fran m's Journal

Like this

Like this

little mixture from my wheelbarrow planter.

Sorry I did not paint this up prior to planting, time did not allow. Will be done over the winter, for spring planting

Kirengeshoma 'palmata' for Rosburke

Kirengeshoma 'palmata' for Rosburke

Am putting a few photos of this plant up for you now.

Echinacea

Echinacea

'White Swan' just opened today, hoping to divide this plant later in the year.

By any chance does anyone else have this one, would like to know more about it.

Grasses

Grasses

No border should be witout a few grasses. Can't find these lables (to lazy to look to hard) but I think in time this will look great, good colour combination.

Hitting the drink ........

Cherry Brandy

Rudbeckia 'cherry brandy' is getting ready to party ;-))

Kirengeshoma 'palmata'

Kirengeshoma 'palmata'

Another new plant here this year, just starting to flower now. Lovely waxy interesting flowers. Think I may have planted it to far to the back of the border, will wait and see.

Rachel, hope you spotted it there the other day, I meant to point it out to you the other day, thank you once again.

Thanks Jacinta

Thanks Jacinta

I got these planted up the other day, really pleased with them. I think I'm developing a Hosta area. Thanks again.

Taking shelter

Taking shelter

There was a very heavy mist here this morning.

I spotted this bee taking shelter between the flowers of a Foxglove, well sheltred out of the mist.

More Winter losses discovered.

More Winter losses discovered.

A little while ago I commented that I had never seen the pink Anemone open ahead of the white ones.

Question has been answered, no white at all. I must have lost the whites during the Winter. Strange though as the were all planted in the same area.

Or, could it be a case of the pink been a stronger plant and taking over via pollination, any ideas?

Sorry Bruno,

Sorry Bruno,

but they had to go. Impatiens 'red wine' got the chop yesterday. I am glad I tried them, a great pant to watch growing to such a size. But despite my watching I could see those seeds causing problems next year.

Glad I tried it, thanks Bruno.............. but no Thank You :-))

Now you see it, now you don't

Now you see it, now you don't

Some of these opened yesterday in time for visitors prior to heading to Jacinta's. But the rain over night demolised them, at least I got this photo.

Pineus Legulars Noseyius

Pineus Legulars Noseyius

Garden.ie photo cropping has struck again. I was trilled to spot these ancient plants in Jacinta's garden yesterday, she kept these rare plants to herself until now.

It is the only mistake I saw yesterday in this garden. They were planted to closed to the wall, hence the main parts of these wonderful plants Pineus Legulars are hanging over the wall into the field beyond.

Sorry bad planning there Jacinta.

If enough people ask I will see if I can get this photo uncropped, it will take a lot of time to do this, so a lot of requests will be required.

The decision is yours.................

Pleased

Pleased

I am really pleased with this area, the Lilies were added to it the other day, they are in a pot. Suddenly the hole area came together, really pleased with it.

Then this evening, Rachel commented that it looked really great, and work well. Made my day, and that simple comment from a gardener with Rachel's experience and knowledge, made all the hard work fade into oblivion.

Thanks Rachel, ''you went ahead and made my day''

Rhodochiton for Scrubber

Rhodochiton for Scrubber

Peter treat that little seedling right and you will have flowers like this by Summers end, good luck.

Jacinta's

Jacinta's

This time I am letting the photos do the talking. What great weather in a piece of Garden Heaven.

Thanks for a great afternoon.

A tale of two Gardens

Poor old Fran is stuck for words, where to start I do not have a clue, maybe I should just let the photos tell the story.

Set this morning heading to Mary and Paddy's garden in Waterford. I knew we would be in for a treat, we were not disappointed. Paddy and Mary's love for gardening simple oozes from both of them.

While Maria is not a gardener, she does love seeing gardens, she as I, was well impressed. Oh to be able to reach anything close to such a wonderful garden. A wonderful lunch was had an a great conversation. It really is amazing how relaxed a bunch  of people us gardeners are.

Then on to Scrubber, again sorry for been later than expected, Peter. I will be totally blunt now, there is no other way to say this, but this guy Peter, is one major dark horse. 

