Month: January 2018

My daughter and her husband planted up a Vertical Garden in their tiny yard  (8ft x 6 ft) in the city centre and when I visited at the weekend it was looking splendid!

She was bemoaning the fact that her Helebore wasn’t flowering so I was very happy to find when I examined the photos I took that there is in fact a bud on the helebore but it was doing its usual trick of hiding under the leaves!

I was very impressed to see flower buds on lots of her Pelargoniums. She has a real knack with these – she started with a tiny plant from the supermarket and it liked her yard so every time a branch broke off she just stuck in in the nearest pot! They stay outside all year, and appear to be evergreen here! Talk about a micro-climate! 

What I like best at the moment is the Jungle effect of the vertical wall. It just goes to show that even the smallest space can give us great gardening satisfaction!

Happy new year to one and all.

As we now have the new year and the garden has woken up in a big way, i thought i had better start posting journals again. It was never as wet as it was yesterday and there were flooded roads everywhere and yet today it is like a different country, Ireland at its best.

My Hamamelis pallida has been in full bloom for the last couple of weeks and it is a beacon of hope when the weather is at its worst. I know i repeat myself every year, but no garden should be without a witch-hazel. My ‘jelena’ has just started its flowering as well.

My R.christmas cheer was as good as gold this Christmas, and opened a few flowers bang on cue, the full trusses are starting to open now and here is an example in photo no 2.

A couple of my Camellias have flowers also, the most prolific at the minute is the white flowered one shown. I don’t have a name for it. The next few weeks will see the many others coming into bloom and it will be wonderful.

Much to look forward to.

By the way, up to the top of the class anyone who knows what song the title of the journal comes from. Answers on a postcard to ………

Yes there is definitely a stretch in the evenings. The lights arent going on so quickly, although the past two days have just been miserable with so much rain. But today looks brighter and a bit more sunshine promised. It was after 5pm that we turned our lights on and drew the curtains. Lots of activity too with the Starlings that have taken refuge in our roof, you can hear their young screaming, while waiting to be fed. Also lots of new growth in the garden and this ‘mild’ spell should help that too.

Over the weekend we took a trip to B&Q and of course my usual visit out to their garden centre didnt disappoint. Obviously there isnt much to see really but they did have some beautiful Hellebores for sale. I know I said I wouldnt buy anymore but then when I see them I just cant resist plus they were a good price 3 for 19euro. The photos show the buds that are on Hellebore Pirouette….a massive amount so hopefully they will all open. 

Then to my delight, in my front garden I noticed these beautiful cheery cute Crocus just opening despite the rain. The were almost open, but when the sun shines they open so wide. They were definitely a welcome sight yesterday amidst all that rain.

So lots to look forward to now as we approach the end of January, already!! So be prepared 🙂 

Thank you all for the kind comments on Bee Blog 1. Some have asked what should we grow to attract Bees ?

A native wildflower patch left undisturbed would really attract Bees of all sorts . What many consider weeds also feed our flying friends, dandelions , nettles , ivy but a nice one to start with would be Phacelia from which they collect Blue Pollen . I’ve seen Orange , Grey and green pollen so far but hopefully once my Phacelia Seed matures this year I will . So now I expect loads to be ordering Phacelia ( seedaholic) asap!!

.….SNOWDROPS!!!!!!

And today I was passing Johnstown and popped in to see if they had “root trainers” for my Sweet Peas which I have seen on some gardening programmes – Alas they don’t have them, but what they DID have was the very best value in Bird Seed that I ahve seen ANYWHERE!!!

Over 14kg for €14.95 !!!!

If you have hungry birds in your garden its well worth getting! I usually pay about €12 or €13 for the 5 kg tubs so I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw it!

So if anyone knows where these “root-trainiing” pots are available I’d be really grateful for the information!

