fran m's Journal

Coming together, bit by bit.

Taken a few days ago.

Just in from the garden, what a lovely evening to be gardening.

I finally cleaned up all the leaves from the recent winds. While taking leaves and twigs out of the boarder I discovered seedlings here and there. Different plants have self seeded and new plants are showing around the place.

This is one of the dreams I had for the garden, plants reproducing and increasing by themselves. Really really pleased with this simple but so encouraging  news.

Thanks Liga

Thanks Liga

Liga, the Geranium you gave me is starting to flower, it is covered in buds. A great one, thank you again. Love the colour.

Not what I thought it was.

Not what I thought it was.

A few weeks ago I posted a journal on what I thought was a self seeded hanging basket from last year. At the time apart from a few sweet pea the seedlings were too small to say what they were.

The night Myrtle called over, she confirmed my suspicions the seedlings were Poppy seedlings.

As I did not have poppies in the basket the only thing I can think happened was the following. I had stored a few poppy seed pods on a shelf in the shed. For a while I had the basked sitting on the bench beneath the seed pods. Some of the seed must have fallen into the basket and hey presto I have all these great looking seedlings.

The time and effort spent on these seedlings........ you would not believe ;-))

Do poppy seedlings come true?

Bloom on Friday

Bloom on Friday

If anyone is going to Bloom on Friday, and would like to meet up and say Hello, just reply here and send a private message and we can swap numbers etc.

Hehe, I think Maria is getting worried about all these get togethers etc. She is coming to Bloom with me. Next thing you'll know she''ll be gardening. Eh, just thought about that comment.

No

That will not happen, until pigs fly over my garden, singing 

 'All Kinds of Everything' and doing a Jig

FYI Martin..........and others

FYI Martin..........and others

This is Martins Bamboo, after all the watching, watching and even more watching it, can easily be seen that after loosing most of it's leaves after the more, it is finally leafing up, and the new shoot is about 12 inches.

Fast Growth

Phyllostachys shoot

The Phyllostachys Niga 'black bamboo' beside the pond seems to happy enough in it's ne position. I noticed a new shoot pushing up out of the compost about two weeks ago. It is now nearly at two feet, that is nearly 2 inches a day. Another 3 shoots are following. I think I may be dividing it this year.

6ft 6 he stood on the ground........

6ft 6 he stood on the ground........

Words of a well known song (Johnny Cash) reall applies to this Foxglove. It just five and a half foot now, but I reckon it has a way to go yet. These are some of the one Chilepepper gave me last year, Thanks Dave really pleased with them.

Is five shoots to many?

Is five shoots to many?

This is the Silver Birch that Martin gave me, which sadly perished over the weekend. When I did it up to discard it, I noticed new shoot just emerging so I re-potted it and hoped for the best.

I now have five shoots coming up. I was hoping for a couple of stems which could lead to an interesting tree in time. But I am now wondering if there are to many in this grouping, and how do I remove some?

Back up

Back up

This one of the Rhodochiton seedlings that is doing very well. Re-potted them this morning, as the Boss is away, I have moved one indoors and will keep it as a house plant.

I have a few other seedlings that are much further behind, am hoping to be able to offer them for anyone going to Bill's

Five tiers and still growing

Five tiers and still growing

This Primula s now producing it's fifth layer of flowers, it is nearly 2ft tall. I never knew they grew this tall. Getting to like these a lot.

Markings

Markings

I love the markings on this Foxglove, there are five flower spikes on this plant. Last year I had two so I was very surprised to see it come back this year.

Working well

Working well

I love this simple combination of colours, simple but works for me.

Words well spoken

Chealsea 2011

Watching coverage of Chelsea this evening some very very true words were made, '' one can never be angry in a garden '' Never thought of that before, but it is very true, I think.

Astrantia

Astrantia

Just starting to put on a great show. They even look great blowing around in the wind, they are sheltered from the worst of the wind.

Despite the wind

Vyvyan pennell

Clematis Vyvyan pennell is fully open, yes like this one a lot.

18 years blooming, and getting better and better

18 years blooming, and getting better and better

He will kill me if he ever sees this, then what he don't know, won't hurt him.

Graduation night tonight. Dead proud of him.

Go Colin, enjoy enjoy enjoy.

Fox

Fox

Gloves

Another plan takes off.

Another plan takes off.

Some time ago, Martin made a comment about me having space for about sixty clematis plants.

