fran m's Journal

Matteuccia struthiopteris

Matteuccia struthiopteris

Whiter than White

Whiter than White

This Astilbe was bought two years ago for 50c.

 A few small flowers on it last year. But this year the plant has bulked up great and it is covered in flower spikes, which look great against the greenery behind.

This is one to be divided later in the year and added to other areas. 

Clematis 'blue angel'

Clematis 'blue angel'

I have been really well impressed with this plant. It is going from strength to strength each year.

Lovely soft colour. It has out grown the wire I had fixed in for it to grow up, and is now creeping along on top of the wooden screen. Totally unintended, but as we are well aware, Mother Nature knows best ;-) 

PS, I will add photo when problem is sorted out, till then, take my word, it's good.

(self praise and all that) LOL 

Sanguisorba 'alba'

Sanguisorba 'alba'

Jacinta, the plant has opened  more with the Sun today, so here is the photo as requested.

Clematis recta

Clematis recta

A new plant in the garden this year.

Just coming into flower, I googled this plant when I bought it and saw some interesting shapes and designs the people had grown this plant into.

A slight but lovely scent from it, has an very upright growing habit, that needs a little support.

Will be interesting to watch this one develope. 

Tiny, but worth having.

Parahebe catarractae'Delight'

On our last visit to Bay Garden, Ian very kidly gave us a choice of some free plants.

This I found out later is a Parahebe, now that it has flowered I have id'ed it as P.catarractae'Delight'

The flowers are tiny, but really amazing, must do some more googling on this one.

Fantastic evening for spending a bit of time in the garden after work.

TheH is for ............. 'Hurricane' Hazel.

Garden Heaven

The power of a Hurricane, is what was needed to turn a Turnip field, into a completed garden, full of so many different areas, and bursting with classic planting, in just under four years.

Each area is an overflowing mixture of different planting, yet all so well inter-connected and bringing the garden into one complete unit.

I have said it so often in the past, ''peoples photos of their gardens go nowhere near showing us the gardens in their full glory''. This statement was never so true in relation to Hazel's garden.

The design, the structure, the planting, all come together to give a garden that Hazel can be so proud of, and rightly well earned title of a garden of 'pure class'

Hazel, your love and skill of gardening shows in every detail and corner. Well done to all concerned.

Thank you for a lovely day in a magical setting, with great company.

To all the .ier's great to see you all again, great to meet some new faces also. Thanks for the plants I came home with, sorry I had so little to give in exchange this time ;-((

Hazel I am looking forward to seeing this piece of garden heaven develope even more, in years to come.

Be proud, be very proud. 

Good foliage

Good foliage

I spotted this combination the other day, both plants have filled out well this year and the effect, I think is quite good.

Unknown Sedum and Brunnera 'jack frost' 

Garden sounds

Garden sounds

I was laughing to myself last week as I walked down this path. The Sun had dried the wood bark, and it cracked as I walked on it. It was something that surprised me and I thought what a nice sound effect.

I laughed again yesterday as the sound effect I heard,

was the total opposite.

Gardening by sound effect, could it catch on?

LOL 

Accidental planting

Accidental planting

I passed this Acer today and stopped dead in my tracks.

I thought the Acer was flowering, but it was just the flowers from a Geranium in the pot next door trying to trick me, by sneaking into the Acer's branches.

Does look good all the same. 

Bruno, I will not forgive you, never, ever........

Bruno, I will not forgive you, never, ever........

I do of course jest.

Last year, some of you may remember journals on Impatiens 'red wine' that our dear friend Bruno passed around to so called..ie friends.

I removed these lovely plants after I was hit by the seeds of one of the plants, while I was sitting on the deck.

The worrying thing about this, was that the plant in question was some 3m away from me. The seed pods explode as they dry, spreading seeds far and wide.

Today, I spotted three plants in the front garden, some 15 feet away from where the parent plant was in a large pot.

If anyone going to Hazels on Sunday wants these plants, let me know, otherwise, it's over the wall, borrowing a term from another great .ier.

