Month: August 2017
I posted earlier in the year the way my original Hot Border had got infiltrated by lots of blue plants. I did a lot of work removing and relocating these plants which created a new Blue Border – not exactly what I wanted but that left huge gaps in the Hot Border.
I went to Bloom with the mission of getting some nice zingy plants but I wasn’t happy with the results – then picked up a few more bits and relocated some more and now i can see that the Hot Border is definitely a few degrees hotter than it was!
Through the summer I’ve been noting some plants in the garden that definitely belong here and the plan is to move them in the Autumn!
A couple of years ago at the get together, Elizabeth handed me a pot with a small ‘twig’ in it. She said ‘it’s only a little baby T Rex’. Of course back then I had no idea what a big T. Rex was, let alone a baby.
So I duly planted it up and it started to grow bigger and bigger. I mentioned it to Elizabeth and she said ‘oh I meant it was a seedling!!!’ ha ha.
Anyway each year it has put on some more growth and this year was no different
This was it yesterday. Growing mad and looking fantastic if spanning over some other plants. But I don’t mind, it’s beautiful.
I’m sure the label is there somewhere. But can anyone tell me what this lovely little plant is? I really should take more care of labels. I’ll jot this name down!
Many thanks as always 🙂
Yes I got into Eileen;s bed and finally finished it today, hard work as elder was very strong but noe wcleared and the edge sets it off nicely,Wanted to dump leaves but very nice visitors came in and so work is for tomorrow,
I HAVENT A CLUE HOW THESE PHOTOS ARE UPSIDE DOWN. Ive tried a few times. If you stand on your head you get the right picture but I would not advise it!
Started out very well as I intended to broaden yet another path! Ladygardener used always say her paths were wide enough for two ladies in crinolines to walk together! That would be lovely but mine are smaller, paths not ladies! And yet by taking about six inches off the edge it made a lovely difference. This was easier than the last path and took about half an hour.
Then ther was a very large rock that just need a tilt of about four inches to straighten it up so I jammed in the crowbar and that too was about half an hours work and is a big improvement for a little effort.
After that I did some real gardening and weeded a largish area of ground elder. I had cleared it three years ago but it shnuck back in-to Eileen’s bed. Have a lot of it done and planted six delphiniums there. Unfortunately all the Lupins I planted some weeks ago have not done at all well. I think they are dead but am leaving them for a while to see.
Am still enjoying my little gates no end and wondering what I should plant to enhance them-hostas Hellebores azaleas are all suggestions. I want low growing and lasting foliage if possible possibly sarcococcas?
Then I trimmed a crab apple to expose the nice red fruits. Its a pillar shape. And lopped a few magnolia branches to improve the light and the look! Then I lightly trimmed the circular beech hedge or spiral for the second time.
Lastly I cleared out a lot of dbris from Fern corner .The ferns there are now so much stronger Ill have to take out some.
I still have lots of red lily beetles munching on the ruins of my yellow turkscap. This year they got every one of them. The little beggars. Any advice for next year? Imanaged to use the video on my new phone. Its a pity our website doesnt take them. Maybe as well as I videod the beetles and the accompanying commentary was NOY edifying!
Between the grandkids, who did indeed have a marvellous time digging and ‘helping’, and my stint covering holidays at the garden centre, Alan has been left largely to his own devices this week apart from my hasty sketches left on the kitchen table as I rush off in the mornings. But he’s doing a great job laying out the path structures and moving big rocks. We did manage to get the bones of the first bed down, just so there’s a hint of garden in the distance, and we’ve had fun between showers playing with designs and planning the nhext stages. Hope to make some woven hazel edging and new herb beds tomorrow. Long way to go, but it does look a bit less like a bomb site and a bit more like the beginnings of a new garden.
Well Scrubber was all set to go this morning as it dawned cool yet sunny. He had Delphiniums to plant, edges to scuffle, a bed to clear of ground elder, borders to weed—-all written down carefully on his new mini clipboard -all of three euros worth and very useful but then he passed a path and visions began to happen. He blames Cherub Lute! ‘That small area of path would look nicer if it were widened’. And of course it wouldn’t take more than an hour or two.