Yeah,....... right I thought and think I did.

So, I will be fixing wires to the concrete posts over the summer, then at the end of the year I will plant some of the Clematis €1 bargains. This fence is just crying out for some cover :-))

Not what I thought it was.

Not what I thought it was.

Clare E gave me this plant early last year, I thought it was a red Chard. This year it has grown to about 2 ft. the full leaves are about 7 inches long and a lovely red colour. Any ideas what it is?

Spikey

Spikey

For the last few weeks I have heard what I was sure was Hedgehogs on the embankment. Tonight Maria spotted this guy having a good snoop around the the side gravel area.

Japanese tile feature completed.

Japanese tile feature completed.

I can now say 'structurally' the Japanese Corner is complete. These are the tiles that were left over from the bathroom. I had planned on painting some Japanese writing and a bonsai tree into the center panel, but then I spotted these glass tiles and the idea was changed in an instant.

As blousey as I am prepaired to go

Vyvyan pennell

This is Clematis 'Vyvyan pennell', as blousey a flower as I am going to have. It is just about to open fully, but from past experience if these winds keep up i may not see it fully open at all.

The garden is strewn with leaves and branches from the trees on the embankment. I was working on the tile feature this morning, and once or twice I was worried about the trees and the way they blowing around.

I thawt I saw a putty cat, a sneaking up on me..

I thawt I saw a putty cat, a sneaking up on me..

I bought this little bird a few weeks ago. I placed him on some of the stones in the new area, several days I came home it was knocked over. Yesterday I spotted a cat sneaking up on it, and then pounced.

Boy did that cat get a surprise. I think the cats will fed up in the end. 

Bruno's Impatiens

Bruno's Impatiens

Despite the warnings from Deborah about this plant, I went ahead and planted it. This group of plants were a few seedlings that were left over, so into this pot they went. To think they were a couple in inches when planted and are now nearly three feet tall.

Love the leaves on these.

What to do?

What to do?

This little bed is in need of a make over, small and all as it is. It is north facing, beside a hedge which means soil is dry. It gets a small amount of sun for a short time during the height of the summer.

I am thinking of mass planting as it is such a small area. Can anyone suggest something that might fit this area.

Watering

Watering

I have a lot of young plants/seedlings in small pots. Watering these is a real pain. Maybe everyone does this but, it only dawned on me the other day. I have a few spare seed trays here, so what I do is fill the trays with water and as I am going around doing bits and pieces I stand these pots into the trays. leave them for a while, then change them around.

Saves time for me anyway

Nose to the Job

Nose to the Job

This Bee was getting well stuck in his work this evening.

Falling into place

Shrubby Japanese Yew

Spending time at the moment sorting labels, getting sorted with notebooks etc etc. Found the leaflet from the Bonsai I bought a few months ago.

It is Podocarpus Macroophylls 'maki' also known as Shrubby Japanese Yew what better to fit into the Japanese corner than a plant with a name like that.

I am getting good at this (accidental) top class planning.

Acanthus mollis

Acanthus mollis

Another of my new plants with great leaf shape. It also has lovely glossy leaves, and tall flower spikes. After doing some googling and reading, I think this plant will get to big for where it is, it's ok for the moment.

Thinking of a making it feature in one of the new areas.

Also known as 'Bears britches'

Verbena ?????

Verbena ?????

I think this is Verbena, flower buds are just starting to form. I lost a two plants that I had in the garden, forget where this one came from.

Am I right or not?

Arisaema Speciosum

Arisaema Speciosum

Just coming into flower today, loved the way the sun was shinning on it this evening. Even the markings on the main stem are so interesting.

Leaf structure

Leaf structure

One thing that I am becoming very interested in is the structure and shape and design of the leaves in all the new plants I have been introduced to over the time I have been involved in the site here.

This is a great leaf, Leonurus Cardiaca a tall growing plant whose stems are covered with leaves of different sizes as you look up stem.

Here's a new one on me.

Is it or isn't it............

Aoife came home from school today, with a book from the Home Economics class.

The Bannana Tree is not a real tree as it has no proper bark, so making it a plant.

And if that's not news, what surprised me totally was it is classed as a herb, it is the largest herb in the world.

It just gets better and better

It just gets better and better

Last evening Myrtle called to collect a plant that had travelled from Birr. It was raining a little but not enough to stop the two of us having a great walk around the garden. I doubt Ron will ever talk to me again, as the poor man was totally forgotten sitting outside in the car. Myrtle brought a plant she had mentioned some time last year when I was talking about covering the stone edging in the boarder, two small seedlings were also included.

