I have been experimenting with the camera on my mobile phone, and I am delighted with the results; I can now post better quality close ups of my flowers. The following are a few of my best blooms during September… James Galway Rose Nasturtium and Cosmos are still flowering. The Nasturtiums are creating LOTS of new seeds, and I look […]
Summer’s star attractions have been these Angel’s Fishing Rods which sway gently on the breeze. They lean over my little pond, as though fishing for complements! Although my Lavatera seems to be living out its final summer, it is covered in luscious pink blooms, reaching for the sky: Meanwhile, Crocosmia lucifer has such a radiant orange smile: Which matches this Day Lily: […]
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 […]
In the spring of 2007 and the summer of 2008, I was incredibly blessed to work in the gardens of Glenveagh Castle. The gardens and castle are part of Glenveagh National Park, the second largest national park in Ireland. On both occasions I felt I was in horticultural heaven! Last September, I shared my experiences of a visit in The Gardens […]
Cluain na dTor is one of 22 gardens featured in the 2017 Donegal Garden Trail. It is described in The Trail’s brochure as “Donegal’s tropical garden, inspirational and boldly experimental!” Seamus O’Donnell’s garden has been developed over a period of twenty years, and features many unusual plants collected from around the globe. The gardens include an excellent nursery, which hosts […]
May was a gloriously warm and sunny month here in Donegal. Unfortunately, June did not live up to expectations, and we endured rain, rain, and yet more rain… However, the garden is thriving and there are lots of new blooms to share. Pink Lavatera matches my garden chairs I planted this Lavatera back in 2011, and she has provided delicious, […]
I visited “Bloom” in Dublin’s Phoenix Park in early June this year – a little while after it’s English cousin “Chelsea” inspired millions of horticultural enthusiasts around the globe. A local bus company took myself and a party of keen Donegal gardeners to our Irish floral heaven, and back home again – all in one day. The floral marquee was […]
Floral display outside my favourite restaurant – “Danny Minnie’s” I live in County Donegal, on the north west coast of Ireland, which was recently voted “The Coolest Place on the Planet” by National Geographic Traveller (UK). My village has been participating in Ireland’s national “Tidy Towns” competition for several years. One of our star attractions is our “Bikes in Bloom.” […]
The view across the garden last week The garden is flourishing after a very warm start to the month of May, plus a few much needed downpours in the past fortnight. If this is your first visit to my garden, you will notice that it is devoid of grass, and filled with a number of (mostly) raised beds, planted with trees, shrubs, cottage […]
Wine bottles in a unique flower arrangement Part two of my visit to the Keukenhof Gardens, described as “the most beautiful spring garden in the world,” focuses on the indoor exhibitions. The sculptural display of lilies and ferns displayed in wine bottles, was one of MANY unique ideas that my sister and I witnessed on our trip, so I make […]
