Last Post 629 days 2 hours ago
31 August 2011 22:16:13
New Arch
Have been looking for an archway off the basement terrace to the terrace at the back of the house to train the climbing rose up from the south bed. Measurements were taken two weeks ago arch was made and Johnny painted it on Friday and this afternoon it was fixed in place. Have clematis White Swan in a pot that can be lifted to beside the arch and then planted permanently after the summer. Bit of rearranging needed now with the pots as this would help blend the arch in.
31 August 2011 22:05:10
Another Clanger
This is another one of the dahlias grown from seed opened in the terrace bed nice pale lemon colour with another red one opening beside it. Nothing much done than a bit of deadheading and watering pots which were really dry the little time out was a welcome escape from office work, Johnny also cut the grass so the grass looks reasonable again.
29 August 2011 21:55:46
Pink Geranium
This little geranium is also in the bed at the stables it's another one I will move a bit of it once it finishes flowering.
29 August 2011 21:52:44
Echinops
I planted this in the bed beside the stables quite a few years ago never seemed to do very well but this year it's looking really good. Plan is to move it later in the year as it's sort of lost in the bed am now thinking that some plants like the white daisies and poppy seeds should be planted and sown in this bed but first it needs a bit of sorting out weed wise, full of daffodils in the springtime also a few other shrubs and plants in it.
29 August 2011 18:27:51
Entrance off the stables lane
Added a few more views of the garden
29 August 2011 16:39:11
Upper NW /Cottage Bed
Read a very interesting article by Joe Barry on Ballinturrbet House gardens near Laois, he headed the article " Let gardens have jagged edges just as life does too" Rachel recently visited this garden. Andrew Farrelly the head gardener advised prior to Joe's tour "For the ardent gardeners among you be gentle. this garden is not complete, and many of our rooms are barely furnished. Some even have the odd judiciosly placed weed. We will get to them in time . Life has ragged edges so does this garden." Think he has hit the nail on the head it is a work over a long period of time and lots of tweaking that creates a garden and even if I did win the Lotto not sure I'd bring in a designer I'd want someone who could create a garden that has evolved through time and has seen a few ragged edges on it's way. With talk of assessing areas around our gardens I took a lot of views of the garden which if compared with August 2009 still lots of changes I'll make but it's been a good exercise still a few more shots to take and if anyone has any spare time to come and edge my lawns and drive I'll not be really delighted till then though the edges will remain abit raggy.
28 August 2011 23:01:23
Summer Colour
Heavy rain this morning meant that gardening wasn't on the cards so decided that it was housework for a while anyway. Once I got going one thing led to another but at least now I won't feel guilty when I do head to the garden. Had planned to sow some seeds and look through the photos of the garden I took to compare with how it looked August 2009. However ended up going to collect Rosemary and Caroline with their horses as they had travelled to Tullamore with Fiona another club member to compete today successful day with two 1st's and a 6th. Printed out the photos so will compare them with ones on file and make notes of changes to be made. This photo is of the steps down from the terrace towards the pond lots of plants have seeded along the boulders and hope that next year if it fills out it'll help keep the weeds at bay. Love the hot colours of the rustic rudbeckia and french marigolds against the verbena rigida and cortinus Grace. Overall I'm happy with the planting in this area now just need to find perennials to give that hot colour in future years.
27 August 2011 22:28:08
Other Climber
This is the other climbing rose doesn't get really any sun so not as good as the one to the right of the front door, think that I need to do a bit of pruning back on the robina shrub or move it and replace with something smaller or give just give plants more room. Love Hydrangea Annabel planted in front has massive creamy blooms lights up the corner.
27 August 2011 22:15:03
Had to get in the picture
Out taking photos today and while taking one of this little beauty a bee or buzzy insect decided to get into the picture. Not sure is this a type of carnation or dianthus?
Managed to get a couple of hours in the garden although some heavy plunders of rain meant running for cover, spent the time staking plants up and deadheading and taking photos of each bed to use in note making for changes over the winter months must follow it up with photos through the autumn certainly big difference between August 2009 and present.
27 August 2011 22:06:10
Raspberry Lupins
This has been a good year for lupins so far no giant aphids and they've been flowering all summer more or less, fingers crossed the aphids stay away and the flowers continue.