Then this evening, Hoeys and a friend arrived to collect two Carex plants that I am really glad to see the back of. We had a quick look around and a chat, Hoeys brought a healthy looking Poppy 'pierce white' but best of all were fresh laid eggs, really looking foreword to these ;-))

The point I am making is I have met Myrtle several times now, Hoeys I have met now for the second time. But one really feels as if you have known these people for ever. Thank you both, short and all as the time was.

Then to finish off, the Peony in the picture was given to me by Clara.

I then spent some time sorting and listing plants I will be offering for anyone going to Bill's in June.

What goes around, comes around.

For Martin

For Martin

Carex in black and white as requested................. circa 2011

Carex coming good

Carex coming good

The Carex I was so worried about earlier in the year is coming back grand. It is showing fonds the like I have never seen before. Really interesting, very pleased with this as a show plant.

Trying it's best

Trying it's best

My Rhodochiton of three years is really struggling this year. But today I did notice the first flower bud showing. Despite it's poor appearance it is trying it's best.

I have some seedlings of this plant, two of whom are doing very well. Happy Days.

St. Francis to the rescue.

St. Francis to the rescue.

I am in the shed working, Maria is upstairs, screams from Aoife brings the parents running with that dread in the pit of your stomach that only parents can understand.

Expecting God only knows what, the relief was great when all that was wrong was a bird lying twitching on the decking after flying into the window. Of course Dad did not help the situation by saying is that what all the screaming was for.

So in stepped St. Francis, I wrapped the young Thrush in a cloth and sat with him for 45 minutes. He was badly shock, prayers were said by me that nothing would happen while Aoife was there.

Slowly but surly the young bird perched up, chipped and started to struggle to be free. I placed him on the table and he stayed there for a while. Then a few calls from a parent in the trees really got him awake. A few flaps of the wings he was in the hedge, then into the trees.

A once over from the parent and he was gone. Of course, Dad is the main man of the day.

Well planned ............ accidental planting.

Well planned ............ accidental planting.

Photo does not really do justice to this combination of colour. The pale ping Aqualigia looks great with the strong colour of the Red Robin behind it.

R & R required ............

Digitalis just opening

Time to put the feet up. Wow it is great when a day goes well, had a lot to do so was started by 8.00, with a job on the roof. Could not finish it as the winds were picking up.

Got most things planted from Birr, Orchid's Geraniums, and most of Cloncaw plants and seedlings. The were some very heavy showers, when these struck, it was into the shed, working on the Tile Feature all coming along nicely, thank you.

Also worked on Rachel's statues, it is great to be able have some thing to do inside when showers coming like that. The rate of growth is great, buds forming on everything.

Last year I was saying about the lull in colour in the garden at this time. I think I have come a ways in correcting that problem, just a few more items and all should right for next year.

Martin's Bamboo is putting out new leaves all over, has to be said slowly, but it will be great by the Summer.

Cheers folks, I hear a glass been filled ;-))

Liking this one..... a lot

Liking this one..... a lot

This is Luzula nivea, it is planted in the Driftwood bed. Am nearly sure it was Hosta gave it to me. Really like this one. Only planted a few weeks, I am happy with the way the grasses in this area seem to have settled down and got on with what they are meant to do.

Add 74 days

Add 74 days

and it looks like this. Really really pleased with this area, now.

26/2/2011

26/2/2011

This is how the new boarder looked on the day I planted it.

Full steam ahead

Full steam ahead

Agastache 'black adder' was one of my favorite plants of last year. I waited to see signs of it and had just given up on it when the first shoots were spotted last week. Since then it seems to have been making up for lost time. Trilled this is making a come back.

At last

At last

Clare gave me a Peonie Rose a little while ago, planted it straight away. While it seem ok, it seemed to stand still for so long. Noticed yesterday that the buds were beginning to open, this greeted me today.

Thanks Clare, love it.

What am I?

What am I?

99.9% sure Rachel gave me this as a tiny seedling last year. Am certain I saw an adult plant at Birr on Sunday, meant to go back and look, but somehow got distracted.

Arum

Arum

Just opened today, am to lazy to go out and check the name, will post tomorrow if it not named by then, which I'm sure it will be. 

Could it be Magpies?

Photo from last year.

