever noticed. Has anyone else noticed or think the same?

Another new plant

Another new plant

from a fellow garden.ier.

Cloncaw (Geraldine), sent this to me via VIP courier to the get together at Johnstown.

Sorbaria, I just love the leaf on this plant. It is only starting to open but you can already make out the great leaf shape. This will be going into the next section of the front corner, where it will mainly be shrubs and grass.

Thanks Geraldine.

Also for the Campanula Elizabeth and Jasminium beesianum.

€1 new growth

€1 new growth

This is the new growth on one of the €1 Clematis I picked up a couple of months ago. All these Clematis are putting on fantastic new growth, some have flower buds already.

What is the best kind of feed to use on these plants?

Delayed reaction

Delayed reaction :-(((

I noticed a couple of weeks ago that the Carex that had done so well last year, was not looking the best. It has got worse and worse, the only thing I can think of is the the very cold weather has had a delayed reaction on it.

If the worst comes to the worst, I have two small slips that I took last year that seem to be doing ok.

Looking 12 months ahead.

Recent Works

I have always disliked thinking about things so far into the future, I feel it is like wishing your life away.

But in this case, I will allow myself a little leeway. In the last few months and for a fair bit of this year, I will be involved in some serious heavy work in the garden.

While sitting in the garden with a coffee, earlier today, I starting thinking what it will be like next year without all this heavy work to be done. It will be down to pure maintenance and what ever minor changes that we gardeners always seem to be unable to resist. But there will be none of the serious work the I am doing at the moment.

The idea of that kind of gardening really appeals to me, instead of this heavy slogging. Do not get me wrong, I am trilled with what is developing here at the moment, but some pure simple straight foreword gardening would be very nice as well.

New Growth

New Growth

We all love watching the new growth each Spring. But I always pay special attention to my Astilbes, I love the colour of the fresh shoots as the unfurl, and this red hue is contained in the leaves for the first few days.

Potbound

Potbound

One of the Thuja I planted yesterday was potbound to the limit. I spent about twenty minutes cutting the pot away in sections. I reckon the plant have a massive sigh of relief as I loosened out as much of the root ball as possible. 

Brunnera 'hadspen cream'

Brunnera 'hadspen cream'

As if the leaf was not enough to catch you eye, I was very happy to see these little flowers this morning. There is something new to see every day, don't we just totally enjoy it.

Thanks Deborah, this is one of yours.

Pleased to Thuja

Pleased to Thuja

I got two Thuja planted in the grael area, at the step down from the decking. I have been thinking about something here for an age. Really pleased with them. Rachel, thanks again for picking them up, for me.

Was about to re-sow

Gladious 'tritis'

I had given up on the Gladious 'tristis' seeds I had sown about a month ago. I had planned on sowing more seeds today.

I looked at the pot this morning, a there are lots of tiny grass like seedlings pushing up. I think I will sow some more anyway, as I really like the look of these.

Words of Wisdom

Words of Wisdom

Watching the Dermot O'Neill programme last night, when Dermot returned to the garden after been in hospital and his friends were there as a surprise for him. One of his friends made a comment, that struck me and has been playing on my mind all day. I think you might all connect with it.

'' When you tire of the world, there is always the Garden''

Blink and you will miss it.

Blink and you will miss it.

This Dicentra (Bleeding Heart) is growing a an unbelievable speed. This was a very small plant last year, really pleased with the way it has grown, will be ready for dividing later on.

I D please

I D please

Spent ages last night going through books trying to find a name for this. Hoeys gave me this on Saturday, she also would like a name on it. Thanks as always.

Years off yet.........

Position for willow arch

This is the area, where I will be planting Bill's Willow, to create a Willow Arch. I will be laying more slabs to the right of the ones you can see, but on a lower level. The arch will the attract the eye to it from where the photo was taken, but it will also act as a screen to what is beyond............

I am really struck with the colour in these willow branches. When the arch is completed, I can see the low winter sun, enhancing this colour on good bright days. It will take time, but will be worth waiting for, that is for sure. Thanks Bill.

Teenages, would not be without them..............

Teenages, would not be without them..............

Had a half day today, things to be done. When I got home Colin had 3/4 of the granite chippings borrowed into the back garden, all I had to do was rake it out. They never fail to surprise, do they?