Bruno, I will be thinking twice prior to accepting plants from you in the future LOL 

Tip

Campanula

I spent the morning tidying the shed, due to the weather.

Found some small off cuts of wood decking, they were about to go in the bin, when I had an idea.

A few minutes with the chop saw, and I had over 36 pot supports. 

A lot of us lost some pots in the last bad winters, this may have been prevented if the pots were off the ground.

My main use for them is my idea of placing some of my larger pots around the plants in my borders. To ensure good drainage, I think these pots would need to be lifted off the soil.

As this wood is treated, the wood pieces should last for years.

Hope this is of some use, if not ...........

no need to humour a garden who is suffering from gardening time.

Sun is still shinning so time to go again ;-)) 

Mellow Yellow

Mellow Yellow

These are putting on a nice show just now.

Thought they would be a little taller, been slightly hidden by surrounding plants, notes made to move them at years end. 

Snap Happy.

Snap Happy.

Aoife snapped this shot of the evening sky, she finished her exams today, so it's now summer holidays, and time to switch off and relax, enjoy Aoife ;-))

Sometimes,

Sometimes,

you need to look closer to the beauty in plants.

As in the case with this seed head of, Elymus magellanicus.

And I'm not even feeding them.

And I'm not even feeding them.

One good thing about all the rain of late, is the amount of growth I am seeing in the new area.

It really is growing at a pace, not much colour as yet but that will come with time.

I also need to bridge the gap between spring and summer flowers.

Got a few ideas in Huntingbrook for this issue, that hopefully I will put this to rights next year. 

If the plants are trying.........

Alstroemeria 'andez vanilla'

............. to make the best of this *********** weather,

we should be behind them all the way. 

Alstromeria 'Andez Vanilla' is doing what it is meant to and brighting up the corner it is planted in.

Can't be smile when I pass it every time. 

For Jacinta

For Jacinta

Jacinta, this is a close up of the planter as requested  ;-)

Every cloud, etc etc.

Every cloud, etc etc.

One job that was waiting to be done for ages was, planting up these sedums / succulents.

It was a perfect afternoon for doing this in the shed, as the rain hammered down.

Maybe it was down to the weather but I hope I did not put too much into the compost, then again if this weather keeps up, the plants will need all the drainage they can get.

Looking a better out there this morning, in Dublin anyway. 

Siamese twins, this time.

Siamese twins, this time.

Cosmos 'candy stripe' has been waiting to open for a few days now. One bud caught my eye, weird shape to it.

Despite the rain it opened today, and it's a co-joined flower bud.

Wonder if the seeds of this would produce the same ;-))

Interesting to see all the same. 

Rachel, not gloating

Rachel, not gloating

or any such thing ..................... but on a wet day, I'm bored ;-)))

Arisima acostatum, bought at Bloom 2012. Seems to like it's new home. 

Sunshine

Geum 'Princess Juliana'

Sometimes we need to make our own sunshine.

This Geum seems to be doing it's best on this dull, grey and wet Friday. 

Jimi Blake gave a great tip on dead heading these plants the other day. Even if every flower on a stem is gone over, you remove the flower head only, new flowers emerge from the stems, he keep these plants flowering till October.

Worth the effort, I think. 

Twins

Twins

These two opened this evening.

These are from plants from Chilipepper, 2 years ago. Thanks Dave. 

Alien

Alien

Looking like something for the infamous film,

this Arisima bought at Bloom,

is making up for lost time. 

Oh Joy

Lemon Joy

This was closed tight yesterday evening.

I reckoned it had about a week to go before it opened.

The simple trill when you spot somthing new opened in the garden is only understood by ourselves.

Not bad for a 50c bargain, lost two but another three on the way. 

Herbaceous Clematis

Herbaceous Clematis

Spotted this plant in Huntingbrook the other day.

Jimi said it is a great plant and just grows back every year, the plant speads its growth out and mixes itself in with other plants.

I wanted to ask Jimi more about it after the walk around, but forgot.

Just wondering if anyone out there has it, and could give me more details, please. 