Came home from Birr on Sunday and noticed some of the pond plants on the decking again. The last time I saw this last year two fish were gone, this time one.

I have since noticed a magpie around the pond several times, not drinking at any time. Has anyone heard of magpies taking fish from ponds?

Last man standing

Last man standing

Last month I did a journal on how all the Bluebells in the garden over the last few years have turned pink. No reason for this, as far as I know. Only one blue one left.

I will be taking some of these out, so if anyone wants some let me know. There are a limited amount so first come etc.

Cirsium 'Atropureum' for Fintan

Cirsium 'Atropureum' for Fintan

Fintan bought one of these at Birr on Sunday. I was talking to him about how mine had come on and that I was well impressed with this plant.

Photo shows just how well it is doing.

Astrantia

Astrantia

These Astrantia are just coming into bloom. I got these plants for the first time last year. Some how I had the idea that these might be tender, I was pleased to see them come back so strong, really looking great, lots of flower buds forming already.

Something very very special from yesterday.

Something very very special from yesterday.

As most of you know some of us were in Birr yesterday.

I was looking at a plant at the Terra Nova stand, Ornithogalum 'nutans'. Yes it was nice, but something kept me looking at it again and again, very strange feeling but I had to have it, and as soon as it was in the bag the feeling was gone.

I was looking at the plant again this evening, and that feeling was with me again, I have to say it was really really strange feeling. I wanted to put a picture of it up for people to see, so I started this journal an hour ago.

So I googled the name and all came to a sudden stop when I saw the name this plant is also known as, 'Drooping Star of Bethlehem'.

My Dad often spoke of a plant with a white flower called 'Drooping Bells of ---------' he could not remember the name, but always told me if ever I saw a plant with a name like that, to pick it up it up for him.

So, I guess I have, late and all as it may be.

Dad, this one is yours.

Busman's Holiday

Jade Frost

A great day to day in Birr, wild and windy, but better than what I was expecting after I heard the weather forecast of last night. Great meeting up with folk again, it really is great walking around with like minded folk and listening to different views etc. Once again I have come home with way more plants, thank you one and all, the extra colour in the garden will be great.

At one stage Rachel asked what my best purchase was, could not really thing as I was happy with everything, but on mature recollection, my favorite has to be Eryngium 'jade frost', really like this one.

Thanks everyone again great to see you all again. Martin / Deborah thanks for acting as our private plant creche !!!!!!!!!

From a different angle..........

From a different angle..........

I took this photo to of this plant that is just starting to unfurle, does anyone know what it is.

Well Guarded

Well Guarded

The Driftwood bed is settling down nicely, lots of new growth on all the grasses. This is such a special piece of driftwood, I decided that it needed extra protection. So I have Griffin guarding on one side and Rathmichael in situ on the other. Don't think anyone will take on these two.

Primula opened today.

Unknown, but love it..........

Just started opening today, like this one, alot. Great mix of colours.

The Nutty Professor

What's he up to this time............

is off again. I had some tiles left over from the Bathroom, I laid them out this afternoon, cut them to size, they are ready for another little project for the garden.

What on earth is the nutty professor up to this time ;-))

Ericacous Bed

Ericacous Bed

One of the plans I have for the front corner makeover, is for a large ericaceous bed. I had planned on digging out an area, lining it, and filling it with the right compost.

This evening while looking at this area, planning and thinking I spotted this bag from one of the gravel deliveries I got. when cut down to the right depth, this bag will be a perfect size for what I'm thinking of, I have a second one in case I want a bigger area ;-))

Self Seeding

Self Seeding

There was some talk earlier on other journals about seeding plants. This hanging basket must be the best, After last Summer, it was tidied away behind the shed, I took it out the other evening, it full of self seeded plants from last year. Not a bad return at all, considering all the effort I put in !!!!!!!!!!

Strong Colours to Soft Colours

Strong Colours to Soft Colours

One extreme to the other, love these soft tones.

Strong Colours

Strong Colours

One thing that I always knew that was lacking in my garden was strong colours. I am trying to correct that this year.

Really pleased with my first effort, Clematis 'niobe' opened today. This ia one of the €1 bargains I picked up a few months ago, makes this one even more enjoyable.

A stowaway from Terra Nova

Back from the dead........... :-))

Last year, Martin gave me a young Silver Birch. Despite moving it into the shed for the worst of the winter I planted out some time ago, waited and waited for the buds to open, but no sign of life.