Right now every beekeeper in the country is playing a waiting game . We wait and hope our bees will come through this winter ok . Ideally each bee colony ( winter bees ) will have built up nice fat bodies late summer and have sufficient stores left in their hives . Ok we take their honey but in return feed them syrup and special fondant to last them . Lots of bee keepers will also leave some honey in hive for the bees as required . Today with temp down near freezing the bees will be clustered in the hive and rotate among themselves keeping warm and protecting the Queen. On a warm day when temp gets up to 10 C they will do cleansing flights outside the hive and even during winter sometimes gather Pollen ! Ivy is a vital winter source of pollen so I no longer remove it from trees nearby . So right now not much to be done except protect the hives from wind and mice ( who like the warmth ) and wait out the winter months . Hives will be gently hefted next month as the weight gives an idea what stores remain . It may be necessary to feed any running low on stores . Not all will make it through the winter but hopefully most do . A good early dry spring is vital for the bees to build up numbers for the summer. Early flowering shrubs , trees and blackberry play a big part . Heather on the mountains flowers early and some keepers actually move their hives onto mountain areas . My association Apiary is located in one of Bulmers Orchards near Clonmel availing of the Apple blossom .

Since beginning with bees I’ve avoided sprays mostly and now find I love dandelions as the bees gorge on them where available . These are my three garden hives , the polystyrene one is a new colony and will get moved into a timber hive in early April . By the way cold doesn’t kill bees but it’s mainly starvation and damp hives that’s a killer .

So from a garden point of view it certainly changes how you do things and I’ve become more weather clever and plant aware .

I have the impression that we have had a bit of extra winter weather so far – a few flurries of snow and lots of storms is how I percieve it so far. I haven’t been able to get any time outside since Johnstown but today I did about an hour or so of shredding but gave up as the material for shredding was too wet so kept clogging the shredder. On the bright side, I did manage to capture the Zen Garden when the last bit o snow was still on the ground!

My lovely daughter and her husband gave me a great Japanese Lantern to provide the finishing touch to the Zen garden. In the third photo you can see the stems of the birch tree planted some years ago to commemorate Colin who died of Cancer so I am now dedicating the Zen Garden to Josh and this part of my garden will soon have a small plaque remembering two young men who left us long before their time.

Its bitterly cold this morning and everywhere is white with frost. Gorgeous to look out on but very cold.

On Sunday I went out to the greenhouse to have a look at all my lovely swaps and purchases from Johnstown and what a delight to see so many new plants that I dont have.

Then on Monday I went out when it was a bit sunny but cold and into the greenhouse again. This time I divided one or two plants I bought and potted them up. All of a sudden Winter arrived outside and it was lashing rain and windy. Ten minutes later the sun was out and it was so warm in the greenhouse. I really enjoyed my time in there and would be lost without it.

Took a little trip around the garden and seriously not too much to see. Yes there is a bit of growth with Hellebores, Primroses, Snowdrops, Wallflowers and a few shrubs which have the added bonus of just beautiful foliage. But Im just so excited to get going again. I cant wait to get that buzz and be out there in the ‘sunshine’ or something similiar. 

So another few weeks and we should be off properly. Im hoping to get some Sweet Pea sown over the weekend, as I didnt get a chance before Christmas. Usually mine are quite established by now….ah well…….we will get there. The real seed sowing season will be here real soon.

But for now……….nothing to see here really………….

A few photos from the garden……hopefully not upsidedown!!

went out to do one thing and ended up doing something completely different’ Said cherub cymbals to no one in particular. ‘Humph!’ from G Nome. ‘I dont find it funny or strange. Mr Scrubber is always doing that as far as I can see. ‘If you ashk me’interjected Micilin Dee ‘I think personally that Mr Scrubber is always open to differnt poshibbitlies and thash in my opinion ish commendable’.

‘Well said Cherub Lute, (who had put on a little moss over the christmas) I think he intended to plant the forgetme nots he uprooted yesterday but having read Mr. Dicks last account of pruning roses he attempted to prune one. And that led to the next…

And indeed it did because Scrubber thought he could do the job in half an hour not realising he had a few more roses than he realised and some of the wilder small flowered ones had thrived! He absedmindedly began counting as he snipped and was amazed to hear figures like 78 and 92 snips to be made on single bushes. He has either massacred next years crop of roses or primed his garden for a wonderful display.

Near the roses are planted the agapanthus so kindly given by Paddy and Mary so that border should be a sight next june. I put the nerines out near the gate so Ill see them coming in and going out-me not the nerines of course!

It wasn’t as cold as I expected and I was out till half four when a thunderous hail shower put an end to work. maybe tomorrow the forget me nots will  be planted?

