I hope you will enjoy reading about the garden as I keep a record of events during the coming year. I look forward to keeping this diary as it is something I have meant to do for a long time. I hope we all enjoy a great year of planting , growing and tending. One thing I am sure of ....it will be fun!
The garden in December 1997/January 1998.One of the challenges with a small garden is to have something of interest during all seasons. I find that Camellias are a wonderful asset in this respect. The evergreen leaves are so nice and glossy and the flowers are replaced so quickly with next year's buds and the promise of spring. Although my soil is alkaline I consider it well worth the necessary preparation of an area with an acidic pH to enjoy these plants. Another spot of colour at this time of year comes from Choisya ternata "Sundance" with it's golden foliage. On the north facing wall Chaenomeles, the flowering quince is already in blossom; these red or pink flowers will last for several months until the new foliage appears. Jasminum nudiflorum's delicate yellow flowers are also in evidence. The old reliable Euonymus "Emerald and Gold" makes a valuable contribution as do Phormiums. Variegated Ivy too adds that patch of brightness during darker days. Many bulbs have already pushed above ground level and are a welcome sight.
Pictures from left to right; Jasminum nudiflorum, Ivy goldheart, Chaenomeles "Nicoline" and Euonymus "Emerald and Gold.
January 1998During January signs of Spring appeared. The daffodils are now quite visible above ground and in mid january Iris reticulata bloomed, the yellow first followed by the blue variety. Chaenomeles continues to put on a great display, so much so that I have bought a second one, variety "Simonii" and planted it against the same wall with the hope that eventually most of the area will be covered by this cheerful plant. Some crocus are in bloom and though I thought I had planted quite large groups I will need to add more to make a good show. The Hyacinths too are making good progress in their containers and I am anxiously waiting for Pulsatilla ( Pasque flower) to show signs of growth.
My seeds are not faring so well. Only two of the Texas blue bonnets germinated and are being carefully minded. To date the Cone flower seeds have not appeared . However Meconopsis is coming along well.
February 8th.
Well the Camellias are starting to bloom, "Donation" has one flower open and loads of buds ready to join in. I bought a lovely yellow camellia yesterday called "Brushfield yellow". Where it will fit in my garden is a mystery it may have to stay in a pot. Lots of crocus flowering and the Iris reticulata both yellow and blue are looking well. It would be nice to have enough room to plant really large groups. The Chaenomeles is still going strong , what a plant! I suppose it is the budding of so many plants since I last wrote that is most remarkable. Clematis is showing lovely big juicy buds and the daffodils should be out soon. Spring is on its way.
This is quite a nice colour combination for the Winter; an orange berried Pyracantha, purple Pittosporum "Tom thumb" and the gold of Myrtus"Glanleam gold".
February 24th
It is after a week such as the last one that I stop giving out about the small size of my garden and am grateful it is not larger. This is because there was so much to do during a lovely spell of warm weather. Apart from the mirror project ( see index) a lot of moving heavy objects took place. The biggest task was tackling a large chimney stack in which I have planted ivy that covers the sides. For security in the ground I had placed it over a well pruned Mahonia which unfortunately had to go; well that was the plan! The plant had different ideas and proceeded to grow up through the stack making the move difficult ,to say the least. Chimney plus ivy plus a few cracks are now sitting on the patio and its removal has opened up the west facing side of the garden considerably. This has allowed me to plant my five new hardy geraniums.
Garden February 1998 Same shot April 1998 So how does my garden grow at present? Well the daffodils, teta a tete, are flowering, see picture above, as are the Camellias. The latter are beautiful, with "Adolphe Audusson" perhaps my favourite colour; it is such a lovely red shade. I now have six Texas bluebonnet seedlings...and I think there is a move from the Cone flowers. The warm weather has resulted in a lot of growth with the clematis really taking off. By the way the climbing rose "Leaping salmon" has started to show leaves which appeared to be an unusual pale green, that is until I realized they were thick with green fly! The washing up liquid had to make a very early appearance to sort out this problem.
While in general I speak of my back garden I thought you might like to see a picture of a border in the front area where the daffodils are looking rather nice in combination with the winter flowering heather.
March 13th
The weather turned a little more like winter since I last wrote. However much has been happening in gardenland. Desperate for space I decided to change back a gravel area to border; following the chimney stack removal I mentioned above (Feb24th) I removed the plants from that area and dug it. It was a bother taking away the gravel and the plastic liner. I found loads of roots from the nearby fuschia and had to harden my heart and just cut them. I am trying to put in only grey , white and yellow to complement the geraniums. I saw a lovely plant in the garden centre , Calocephalus brownii,this is an intricately branched shrub with grey branches and silver buds which apparently turn yellowish when open. It should look well with the geraniums. I also divided the Sisyrinchium "Aunt May" and put a piece in the new bed to give some height and as the books say *architectural interest*. Hopefully the green and white variegation will fit in. Other plants will follow when I decide which are suitable.