Plant ID

Plant ID

I returned after my last trip to Terra Nova, with a plant or two, LOL

As I was plnting one of them out in the garden, I noticed a seedling, totally different from the main plant.

I potted it up, and in the last couple of days I saw flower buds emerge.

Any ideas what it is, please. The leaves have a definate velvety feel.

Keep this to ourselves please, don't want to get Martin into trouble with Deborah, for giving seedlings away :-)))) 

Elymus magellanicus

Elymus magellanicus

Also known as Blue Wheatgrass, it is said to the bluest of all grasses. I have to say it really is a stricking colour.

I love it's strong upright growing habit, last weeks winds had no effect on it at all. There are lovely seed heads starting to open which will look great.

This is one of Headgardener's (Bill's) grasses that he gave me last year. Thanks Bill, well impressed with this one.

Poppy

Poppy

These are just opening here yesterday.

I saw this at 8.30 and the husks were still hanging on.

By 10.00, husks were gone and it was opening,

at 12.00 I took this.

They really are great plants, this one has about 20 buds to open,

happy days. 

In need of some TLC

In need of some TLC

I have been spending so much time over in the far corner of late that the rest of the garden is suffering badly.

On close inspection yesterday, I was shocked to see the amount of weeds taking hold in this area. I had planned on attacking them this evening, but a coffee on the deck was the best I could muster.

I hate wishing time away, but I am really going to enjoy next year in the garden.

All the heavy working and creating new areas will be a thing of the past and I will be able to concentrate on maintaining and tweaking. 

Despite what can be seen on close inspection, I really am happy with this area, and am thinking already about what can be added, without going OTT, to enhance the theme.

Hoping for some ideas from visiting Glenavon on Friday. 

Calling all Musa experts.

Calling all Musa experts.

This is my first time growing this plant.

Today I noticed three little shoots coming out from the base of the plant.

Are these the startings of new plants or what?

Other than that, the plant is doing fine. Some early leaft damage due to the cold but all seems good now. Thanks again Moya ;-)) 

Polemonium caerleum

Polemonium caerleum

This one opened yesterday, love the rich blue colour. This plant did not flower for me last year, so I was watching it closely. 

It is now a towering 3ft high plant, that shows where it gets it's common name of 'Jacob's Ladder' from.

Days like this ................

Days like this ................

really are the best.

Up early and got a lot of bits and pieces done prior to heading off to Jimi Bleake's open day at Huntingbrook in Blessington. I was nearly not going but the back was acting up a little so I reckoned enough was enough.

It was April when I was last there and it was great to see the difference in the garden since then. The day was dry and cloudy, but we finished up with lovely sunshine.

There was eight of us on the walk around with Jimi. Some interesting tips were passed on and needless to say lots of interesting plants and stories relating to same.

Oh, to have space for large display planting.

A lovely geranium and geum found their way home with me ;-)

Time was spent in the garden this evening. I am making an effort to make the most of the time I have now, especially with the way the weather is testing us.

Some photos will follow shortly. 

Snapped

Snapped

And sadly, not in the photographic sense.

I really am kicking myself this morning. It is only a few weeks ago that I removed the cane that was supporting this Laburnum tree for nearly two years.

Just in from a check around, and while some things are lying low, I think they will come back fine.

Surprised this has happened as the tree is sheltered on three sides, nature and all that ;-(

The garden has more of an Autumnal look about it this morning, with all the leaves that have been blown from the trees. 

Ah well, onwards we shall go ........................... 

Huntingbrook

Huntingbrook

The weather is to improve for the weekend (could not get much worse) Jimi Blake is having an open weekend, I was thinking of going along tomorrow.

Just wondering if any else was of the same mind? 

Extra bonus

Kojou-no-mai

Back in March I bought a Prunus 'kojou-no-mai', I was really impressed with the blossom it produced. The lable said it also produces great leaf colour at years end.

This evening I spotted about 8/10 tiny little black berries starting to show.

Maybe I should not be too surprised,but was triled to see this extra interest on the plant.

Does any one else have this shrub out there, and could you please tell me if this the norm.