27 August 2011 10:02:14
Slug Eaters out after the rain
We all have our likes and dislikes of what's acceptable in our gardens, one thing I really love is to see our army of Slug Eaters patrolling around the garden under no circumstances is anyone allowed to shot them. They really were enjoying after the rain, initally we did think it might be a problem with them coming up around the terrace but they seem perfectly content to patrol the grass areas around the pond and along the driveway. Close up photo of the 10 we have in the August photos.
27 August 2011 09:50:24
Roses are Red, Cornflowers are Blue
This is another B&Q purchase Covent Garden which flowers throughout the summer, pruned it right back earlier this year as it had grown too tall, flowers look like they're made of velvet. Planted Centeura Montana beside it earlier this year which sets it off even better.
27 August 2011 09:43:53
Climbing Rose front house
Bought two of these climbing roses for either side of the front of the house in B&Q 3years ago initally was disappointed with them but last year they flowered right through the summer although they suffered from black spot. However this year it has been flowering steadily and now it is just a mass of blooms and buds. One job I must get done over the winter is to get some eyes and wire put into the wall to give better support and see if I can train it up the wall further. Initally the blooms were more purpley in colour but for last year and this they have been pink.
25 August 2011 00:27:17
Tradescantia
This little plant was also sparkling in the terrace bed after the rain love the colour of these pretty flowers so thank you Mary and Paddy for passing on this little beauty to me at Bill's open day.
25 August 2011 00:24:12
Mary Rose Up Close
Heavy downpour and thunder late afternoon Mary Rose was just sparkling with rain drops she definitely earns her place centre stage in the terrace bed.
25 August 2011 00:20:40
Penstemon from seed
Grew these from seeds sent from Clara mixed colours so looking forward to them opening more and seeing what colours I have.
25 August 2011 00:18:12
Monarda Marshall's Delight
Bought this plant a few weeks back at Mahon Garden Centre on the label it shows pink flowers so will be interested to see does it change over the coming days. At the moment it's planted up in a pot but will find a spot for it later in the autumn. Busy this week with the last summer camp so no gardening time unfortunately but hopefully at the weekend.
23 August 2011 09:01:47
Mary Rose What a Performer
Yesterday after weeding the kitchen garden spent a couple of hours weeding and deadheading in the south bed, Campanula Elizabeth still flowering although the display is beginning to lessen. Cut back Leucanthemun Goldrush as the rain last week caused the flowers to mat and turn brown so now the cosmos is taking over also cut back a little veronica that needs to be moved to a front of border space.Lots of Agastache seedlings and eurphorbia also a Ron McBeath potentilla that needs to be lifted and potted up to go to a new home. Up on top of the terrace are the David Austin Roses some seemed to suffer in the big freeze although they are growing new growth so fingers crossed they'll recover. Mary Rose is centre stage and yesterday I was just thinking of the display she's put on all summer I recokon she's been in flower more or less non stop since the 22nd May a total of 13plus weeks she is covered in buds, the photo does not do her justice isn't it great when a plant is so good.
22 August 2011 23:25:03
Bonus Bucket
The Kitchen Garden really has drawn the short straw with my lack of time, have been lifting potatoes and carrots the last few weeks along with peas and turnips. Lifted the onions on Saturday still sitting out on the raised beds if the weather changes will move them in under cover. Decided I definitely had to spend a while weeding had noticed that there were potatoes growing in the beds I used last year so today I dug them up and ended up with a bucket of massive potatoes and a carrot. Potatoes must be from ones left in the ground after last year, also ended up removing both brocolli and cauliflower that had gone to seed. Last year I had no luck with brussel sprouts but this year they're doing well, plan to sow some more carrots, brocolli and cauliflower if I get a bit of time. Cooked some of the potatoes for dinner but not as nice as the King Edwards they're more floury. Need to find some heeian sacks to lift and store the potatoes in any suugestions on where to buy them?
22 August 2011 23:07:50
Another Clanger
Sowed these dahlia seeds earlier this year but there is a great range of colours so will grow more dahlias from seed next year. Posted up photos of them in the August photos.
