fran m's Journal

Gecko

Gecko

This guy was added to the garden yesterday, since then he is sorting out the bedding, checking each nook and cranny

Leaf colour

Leaf colour

Really different markings on the leaves of this Geranium 'samobar'. It also has very dark flowers, begining to think I am drawn to the darker side of these wonderful flowers.

Contemplation

Contemplation

Came in from work this evening, grabbed a bottle of beer and sat out on the deck for half an hour, listening, thinking and contemplating.

There was a little chill in the air, the water bubbling away, the birds were singing as only they can at this time of year.

I was looking around at what I have done with the garden since joining this site. My garden which is my piece of heaven, has totally changed and evolved into something that I know would not have happened without my involvment here.

The range of plants has increased beyond anything that I could have dreamed of.

The ideas I have borrowed from the site, and from seeing gardens around the country has reflected in my garden and in my plans for the area still to be finished.

Thank you one and all..................

New Plant

New Plant

At Terra Nova last week, I spotted this Daylily 'Frans Hals', when I saw the name, it was a case of had to have it, so to speak.

Only got a chance to google it now, great colour and it flowers for a long time.

Pleased

Pleased

I know it is said that 'self praise is no praise'

But in my book it does not apply to gardeners. I am really pleased with the way this bed is developing, everything seems to be doing so well. The gap to the front is where I took out the Carex, not to worry as there are a few things lined up to go in.

Nice welcome home

Nice welcome home

Walking up the driveway this evening spotted this Centaurea cyanus (Cornflower). I love the colour of these, lots of buds showing on new stems. Bees love this flower also.

Next Stage

Next Stage

This is the next stage in the wilderness make over. I am hoping to start on it over the weekend. This area I am splitting in two to make the overall job easier, it work well for the first section. Still not 100% sure of the final details, but it has all worked ok so far.

With luck I will have this area sorted by the end of the year.

Breaking Bud

Breaking Bud

I meant to get more of these last year, and forgot totally.

Giant Alliums are just breaking bud, they look bigger and better than last year and a few have even divided and a few small ones are doing fine also.

Wrong way round

Arisema 'griffithii'

You would swear nature is playing with me. Ariisema 'griffithii' is coming into full flower, only thing is it's facing the wrong way. It is facing into the back of the boarder................. maybe it's just shy ;-))

Jacinta, are you interested......

Jacinta, are you interested......

in some Arums, there is a clump of these ones growing on the embankment, if your interested.

Pure White

Libertia

Just coming into flower, what I think is the purest white flower I have ever seen. Libertia 'goldfinger'.

I also got the spotlights sorted out, at the decking. Two are on the driftwood piece, two on the planters and two will shine up the culms of the Bamboo, once I can hold them in position, some way. 

I SAY YAHOO Mr BEGLEY, YAHOO

New shoot

Martin, the other day when talking to you, you asked about the Bamboo, I said I thought it seemed to be ok, but was still a little worried about it. Look what I spotted this morning, a new shoot, despite the loss of leaves, I take it, overall, the plant is doing ok.

Happy Monday ;-))

Where are my Bluebells gone?

Where are my Bluebells gone?

I always had some bluebells in the garden, a few years ago I noticed a few pink ones dotted here and there. These increased and increased, all the plants are now in bloom.

There is not one blue one amongst them. Does this colour, wipe out the blue ones, or do the blue ones just die out?

UFO

UFO

Clara brought Maria a present of two glass globes for tea light candles. I mean come on, who's garden is this.

I hung them up this morning, a few hours later when the sun came around I saw this great effect. Tonight I put candles in them, they look great.

Clare, we love them, thank you so much.

Lost time, well spent

Lost time, well spent

I spent over an hour this morning, sitting watching two Squirrels playing around in the trees on the Embankment. What a way to spend time with a cuppa in the hand.

Happy Easter

Happy Easter

Looking like another good day.

Happy Easter to you all.

Heading out to do a bit now, hope to get Bathroom floor tiling finished today also, then heading out. The Aquilegia are beininng to open, these are great little plants.

Carex, improving great

Carex, improving great

I was really worried about this grass after the winter, it was looking really poorly, I was wondering if it was in serious trouble. It got a good trim back of all the dead and sickly looking growth.

Was trill today when I spotted two new shoots coming up out of the compost and the first signs of fonds appearing also. Great when you see a plant coming good after a poor spell.

