Last Post 297 days 23 hours ago
31 July 2012 21:32:13
Not a patch on last year.
My Ricinus are tiny compared to last year.
But ya gotta love the colour of these leaves ;-))
30 July 2012 21:33:11
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I have put up photos of these already, but the range of flowers is endless.
These are two good ones I spotted this morning.
30 July 2012 21:28:21
Gaura lindheimeri
Myrtle gave me a small plant of this plant some months ago.
I planted it in the front corner shortly afterwards. It has trived and I am amazed out the size of the plant now. It seems to love it's new position
Not flowering yet, but the colour of the new growth is fantastic.
Thanks again Myrtle.
28 July 2012 07:52:24
Sidalcea Elsie Heugh
Just flowering now, a full month later than last year, but better late than never.
27 July 2012 06:39:38
Bad Hair Day
In need of a short back and sides ....................
LOL
26 July 2012 22:01:42
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I have always had a few of these plants around the place here.
A few months ago i planted them up properly and am really pleased with the way they are looking already.
26 July 2012 21:35:50
Francoa
This is a new plant for me.
Rachel gave it to me two years ago as a seedling. It grew well last year, but no flowers.
This is the first time I have seen this flower, I am well impressed and think there will be more of these wonderful flowers dotted around the garden here.
26 July 2012 06:58:58
''We are all looking for that'', I can hear you all say.
What I'm looking for is a Terracotta wall plaque of a Sun with a face in the centre. They were available some years back, but as is the norm with these things, once you go looking yourself, there gone.
Has anyone seen these anywhere?
No reward offered I'm afraid LOL
25 July 2012 20:44:20
Glenavon Japanese Garden
A few weeks back some of us tried to get to see this garden near Courtown, Co. Wexford.
Sadly the weather had other ideas and we had to cancelled the trip.
I'm thinking of going there on Friday 17 August. The garden is open from 2-5 pm.
Any one interested?
25 July 2012 20:18:25
Great Leaves
Oxalis 'iron cross' have great leaves. Can't help but have a second look as I pass them.
Even if it never flowered, it is well worth having for the leaves alone.
25 July 2012 06:59:25
Phlox paniculata
Where did all these pink flowers come from? ;-))
These have been waiting a few weeks to open, masses of bloom on these plants that have bulked up really well in the last year.
A lot of plants here are doubled over and nearly touching the ground after last nights rain.
24 July 2012 21:25:28
Ferning up just nicely.
The fern planter is doing well and all plants growing well.
Really pleased with this one :-))
Thanks to Terra Nova, for allowing me copy their idea LOL
24 July 2012 21:17:39
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These are just starting to flower today. Later than normal, but with the weather and late going in the ground, I'm not complaining.
24 July 2012 21:14:44
That's love
That's whats just opening here now.
Gladioli 'That's Love'
23 July 2012 06:56:43
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Bill (Headgardener) gave me this plant two years ago, it came through last winter fine.
Plenty of seed pods forming, so I will have this plant into the future and lots of seed to share also, if anyone wants some.
A plant well worth finding space for in the garden, fantastic leaf.
(sorry not the best photo, at least the hedge is in focus)
23 July 2012 06:38:24
Showing my feminine side
Looking great yesterday in the early morning sunshine.
These Pink Astilbes, there was also a deep red mixed in with this lot, that does not seem to have come back this year at all. It's a pity because the two colours really looked great mixed together.
22 July 2012 06:50:55
Hemerocallis
Looking like another good day today and the coming week is mainly good compared to what we have had so far.
This day lily is putting on a great show just now. Not 100% sure who gave this to me, I have an idea but will stay 'stum' so not to embarass myself ;-)) (again)
It has bulked up really well and I may divide it later on.
Looked great with the sun on it yesterday morning.
If you are the 'one' who gave this plant to me and happen to have a name, it would be great.
Thank you all the same.
Have a great day and enjoy :-))
21 July 2012 21:34:51
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I got a present of this plant last week.
A stunning plant in every way, flowers, foliage.
I'm a little unsure where to put it as yet, so I used an empty pot placed at an angle, for the time been ;-))
21 July 2012 21:28:04
Silybum
The flowerhead of these Silybums are well protected, and these spikes hurt, believe me ;-((
An interesting plant, but much smaller than last years one, putting that fact down to the weather.
This was grown from seed, I lost the other five seedlings when I walked on the seed tray,
not to be recommended ;-))
20 July 2012 11:01:36
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I planted my grass bed on the 19/11/11
Today 8 months later there is a slight difference.