A totally different garden, but what a setting. You have the main garden surrounding the house, great selection of trees, shrubs and a great mix of all plants. Peter, must have some Superman traces in him, the size of the some of the rocks all moved by hand were enormous.

The garden then drops to the Scrub, wow what an area. At this point I think I will let the photos tell the story of both Gardens.

Thank you all for a truly great day, that will be remembered for long and many a day. Maria and Fran.

Bare with me please, lots of photos to be sorted.

Not happy at all, but am well impressed

Stargazer Lilies

I feel an email to Mr Middleton coming.

The Stargazer lilies have opened but once again, they are not what it said on the pack. I picked the ones that I had given Maria when the children were born, so I really wanted to surprise her, with them. 

A deep pink center fading to white with a red vein down the center, is what I was expecting, not what I got.

But on another note, these are impressive and the scent is fantastic. But that is the second lot of mislabeled bubs I got from them on the same day.

Pottering

Pottering

One of the things I did yesterday was remove dead leaves etc from around these pots. I have these positioned around the Phyllostachys 'castillionii' Martin gave me. I was thrilled to see another two new culms shooting up.

Great to know this plant has well and truly settled in. Maria said last evening did I not think it was a little to big for the area?

If only she she knew ;-)) Sometimes ignorance is bliss ......................

Acanthus

Acanthus

I positioned the Sweetpea to close to this plant, so it hard to see the real effect of the flower stem. I wasn't expecting so many of these plants to pack in so much growth after only been planted up last year.

This plant is on the move, am planning to do a little planting on the grass verge where the tree was cut down. that are would be perfect to allow this plant clump up all it likes.

Still have no idea where the common name of Bears Breeches comes from.

Some seedling

Some seedling

This is my remaining seedling of Rhodochiton. Can't really call it anything other than a plant at this stage. Had a wigwam of canes around it, I had to add another cane to the top today.

This one will come into the house for the Winter, the parent plant is doing ok and beginning to bulk up, and has reached to top of the arch, shoul have a great display by the end of the Summer.

Somehow, I have a feeling Matin's plant will be doing every bit as well as this one.

Lazy Sunday

Lazy Sunday

What a lazy day. Sat out in the garden, read a book then pottered here and did a bit. Had a coffee, pottered there and did a bit more, all small little things.

Then in the afternoon, the Sun came out, sat down again and nodded on and off, listened to some music. No one in the house, peace, quite and the garden.

What else could a body ask for.

Japanese Anemone

Japanese Anemone

These are just starting to flower, this is the first time the pink have flower ahead of the white ones. Anothe great plant for long term flowering.

What am I?

What am I?

Spotted this in the front garden the other day, just a small seedling. Today there is a flower on it, it is only about 4'' tall and already in flower.

No idea what it is, any ideas folks, thanks as always.

Softening the sharp edges.

Softening the sharp edges.

The Sedum that self seeded beside this paving slab is in full bloom. This effect has now been copied using other Sedums and Thymes, by next year they should all have bulked up great.

If I cut this back when flowering is finished, would I get a second show of colour?

Lush

Lush

This one of the Ferns in the new Fern bed, most have done really well. The two that weren't seem better in pots in a more shaded spot. Will see what happens them in time.

I think a few bags of bark mulch will be applied to finish off this area.

Agastache 'Apricot Sprite'

Agastache 'Apricot Sprite'

This is just opening in a couple of areas of the garden. Great colour and it will flower from now till the first frosts.

Scrubber your not alone.

Scrubber your not alone.

Just to let you know there others out there fighting back scrub and wilderness. This is the area on the far side of the fence in the far corner. This is the old railway line, as you can see it is well and truly overgrown. I did not cut it back in the last few years, paid for that decision today. Have the worst of it done, should finish it tomorrow.

What a wonderful day, had this finished at one, rest of the day lounging around the garden, perfect.

Off to a BBQ this evening, enjoy.

Time out

Can I have more ice please?

As of 5.30 this evening I'm off foe a week. The forecast is on the up ;-))  the BBQ is ready, things to do in the garden, but plan to sit back and enjoy the weather as well.

Hoping to do a few visits as well. The garden is looking refreshed after yesterdays rain as it always does.

