fran m's Journal

When all else fails......go shopping

P 'red sensation'

Colin (who has his first art time job) made a big thing of buying Christmas presents. He have me a voucher for Woodies, so as they have 20% off everything, I paid a visit there this PM.

2 Saxifraga 'touran' (deep red)

4 Buxus (good size)

2 Vinca 'minor'

3 Aubrieta deltoidea varigated (great leaf detail)

1 Phormium 'red sensation' 

Trilled with them, and most were plants that I had planned on getting for things I have planned.

Thanks Colin. 

Just for a laugh

Yahoo, yes I found a 'weed'...... yeehaa a weed .......

This photo was taken at Rachel's open day, this year.

Just for a little fun can we have some ideas for a caption on it please, I have put my one on it.

Scrubber's Perfection

Scrubber's Perfection

I had a great relaxing day, I even slept till 9.30, unheard of for me. 

Everyone most out for most of the day, Garden mag and some programmes I had recorded. I then looked back over some albums of garden visits from this year. One photo stood out from the visit to Scrubber's garden. I looked at it many times and can not say what is so special about this one photo, but I think it looks like a perfect area.

Well done Peter.

I have added it to my albums, so you can see it better. 

Another Evergreen Grass

Stipa 'arundincea'

Following from Rachel's journal on an evergreen grass the other day, this one I would recommend highly. 

Stipa 'arundincea', grows to about 2ft. An autumn colour slowly emerges but the grass itself stays upright. It seems to grow and stay in a tight clump. I really think any border can but only improve with the addition of some grasses.

Bergenia

Bergenia

Clara gave me some clumps of this plant last year. I planted them at the back of the Fern area. They grew well last year and I noticed the first flower stem appear the other day. This is the first time here for this plant, and I think it works well with the ferns.

Thanks Clare. 

Chalk and Cheese 2

Chalk and Cheese 2

The same area, a few short months ago, and all going well will be looking the same in a few months to come, or if things go right even better.

Chalk and Cheese 1

Chalk and Cheese 1

I was looking back over this years photos the other day. After a while I noticed how at this time we are guilty of forgetting how our gardens looked just a few short months ago.

This is how the back garden was looking the other day. 

Can I think out loud for a moment.

I do not want anyone to take this opinion the wrong way, so please bare with me.

When I first joined this great site I was in total awe and envy of everyone elses gardens. I wanted this, was going to copy that, why can't I do that? etc etc etc.

I even found myself planning and giving serious thought to things that I knew in my heart and soul, would not really fit in in my garden, and even more important, fit in with my own liking.

Slowly in the last few months, sense prevailed. My garden, is my garden. I know I will get inspiration from other gardens, and that is great and long may it last, what I do in my garden will be to my liking.

One thing that is worrying me of late is reading journals where folk at knocking or down playing their gardens. We are all different, our gardens are and should be different.  While we can, and do look at others gardens often in total awe, please remember our gardens should be ours, be proud of them, and no more knocking them.

I hope you know what I am trying to say, so most all enjoy your little or large piece of heaven, it is there to do with as you please. 

Ahhhh.........come on

Love seeing them

you guys, anyone would swear it's another holiday today. The least you could do for those of us working today would be to get up and wish us well...............

I just had to collect the car, driving back the temp is reading 13 degrees. What a change from last year?

Enjoy, what I often think is a much more relaxing day, all the pressure is off and it's time to relly switch off, anyway

Have a good un, ye lazy shower of .............

The smallest flower in my Garden

Brunnera 'hadspen cream'

In flower yesterday was this tiny flower of Brunnera 'hadspen cream'. A really tiny flower but lovely to see.

Christmas Sky

Christmas Sky

Things have calmed a little, the guys are watching DVD's, testing new Headphones etc etc.

The Turkey is cooking, all is ready, the In Laws are on the way ;-((    LOL 

Just snapped this sky this morning.

Have a good one folks, enjoy. 

Perfect Colour

Perfect Colour

I won't even try ....