The daffodils are on their way out now but put on a good show as did the Camellias some of which are still blooming. Anemone blanda is still adding a nice touch of blue to the scene. Tulips ,both in pots and ground, are in bud. Pulmonaria is still going strong and the blue Cordyalis flexuosa is just starting to flower.
I am still pleased with the mirror but have not yet planted up beneath it ....this needs some thought.
March 27th
There has been a lot of progress in the last two weeks. The Camellias are still blooming especially Donation which is perhaps at its best now.
Pieris is getting those lovely red tips of fresh growth; I have tulips in bloom though they have just started and a Clematis alpina is also showing its pretty little purple flowers. A double primrose is putting on a great display as are the common primroses that I think are hard to beat. Hostas are appearing, (and the slugs), so the pellets have to go down. My two Acers are showing their leaves and I even have blooms on two hardy geraniums,Bill Wallis and Sanguinem striata. What a lovely time of year watching all this growth. I love it !!
April 7th
It gets better and better as more plants appear and a few that had looked a bit weary last year seem to have a new lease of life. The Camellias are still doing well and I have found that the blooms which drop from the shrub look very well floating on the pond. I have been to the garden center and got Clematis "Freckles" which is evergreen and I hope to train across the garage roof. Dornicum has started to flower as have the tulips. "Angelique" with its beautiful pink colour is hard to beat. I have some in a tub and others in the ground.Lilies and Hostas have shot up in the damp but warm weather and all the hardy geraniums are flourishing.
Daphnes are difficult to find here but a friend sent me a Daphne retusa and I got another present of Daphne mezereum; I am very fortunate because the scent of these plants is just wonderful.Thank you kind friends.
I noticed buds on the purple lilac today, and Clematis montana is just about to bloom. Pieris is at the height of its glory now with the crimson of the new growth providing lovely colour in the garden.
April 20th
Well having written the above comment about the Pieris what happens but heavy frosts reducing the new growth to a sad brown mess. Also hit were the Camellias, Fuchsias and some perennials. This is sad but no doubt all will right itself again. It is amazing that the Tulips were not affected at all by the frost and continue to bloom happily.
May 14th
Well a lot had happened since my last entry. Our weather has not been very kind but the good ole plants are ignoring it to a degree and going about their business. At present on the north facing wall Clematis "Nelly Moser"is in bloom and very striking she looks. here is a lady who thrives on flamboyancy. Next to her is Rose "Golden showers" a lovely bright yellow and good on that wall.Montana is still blooming in some locations ( that sounds as if I had acres instead of feet) but I have a couple of them. The pride of my life Freemontodendron is starting to flower and as usual giving a great display. Many of the Hardy geraniums are out and it is wonderful seeing my new ones in flower. Bill Wallis is amazing the way it spreads through surrounding plants. I have only a couple of flowers on the lilac this year as I had to cut it back very hard in the Autumn, but I go and enjoy the scent every day.
Those plans affected by frost damage seem to be recovering very well by now.
May 23d
Summer came to Ireland over the past ten days. We had lovely warm weather and the plants loved it; so did I !! As I look out the window Clematis Nelly Moser is still in full bloom on a north facing wall, a real mass of flowers. Next to it Rose Golden Showers has bloomed but just at present there are no flowers out . In the border beneath a large clump of Campion has been in flower for several weeks. I have several "wild" flowers like this in the garden for the birds and bees. Geranium Johnsons blue is looking lovely and many of my hardy geraniums are in bloom. Sylvaticum must be one of the prettiest colours a lovely shade of pale violet. Geums red and yellow , Aquilegia, Dicentra, Osteospermums, Anthemis, Helianthum, Cistus corbariensis, Dianthus, Cerinthe major purpurascens and Alstromeria are some of the other plants flowering just now. I have five Hostas four in pots and the slugs/snails are doing their utmost to eat them.
Pieris has recovered from the frost and is putting on a lovely show of new growth.
June 6th
The weather has been reasonable so there is a lot of growth. Many of the hardy geraniums are in bloom and it is exciting to see the flower on some of my new ones. I found an interesting plant buries under a clump of Osteospermum and realised it was and Incarvillea that I had forgotten about. It must get a new site so I can enjoy it more easily. Also a Dodecatheon that had slipped my memory turned up and very pretty it is too. Cerinthe is still blooming away and I have put in more young plants so I should have it for the whole summer. This plant has become so popular over here and yet is quite hard to find. I was fortunate to get a lot of seeds in the autumn.
Here we see Cerinthe with Cistus corbariensis to the left.
I picked my first Sweet pea today and what a gorgeous scent. I have some growing in a big pot and others in the ground. Campanula lactiflora, well I think that it correct is flowering well and lending height to the wide north facing border.Roses Leaping salmonand Golden showers are blooming and the others are in bud as are many Clematis.