20 July 2012 07:49:16
Plant ID please
I spotted this plant in Jurgita's yesterday. It is related very closely to a weed if nit a weed itself. But I loved the colour of the leaves and have already planted a few pieces of it in the garden.
Thanks in advance as always ;-))
19 July 2012 22:45:45
Get rid of it
Jurgita, I don't know how I did not notice what this plant was when I took the photo, I new what it was the minute I saw the photos.
This is Himalayan Balsam the palnt that is causing havoc along rivers in Ireland. It looks lovely but in no time you will have no other plants along your riverbank.
Google it to see the problems it is causing.
I am never one to tell another gardener what to do, but in this case please get rid of this plant asap.
19 July 2012 22:13:31
What a welcome
Clare, Aoife and myself took a trip down to Jugita (Hoeys) this afternoon.
We all know Jurgita is doing massive work in her garden. It about a year since I was there and the change is amazing. The amount of growth and the filling out of beds that were only new when there last was really amazing.
We were treated to a lovely lunch, then the guided tour. It is great to just wander around a chat, needless to say once clare was there, the was plenty of laughs.
My favorite area will always be the area down by the stream. What an amazing natural feature to have in any garden. This area is so natural looking and just getting better and better as time goes by.
Thanks for a great day Jurgita, Aoife really enjoyed the day, even if it was a gardening trip. She loved the stream area also, and can see no reason why we can't have one LOL
19 July 2012 20:56:56
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Peter, I was in a special garden today that I know you would have loved.
The owner wishes to stay private, but I did get permission to post a couple of photos that would interest you.
This rock was discovered and a whole area was dug out and a sitting are also carved out of the ground around it. Amazing feature.
19 July 2012 07:18:14
Happy Birthday Rachel
I never thought I would be sending birthday wishes to a Queen.
But here I am, ''Happy Birthday to the Queen of Garden.ie site''.
Rachel you love of gardening does us all the world of good, and you share it with us all in so many ways. Thank you.
Spoil yourself, but no major presents, they arrived a few weeks back ;-))
18 July 2012 22:03:23
Poppy
This is one of the self seeded poppies I have around the garden.
Looks like a real beauty.
Not fully open, but if the woeful showers keep up overnight like we had during the day today, this bloom may not be there in the morning.
18 July 2012 21:49:25
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This is just starting to flower now. Even from a distance it is the most vibrant colour.
Plant is doing well but seems to be very slow to bulk up.
Thanks Rachel ;-))
17 July 2012 22:31:12
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OK, so some people out there don't like the flowers on these Arisaema plants, but you just gotta love the leaves............ ;-))
Don't ya?
LOL
16 July 2012 22:58:36
View from the back of the mound
every time I look at this area.
I still can't believe that eight months ago this was a completely overgrown weed patch, with weeds etc standing a proud 2-3 ft.
I really think the rain is doing wonders at helping the growth in this area.
The hedges have gotten out of control here of late, so a 'crew cut' order has been imposed so as to get them back in shape. So a section is been done each evening to make the job a little easier.
I love the look of a well cut hedge, but hate doing it. So bit by bit I'll get there ;-))
15 July 2012 07:31:25
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Sadly I can't remember who gave me this plant, two years ago now I think.
It bulked up well last year, but did nothing else.
As I needed plants for the front corner, I divided it and whether or not this had anyting to do with the new growth, I do not know.
I now have three 4' plants about to burst into flower.
I like everything about this plant, leaf markings, upright growing habit but I will have to wait and see what I think of the flowers.
Going on what I have seen on google, it's a big time keeper.
Beautiful morning in Dublin, hope it's the same for you, sadly working today ;-(
Anyone travelling to Kate & Graham's have a great day.
14 July 2012 21:28:33
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Yesterday (Fri) was very wet here. So it was a day for the shed, working on another project for the garden :-))
One thing I did do was repotted a large pot I had a lovely Hamamelis planted in. This shrub started to flower early in the year, then faded. The leaves appeared and then wilted and died.
So when I was sure there was no hope for it I went to investigate. It looks as if the roots were just eaten away, back to the woody parts.
I had also fogotten I had also planted Iris retculata for some extra spring colour. I found the other skins of the bulbs and nothing else.
I suspect vine weavils, but found no proof. I'm sure at this time of year they have well left the scene of their crime ;-((
I had some donated plants in waiting, so I planted them up as a nursery pot till the end of the season.
It looks well at the front door for now, and adds a nice bit of interest.
14 July 2012 21:02:57
Hydrangea
There has been a lot of talk of late about these plants.
I only have two. This one had not done much for me, but it had been moved quite a bit so it was on a final warning for this summer.
It seems my final warnings and stern words to plants here, carries some weight LOL
Love this rich colour.