18 August 2011 12:19:56
Pine Cones Dripping Wax.
Saw this same tree at Mary and Paddy's the other day and after seeing it decided that mine needs to be relocated. At the moment it's in the very corner of what is to be the shady corner and it really deserves to be in a location were it can be seen to it's best. It will outgrow the space it has and it's better moving it now before the planting of the corner is done. Cones just look like they've had wax poured on them, now just need to find either a very fit person or two to dig it out or a digger and then remember to keep it well watered.
18 August 2011 12:11:48
Flowering Again
Bought primula at Birr Plant Fair and they've been in waiting since noticed the other day little buttons of colour and now flowers are rising from amongest the leaves must get my act together and get them planted out although think that my pine tree has to be lifted and relocated first after seeing what it'll look like in a lot of years time.
18 August 2011 12:07:30
Peacock Orchids
These are in a large pot placed behind the lavender and chives looking very striking due to the dark burgundy coloured centre, better photo in the August album, another pot planted into the south bed just starting to flower as well. Clematis the President making it's 2nd appearance rowing through the wisteria
18 August 2011 12:03:55
Grown from seed
Clare sent me loads of seed packets earlier in the year including mixed geraniums and campanula these are also on my will grow list for next year so thanks Clare there are lots of plants around the garden that show your generosity.
18 August 2011 11:59:51
Clangers Mixed Dahlia from Seed
Grew this from seed was a bit disappointed with the first that flowered but this one is very tall and striking so will definitely think of sowing dahlias from seed again.
18 August 2011 11:57:10
Dwarf Rustic Rudbeckia & Verbena Rigida
Earlier in the year Martin B sent me seeds for Dwarf Rustic Rudbeckia have to say I really like the rich colouring set against the Verbena Rigida, delighted with the result will definitely grow these again so thanks Martin as I'd never have probably bought the seed myself.
18 August 2011 11:52:37
Cherry Brandy 2
This is the other Cherry Brandy which is deeper in colour
18 August 2011 11:50:06
Cherry Brandy 1
Clare finally the two Rudbeckia cherry brandy have flowered that you gave me at Bill's open day. Both are different having seen the other journals wonder do they not always come true from seed?
18 August 2011 11:46:50
Agastache Sangria
Rachel gave me two tiny plants at Birr the other week I moved them from plants in waiting to a pot placed on the steps down from the terrace, now starting to flower will plant out after the summer when I find a space in the flowerbeds. Thank you Rachel for your generosity as I mentioned the other day when visiting it's great seeing plants and thinking of the gardeners who gave them to us, hope someday I'll be able to do the same.
18 August 2011 11:40:21
What A Show Off
This lily is planted in the south bed planted beside Sambucas Black Lace the amount of flowers is outstanding this year, has to be my favourite of all the lilies I've planted love the colour stands over 1metre tall. More lilies will definitely be planted for next year with the ones in pots going into the beds great to have plants that just appear and perform like this.
16 August 2011 23:03:45
What A View
Leaving Waterford the rain intensified as I drove northwards towards Enniscorthy then onto Bunclody to visit Rachel's garden. The countryside around is very scenic and open so was glad that the rain eased off and by the time I arrived it had stopped. Was greeted at the door by Zachary who showed me into the kitchen while he went in search of Rachel was very impressed how smart he looked turned out he was going to his debs in Meath, good luck Zac with the results tomorrow. My impression of Rachel's garden was fabulous colour and extensive views of the countryside, it's really hard to visualise a garden from photos, I had imagined it as more extensive probably due to the borrowed views. Rachel's tour of the garden showed what can be achieved, I loved the planting scheme of the seating area near the kitchen, the bank of persicarias adds great colour even though a few patches have suffered from the harsh winter weather. The swaths of colour in the beds was impressive to me it looked perfect, but as we all know a garden is a work in progress, an ever changing picture depending on seasons, to get a full picture we'd have to see a garden at different times in person. The rain started to fall so in for coffee, biscuits and chat then back out to see the rest of the garden the terrain certainly makes it challenging including Babies Hill but the whole garden is a credit to Rachel and Norman all the flower bed edges were perfectly edged, each area has been carefully planned including seating and interesting features. In for more coffee and then out to take some photos that unfortunately don't do justice due to the mizzling rain. Time flies and just before 7pm I left to continue northwards to home arriving back around 10:30 tired but delighted to have visited two beautiful gardens in one day which will no doubt influence what plants I'll try in the future. Rachel and family thank you for your hospitality and the plants that are now in the waiting area here.