Just had our Fox Cub sitting on the decking, as soon as I moved for the camera, off he went.

Have a good one whatever you are up to.

Nature's Mix

Nature's Mix

I find it great the way nature just mixes things up. I am not one for hot borders, blue ones, white etc etc. And I am not saying there is anything wrong with plantings along those lines.

I do think about what goes where to some extent, but I do like a complete mix.

I just like the way nature produced this one, the blue does not match the red, I just think it looks good.

Changes

Changes

Have not been happy with this little raised bed for a while now. So later in the year, all plants will be removed. I am thinking of doing spring and summer bedding to brighten up this corner. As with everything here that may change as well.

A damp start out there, but weather is due to pick up as of today.

Rowan Atkinson

Agastache 'black adder'

AKA 'Black Addder' is coming into full flower. This was a new plant here last year, don't know where I had the idea this was a small plant. It is now 3ft and still growing............

Firecracker Nights

Firecracker Nights

Firecracker and Summer Nights will make a great combination when they bulk up in a couple of years. Pleased with this planting as I did do a little planning prior to planting ;-))

Fran's

Frans Hals

Hals opened today, in all it's wonderful glory. This is a real beauty, one to get more of for sure.

Look what I spotted

Look what I spotted

I was going to do a journal on Campanula 'Elizabeth' that is putting on a great show. Looking at the photo last night I spotted some Fuschia buds, I never had a Fuschia in this area. Went out again and sure enough, there they are.

I was sure I had lost this one as it was in a pot all Winter, but I am a real chancer with gardening, I remembered putting it in the ground, 'just to see'. This one has tiny long narrow flowers, very different from the other ones I have.

Motto is, never be to quick to trow it away ;-))

Summer Nights

Summer Nights

Heliopsos 'summer nights' is just opening here, another new one here for this year. The name really suits this one.

Good markings

Good markings

Another Foxglove opened the other day, love the markings on this one. A grey, cool day out there, to get better towards the weekend.

Flying Candy

Cosmos 'candy stripe'

Cosmos 'candy stripe' are one of the many plants taking a battering this morning from the winds. Wing is gusting badly and has been since yesterday. Had midnight run around the garden last night when the patio chairs started disco dancing on the decking.

Astilbe

Astilbe

These looked stunning in the early morning Sun yesterday.

I am surprised how well this plant is doing as it is planed beneath the Sumac and the Griselinia hedge and is a very dry area. The plant has been there several years now. I am thinking of dividing the plant and using it on its own here. Maybe it has gotten used to these conditions.

Flowerbud and Seedhead

Flowerbud and Seedhead

I am keeping an eye on the seed heads of Clematis 'General Sikorski', Rachel has said they are interesting. This Clematis is still flowering, but I noticed this yesterday, a seed head and new flower bud developing from the one spot.

Tree Ferns

Tree Ferns

Potted my two Tree Ferns on today. They wern't pot bound but not far off it. I have them on the decking in the shade of the Rhus, dappled Sunlight, that should be ok for them.

Am I right or wrong with that idea?

What a fantasic day, thankfully the weathermen got it wrong :-))

50 +

50 +

My border 50 is doing great, I am totally amazed at the growth and speed that this area has filled out in. It was only planted in October of last year.

Bishop of Oxford

Bishop of Oxford

Grown from Terra Nova seed, Bishop of Oxford has opened, like this one. All these Dahlia seeds have done really well and I now have great healthy plants.

Not what was planned

Not what was planned

After the good week, weatherwise. I was planning a BBQ for this evening. Dull and cold, not the weather for it at all.

Sat in, went through old garden photos, an realised how far the auld plot has come on. Hope to get a few things done tomorrow, not a lot, as I've just finished a 7 day shift.

Now where's the glass?

Phlox

Phlox

This is just starting to flowering. I don't have a name on it but it will flower for weeks to come.

A grey evening

A grey evening

can be brightened up by something as simple as this.

Blink and you will miss something.

Blink and you will miss something.

There is so much happening in garden at the moment it is easy to miss things. I did not even notice this white Cosmos till it opened yesterday.