14 July 2012 06:55:32
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This plant is in my Border50, it grew last year but died back quickly and I thougt it was gone.
It has come back better than ever this year.
In my planting plan of the area, this plant is marked with 'Rachel's' name, so I am hoping to get this mystery solved.
Beautiful leaves and lots of flower stems on the way.
Looking like a much better day today, so make the most of it.
Thanks as ever.
13 July 2012 20:36:09
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These grasses are part of my new grass bed.
Pleased with the whole area, but well impresssed with these three plants.
Two of the above named and the one to the front is a varigated form.
They look well together, and they seem to be bulking up well already.
13 July 2012 17:35:23
Novel Wind Chime
Peter, I put the last piece of your bark to good use.
I cut it down, stained it and surrouned it with my copper toadstools. They are positioned just right to chime when they hit the wood.
It was great listening to them as I worked in the area yesterday.
A big thank you from the ' garden critters' and myself.
13 July 2012 16:03:50
Sedum acre aureum
On a wet miserable day that has hardly stopped teaming down, we need something to brighten the day.
I went out the front to get a large pot that I wanted to replant, when I spotted this little blaze of yellow in a small pot.
Sedum acre aureum, tiny and all as it is, brightened my day when I saw it.
11 July 2012 21:31:15
July Colour
Just put up a album of plants in flower at the moment. Just realised it's a long time since I did an album like this.
Hope you like ;-))
11 July 2012 20:02:34
Failure ;-))
you fail, and in my case, fail miserably.
These are my best attempts at growing Rhodochiton this year.
All one can do is shrug the sholders, laugh and enjoy seeing how ever bodies plants are doing. If I'm lucky I will get a few flowers. But nothing like the displays of past years.
I am sure my old pal, Martin's plants are doing much better than these. I doubt if we will see near identical photos to mine appearing on Martins jounal with the comment 'snap'
or will we? LOL
Oh the joys of gardening !!
11 July 2012 19:45:40
Guess what I am?
Later in the year, I will have two clumps of ever lasting Sweetpea going a begging.
I will leave them where they are for now, and dig them up at years end.
I can hold them here till I can arrange for them to be passed on.
On another note can anyone guess what this plant is in the photo, no prize, just a little fun.
10 July 2012 23:30:35
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you can meet up some .iers, travel back to a wonderful garden and spend a few perfect hours in great company.
Clara, Jurgita and myself met JoanG in Blackrock this evening. We traveled back to Joans pristine garden. One bit of advise my dad once gave me was 'watch the quiter ones', and this meant in the nicest possible way.
Joan has a small garden. But I am coming to the view that gardening in a smaller garden is a task of a different nature altogether.
Joan you have dealth with this issue in a truly amazing fashion. The gardens front and back are a blaze of colour, contrasting foliage, and lush growth that is to die for.
If a single leaf was to fall on the lawn, the garden would look untidy LOL.
Lillies in pots, dotted around the flower beds created fantastic impact.
We were then treated to a lovely meal, which hit the spot perfectly. Sitting at the table looking out on this garden, with great company, what else could a body ask for?
Joan thank you for a most enjoyably evening, and then to be taxied home, a body could get very used to days like this.
09 July 2012 23:03:33
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This is the flower of Hosta 'lemon lime', given to me by Gracedieu Lass last year.
I have seen comments by some people who don't think much of these plants flowers.
I think they are stunning.
If you don't need to go to Specsavers, you will see the two Ants inside the flower, this will give an idea of what the flower size is. LOL
Once again, I am brought back to the day this plant was given to me. It really is great when you have connections and memories to plants, and think of people each time you look closely at these said plants. :-))
09 July 2012 22:49:50
Don't come much smaller .............
On a visit to Kindredspirit some months ago, I came away with a small Fuchsia plant.
It is about to flower, and these are the smallest Fuchsia flowers I have ever seen.
These buds are less then a cm in length.
No idea of a name, maybe some one can help, but I will be googling tp see if I can get a name.
Thanks Kevin.
09 July 2012 08:04:12
Self seeder
This poppy found it's way into a pot I have Sedums in. It looked a little strange, the tall plant growing up out such a small pot.
But what a great colour greeted me yesterday. I had this colour poppy two years ago, none last year. So did the seed just sit dormant all that time.
I found an other two in the far corner, it wil be interesting to see if they are the same colour.
Will save the seed of this one, and hope it comes true.
08 July 2012 18:49:00
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Some months ago Paddy and Mary (Gradieulass) called in the see the garden here.
As we walked around the garden, Mary commented on having heard at a garden talk that white plants should only be in a border on their own.