16 August 2011 12:55:38
Far From The Madding Crowd
As I drove down the secluded boreen it was hard to believe I was on the edge of Waterford pulled in to be greeted by Mary who showed me around their beautiful garden, the front is secluded with flower beds backed by shrubs and trees with lovely secluded seating areas. But once up past the two glass house the garden opens up with a magnificent bed of hydrangeas running down to the little tree house. The wide areas of lawn lead you down around the garden and in the spring time I could imagine it jampacked with colour as beds are full of bulbs. Loved the day lily set off against the red Cannas must have looked very impressive before when this bed was full of Cannas. Looking up the garden colour is everywhere with a beautiful island bed that will link into the new garden areas being created. Then onto the vegetable garden which was just jampacked with fruit and vegetables with the scent of Sweetpea wafting on the breeze going on through to the shaded area again filled with plants must be fabulous in the spring time as it's also full of spring bulbs. Ended up in a very sheltered seating area by the back of the house where clematis Princess Diana looked perfect in every way. The one thing that was very impressive was how neat every bed was edged I would love to have some island beds but think how lucky all my beds are edged by timber or stone. Inside for coffee and scones and chat and then it started to drizzle so off outside to take some photos just as Paddy arrived home. At the same time Headgardener pulled in reaching the end of his garden tour lots of plants stowed away in his boot showed what a great trip he'd had. As the rain started to fall heavier I wandered back around the garden taking photos which really do not do the garden justice as there was no sun. Couldn't believe it was nearly 2pm loaded up plants to deliver to my next port of call as well as some for my own garden and after a bit of manouvering of cars drove back up the boreen leaving Mary, Paddy and Bill in an oasis of calm in a spot not far from the Madding Crowd. Mary and Paddy it was such a delight to visit your beautiful garden with so many different plants many that are totally unfamilar to me thank you for hospitality.
16 August 2011 12:18:28
Sunset Lokking Towards Tramore
Saturday afternoon drove down to Fethard Tipperary as the Riding Club were competing in the National dressage Championships. Great craic over dinner in McCathy's Pub they surely thought we were 16 mad ones let loose. Some stayed on for the music and craic but a few of us folded around midnight, early start Sunday and thankfully although rain threatened the weather held up, we'd sort of hit disaster on Saturday morning with Caroline's horse deciding he was lame but one of the other members let her use her new horse in the team and considering everything the team put up a good performance finishing 9th, in the individual classes the club lifted 5th and 6th in the Primary class and a 5th in the Advanced Primary so overall it was a great weekend enjoyed by all. As horses and riders pulled out of Grove and turned northwards I turned for the South East heading from Clonmel to Waterford as i had planned a couple of garden visits. Before checking into my B&B went for a drive along the coast from Dunmore East to Tramore beautiful sunset different to what I see at home.
13 August 2011 00:16:26
Beautiful scent
This morning went outside onto the terrace to be greeted by beautiful scents of flowers wafting around before the heavy rain came mid morning. This evening out taking photos of the sunset and few of plants scent of the white budlehia was gorgeous no wonder it's supposed to attract butterflies and bees.
13 August 2011 00:10:15
Wonderful Sunset
Wet wet day garden is very appreciative of heavy rain fall but what a sunset this evening posted up photos in the Summer sunsets, hope it's going to be a good weekend as off to Fethard tomorrow for Riding Club Dressage Championships on Sunday nothing worse than a long day at a competition if it's soggy wet so fingers crossed weathers on the up.
09 August 2011 22:15:52
Another Beauty Opens
As one lily disappears another opens this one is in the bed at the front of the house planted amongest roses. After seeing all the beautiful ones posted in journals I'm definitely going to buy some more for next year love Hoey's orange one and Jacinta's African Queen.
Question does the site look odd on the screen tonight or have I done something to create this problem journals etc seem a bit squashed?