Recycled Planter

Recycled Planter

I was asked the other day, if the old linen basket was and use to me. So I power washed it, two coats of yacht varnish was applied. I raised up the bottom internally, placed two of the potato grow bags, in it and filled with compost.

Planted it up with all kinds of everything, slips of this, seedlings, I also sowed some seeds of Nasturtiums 'black velvet'.

This will look great with plants trailing down it. Reuse and all that............

Japanese Corner

Japanese Corner

This corner is developing nicely. I am arranging these pots with the idea of enclosing this area, the grasses are looking great. Very pleased with the way this is all coming together.

Great Friday

Great Friday

The day starting with Rachel and Clare arriving here, a quick cuppa and walk around the garden, to the chorus of Aoife calling time, as she was on her way to a sleepover and was been dropped off on the way.

Aoife dropped off, Jacinta and Steve were met and off we went. As always once Clare is in the car a good laugh will be had, so was the case yesterday.

Can say nothing about this garden that has not been said before. A class act all the way. The funniest site of all was walking around with Bruno, talking about this and that, the Bruno would spot another plant and he was gone bent down having a closer look.

This been my second visit, I was able to take more in and look at things with a different view. Will I ever reach such a natural planting effect, knowing that there is so much planning and thought one into it all.

Martin and Deborah thank you once again for a wonderful day, a great day had by all.

For LindaB

For LindaB

Morning Linda,

The roots are deeper,

The branches stronger,

The flowers are better,

As another year passes...............

Happy Birthday to you.

Jacinta........ I cracked it.

Campanula from Dave.

Your plant from the other day is not a weed.

Most people were correct. I spotted this today. It's Camanula 'persilifolia', we got them from Dave ( Chillipepper) last year, if you remember.

;-))

A little bit of Japan

A little bit of Japan

Looked lovely yesterday with the sun shining on this Acer in the Japanese corner

Changed my mind

Changed my mind

The other day I was not sure about these Blumex tulips. Rachel said she loved them and had them spread around rather than in a group. So yesterday I just moved the pot in between other plants in one of the beds and the difference is for all to see. I will be keeping these and getting more.

Change of plans.

Change of plans.

Had a total change of plans today, thought  would not get near the garden at all. Spent the day in the garden instead and what a day it was. Colin got stuck in and sorted the wood frame with me. Then removed the gravel from with in the bed.

New soil in and planted it up. All that's missing is a big tall grass at the back that will create a backdrop to the whole thing. really pleased with this. Will get the lights sorted soon and then it's complete.

Happy camper.

Fern Bed new growth

Unfurling

It is just over two weeks since I planted up the Fern Bed. It is amazing the amount of new growth showing on all the ferns. Really pleased with this area now, and of course it will only get better and better, and hopefully not to much attention will be needed.

Added an album of this growth.

Another great day

''I will weed, Joe the grass, Ann can deadhead....lets go''

Looks like it will great day, sadly other things to be done so I will lose out to day. It really is a great stretch of weather of late. So make the most of it and enjoy, hope is good everywhere for you all.

Not sure about these............

Not sure about these............

These are Blumex Tulips, they are just fully open, can't make up my mind about them, do I like them or not?

Unsure as of yet........

Leaf structure

Leaf structure

I love the structure on the leaves of this Aconitum 'newry blue' A tall growing plant that I am planning to see how it goes with another great plant Solanum Laciniatum that has fantastic leaves, Head Gardener is looking after a plant of this for me, he is a great guy ;-))

Good night

Good night

Snapped this this evening.

Going for broke..............

Going for broke..............

Have spent time thinking, will I, wont I, will I won't I?

Then the more I look at these healthy looking seedlings of Impatiens, from Bruno I said what the hell. One half will go into the area where I took out the Carex the other day, and the second lot are going into a planter on the decking so there won't be a problem with the seeds spreading in this area.

Another good match

Another good match

Sedum and Brunnera looking good as neighbours.

I really did plan all this out so well .......

I really did plan all this out so well .......

........... you might not believe me, but then either do I, if I am totally honest. But I will accept this nice combination of Cirsium and Dicentra. I must try and think more about companion planting in the future.

Gees, this is starting to get serious......................

Another first

Another first

Stargazer lilies are just peeking through. These are a first for me, they also have a special connection for Maria, as I gave her two bunches of them when the kids arrived.

She does not know I am growing them, so if anyone has any tips from experience on these it would be great, really want these to be a class act.

Rhodochiton children

Rhodochiton children

This is one of the seedlings of my Rhodochiton, seem to be doing grand, sadly it is just as well as the parent plant, despite it's good start seems to be failing.