This is one of Cloclaw's seedlings from the Birr meeting, thanks Geraldine.

What am I?

What am I?

Not the best photo I have ever taken, sorry. But could any one tell me what this is?

The flowers are tiny.

Ricinus Red

Ricinus Red

On my usual wander around the garden this evening. I spotted the first sign of flowers on Ricnus Red, looks interesting already, small and all as it is.

Seed advice needed

Unknown red grass in Driftwood bed.

I have no problem at all collecting seeds for people who ask for them, it will be a pleasure to do so.

What I really am interested to know is,

What plants can you be sure will come true from seed?

Is it pot luck?

I will be diving into Carol Klein's book 'Grow your on Garden' again, to see what I can learn there.

Olive D

Olive D

This is a Sweetpea from Deborah's collection of seeds from earlier in the year. I is so different from any other ones I have here. It really is a striking one.

Thanks Rachel

Thanks Rachel

The Lychmachia 'firecracker'  you gave me is doing great and just starting flowering. I really like this comination, of flower color and foliage.

Veronicastrum 'album'

Veronicastrum 'album'

This is just starting to flower at the moment, another new one for this year. Already it is a serious contender for a permanent place in the garden her. Great shape and structure to the entire plant. It's final height can be nearly six feet, but with its slender growth it does not have a bulking effect at all.

Colour

Colour

The planted up Linen Basket is doing great. Colour beginning to show, I must say I am really pleased with this one. Am already planning ahead for spring bulbs for this one. And to think, it was nearly thrown out.

Of course the non gardener here, says it is over planted............... oh to live with a gardener.

For Martin

For Martin

As requested ...............

Nasturtium

Nasturtium

I cannot find the seed pack of this beauty that opened today. I will have to go back through journals, as I showed a picture of them as they germinated.

These are in the Linen Basket planter, this little planter is going to be a beauty in a few weeks, well pleased.

Marbled

Marbled

This leaf of the Silybum looks like a piece of Italian Marble. Not sure is you can see the Ant in the photo, but I watched him for ages, he looked like as if he was lost in a Maze, running here there and everywhere, but getting no where.

Have you noticed.............

A sweet tangle.

the different stages plants seem to be at, in different gardens around the country.

One example would be Cromisia Lucifer, mine are only showing leaves, while others are in full flower. Some plants from the midlands which suffered a harsher Winter than we did close to the sea here, are way ahead.

While some of the differences may be down to different varieties of the same plant, I still find it interesting the difference stages the plants are at.

What does anyone else think?

Grassing up nicely

Grassing up nicely

Really pleased with the way the new gasses in the Driftwood bed are doing. By Crinken breaking a grin let alone a smile !!!!!!!!!!!!

Gladiolus , what opened today.

Gladiolus ??????

They are beautiful, I would not send them back,but not what it said on the tin. Not Gladiolus 'that's love'.  Really disappointed about this. Hard to know where the mistake was made, but it is annoying.

Gladiolus , what I expected.

Gladiolus , what I expected.

This is Gladious 'that's love' I bought them in Mr. Middleton, there was even plastic lables with the photo on them. What opened today is totally different, photo to follow in another journal.

Another Dahlia

Another Dahlia

from Deborah's seed collection opened today. I do like all the simpler ones, very subtle colour on this one.

Silver Birch trio

Silver Birch trio

You may remember Martin gave me a Silver Birch last year, which sadly did not make it through the Winter. As I was about to put it on the compost heap, I spotted sprouts, six emerged which I reduced to three.

They have come on leaps and bounds since. I reckon by next year these will be back to the height of the original tree. Now to plan out an spot in the garden for them.

Hope I never lose this feeling.

Dahlia Fuchsiana

It is such a simple thing. You place a seed in some compost, you are trilled when it emerges some that same compost. It survives the move to a bigger pot and then the final move to it's permanent spot.

But then it flowers, and wow that feeling. Gardening success.

This Dahlia 'fuchsiana', one of Deborah's seeds and I love it

Cosmos

Cosmos

Candy Stripe are putting on a great show, my first time with Cosmos, not my last. A great plant, thanks Geraldine.