In all my years gardening, I’ve never seen the colour from Camellia flowers appear so early in the year. Stymied, I am! I think this one is either ‘Debbie’ or ‘Anticipation’. Label has blown away.

Hi All,

Recently I ran an idea by editor of the garden journal basically suggesting a column or two on my own experiences since starting gardening with bees three years ago . Had a nice reply that they had considered it some years back but based on the average small size of Irish gardens and bee splatter it was decided not to go with it . Size of gardens doesn’t really matter as bees forage three miles from our own gardens regardless .

I was trying the suggestion based on my friends ( yours ) feedback but not to bee !! Anyhow I’ll continue to post the odd bee/ Gardening related Post or two .

A few more pictures of the Day……..

Here a few pictures I took at the Johnstown Gathering. Another most enjoyable event. It is so special to meet up with our gardening friends from the 4 corners of the country. I look forward to another perhaps in warmer weather.

Now that we have all got safely home from Johnstown its back to “normal” gardening journals!

This year I seemed to get a great burst of energy once the Turkey was finished. We had a good bit of bright but cold weather most days so I took full advantage – doubled up on everything – two pairs of socks, gloves and trousers – even two jackets and a thermal insulated hat – and gardened away to my hearts content for 5 or even 6 hours each day! The Main Herbaceous Border that has had some random bulbs added and the few remaining sedums cut back, the other border alongside the new patio has had a major make-over which will give a new emphasis to that area of the garden. The Potentillas have had their annual haircut, the Small Pond area has been weeded and mulched, another border with lots of bulbs, narcissus and tulips and even snowdrops, has been weeded and mulched too and the bulbs seem to be growing while I look at them! The Rhus border took a lot of work as one of the Rhus had died but left dozens of “babies” behind!

I am getting real enjoyment walking in this part of the garden, with the new Zen Garden providing a lovely focus. The finishing touch to this garden has been the arrival of a lovely Japanese Lantern as a Christmas present and the patterning of the gravel with my new special rake made for me by my son-in-law! (Photos later!)

However I have to confess that the “goodies” from Johnstown are still un-planted and will remain tucked up in the greenhouse until the snow is gone!

We woke up this morning to a snowy landscape in Co Down and braving the elements were a few winter flowering shrubs and trees.

The Mahonia and Which hazel were looking the part along with a nice Rhodo adding nice winter colour that cheers the garden up.

I was wondering if anyone has problems in getting email notifications over the last few weeks. I don’t seem to be getting any despite commenting on joirnals and having the box ticked.

I was busy this morning so I was late getting out to the garden. And by that time, it had turned quite cold. And shortly afterwards the rain appeared. So nothing much got done except tidying up fallen leaves in the greenhouse and cutting back some dead shoots from a couple of cannas. 

Some nice colours appearing now on this pretty wallflower, I think it’s called ‘Evening Sunset’. But amazingly, my Lavatera ‘Blue Bird’ is now producing a good few new flowers. I hope the colder weather later this week won’t knock them back.

Also, a Jasminum nudiflorum which was given to me as small cuttings by ClaireE I don’t know how many years ago is now finally giving me a few flowers. 

Well what can I say that hasnt been said already. I had a terrific day on Saturday and it was just fantastic to meet up with everyone again.

I arrived around 10.30am and found Margie in the carpark. So off inside for a cuppa and the Donegal entourage arrived and joined us. It was just so nice to see Moya, Margot, Brid (Moya’s friend, who has attend for the past 3 years, lovely lady) and Daphne (Kittybane) she has the most magnificent garden in Derry if you ever get a chance to visit it, its amazing.

So after lots of chit chat we were off out again to the carpark for the plant swap. Now there were lots more people arriving and it was getting exciting. Everyone was chatting and swapping, which is great craic. Running from car to car, who’s getting what and who’s giving what. Great to meet everyone again.

Off inside again and it was now time for food and chat…..the raffle and Kris Kindle. The day was just flying by, which of course always happens when you are enjoying yourself. Lots of laughter and cheering and the next thing it was time to go outside.

Well thats just the icing on the cake haha……..everyone outside having a look and trying to decide what to spend their vouchers on (those that won them!) and others, like me, just going to spend anyway.