Maybe like any good parent, wanted to make sure the young were able to stand on their own two roots...............

Ladies in Red

Ladies in Red

This is the final part of my planter with Crocus and Tulips planted together. I planted half the Tulips deeper than the others, you can see the deeper planted ones are the ones that are still a while off opening.

I will be using this idea again, great long interest from one planter. Think I will leave them all in the planter, give them some feed and all will be ready for another year.

Never took to much notice

Never took to much notice

of this plant, Ajuga. I have it planted in a couple of areas around the garden. Last year I did another one of my ' have a go ideas' by planting it in with one of my Acer's. It did uk last year, but this year it is flowering like never before.

These flower spikes are nearly 9 inches tall, I never had anything like that with the plants are in the flower beds.

Looking closer, these really are flowers worth taking a second look at, beautiful.

I sussed it out.

Not what is says on the tin..............

Since I discovered the other day that my wonderful looking Kniphofia was in fact a Carex, I have been driven mad trying to sort out what happened.

Years ago I had a wonderful Kniphofia in the front corner. Then with the extension etc etc and this area slipped into a wilderness I forgot about it. Then last year while clearing this area I discovered all these healthy looking plants that looked so like Kniphofia any one could have been fooled (my excuse and sticking to it). Some how the Carex must have seed into this area and was growing away happily.

So I dug these plants up and label them as Kniphofia, and worse again was more than happy to say I had these plants and passed them on to various people here on the site.

So the moral of the story is, If Fran gave you a Kniphofia in the last 12 month or so, take it for granted is a Carex. Sorry about that, some of you may be a long time waiting for what you would normally expect to see in a Kniphofia.

Flagpole

Flagpole

Cherry is looking great. I love the contrast with the new growth on the Red Robin.

Bonsai Planted

Bonsai Planted

I re-potted the bonsai this evening. Clara kindly gave me a planter she was not using the other day. It was very very pot bound, you could hear the sigh of relief from the poor plant as I settled it into it's new planter.

Will be fun looking after this, hopefully for years to come. Think I might try messing about with some of the tree seedlings that are around here.

Thanks once again Clare.

Meet Goliath .............

Meet Goliath .............

That is what I am calling the monster Piece of driftwood that Clara and Greg rescued from Bray beach last year. A lot of thought and changing of plans have happened since then.

This is it's final position, I hope to have it finished and planted up in a couple of weeks. This piece will really come into it's own at night when it will be lit up by small garden spot lights.

Once again thanks to Calre and Greg.

Mourning

Mourning

Cloncaw asked the name of this plant yesterday, I said mine was a little behind hers. Geranium 'phaeum' (Mourning Widow) surprised me by been open this morning. Really like this one, it's a real beauty.

Does any want a

Does any want a

Carex pendula, it is a big plant. I mistook it for a Knipofia, Myrtle has warned me it self seeds and spreads. I googled it, it does look lovely. I am prepared to keep it till I can pass it on. It might suit folk with a bigger garden, where it came be allowed to do it's own thing.

What is this?

What is this?

I thought this plant was Knipofia, until I saw it this afternoon. Maybe I am totally wrong but I can not see the flower stem of Knipofia coming from these hanging  flowers.

A new home for grumpy.........

A new home for grumpy.........

No matter where I put Crinken (grumpy) in the garden, there is no breaking that grumpy face of his. Yesterday I did a little work on positioning the monster driftwood piece Clara got for me.

I had the bright idea that he might like a new home all to himself, he is now ensconced on the driftwood, with a totally new view of the garden. Is he impressed, not on your life.

Happily Planted

Happily Planted

I planted the Erythronium 'snow goose' that I picked up yesterday into the fern bed this morning. As I was planting it, a dog passed by and barked at me, frightened the life out of me and I dropped the plant. Broke one of the flower stems off, but it could have been worse.

Looking at it again this evening, I should have got a second one.

Digitalis or Verbascum?

Digitalis or Verbascum?

As Clara's earlier journal said we spotted this plant growing away i part of the wall. I thought at the time it was Digitalis, but when I saw my photo, I think it may be Verbascum.

Love this combination

Love this combination

I am really pleased with this combiation of Acer and Ajuga, I thing it works well.

A treat for my fern bed.

A treat for my fern bed.

Erythronium, 'snow goose' was bought today. It is a real beauty, a striking flower that will add interest to the fern bed at this time each year. The plant dies back come July, so along with Snowdrops, Tete a Tete, and Primula there will be a good show early in the year, prior to the ferns coming into their own.