At half five Scrubber came in and the path had been done but nothing else! Not alone had the side of the path to be dug out by about eight inches but all the roots and stones and small ferns had to be taken care of and some of those roots were challenging! And then when it was done and raked it was noticeable that it narrowed very much near a step. If some rather large stones could just be pushed out a bit more…. And of course when one moved, others had to as well but it wasn’t too hard and it worked very well. The delphiniums will have to wait, So even though I got only a small portion of a path organised, about six or seven meters, its done for ever—well until Cherub Lute starts again!
Still having problems uploading photos to the album so here’s a few more of the beautiful Japanese Garden in Tatton Park.
The back garden came with two paths; a linear trail of tiles, and a meandering pebble walk. To my mind, neither of them functioned. The tiles merely divided the garden in half, making it seem much smaller. And the pebble walk was uncomfortable to walk on (if I’m outside, I’m barefooted).
As I never look a gift horse in the mouth, and I quite liked the organic look to the winding path, I dug up the tiles and nestled them into the pebble! So now the garden looks bigger, and new, single path does what it’s supposed to.
Soil was added and grass was sewn where the tiles had been. Delighted with the early results of this functional change.
Late getting out to the garden today but thankfully the weather was much better than yesterday. Not many peaches this year. Well, certainly not as many as last year. I had over 80 altogether. But maybe they have good years and not-so-good years. But I did give the vine a serious hair cut, and cut back my Eccremocarpus while I was at it, as they were both twining around each other.
Dead-headed all the roses too, so the place is looking a lot better.
Did any of you fellow gardeners observe the (partial ) eclipse ofthe sun? Well to begin, I didn’t. i looked it up on the computer and all they would tell me was about the United States. Well there was no way I was to go there at such short notice. I was told about 7.30 p.m. well I looked towards the west having put on the goggles i use when driving. Mo lean , it was really overcast. My sister in Dublin told me that she saw it so how about the many gardeners in Dublin. I remember some years ago cannot remember what year but I did. Â It was about the year 2000. It was a warm day and suddenly it got quite cool. A member of our minor hurling told me the same at the time.
Last Saturday was the day for my Musical Open Garden. Â The gang usually erect the framework for the gazebos the night before, but the gale was so strong, all they could do was everything ready for the morning. Â The gale was still blowing in the morning, so when it came to hanging the drapes/walls etc. they had quite a dance holding the whole lot down. Large concrete blocks were not sufficent and had to get barrels filled with water to which the guy ropes were fastened.
When the event started in the afternoon, thenoise of the wind was deafening in the music centre, but gradually, it died down.
Then the sun came out!
It wasn’t strong sunshine, so no need for protection.  Just pleasantly warm. About 17° – 18°.
A great afternoon with some amazing singing both by the choirs and the individual singers. Â Everyone was so relaxed, helped I am quite sure by the comfort (!!!) of sitting on fish boxes, and licking a really good ice-cream. Â A friend had brought along his van and parked on the lower drive. Â I would recommend this ploY gor creating a good atmosphere.
Could I just tell you that is the 18th year in succession that I have been involved in a fund raising event both in my garden and on the beach and we have never been forced to cancel. Â Last year it was horrendous everywhere else in the country.
I was too busy to take pictures myself, so here is a link to the press site.
To day, I travelled by train to Dublin, met my niece Liz and went to St. James’s. There I met Mr. Brian Mehigan who operated on me and Professor David Gallagher. I was given the good news that no chemotherapy was required. I was very pleased with this and Mr. Mehigan who operated on me has done a good job. I will probably have to wait a bit before I am back to the normal gardening.
The Irish Garden arrived to day by post. I hope to get reading it as soon as possible. To morrow, I am looking forward to the replay of Mayo and Kerry. The drawn game was top class. There will have to be a winner to morrow.
I had cuttings from Hydrangeas in a cold propagaror and hadn’t looked at them for some time. This evening, I took away the plastic bag and as Archimrded said :”Eureka”, I discovered that they were well rooted. The plastic bag was removed together with some withered leaves, then some water and back into the cold propagator. I was so pleased as they had been neglected. No photo to day but to morrow, I will remove them from the pot and put them in separate pots, then photos.
Having cleared the border where the Japanese Anemones had taken over, I got round to the exciting part – planting it up again! This border was always known as “Behind the Greenhouse” but I have been trying to find a better name for it. As the planting progressed it came to me! But first I’ll describe the planting. As is usually the way when you plant up a new border it takes a while for the plants to grow into their own space so it will be a while before I see the benefits.
