watchingthedaisies

Michael Classon’s Garden

Michael Classon’s garden “Summy” is located near the scenic village of Rosbeg, and is described in The Donegal Garden Trail as “established in 1979 in a valley on a rocky hillside surrounded by four acres of native hazel woodland with blackthorn, juniper, burnet rose, ash and oak. Native primrose, bluebells, orchids and varied ferns abound. Emphasis has been placed on the blending of nature and the provision of all year round colour from many trees, shrubs, bulbs and herbaceous plants. Above the house is the woodland garden with rambling roses and honey bees buzzing in a shady glade.”

The driveway to “Summy” is lined with Hydrangeas:

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A beautiful white Tree Poppy stands tall on the opposite side:

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The scent of Honeysuckle fills the air:

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Day Lilies sparkle after a summer rain shower:

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Hypericum is thriving, and will flower all summer:

IMG_6927On the hill behind Michael’s home, we pass sweetly scented Paul’s Himalayan Musk Roses:

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A variety of shrubs and trees adorn the hillside in contrasting colours:

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A stunning white Hydrangea smiles gently:

Further up the hillside, we look upwards into the centre of a Monkey Puzzle tree:

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The path winds on through Hazel and Ferns. In springtime a sea of Bluebells delights the eye. What a perfect combination.

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The Garden Trail brochure continues “In a sheltered glen below the house a pond mirrors the ever changing Donegal skies. This naturally spring-fed pool is surrounded with a host of shrubs, fruit trees and acid loving plants.”

A series of gently sloping paths lead to the pond:

It is a haven of peace and tranquility.

 

 

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Our journey continues past more Himalayan Musk Roses and a Gertrude Jekyll Rose (on the right):

Michael cups an unusual star shaped Mallow flower:

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It has taken many years of hard work on a site that many would have thought impossible, but Michael and his late wife have created a treasure of a garden.

It is well worth a visit.

Brigid P. Gallagher is a retired natural medicines therapist, passionate organic gardener and author of “Watching the Daisies- Life lessons on the Importance of Slow,” a holistic memoir dedicated to the art of mindfulness and healing from debilitating illness.

 

71 comments

  3. What a wonderful example of the art of quiet toil creating an absolutely exquisite haven. Thank you for sharing. There is SO much crammed into my little notebook now pointing to a trip to Donegal (via West Cork or vice Versa because I can’t visit without visiting friends and dear ones) …. next year perhaps. Yes, perhaps next year 🙂

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      • Then how can I possibly resist! I shall look into it. I have a daughter threatening to return after 4 years in the Far East and who I know will want to go to Ireland. It seems rather kismet-like to me …

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      • I have a friend in a different region who I ‘met’ blogging. She and I are going to try and rustle up some sort of blog-meet for Frenchies as the Bloggers Bash is a bit too far for many to go. So far I have only met one other blogger in the flesh. He lives very near my mother and we passed a delightful morning last year. I think that one generally gets a good idea of whether one would really get on with another through their writing. At least, ever optimistic me thinks that! I will be delighted to meet you, I know it 🙂

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  7. What a beautiful memories to have created with his late wife. Gardens are such special places. I am looking forward to creating another one for us when we settle down again!

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  15. Hello Brigid,
    What a beautiful look at this garden. It’s a treat to see Honeysuckle and Hypericum growing in the garden like that. Two I’ve only heard about but not seen.
    Thank you Brigid and I can imagine how much you enjoyed this visit 🙋🏻💕

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  16. I’m thankful that I stumbled upon your blog. at 37 I’m wracked with health complaints due to stress. I no longer work, I’m a Mum, Wife, Housewife and now allotmenteer. I still rush around as I thrive on being busy but I’m learning to enjoy being busy in terms of ‘pottering’. I’m looking forward to sharing your visuals of being slow and reading words that give me a gentle reminder to do just that.

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  19. What a marvelous place to wander on an afternoon Brigid! Did you get inspired for your garden?? I especially loved that pond–and the water lillies. so beautiful! Hope you have a great weekend ahead. Are you singing?? hugs hugs!

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  20. Oh Brigid what a magical way to spend the day….so soothing and peaceful. And the fragrances your senses were bombarded with. Ahhhh, is what comes to mind! I would love to meditate there. Thanks for sharing all those beautiful pics!! xo

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  24. Lovely post as ever Brigid! What a wonderful way to spend a day. Such a pretty garden and I love those Mallow flowers.
    Thank you for joining us at #MyGloriousGardens this month. I think you win the prize if there was one for commenting on the most amounts of posts too….thank you. I will post a round up post soon.xx

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