Festina Lente, Bray, Co. Wicklow

Festina Lente, Bray, Co. Wicklow

Paid a visit to these garden this morning. I am nearly ashamed to say it was my first time there, it is only three miles away, but I will be paying lots of visits in the future.

It was a great morning, Maria came along and we met Clara and Myrtle there. It really was an enjoyable couple of hours. The was a plant fair on as well, about 10 plants people were there, some nice plants were acquired, but reports on those will follow later.

Ladies, thanks for the company on a beautiful sunny morning.

Friends request warning

Just received a friends request from Precious2011 from New York/ Co Cavan. The nornal bull applies, going back to help needed in the Ivory Coast etc. etc.

To any new members out there just decine the offer, and give no details or any information and you will hear no more about it. I am sendind message to CraigK in garden.ie as well.

Bonsai

Bonsai

I have been hardening off my bonsai for the last month, and it has been out at night for the last week.

I had a label tucked into the side of the pot. This evening when I went to take this photo, some soil was disturbed and spread over the table top and no sign of the label anywhere.

I am guessing it was Magpies, what would they use it for?

Name plates for a nest......................maybe.

Just blooming

Just blooming

Malus 'red sentinel' is just coming into bloom.

Where has the year gone, since it last was coming into blossom?

Gets better, and better and better every day......

Great Expectations

We all do it.

come home after work, away for a few days, whatever the length of time maybe, we all do it.

At the very least, we have a look out at the garden. Myself, at this time of year, especially with all the new growth, I take a walk around the garden to see what I can see.

This evening was the best discovery ever.

Bulging it's way out of the ground, and bulging is the right word for it, is my first ever Arisaema. I got this on a visit to Terra Nova last year. It produced one leaf, which was duly devoured by snails, then disappeared.

I knew where it was planted, so was careful while digging around the area, while hoping for the best.

One very very happy camper, be warned........ I will bore you to tears on this one, mainly due to the fact that, I know not what to expect.

Love this leaf

Leprechaun Gold

This is the golden green marbled leaf on one of the Aquilegias I have, it has deep violet flowers. 

It is called 'Leprechaun Gold'.

These plants are growing at an amazing rate at the moment.

An enjoyable time this evening

Name please

Spent a very enjoyable time in the garden this evening. All I was doing was taking note of all the plants in one of my new boarders.

Pen and notebook in hand, Blackbirds signing, lovely and mild, taking note of names, doing out labels, having a few senior moments on names of plants I should have known. One name will not come to me, I know the common name, but refuse to google the name. It will most likely come to at four in the morning ;-))

One plant I am stuck on is in the photo, am sure you will be able to help me again.

Thanks in advance.

A different, but very enjoyable evening in the garden.

Maybe these will interest Bill

Maybe these will interest Bill

These Tulips will be open soon. These are a little different, maybe the non beliver will be interested in these ones.

50C bargain looking ok.

50C bargain looking ok.

Bought this last November for 50 cent. Am Astilbe, no other name could be made out from the label. Looking great now, no idea of colour etc. but it is looking great.

Got home from work, and was able to get into the garden for a while, great way to finish a bad Monday, full of issues and problems.

What am I?

What am I?

This is just coming into flower today. It was given to me last year, dare I say I think by LindaB (now that I say that I bet I will be proven wrong). It has grown really well, and I have now divided it into several different plants, great healthy looking plants. I would love a name on it.

Limited time

Had very little free time this weekend, got some time yesterday morning tio do a tidy up in the front garden and put in a few plants that were in waiting. There is a good mix of plants there now so really looking foreward to how it devalopes as the year progresses

One great thing spotted was new growth on my Cuphea, it has pulled through it's worst winter ever, not bad for a tender Mexican plant. I had taken cuttings but think I left it a little late as I lost them all.

Made my day seeing that new growth, yes, easily pleased ;-)))

Looking closer

Newgrowth on Acer

I am taking much more notice in recent times of the new growth in plants as leaves break bud and start to unfurl. There is a special beauty in plants as this process changes so fast it is very easily missed.

Look closer and take notice.

Temptation for Bill (Headgardener)

Temptation for Bill (Headgardener)

Could not believe that Bill could not have one single Tulip in the garden. I think with a little gentle pressure, we might be able to bring Bill back on track.

Bill, how could you say no to a bloom like this, some where in the garden to greet you on a morning walk around the garden.

I hope I get your name in the kris kindle later in the year !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!