Killiney, looking to Shankill and Bray

and match some of the fantastic poems and Christmas wishes that have been posted recently.

But I will simply wish everyone all the very best for the coming year, and may your God be with you, whatever you conceive him to be.

Thank you one and all for the many great times we have shared, in so many different ways in the last year. 

Nature's Decorations

Nature's Decorations

No matter how we might try,

Mother Nature does it best .....

Epimedium

Epimedium

This is a plant I discovered in the Mount Venus list of plants. I have done some googling and am considerind planting it in between the Bamboo in my corner Bamboo area.

Does anyone have any experience of this plant. I will be paying MV a visit when they open in the new year, but any prior info would be great. 

Thanks as always. 

Not what it was meant to be

Not what it was meant to be

Maria's mum has a big thing against real Christmas trees. So for a laugh Maria bought this little real tree the other day for €7 for her Mum.

It seems very healthy, so I will pick one up next week for myself. I feel another Bosai attempt coming on. At €7 I have not much to lose and a lot to gain. If I am going to learn I may as well try on this, with little effect on the pocket.

Bonsai

Bonsai

My Bonsai is looking great, it has come on great. 

The hard work will start next year as I start to pune it and control it's shape more. The staff in Mr. Middletons said it needed to bullk up a little prior to any work been done.

So here's to some careful pruning  ;-)) 

Solanum 'lacintum'

Solanum 'lacintum'

This plant is just beginning to show signs of not liking the cold weather. There are still three  seed pods but have given up on getting seed. Apart from the great leaf shape on this plant I love the black stems, which seem to be getting darker as the weather gets colder.

Thanks for this plant Bill, will not be without it in the years to come. 

Moon

Moon

I was driving home from work this evening and there was a fantstic Moon rising over Dublin Bay. So I got the camera out when I got home. I know it's not garden connected, but though you might like them. I also took some shots of the garden using the tripod and slow exposure, I'm pleased with the results.

Interesting day

Cosmos, from warmer days ;-))

I was off sick today and I am hopeless for staying in bed, so it was a a day stretched out on the couch.

I spent several hours looking back over my journals since I joined the site. What started out as a quick look out of boredom, very quickly turned into glance at a living diary of the events and changes that have occured in my garden since I joined.

I found names of plants that I had asked for an ID and forgotten to take note of (that is now sorted). I read journals on garden visits, get togethers etc. etc. and smiled many times.

I was amazed out how the time passed, and with the dark evenings and days when the weather might be against you I would seriously recommend you take some time out and look back over your own journals, I bet you will end up finding items you had forgotten, events we all enjoyed, things you may have wanted to do and for different reasons either forgotten or your tastes may even have changed.

Be warned, give yourself time and lots of it.

Enjoy. 

Plant Protection

Plant Protection

Liga gave me a young Passiflora plant (Passion flower) some time ago. It has come on great and is now about 2m in length since I planted it out this year. I was planning on taking it in for the Winter.

But yesterday I decided to leave it and and protect it. It is facing south and fairly sheltered. I had a few Polystyrene seed trays sitting in the shed. I took one and broke a narrow U shape in it. I then placed dryish compost around the plant and placed the Polystyrene tray upside down over the base of the plant with the stem coming through the U shaped opening. I then covered the entire area with more compost.

I know it's a bit of a gamble, but I think this should protect the roots from the worst of the cold weather. Fingers crossed and I'll keep you posted in time. 

It's all down to planning

Getting it right

It really is so important to put serious time and planning into your Garden.

This Maulas 'red sentinel' was planted nearly four years ago now, but even then, I was thinking about a red tile feature to match the colour of the apples at this time of year. Even when I put the tiles in place I was wodering and hoping that the low level of Sunlight at this time of year would not effect the colour match that I had put so much effect into getting right.

Plan, plan and plan again and you to might get it right !!!! 

Look what I spotted

Look what I spotted

Rachel gave me a few baby Mums some time ago. This Is Alex Young, the flower bud has been there for weeks, I had given up on it flowering and had fogotten about it. This little plant deserves credit for trying it's best. 