09 August 2011 22:09:41
Lilies looking so good
No gardening today but I had the camera with me taking photos of the kids on the course, just had to take a photo of these lilies I had planted in a gap in the lower NW bed feel they need a bit more space so will lift them later and plant out next year perhaps in the terrace bed.
09 August 2011 09:15:45
In the South Border Looking Down From Above
Not going to have much garden time over the next week as I have a children's camp for 3 days, normal lessons and riders wanting extra training for the Riding Club dressage championships in Fethard on Sunday. Managed to plant out most of plants in waiting and at least now it looks relatively neat and tidy around the tunnel with all the usedvegetable soil and compost moved to the kitchen garden where it'll get healed into the raised beds. Dug up King Edward potatoes, lifted carrots picked peas and pulled some rhubarb great to have fresh vegetables for dinner, unfortunately the kitchen garden hasn't got the attention it needed but carrots, red and white onions and leeks doing well. Wondering should we lift the potatoes to store them or clear off the foilage and leave them in the ground any advice would be appreciated. Managed to clear most of the weeds out of the East bed that I wanted to remove the bulk of the lysmachia from need to get it sprayed as it'll be next year now before I can even attempt to plant it up as it really should have been sprayed earlier in the year and I don't want to have to do this for a third time. Well off to teach now beautiful day here sunshining bit of a breeze , took this photo looking down from the basement terrace along the south bed, gladioli grown in pots dropped into the ground beside the lily scent is fabulous.
07 August 2011 16:28:44
Brady and Connie
Since the unfortunate accident to Socks Brady has been very subdued and even clingy as his sister was totally scatty wizzying about which in the end caused her death. Brady is always looking for attention and become much quieter both dogs were at the backdoor yesterday evening. This morning the boys got the news that a young guy that played Gaa with them was killed in a car crash last night and that their match was off this evening to me that is every parents nightmare my thoughts are with them it puts everything in life into perspective
07 August 2011 16:21:32
Off with your heads
Was thinking of all the day trippers yesterday as I was potting up plants and planting others out, after a shower of rain and rattling thunder it turned into a beautiful afternoon and evening. Spent a long time tidying around the tunnel dumping out pots that had been left in the hope that the plants i them would revive, Johnny had tidied up at the end and now soil, manure and compost are located there the whole area really was quite a mess. Spent quite a while in the evening removing seed heads from Snow in Summer and red Dianthus as well as deadheading Campanula Elizabeth, white and blue Campanula as they are still producing buds very tedious but the result is well worth it. Today lots more tidying round the tunnel and potting on not too many plants in waiting except for ones for the shady corner and those to be swapped or passed on, deadheading more Campanula Elizabeth in the terrace bed until the rain came on quite heavy, although you would see the effect of any rain in the flower beds there are chasims in the slope of the south bed it's been that dry, rain seems to have stopped now so off out again for a while to finish the deadheading and plant some Penstemon that i grew from seed in a gap in the south bed.
05 August 2011 00:49:46
Going to be stunning
These lilies in the south bed are going to stunning over the next few days, each year they multiply.
05 August 2011 00:45:04
Haze of Blue
This haze of sea holly looked brilliant with the daylilies open against it and a sea of baby's breath beneath them today. Was a very hot day here no rain and at times blazing sun. Managed to get quite a few plants out of waiting into pots on the terrace I'm sure they're enjoying more space and getting their roots down into mix of compost soil and rotted manure. Hoping to get more moved out tomorrow if the weather is okay. Spent an hour this evening watering plants and giving them a feed of liquid manure which I'm hoping they'll appreciate. Only downside of the day wasn't being able to get to the get together at Keego's.
03 August 2011 23:35:37
Another One Opens
Yesterday the bud was closed today it's opening, have this lily planted in a pot but planted in the south bed there is another opening looks great against the Sambucas Black Lace this is it's 2nd year add colour and height to the border. Had to call to Caroline's this evening and was very impressed with all her containers of flowers lots of colour.
03 August 2011 23:26:20
What is this plant?