Happy Camper

Happy Camper

Rathmicheal, is a happy camper these days as his surrounds have improved big time.

There is nothing to beat newly opened ferns.

Clara, these are some of the fern plant you gave me, all are doing great. I divided the main plant and got six decent plants from the main one :-)) Many thanks again. 

Primula beesiana

Primula beesiana

In Bay Garden a little while ago, I was amazed with the display of P. beesiana, it really was fantastic. A lot of this dispaly has been developed by self seeding.

I was wondering how long it would take my few plants to develope into a substancial display.

Well this morning, my question was answered. A young P. beesiana plant that produced one flower spike last year, is now showing six and maybe even more flower spikes.

That to me seems a great investment, the plant is already in need of division, so happy days are here.

Sometimes, what seems a distant dream is much closer than we think.

All I need do now is pick up a few more different coloured plants and let nature do the rest.

Will to survive.

Will to survive.

A few months back, I had a Hawthorn tree topped that was shading the far corner quite a bit more than I liked. The difference this task has made is great.

I used some of the bigger off cut branches to create an edging around the Rathmicheal border.

The other day, I noticed one branch is send out lots of shoots of new growth.

The will to survive is there, but sadly there is only limited sap and enegry in the branch.

Interesting to see all the same. 

Looks like the best day of the weekend, so make the most it ;-)) 

Blueberries, a different point of view.

50 year old Blueberry Bush

Did anyone notice the Blueberry bushes in the Strawberry Paradise garden at Bloom.

I was talking to one of the guys and he told me these bushes were up to 50 years old.

As the plant ages, the branchs naturally twist, so it looks as if the trunks have been twisted like a rope. I was really impressed with these shrubs.

The Silver Birch trees in this garden were also very interesting, the trunks were kinked and knotted. Spiders Web is what it is called if anyone is looking for a special tree. 

Leonurus cardiaca

Leonurus cardiaca

I have been overwhelmed by this plant, also know as Motherworth.

The foliage is very stricking, flowers spikes that open over a long period of time, overall a fantastic plant and the bad winters had no effect on it at all.

The plant now over 5ft, and still growing. If you google it you will be told it grows to 3ft, the flower buds are only forming now so I guess it has another two feet to go.

If you want a plant with lots of interest, have a look at this one.

At last.

At last.

Paying attention to weather forcast I was out in the garden early this morning.

Got the last of the slabs in for the circular walk. The steps that will complete this area will take a little longer to complete.

There is a sectcion of fence missing at the back of the mound area, I have come up with a great idea for this section, again a slightly long term project but I know it will be the icing on the cake.

The last of the planting was finised, all that is left now, are low growing plants to fill in between the paving slabs, these will be acquired over time.

I don't know how many times I stopped and just looked in a state of wonder, realizing this area was finally completed.

Aoife brought out a coffee at one stage, stopped and looked..................

''yeah dad, looks ok'', but that first paving slab moves when you walk on it''.

As near to praise as I'll get from that corner ;-))

Raining now to help settle in the newly planted plants, one job less for me to do.  LOL 

For Keego.

Leaf of philippe vapelle

Mary, I meant to post this last evening for you. This is the leaf of G 'philippe vapelle' you asked to see.

Lovely shape and as soft to touch,

has to be special to get a guy like me talking like this :-)) LOL

It was Rachel's advice swayed me to get it, thanks Rachel a beautiful plant. 

Giving plants a chance.

Blooming Great

I am always giving plants another chance to prove themselves, before giving up on them.

This Rhodo, that I rescued from the back of my Dads shed two years after he died was in a very very sad state.

Because of the connection, I have given this plant some 10 years of care. It has slowly been coming back, year on year, be it a very slow recovery.

Some blooms started to appear a few years back.

But this year it has surpassed, the very best wishes of any gardener.

I am now happy that it is ready to be moved into another pot with fresh compost ;-))

UFO

UFO

Spotted this mushroom in a pot this morning, looking like an UFO hovering over the pot it caught my attention straight away.

This evening it had turned to mush, so I was glad to spot it when I did.