I love the colour already and am looking foreword to it improving in time. 

Great day done

Great day done

Sadly I had not as much time as expected in the garden, a call from Aoife's school saying she was unwell put pay to my garden antics.

But the time I had was really enjoyable, it was cold but when wrapped up and moving it was great, even got a chair out and sat in the low Sunshine while having a coffee.

I got the coffee grounds spread and added some bags of horse manure to some of the borders. Some cutting back and clearing up. All the bulbs in the pots are peeking through, and I will have a great display in time.

Did some pacing out in the front corner and am well pleased with the plan for this area, I should really have started this ages ago, instead of trying to improve the basic idea.

Spotted a few plants here and there that have self seeded around about, great to see this happening. 

And just to prove the cycle of life in the garden, I spotted the first signs of new growth on my Dicentra plant. How fast the year turns.

This Antirrhinum is still in flower and a few more still to open.

A better day

Poppy trying it's best.

It is still cold today but the wind and rain are gone. So it's finish the cuppa and muffel up and get going. Lots of small bits and pieces I want to get done.

I spotted this Poppy the other day, doubt very much if it will open but it would be great if it did.

No frost here last night but chill factor from the wind was bad. Being close to the Sea really does help against frosts and the problems it brings. 

Twelve days of Christmas

Twelve days of Christmas

I was strong

Give me a break...............

Give me a break...............

.................... please

After a rough week in work, I really wanted to get out there and do a few things.

Blowing a storm, pelting rain and cold.

I have an open day in about 583 days,

I am not a happy camper at all  ;-(( 

Front corner plan

Front corner plan

FYI this is what is planned for the front corner, most likely some small changes but it will give you some idea of what I'm thinking. I will add to album so you can see it fully.

Only good comments, need reply ............... LOL

For TinaJ44

For TinaJ44

Tina I don't do recipes when it comes to soups, so here goes and hope you like it.

Break Cauliflower into a pot, add chopped onion, crush in Chicken stock cube, add parsley, oregano, good shake of Knorr 'Season All' and pepper. Bring to the boil and allow to simmer.

Mash Cauliflower when it is soft, then blend well.

Serve with crispy bread on a cold day like today, perfect.

Next time I do this one I will add a little cream ;-))

Decision made.

Decision made.

Most of you know how I ranted and raved about my idea of the Moon garden, and how short lived that was ;-))

I have now reverted back to what was in the pipeline all the time. Anyone who has been here knows this is a L shaped area. The border 50 area is doing well and sorted.

The grass area is in and am very happy with it. As you walk from the border 50s, you will walk onto a small lawn area with mixed shrubs against the fence. There will then be a railway sleeper step and arch division to a slightly lower area.

To the right is the grass area, behind that and slightly hidden will be the B&Q wooded seat. In the far corner (mound in photo) this area will be slightly lowered and a walk through Bamboo corner will be developed (thanks Kindredspirit) not sure if it will be all the one or a mixture of a tall and small bamboo.

There will be an area of lawn with the muti-stemmed Silver Birch as a centre piece.

Hope those of you who have seen the area, know what I am thinking. To everyone else you can see why the open day will be in 2013.

A lot of the heavy work on this project will be done over the Winter, all going well. 

Cuphea ............ for those in waiting

Cuphea ............ for those in waiting

Just and update for those of you I promised some of this plant to. This photo was taken at the weekend, as you can see it is still covered in flowers,

be they shrimps, insects or..........no I won't open that can of worms, again ;-))

Kaffir Lilies

Kaffir Lilies

Don't ya just love em ..............

A tale of two plants

I should be charged for ill treatment

At Rachel's open day, Bruno gave me two Fatsia plants. I had no where for them at the time. So one went in a large pot with mixed planting in it. The other I just potted on and left it in a waiting area at the side of the shed.

I did a journal a while ago about these two plants. The plant at the side of the shed did so well I repotted it into a decent pot where it will stay for some time.