Seedlings

Seedlings

I am beginning to discovering seedlings here and there around the garden. I think this is a Sedum, different colour to all other ones around, but that may be because it is so young.

It is great when we start getting returns like this.

Accidental Planting, works again ............

Accidental Planting, works again ............

This needs to be corrected for next year. I planted Sweetpea very close to the Budleia. The Sweetpea has attached itself to the Budleia, I think it looks great together.

Next year I will plant the sweetpea around the Budleia.

Rose Question

Rose Question

Can anyone shed any like on what is causing this Pink colouring that is emerging on my Iceberg rose?

It happen a few years ago on a few flowers the disappeared.

Rhodochiton

Rhodochiton

Aren't they just great flowers?

Verbascum 'chaixii'

Verbascum 'chaixii'

Just starting to open, really impressed with this one. I think it was Chillipepper gave this to me last year. If I am wrong please correct me.

Looking good out there, so make the best of it.

Encouragement part 2

July 2011

This is how the same area looks in July 2011.

OK, a lot of work, no doubt about that. But as I sat there this evening with a coffee in hand, boy was I smug with the results.

Whatever you are doing, always look back at what you have done and not what has to be done.

Enjoy.

Encouragement

Sept 2009

Being laid up with my dogey ankle most of the day. I took time out and looked at all my photos.

Thought I would post one or two photos, mainly to encourage any of you out there that may be daunted at the moment with garden makeovers or just starting out.

This photo was taken at the end of September 2009.

Sempervivum

Sempervivum

I posted a picture of the flower on this Sempervivum last week. I also meant to ask a question about it.

Is it normal for the main plant to shrink when it flowers? From the picture you and see from the line of pebbles how much the plant has shrunk. It is nor dying or rotting, just shrinking.

Black Adder

Black Adder

This Agastache was very late coming back after the winter. Since then it is making up for lost time, great growth. This is another one that will flower from now till the frosts.

Plans Scuttled, by a slice of Lime

Poppy

Believe me, it could only happen to me.

Had lots of plans for today, started off well with a flying visit to Jacinta before she went to work. I collected a Hydrangea she had promised me, wow the size of it. It will be a great bonus to the front corner. Also came away with two Hostas, thanks Jacinta, trilled with them.

I was then to collect something in town. Home, a little time in the garden. Then myself and Aoife were going to do a few things.

I collected my message in town and as I walked around the car, bang. I was on the ground. No idea what happened, it all happened so fast. Getting back up I saw I had slipped on a slice of b........... Lime.

Twisted ankle, soar knee and wrist, let alone the damaged ego. Drove to Bray with Aoife, but foot too soar for safe driving.

And all over a slice of Lime. Gardening on the long finger here   ;-(((

The seedling

The seedling

This is the Rhodochiton seedling that is doing best of all. It is now in the Japanese corner, seems to be doing grand there.

Making a comeback

Making a comeback

You all know of my love of Rhodochiton. This is the parent plant, it had a rough start to the year, I was in serious doubt if it would survive or not.

But it seems to be making a come back, do not think it will be as good as last year but time will tell.

Of the four seedlings I kept, one is doing great, two were lost and one if on a severe go slow.

Poppy Pod

Poppy Pod

Even after the flowers are gone, there is still interest and beauty there.

Clonclaw's Elizabeth

Clonclaw's Elizabeth

Just starting to flower now, I forgot Cloncaw passed on some of this Campanula to me last year. I love the colour of this one.

Thank you Geraldine, love it.

Alstroemeria

Alstroemeria

This is a show stopper in a planter in the front garden. Myrtle gave me some of this the year before last. I am totally in love with this one. I am now looking forward to months of colour from this plant.

I have earmarked a few spots in the garden, where I want this plant to establish.

Different Views

Different Views

In the last few days I have taken photos around the garden, but from different angles.

This photo one was taken from just above the decking, the photos give a different perspective of the garden.

This is one I thought looked rather good. Modest again, I know................

Suggestions needed

I am suffering badly of lately, the head is spinning. I have come up with the seeds of a great idea for the feature I want to put into the front corner.

I am not looking for much.

Just ideas of an ever green climber, small flower would be acceptable, and has a compact growth or will tolerate been trimmed and kept in shape.