Found a few ‘bits and pieces’ and I was happy. And before you know it its all over again for another year…………gone in a flash.

I had a fantastic day, great company, great food, and lots of great retail therapy too. 

Hazel has decided to step down now as organiser, and she has done a great job for all those years and I thank her for that. So now Terri and Alan will fill those shoes, which I am sure they will do a terrific job.

Really looking forward to the next get together whereever that may be. I am also hoping that my Linda will oblige and hope to get to see Moya’s garden and maybe even Seaview in the coming months…..watch this space, I feel a road trip coming on lol

So thank you all for the plants and the great day. I dont have a lot of photos as I was so busy enjoying myself I completely forgot, we didnt even get a group photo on the day! that will tell you how quick it all went. But it was just fantastic to have that again this year. 

So on to the next one now……cant wait!

This afternoon I managed to get outside for a very short while to have a look at how things were behaving in my absence. Couldn’t get over seeing a few flowers on my Exochorda macrantha ‘The Bride’, an orange Geum, also Leptospermum coming into flower well and truly, Rhodochiton still in flower, lots of Hellebores and the beginnings of some snowdrops. But my famous Nicotiana out in the front is still flowering, despite it looking a bit ‘knocked back’.

My garden furniture and glasshouse are still intact thankfully. I can deal with anything else now. But the garden is very blackened and mushy. Most of our holiday laundry is done now so tomorrow I hope to make time to get out and make a dent on cutting away dead bits. Let’s hope it makes a visual difference from indoors.

Hi all, as the new Gatherings organiser with my astonished hubby (he’ll get over it given enough tea and cake) I’m wondering if anyone has any thoughts on dates for Ratoath. The last weekend in May was suggested, though we will have to check when the Burren in Bloom festival is on as we usually have an open day then. I was also wondering if there would be any interest in a Western gathering, perhaps in late summer. Maybe Griffins in Dripsey, co. Cork? We did seem to be lacking a few from the People’s Republic so maybe a Cork venue would suit for a change. 

I’m off to the UK tomorrow to visit my siblings, so if you want to comment in the meantime we can get started on the organising the week after next with comments on board. 

Meanwhile thanks a million to Hazel for all her past endeavours. The gatherings really have enriched our lives and made some great friends out of us. 

Lads, I got this from an anthropologist friend at NUI Maynooth, it seems he saw it on an anthro blog called Wild Humans: Tribal Cultures in Modern Europe. Either there was a stray anthropologist at Johnstown, or we have an insider watching our every move!

The Down and Dirty Tribe: Special Report by Daffyd Addledbrow

Here, at a secret location near Naas, shortly after 11am on January 13th, members of the tribe began to gather, clearly attempting to be inconspicuous by parking their cars in a remote corner of a well-known horticultural retail establishment’s car park. It was soon clear that their secrecy was due to clandestine exchange rituals. Members of the tribe were apparently well-known to each other, some greeting and initiation ceremonies were also observed. A new member was introduced by an established member, clearly a mentor. The mentor and initiate were signified by the wearing of distinctive headdresses. Exchanges were generally made with good humour and pleasantries, though two women were observed almost coming to blows over the last Ammi Majus. 

Greetings between established members were effusive and apprently affectionate. Exchange relationships, probably connected with status rituals, were signified by the giving and receiving of plants. One older man was seen to attempt to increase status  by the presentation of trees to selected members of the group, assisted by a woman who was probably his mate, though he was also observed in initimate embrace with several other women, indicating that concurrent relationships may take place within the tribe. 

Following this ritual, the group proceeded inside the establishment and took part in a feast, accompanied by a great deal of lively conversation. Following the feast, gifts were exchanged, a ritual carried out by two female tribe members. Two elders, a woman and a man, then stood and made speeches. The woman, clearly a respected tribal leader, announced that she was retiring and asked for volunteers to take over her role. The promiscuous man’s mate immediately volunteered, almost certainly in an attempt to establish her own status and dominance over her errant mate, who was clearly surprised by her action. Tribe members sitting nearby seemed greatly amused by his reaction. Cowed, he later presented his raffle-prize gift voucher to his mate in a humble manner.