The other day while tidying the front garden I removed the poor fogotten Fatsia and took this photo of the two plants.

I'm not all bad, the little un, is repotted and in the house for the Winter, don't think it will catch up, but should improve somewhat.

Really does go to show what the right setting can do for plants.

Thanks again Bruno, and sorry about turning one of your plants into the runt of the litter........... but,

there is the story of the ugly duckling, so we will just have to wait and see. 

Hellebore

Hellebore

Is it really a year since I watched the flower buds show on my first ever Hellbore in the garden. Hard to believe the time has gone so fast.

This is another plan that I have changed my mind on. I always thought they were dull and boring plants. Another example of how a little learning can change you mind, even the leaves add interest to an area as everything has died down. 

Another area done.

Another area done.

I had so many plans for today. Rain was due at lunchtime, not an issue as it would not take long to do what I wanted to get done.

Will I ever learn? The front garden is a small area, but the entire time I had was taken up here and nothing else was done. Despite that it was a dead calm day, cold, but I was well wrapped up so all was well.

Where does the time go when you are enjoying yourself? I must say one of my better ideas to date was the fern bed. I know it has a long way to go yet, but I am well pleased with the progress to date.

I know self praise is meant to be no praise, but sod that idea, when you are really pleased with something. Working for the weekend, so I hope you will all get some time to get some things done, Enjoy. 

A morning silhouette

A morning silhouette

There was an amazing sky this morning as you saw in Clara's photos. I saw it and went for the camera, snapped this one and battery died, I always have the spare one charged and ready to go...............well nearly always have it charged and ready to go.

So instead I watched the display change and fade away.

I do have Yellow, but it's not a Daffodil

Winter Jasmine

This has to be the most neglected poor plant in my garden, it has been moved from pillar to post for so long I should be charged with neglect.

I finally found a home for it this year at the back of my private seating area. It is there to stay. With a sigh of relief from the plant it is just putting on a small display of flowers.

Sometime over the next few weeks I will fix in some wires for it to grow along and cover the fence in time. A great bright flower to see at this time. 

Phyllostachys Castillionii (again)

Phyllostachys Castillionii (again)

I posted a journal on this Bamboo last week. A few people were asking and googling about it. 

This photograph shows what I love about this plant. This green stripe looks as if it has been painted on the culms and branches, but it is down to mother nature once again.

This green patteren is repeated on alternative sides and is what makes it so interesting to me. 

It's all down to the compost

It's all down to the compost

I like many other .iers grow Dahlia from part of Deborah's seeds this year. I was really trilled with how they grew and flowered in their first year. Two plants were way ahead of all the others, I was amazed today when I took them out of the basket planter that they were in.

Just look at the size of these tubers. It was then I rememberd that I had used Miracle Grow compost in this planter. While the other tubers have done well these ones are twice the size. 

It says enough I think, now just to keep these safe over the Winter. 

Thanks Hoeys

Cotoneaster

Jurgita, I finally got to plant up the Contoneaster plants, that you most kindly allowed be dig up from your garden a few weeks ago. I have them planted against one side of the shed, I pruned one of them back a little to suit the position it was going into.

These are going to make a great impact as they grow. Concealing the shed,Spring flowers, fab Autumn colour, berries in the Winter for the birds.

Thank you once again, in time they will do a great job. 

Orchid advice please.

I bought an Orchid at powerscourt a few months back. (Rachel was with me, so enough said LOL)

I noticed this morning little white wooly spots on underside of leaves and stem. When you squeese these there is a little back bug inside.

I have removed them all, but do I spay the plant or just keep an eye for more, maybe the wood compost is infected? 

Thanks inadvance as ever ;-)) 

Nerine bowdenii

Nerine bowdenii

Only getting the one bloom this year, no idea why but at least the rest of the bulbs are solid and seem healthy. This is a pink colour but colour is much lighter than before. I know this looks white but the light was fading when this was taken.

They are great to see at this time of year.