See, told you I was not asking for much  ;-))

Thanks as always.

Tastes do change

Tastes do change

Not big into roses here at all. But as Jacinta said in her journal, I think that is about to change. I have no name on this rose, it was always there not doing much, but this year, it I have had 7/8 blooms and more to come. Only slight downer with this one is, the stems don't seem to be able to take the weight of the flowers.

A full wheelbarrow

A full wheelbarrow

A few weeks ago I posted a journal on an old wheelbarrow I planted up with different plants folk had given me and I had no place to plant them in any of the flower beds.

So I used the barrow as a nursery planter so to speak. It has surprised me by coming on so well. Should be producing colour soon.

Ricinus Red

Ricinus Red

The leaf on this Ricinus is really getting my attention. The red veins are really starting to show through, looks great. The plants in the boarders are doing ok, but this in is in the Linen basket planter on is blooming.

A definite in this garden in the future, and I have even seen it flower yet.

Grass and Amaranthus

Grass and Amaranthus

I am trilled with this new planter. Clara gave it to me last week. I am planning to do a paint job on it over the Winter.

Liga gave me some Amaranthus seedlings, which are now doing great Liga, thank you. I planted some of them into the top section of Clara's pot. They are bulking up nicely and I like the effect, different.

But I do do different, rather well ;-))

Cuphea 'cyanea'

Cuphea 'cyanea'

Anyone that was here last year will know that this is my favorite plant of all time. This is my Desert Island Plant.

I was surprised to see Headgardener's one in full flower a couple of weeks ago, but Bill cheats by using a greenhouse. It's common name is 'cigar plant', with the two little black eyes on it, 'insect plant' would be more suitable.

Sanguisorba 'alba'

Sanguisorba 'alba'

Just coming into full flower now. A new one in the garden this year, but is here to stay ;-))

Sweet

Sweet

Morning, a simple Sweetpea with some Sun and you have this. Enjoy the day if you can, changes are afoot ;-((

Sempervivum

Sempervivum

Came home from work today and the Sun had encouraged this Little beauty to open.

Combination

Combination

I like this combination of Salvia 'hot lips' and pink Astilbe in the front garden.

Sunny Sunday

Sunny Sunday

Looking great out there again today, fantastic morning. A lot of plants seem to be earlier this year, along with this Sumac (Rhus). Just coming into flower now, about two weeks earlier than last year. I really love the combination of these colours, and the scent is lovely.

Looking

Looking

like it's going to be a beaut of a day out there. Sadly starting back on weekend work today, but I still have a job and had a good week off. This photo shows the sun shining on my boarder 50 a little while ago. Normally this are would only get the sun from about 10.30 / 11.00 at this time of the year.

But now that the tree is gone the difference is fantastic. I am now wondering what effect this might have on the area, only time will tell, I suppose.

Have a great day, I hope the day as a s good where you are as it is here in Dublin this morning.

Enjoy and have a good one.

Daylight

Daylight

Good as their word the council arrived this morning and in about 4 hours they and the tree were in the history books. The difference is unreal, I knew it would make a difference but even I am surprised.

One problem that has arisen is the Fern bed is now getting more Sun than before. This will only happen at the peak of the Summer, so hopefully it will not make to big a difference. Time will tell, but i will be keeping an eye on it.

The split I saw in the trunk, ran twice as far down internally, it really was an accident waiting to happen.

Deinanthe for Rachel

Deinanthe for Rachel

I mentioned Mount Venus in a journal the other day and Rachel sent me a message about a plant she was interested in the next time I am there. As I was off this week, on it is no distance from me, I went back yesterday.

Bad bad idea, it is harder buying a plant for other gardeners, than for yourself. Does this look ok, is this one better than that one, does this one look healthy enough.

I was very good the other day when I was there, it was a pure research trip, sadly yesterday cost me money, a few extra plants accompanied Rachel's plant out the gate.

It's great to be able to pass the blame onto Rachel. I do hope the plant is ok Rachel, one little bonus is I will place the plant into a boarder some where to avail of the flowers that are about to open soon.

I have just the spot in a shaded area, as it does not like to much direct sun.