First to be planted was the lovely Exchorda Macarantha “The Bride” which has been in a pot but not looking happy! It will be a centre-piece for the border with its lovely fountain shape. To one side I planted the little Lantana shrub that Elizabeth grew from cuttings, Most of the Lantana we see in this country are bedding plants but this Lantana shrub is flourishing in the car-park of my local Supervalu! Next to go in was Persecaria Amplexicaulis followed by the lovely Persicaria Purple Fantasy (Thank you Jackie!). After that I transplanted a third Dicentra to join the two already in the border. I had lifted an Astrantia from a border I was tidying the other day so it also got a new home. I got this from one of one of my .ie friends but sadly don’t have the name! Then just to fill up some space I put in a Helebore Niger and a few Campanula Poscharskyana at the edge I did the inevitable shifting of pots before the final planting and as i was doing this I realised that every season was represented in this border – so that’s itc new name “The Four Seasons Border” and I’m really happy with the border and its new additions.
Right through the year there should always be something to see it this old negrlected border come back to life!
Discovered this next door in a long forgotten about little house garden . Planted beside a small gate that opens into the garden .
What will all that has been going on here recently, I only discovered this little Hemerocallis this afternoon. A bit late discovering it as the flower is now dying off, but I think it may have been a gift from Mary and Paddy two years ago? Could it be H. ‘Pink Damask’ maybe?
Thanks Mary and Paddy.
Recently PeterW posted a photo of Colocasia gaoligongensis showing the fab leaves. He kindly gave me a plant a couple of years ago and this year it produced a flower/spathe.
The leaves are still quite small but it has sent out runners so I will have babies to try in various conditions.
Lily Casa Blanca my very favourite lily with such a wonderful scent. Have these plants for a long time. It used to grow very tall but in pots is shorter . It is putting on a great show this year. Lovely to sit next to it and have a cuppa!!
Like Jackie, and probably a lot more of you out there, I love T. Rex. This was only planted out about 4 or 5 years ago. It’s beside the greenhouse and does a great job of shading what’s inside from the midday sun. Usually earlier on in the season I take off one or two of the more mature to let light in for my tomatoes. But I’m so impressed with the size of its leaves in such a short space of time.
But in saying that, my tree lily hasn’t appeared at all this year. So I’m assuming the T. Rex’s prolific growth has been the cause of this. C’est la vie. Just got Heritage Bulbs catologue in during the week so I can always order another one or two.
Have a lovely weekend, everyone.
Introduced to my garden a few years ago, this Eryngium happily self-seeds itself about. In its first year here, it went mad multiplying. So lots of friends were given freebies. But at this stage, I no longer fight with nature and let it do its thing. I love the blue stems. And here, it’s got a backdrop of Sambucus ‘Black Lace’ which I think makes a lovely contrast.
This year when a lot of people have been posting photos of their Salvia ‘Amistad’ I’ve been envious. I got one last year but it never reappeared this time round for some reason. And it was in the perfect location, or so I thought. However, I accepted its disappearance and hope to buy it again.
Yesterday while doing a bit outside I discovered a cutting of same that I had taken from this Salvia, and lo and behold it’s flowering. I love the petal shape, and the colour. I had thought that this was a perfectly hardy Salvia. But it seems not. Hmmm, wondering now should I be doing something more to ensure its survival for future years. It’s so pretty.
and getting between the sheets and they are two entirely different processes. When I mentioned innocently in my last journal that I had got into Eileen’s bed I never thought it would occur to anyone that I was attempting anything but weeding!I really must protest my innocence. But I did have a goodlaugh so thank you!
I was collecting my son at the airport today so didnt get home until early afternoon. But I managed to sow grass seed around that rock that the fairies moved for me and also renewed a few more patches on paths.I scuffed over all of Eileen’s flower bed (NBDick!) and also got main and lower lawns cut so was quite happy with todays.
The weather helped. One massive shower suited the grass sowing.
After growing these from seed I had loads in small pots dying to go into the ground so I had a free space by one of my tree ferns and stuck a load of them in there and will hopefull enjoy them well into October until the colder weather gets them.
My famous self-seeded Nicotiana out in the front is still flowering away and yesterday I noticed that it has also self-seeded a couple of inches away from the original one. I had been reluctant to gather seed as it has been doing so well over the last 18 months,even flowering sporadically over the winter months. But now with the appearance of the seedlings, I can gather away and try to have it for the back garden.
I love this maroon coloured Dahlia, and delighted to see a few flowers on it after 2 damp days.