Making my mind up

Making my mind up

I think I have made my mind up on the monster driftwood piece, this is the way it will be positioned. I want to plant some grasses around it, but do not want to overdo it either. It will also be light up at night to give an even better effect. This is going to be a real focal point of this area of the garden, so I need be sure that the area is not overdone with pots etc. I will not be doing away with the pots, just moving them around a little, but then, that's what pots are for, right.

Dark after the Light

Dark after the Light

A day would never be the same if you did not learn something new every day. I was pleased with the yellow crocuses in this group over the last few weeks. I also posted photo of a planting of cream ones in a pot a little while back, where I wondered where the mix of colours were in that group.

Rachel said they would follow on, and sure enough that is what is happening. So I will have the dark colours to look foreword to now. I like the effect of these planted in large tight groups rather than spread out loosely.

Bogged down

Bogged down

At the plant swap yesterday, Ruth (Ladybird) called me over to the boot of the car, inside were two pieces of bog oak. It had slipped my mind that several weeks ago, Ruth contacted me and asked if I would be interested, what a question?

I know what I am going to use them for, Ruth I hope you don't but I wont make anything with them, but they will be put to great use, believe me.

I would hope to have this sorted with in a few weeks, so watch this space.

At the risk of repeating myself again, it is truly fantastic the efforts that people are willing to go to for each other. Thank you both, so very very much. Bog Oak is a special thing, and it means a lot to me to have some.

Astelia

Astelia

Had my mind made up before getting to Johnstown yesterday, that I was not going to buy anything. Between plants still waiting to be planted, and plant swaps I said enough was enough.

But when you win a token, and are surrounded by such wonderful plants, the  devil's voice on my shoulder just got to loud to ignore.

Spotted this Astelia 'banksii', I love the two tone effect of the leaves. Thanks Rachel, for the idea of putting white flowers with it, have a great idea for it. Bill thank you for hints on it needing protection I will be sure to follow through on it. 

Attention Clara and Hoeys

Attention Clara and Hoeys

These two plants were in the boot of my car. I don't think they are mine, so I am taking it they are one of yours.

I hope I am not embarassing myself by forgetting that someone gave them to me, but I think not.

They are English Mace and Wild Rocket.

Camera gone funny

Went to download my pictures, any only a few of them are there. No idea what has happened. The few photos I have of the day in Johnstown, are very poor. So I have just spent some time putting all these shots together, to create a group photo so to speak.

Hope you like it, will put it in an album now some of you might like to copy it as record of another great day in the life of garden.ie.

When the maths just don't add up............

I was trilled this morning, while loading up the car with the plants I had promised people over the last few months, 29 plants, plus 8 extra I threw in just to be able to pass on to whoever, a total of 37 plants.

I have just finished emptying the car, I came back with 42 plants.

What can I say other than, Thank You one and all. It is amazing the exchanging that went on. Truly great, there will be some I know that I will have to put photos of to check names etc.

Great to meet all the new folk for the first time. Thanks again Rachel.

Calmness

Alstroemeria, from last Summer

I have a feeling that there will be a calmness over garden.ie this afternoon.

Looking forward to seeing everyone, later. Travel safe everyone.

Did I miss something ?????

Did I miss something ?????

Is everyone in bed early or what, where is everyone..................

getting ready for tomorrow or what????????

FYI Google Maps, street view

Now, I am in need of help..............

Called over to Jacinta this evening, dropped a few things to her, and collected a Laburnum that she picked up for me, over 7' tall, going to be a great addition to the garden, always loved these trees.

I got home at 9.30, put the plans in the back garden. Then I spent 10 minutes, moving the tree here and there, I really think I have gone over the edge this time, great, once you know it, ................... we really are a breed onto ourselves.

Non Believers........I need help

Shocked and stunned into total silence, I was. And believe me when I say, it don't happen often.

Checking on my seeds on the window sill, this evening, I was trilled to see Dahlia x 2 types, and Chard had germinated. Trilled as always I said to you know who, ''look at these'' ................

Shock, Horror ......................

''Don't all seeds look the same'' ? I'm asked.

Then to top it all...................

''If you sow them, why get so excited, germinate is what seeds are meant to do''

That's it, enough is enough,

One uninterested gardeners partner, badly trained garden wise, other than that, 100%, available for swap on 5/3/2011, all offers considered.

To whom it may concern..........

Great colour

I just want say Thank You. Someone gave me this little beauty last year, Sadly I was not so organised then and did not keep a record. It grew great, and I was able to divide it. Great Colour.