Have this plant but no idea what it is has a small white flower hidden beneath the heart shaped leaves so assuming it's grown as foilage in which case I need to probably move it as it's only 30-40cm high
02 August 2011 22:43:22
Dainty Little Primula
Una sent a little pot of primulas to me with Keego at the Christmas get together they were all potted on have been in the plants in waiting so was really delighted to see it in flower. Thanks so much Una for sending me these little beauties.
02 August 2011 22:31:26
Beauty Opens
Today started out well eventually the lily I had been watching had opened and others are nearly there, had started out planting out some of the plants in waiting in for lunch and then came the bad news it just totally floored me, but with what happened I really couldn't get back into the mood for planting anything else out. Spent a while watering flower beds and pots and deadheading also took a few photos before having to teach at 4:30. Will post up some August photos.
02 August 2011 22:13:22
Socks & Brady
Almost a year ago two little bundles of madness arrived at Cloncaw - Socks who was Caroline's and Brady mine, over the last year they grew and were in trouble lots of times but they were very lovable especially Socks who everyone adored she was so cute. Brady was different very nervous but recently had settled down and loved attention. They loved rampaging about following us everywhere racing around catching rabbits, today was no different except that Socks unfortunately was killed when she ran into the tractor turning in the corner of the field. It's so sad the place doesn't seem the same without her and Caroline is heartbroken, Socks is now buried in the orchard beside Grouse who died last year at 15 but she had her life in front of her.
02 August 2011 00:55:52
Guara Rosy Jane not yet in full bloom.
After lunch headed out to plant up all todays purchases into pots for the terrace as I just didn't want them going into waiting. Lifted all the pots into the back of the car as this was the easiest way to move them from beside the tunnel round the house to the terrace especially as it's up hill to get to the terrace. Most of these plants will be planted out after the summer once I manage to free up space watered everything well also the terrace bed as there has really been no rain here worth speaking of. Tomorrow hopefully a few more plants will move out of waiting to fill gaps but I'll need to water areas to be planted first. If time permits I'll try to plan where plants are going in the shady corner and try to find some stones or rocks as Scrubber calls them or bits of logs to give nooks and crannies for the ferns etc. Aim will be to only have plants in waiting to be passed on to other gardeners hope it's not wishful thinking.
02 August 2011 00:37:06
More Pots
Wet here this morning so decided to head off and see if there were any bargains to be had in TK Max in Craigavon, no pots or planters today or garden items unless you wanted tools. Bought the Irish Garden in Easons and was amazed at the difference in the price stg £3.50 even allowing for sterling it cost less than €4 instead of €4.50 in Monaghan. Called into B&Q and picked up more terracotta pots for the terrace,also some plant supports then it was on to Mahon Garden centre to see could I get replacement Guara Rosy Jayne as I lost it over the winter, had to have a walk round without a truck as I had decided I wasn't buying more plants but as usual this was an impossible resolution to keep. Have wanted agapanthus for a long time had planted it in pots last year nothing and no sign this year so I decided to buy Agapanthus Silver Moon and Blue Storm which had lots of flowers appearing had to collect a truck as I still had to pick up Rosy Jayne plants were much smaller than the ones I bought before only £3.75 each so picked up two also Heuchera Licquoris , Monadra Marshall's Delight and after seeing Jacinta's Sidalcea in her journal yesterday into the truck went Elsie Heagh. Total of £ 44.75 included a bag of grit. On the way home had to detour due to road works through Hamiltonsbawn the floral displays were fabulous with long beds full of colour on the road in was worth the detour to see it just wish I'd had my camera.
02 August 2011 00:12:49
LD Braithewaite
This is one of my David Austin roses which opened fully today, the other one doesn't look great think the winter freeze affected it severely although I see some signs of growth so only time will tell if it will recover.
01 August 2011 10:05:03
Lythrum Dropmore Purple
Had hoped it would rain overnight as the soil here is bone dry but no it's decided to rain now not heavy but steady rain which garden and plants will appreciate but it means plans for today will change. Feel I need a bit of retail therapy not plants but need some more pots and the shelves of TK Max will be explored. The one plant I would buy if it's in Mahon Garden Centre is Gaura Rosie Jayne which unfortunately didn't survive last winter's big freeze another plant that I just realised has vanished is Scabious Beaujolais but until all the plants in waiting are planted out it's no more plants in.