We acquired this garden at the end of April 2011. It was, as they say, a blank canvas – about 3000 sq. feet of bare soil. Everything you see in it now was planted by me over the intervening 9 years. It’s located on a slightly elevated site facing West across a small valley. Before we start this morning’s walk here are a couple of small butterflies seen yesterday afternoon.
Small Blue (left) and Orange Tip (below). According to http://www.irishbutterflies.com they are not uncommon in Ireland at this time of year.
Last week the tall tulips were just buds, now they are open. The early fowering short variety are over.
The marsh marrigolds are opening now.This Euphorbnia is looking goodSo is this shrub, the name of which I forget.The heather has been in flower for a long time now.Creamy froth of flowers in a bay bush. When I purchased my Bay I thought I was buying one small bush. On removing it from the pot I discovered several rooted cuttings. Why not plant them all up and make a hedge? I thought. That was 8 years ago and this (below) is the result.Finally we come to this monster! I purchased a young shrub from landscape gardener Arthur Shackleton a number of years ago. Arthur and his partner, the artist Carol Booth, have a large garden about 10 miles from here which they open one Sunday every summer for charity. This specimen has spread across 10 or more feet of the wall and is equally high. At the end of last summer I cut a lot of material away from the near side because it was overshadowing everything in front. The bees love the yellow flowers that appear every April.
Thanks, David. I feel I should say “Cwtch”. Stay safe and well this Easter. Hopefully we shall be able to move beyond our boundary after the next bank holiday – here in Ireland the lockdown has been extended to Tuesday 5th May.
I’m always happy with a cwtch Frank. My date must odd as I’ve got ten and a half weeks to go now so I may be here at Christmas. I hope the Easter weather stays fair so you can enjoy your garden.
Cwtch
Lovely. Your Ephorbnia is looking a lot better than mine! (and thanks, I had forgotten the name of that plant, so we just called it “the alien plant”!) That white flowering shrub looks like it could be a type of spirea. Is your “yellow monster” a Forsythia?
Such a beautiful place, Frank. I enjoyed the walk. Do you know another blogger/gardener, DerrickJKnight from England? I’ve ‘walked’ walked around his gardens and enjoyed them. You probably would enjoy Derrick’s posts.
This was delightful, Frank— “and nearly all new to me. We have just seen the daffodils we planted in October surfacing in golden glory, and yellow and purple hyacinths emerging. Can’t find the crocuses, though; they should have peeked through by now. And the wind has wreaked havoc on these young plants making their first appearance.
Glad the bees are happy there. Bless those bees.
Actually, I’m in the lower 48, and all our neighbors’ crocuses have come and gone, but our babies didn’t seem to have the necessary oomph. Or perhaps they decided this was not the year for their debut, and they’ll surprise us next spring. One can hope…
Forgive my ignirance, Annie, but what does “the lower 48 mean?” Does it mean you are between latitude 49 and 48? Like Mount Vernon? Ireland is between 52 and 55 latitude but has a maritime climate, being an Island on the Eaastern Atlantic seabord.
Sorry; the lower 48 refers to the states below Alaska, which really makes no sense because the 50 states include Hawaii, which is certainly not on a geographical par with Alaska, and…
Anyway, very little in the good ol USA is making sense to me these days, though that phrase preceded the man who pretends to be president, so I guess that’s one thing I can’t blame on him.
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Hasn’t the bay established itself well…… with your help. What a glorious garden, you must be very proud..
Have a wonderful Easter
Hugs
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Thanks, David. I feel I should say “Cwtch”. Stay safe and well this Easter. Hopefully we shall be able to move beyond our boundary after the next bank holiday – here in Ireland the lockdown has been extended to Tuesday 5th May.
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I’m always happy with a cwtch Frank. My date must odd as I’ve got ten and a half weeks to go now so I may be here at Christmas. I hope the Easter weather stays fair so you can enjoy your garden.
Cwtch
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First and last Mondays in May are bank holidays in UK. Here in Ireland it’s the first Mondays in May and June.
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I loved seeing your garden in spring, Frank.
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Thank you Roberta. Did you get my comment about dates I put on your site’s contact page?
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HI Frank, I haven’t seen anything from you. Maybe it went to junk and I deleted it by accident. Could you please resend to Sirchoc[at]outlook[dot]com
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Lovely. Your Ephorbnia is looking a lot better than mine! (and thanks, I had forgotten the name of that plant, so we just called it “the alien plant”!) That white flowering shrub looks like it could be a type of spirea. Is your “yellow monster” a Forsythia?
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No and No, Sha. I’ll get my plant book out and find the answers. Watch this space!
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The yellow is a Corylopsis. Haven’t found the white in any of my books yet!
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I can remember the colour jut as long as I don’t have to remember that name…
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Done!
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Such a beautiful place, Frank. I enjoyed the walk. Do you know another blogger/gardener, DerrickJKnight from England? I’ve ‘walked’ walked around his gardens and enjoyed them. You probably would enjoy Derrick’s posts.
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No, SR, I have not encountrered Derrick Knight. I’ll look him up.
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Lovely. Thanks for the guided tour. 🙂
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You are welcome! Please come again next weekend.
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This was delightful, Frank— “and nearly all new to me. We have just seen the daffodils we planted in October surfacing in golden glory, and yellow and purple hyacinths emerging. Can’t find the crocuses, though; they should have peeked through by now. And the wind has wreaked havoc on these young plants making their first appearance.
Glad the bees are happy there. Bless those bees.
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Thanks, Annie. If I’m not mistaken you are in Alaska; I guess spring comes a few weeks later there and your summer is short. Enjoy it while you can!
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Actually, I’m in the lower 48, and all our neighbors’ crocuses have come and gone, but our babies didn’t seem to have the necessary oomph. Or perhaps they decided this was not the year for their debut, and they’ll surprise us next spring. One can hope…
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Forgive my ignirance, Annie, but what does “the lower 48 mean?” Does it mean you are between latitude 49 and 48? Like Mount Vernon? Ireland is between 52 and 55 latitude but has a maritime climate, being an Island on the Eaastern Atlantic seabord.
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Sorry; the lower 48 refers to the states below Alaska, which really makes no sense because the 50 states include Hawaii, which is certainly not on a geographical par with Alaska, and…
Anyway, very little in the good ol USA is making sense to me these days, though that phrase preceded the man who pretends to be president, so I guess that’s one thing I can’t blame on him.
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Aha – thanks for that explanation!
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Ignorance!!
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Effort that results in beauty is not wasted as it’s beauty for everyone to enjoy. Even long distance.
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