June 26th
Oh dear summer has gone again, well the couple of days were nice! Despite the inclement weather there is a lot of colour in my garden. The Campanulas look really good so tall and a vivid blue. Most of my hardy geraniums are in flower and if you read my page you will not be surprised to hear I have got a few new ones. Oriental poppies lend a splash of colour which is rather noticable in a garden of otherwise muted colours, but I would not be without them. The Lilies started to bloom this week and I am glad I decided to add these to my plants as they are so lovely. Containers and hanging baskets are nice; Nemesia and Bacopa plus the Surfinia petunias make a nice show. Other plants , Fuchsia, sweet pea, impatiens and nasturtiums are also packed in. I was delighted to see the water lilies beginning to bloom...so pretty. Geum, Lupin, Clematis "Comtesse de Bouchaud and Helianthemum are adding to the colour.
July 16th
No improvement on the weather front. However the plants seem more than happy with the climate! The garden is looking very colourful at present as you will see in the first picture on my home page. Pride of place at present goes to Lily regale this beautiful flower with the wonderful scent. Other perennials in bloom at this time include; Astrantia, Sidalcea, Phlox, mauve and pink, the white is always a little later for me. Knautia macedonia is thriving as are the Penstemons "Garnet" and "Stapleford gem". My Alstromerias are almost finished but the beautiful "Angels fishing rod " has started to flower. Clematis "Prince Charles" is out and looking well, it is a lovely shade of blue. The Texas bluebonnets are still in flower and seem to last a long time. Making a splash of bright yellow is ths Evening Primrose while many hardy geraniums are adding to the colour.
I would like you to meet the latest addition to my garden. This is Pywackette the siamese cat who came to live here last week.
August 8th
This is the time I try to plan what needs to be changed for next year. That plant which is being swamped must be moved forward...I'm sure you know just what I mean. We have had a spell of hot weather here,,,that is in the mid 70sF with an occasional visit to the 80's and that is *good* for Ireland. The garden loves especially the Phlox which is looking good right now. There are two different shades of pink and masses of white. Aster *Monch* is flowering and what a lovely shade of blue and no mildew on this variety. A Buddleia bush seeded itself in the patio paving just outside the conservatory/glasshouse and the butterflies are appearing to investigate this famous scource of nectar. Many hardy geraniums are still flowering and I have added to my collection. Knautia macedonia continues to bloom , what a great value plant and so easy to grow. There are various Lavatera , my favourite is silver cup which is actually pink. These are great for this time of the year when there is a hint of weariness creeping in to the garden.
August 28th
Autumn is a coming in. The garden has that look and feel. Phlox white and several pinks are still doing their thing as are some of my dear hardies. The other good value plant is Astrantia seems to have been in flower for the whole "summer". Aster"Monch" is also in bloom and the "bishop"is in bud as are the Aconitum. A funny thing is the Clematis "Freckles" meant to flower in winter is now producing many buds and flower. A late planted Morning glory is adding that lovely blue to the conservatory....a lovely bonus. I nearly forgot the anemones,,,I still am having second thoughts about Prinz Heinrich, though I know its petals are meant to be rather peculiar it still seems to me as if the plant has a virus or something. Finally, Gaura grown from seed for the first time is not as good as I hoped. However the one I have is white and methinks the pink one may be better.
There has been more building going on. Latest addition is a new red brick pond on my patio. I hope to provide this with a heron-proof cover so I can enjoy having fish.
September 28th
Well it has been longer than usual since I made an entry but there is a a good reason. I was on holiday in Italy and what a wonderful time I had.
There was nice weather here when I returned so I could do a good garden tour. I saw that the Michaelmas daisies had started to flower and Monch was still looking pretty wonderful. The more *common* type which I tried to eliminate from my garden because they always got covered in white mould had decided to stay and appeared in various places...mould free!! So they win! The Bishop dahlia is flaunting its bright red flowers and the foliage is such a lovely shade too. The Phlox is nearly finished so there will be a lot of cutting back to do. Fuchsias are probably at their best now that Autumn has arrived. I planted up my containers with Daffodils and Iris; the former were all Tete a Teta as I like it best and it suits a small garden like mine.
Gaura is another plant that is late blooming and seems to last quite a while. Re the plant Cerinthe; I have found numerous seedlings around the area where it grew so if you have this plant have a good look. I dug up some an potted them in case winter affected them.
The pond is finished and there are 4 little goldfish in residence much to the delight of Poppy cat who sits for hours watching. I hope to have some pictures of Poppy investigating the pond and fish when next I write.
October 21st
I am really pleased to have quite a lot of colour still in my garden. Much consists of the autumn shades from foliage but plants like Monch, Nerines and Kaffir lilies are blooming. I picked the last of my sweet pea today and am so glad that I sowed some late in the summer. There is a lot of cutting back to do and I am relieved when I hear *them* say that it is best to leave a lot of perennials until the spring before cutting back. Kaffir lilies are great at this time of year and I must try to remember to divide them in the spring.
I have become very interested in Grasses and am lucky to have got several from a friend (made on the net of course!!)Immediately they were planted the height and movement added to the scene.
DECEMBER 31st 1998
Well some of you who visit here may have wondered why my diary stopped so suddenly. My computer crashed and I have been without it for more than five weeks.I was very anxious to get back before 1999 and seem to have made it by the skin of my teeth!!I will be back to tell you my garden story for the last month or so and to continue a new diary into 1999. I do hope you will join me.
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