Thereafter calls were made for a paean to a goddess by the name of Laetitia, by a shaman of high status judging by his garb. The shaman explained that Laetitia had been unable to deliver her accustomed praise-song, and although this was received by groans, with some tribal members wailing and beating their breasts and declaring that spring would never arrive, the group reassured each other. Thereafter all appearance of group solidarity vanished, for with a cry of ‘Every gardener for himself, lads!’  the tribe grabbed trolleys and raced into the plant retail arena, to fight over desired specimens of plants. Fangs were bared, members were observed to poke each other with garden implements, and one small woman was pushed to the ground and a trolley rolled over her, to the accompaniment of manic laughter and a cry of, ‘That’ll teach you to try and get the last Blue Ensign, Joan G!’ One woman was mugged by two others for her raffle-prize gift voucher. 

The implementation of a 20% discount soothed violent tendencies and the tribe settled once more into harmony as they bid farewell and departed. Discreet enquiries established that a further Spring ritual is planned at a secret location in Meath. This researcher will be there to record developments in this most interesting tribal group. 

I haven’t been on here in a good while as we have been away in the sun for the last four weeks. But heading for the airport in an hour or so and can’t wait to see what my garden has been doing in our absence. And hopefully Storm Eleanor has left my garden furniture still in the garden with the glasshouse intact.

I just want all of you attending todays’ Get-together’ a wonderful day. And no doubt it will have been organized just as well as every other year that Hazel has organized. I’m looking forward to reading journals and looking at lots of photos later.

Also, Happy New Year to everyone (just in case I didn’t already say that).

Just a quick thanks to Hazel and her team who organized a truly lovely day for us at Johnstown – and thanks also to Johnstown manager and staff who made us feel so welcome.

You can see in the image, that I got my fill of ‘retail therapy’, and now have to find mild enough weather to plant us my new treasures which include  Salvia Hot Lips (from Joann), as will as Saracocca ruscifolia and it’s new pot. Concealed in the Johnstown bags are some Irish primroses. Sad to say, I got the news that these primroses are currently going out of production, so I hope the ones I got survive as I’m now classing them as ‘precious’.

Great meeting you all

Elizabeth

Scrubber is just back from Johnstown. I wonder was he the first home? And would again like to thank hazel for all the work put in this year and in years past, in order to make such memorable get togethers. Its all the more necessary to say so now as she has laid down that particular burden (Though she never called it that!) and very quickly and generously Terri and a slightly surprised Alan, volunteered. Hazel can leave her post knowing it is in good hands!

We had a lovely day. Scrubber arrived about twelve when the swop was over but generous friends ensured he did not leave emptyhanded, In then to Moya and Joan who effortlessly managed the intricacies of Kriskindle ensuring that nobody received their own gift! Mary and Lynda organised the raffle and Hazel won a subscription to the magazine while others won very generous vouchers. Icidentally we all got the 20% sale reduction on purchases thanks to Jim. The meal was served to us and we had the opportunity of a great chat and get together. The Kristkindle as usual provoked lots of OOHs and AAhs of appreciation and Joan is set for a great years digging with her new spade. Many of the items were ingenious and showed what an inventive and surprising crowd we can be!

Then it was time to prowl the aisles and spot the newest acquisitions in the display beds outside. There was one particular orchid a particularly virulent shade of blue that even the orchid queen herself, Rachel, admitted was horrendous-apparently it was dyed and whatever beauty it had died with it! But of course there were so many wonderful plants. A feathery mahonia caught Scrubbers eye and Brid brought off a fine witch- hazel. Joan was seen carrying a very nice acer towards the desk. When Scrubber got to the desk he remembered he had not paid for his meal so a dash back and honour was saved!

So many people travelled from far away places and everybody seemed in excellent spirits. It was great to see Fran looking so well and we do hope that Margot’s back rights itself. How she made it there was a miracle in itself.

There is a chance of a meet up in early Summer if enough people are interested but today’s event was indeed a meeting of like minds and as said above ,hugely enjoyable and appreciated. Many thanks again Hazel and thank you and good luck to the incoming organisers Terri and Alan!

Happy New Year to all.

I have nothing to report on the gardening front.

I was hoping to kick start the gardening year with the Johnstown get together but unfortunately I won’t be able to go.

Wishing that you all have great day and that the weather will be kind to those travelling from afar.