At the weekend, I broke off some of the buds, no green, nothing at all. Broke a  tip of one of the branches, scraped some bark back, nothing at all. So the decision was made sadly. it was a goner.

So I dug it up, as I was shaking the compost off it, around the base of the stem there are three or four new shoots. Wow, I might have a multi stem, how good would that be.

So as I went to put it back into a pot for safe keeping and TLC, I noticed another shoot coming from the rootball. On looking closer there was a mass of a tuber like root ball mixed in amonst the roots of the Birch. With a little care, I freed the mass and have it safely potted up.

What surprise could this stowaway be from such a wonderfull garden, time will tell.

Off Cuts

Off Cuts

Made this the other day from off cuts of Bamboo pole I had for the feature I made in the Japanese corner. It is nice to have items like this to add motion and interest into a garden. I think anyway, wonder if something like this was for sale, what it would set you back?

A must for your bookshelves

A must for your bookshelves

Am nearly finished reading The Living Garden by Jane Powers. This book was mentioned a couple of months ago on the site here. A first class read, and a lot of serious food for thought.

I found myself several times re reading a chapter straight after I had just read it. Lots of great ideas and different thinking about gardening and its direct effect on nature. Some ideas I need to think about and go back and read again the chapters that really gave me things to think about.

A book well worth reading, at least once.

Ajuga ..... a little gem

Ajuga ..... a little gem

A great little plant, well worth having. Great rich colour, lovely coloured leaves. Tends to suffer from Mildew here in this garden later in the season, don't now if it is the norm, but always comes back better than ever.

Garden Ornaments

Garden Ornaments

On the recent visit to Terra Nova, Maria was amazed at the array of ornaments dotted around the garden and looking as if they had 'grown' there. Such an amount of well placed items, and so well placed they just added to the entire garden effect.

So as we learn from what we see, I moved these Toadstools from the wooden base I had them on, into one of the flowerbeds. Well pleased.

Birr Plant Fair

Reflections at Birr Castle

The Plant Fair is on next Sunday in Birr Castle, starting at 10.00 am. I know a few people are going, is any else going, stand up and be counted. We could maybe meet up for coffee or lunch or even a picnic if the weather is on our side.

Lesson learnt

Lesson learnt

Four years ago, when I re-did the back garden with the decking, gravel etc. I put weed block down under the gravel. I paid a serious amount of money for an environmentally friendly woven fiber type block.

Last year I noticed a fair few weeds coming through the gravel. The last few weeks I noticed even more showing through. When I was sorting the bed for the driftwood piece I had to rake the gravel out of the way.

The weed block has totally disintegrated and just fell to pieces when I touched it. I will now have to replace it with the heavier plastic type block, a real pain in the butt.

So if any of you are thinking of using gravel, use the plastic type weed block and save yourself a lot of hassle down the line.

Geranium 'samobar'

Geranium 'samobar'

I showed the leaf of this plant the other day, some people asked to see the flower. It opened fully yesterday, great rich colour.

Pure Beauty

Pure Beauty

This is a good shot of Libertia 'gold finger' flower. As you know another of my special plants. 

I am now convinced the this plant flowers much better when not allowed to grow in bigger clumps. I divided two big clumps last year, some are flowering their socks of like never before, others are hopefully flowering across the country. So a little advise to those of you who have this one, divide when the clump gets larger, you will be well pleased with the result.

Have a good day.

For Primrose

Red Campion

This is a great plant, new to me this year, but amazed at the way it has bulked up, the amount of flowers is great. Silene dioica ( Red Campion ) well worth thinking about. Cosmos would be another to consider. Good luck.

A thinking seat

A thinking seat

I made a seat for my Thinking Man. He likes his new meditating area.

The Wall

The Wall

Tidied up the area here today. Painted the wall, dropped the ladder down to near ground level, planted up a small bed to the end of the wall beside the hedge. Placed a few pots around each side of the seat, hung a bracket for my pot hanger. A coat of stain on the gate when I get a chance and all will be done.

The plants in these two beds are coming on fantastic, amazing growth at the moment.

What am I?

What am I?

This is opening in one of the new Boarders, a real beauty love the colour.

Anyone know what it is. Thanks.

Right way Round

Right way Round

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 ;-))

Yes, not a double take, you read this journal 0n the 26th of April . Martin made a comment that they are better viewed from this position. Looking at this in detail, Martin I think you are quite right.

Fantastic detail.