I for one, would not go along with this train of thought. I love to see white mixed in amongst other plants and looks great against greenery. Do not know if I'm right or wrong, but I will always mix white around in this garden.
Despite been busy with other things yesterday, I did get some decent hours in the garden. I also found myself in B&Q, where I bought 5 pots of White Lillies €6.95 each, reduced to €1 each. There were well gone over, but I repotted them into one large pot today, fed and tidied up, they will put on a great show next year.
Had planned on getting more done today, but weather had other ideas, still managed to get a few things done.
08 July 2012 07:21:30
Wish I was there
all of you folk travelling to Cork today.
They are very strange people in this area of the country.
Luck is on you side though, you will be ending up in a rare situation, a fantastic garden that has been built by a lovely Cork person (a rare thing indeed) and even better I think Hosta will be there also, so you will be blessed with two decent Corkoians ............... LOL
I have been up since sunrise casting my beady eyes to the skies for you, the best I can do for you is some sunny spells, mainly dry, cloudy and temps of around 18 degrees.
Have a great day everyone, no doubt your in for a treat.
Elizabeth, have a great day and don't forget to enjoy yourself as well
Final warning; 'Beware of a Bruno bearing gifts'
Travel safe and enjoy ;-))
PS thanks to Met Eireann also !!!!
07 July 2012 23:31:52
Plant ID
I think I should know this plant, but have been trying to remember since yesterday, no joy at all I'm afraid.
Anyone able to help.
Tiny little flowers.
07 July 2012 23:20:43
Golden Lunaria Disks
Noticed these golden discs in the garden this evening, thought they looked well with the sun showing them at their best.
06 July 2012 07:28:43
A leaf and a half
I love the shape of the leaf this wonderful Solanum plant. This is in a sheltered spot and in it's second year, you can see the flowers below, great colour and I hope to save seed this year.
05 July 2012 23:45:24
A new home
was found for my Driftwood piece from Co.Clare last weekend.
You can see the dogs head very well from this view..............well I can anyway ;-))
05 July 2012 21:59:49
Arisaema speciosum
I do hope this makes no one drool, or become jealous as these are not good traits to have for any gardener.
Must say though, these are looking good ;-))
Really really good ;-))))
05 July 2012 20:53:24
Passiflora
Thank you, thank you, thank you. LIGA ;-))
Look what greated me this evening, two lovely big flowers on the plant you gave me. It is covered in flower buds and will be putting on a great show in no time.
Had this plant years ago, so it's a real trip down memory lane ;-))
04 July 2012 22:09:03
No name Poppy
Sadly I can't remember the name of this one, or who gave it to me.
But it is a lovely one.
Anyone know which one it is please.
03 July 2012 22:07:26
Leonurus cardiaca
A few people asked to see more of this plant, so am putting a few pictures up in an album. This plant was in two liter pot two years ago. It is now over 2m tall and growing.
02 July 2012 22:57:02
For LindaB
Linda the plant we were talking about, Leonurus cardiaca is starting to flower and I thought you might like to see it.
The flowers are tiny and grow up along the stem, not really a lot to write home about but the foliage is fantastic.
02 July 2012 22:32:29
Arisaema costatum
I bought two of these at Bloom. Both planted in the same pot, both doing very well, till last Thursday.
In a matter of 8 hours, one of them turned to pure mush. No idea at all what happened, the bulb is still sound, so lets hope it's ok.
But on a better note, this is the other one, A1 on a 'health check' me thinks ;-))
02 July 2012 22:18:14
Circuit completed
Over the weekend I got the path competed around the mound in the far corner. I used sandstone slabs as a complete contrast to evertthing else in the garden.
This confirms my belief in, no matter how small a garden you have, you can create totally different areas very easily.
I am planning on growing small creepers and ferns between the slabs and at the base of the few steps.
I was hoping to grow daffs under the hedge for spring interest, but the more I look at it the more I'm thinking its far to dry. Any opinions more than welcome.
01 July 2012 20:30:08
Cosmos 'candy stripe'
Spring 12 months ago, Clonclaw (Geraldine) gave me some seedings of this plant.
I saved seed last year and knew they would not come true. But was interested to see what did come of them.
Have to say I'm well impressed with the mix of colours I am getting.
01 July 2012 20:17:43
Tropaeolum peregrium
Bruno gave me seeds plant last year. Sowed them earlier and most did ok. It is a fast grower and will be replanted into there final spots at years end. It is also known as 'canary creeper'.
The flowers are a wonderful colour and the detail is very striking.
Bruno thanks again, love this on and hope it will go from strength to strength.