Wednesday

Sunday

Six-on-Saturday: It Was Dry!

Here are a few bobs & bits from the garden this week. Unbelievably, the weather gods looked kindly down, as it remained almost entirely dry. In fact, as the week moved through, it became drier and drier. A high pressure system blew in and decided to stick around. It’s been such a long time coming. What’s rare is wonderful.

In other respects, what’s rare is most definitely NOT wonderful, as I finally succumbed to a light dose of Covid week before last. I was out of circulation for six days and recovered promptly. I always try to look on the bright side: as soon as I was clear again, the fine weather appeared so I got to do some gardening. All is well in my world.

Cyclamen

The evenings are dark. In fact even the days are dull and dreary. Yes, dry but dull and dreary nonetheless. So I treated my darling wife to this cheery Cyclamen. There are six in all, scattered around front and back. She’s worth it, for sure.

Winter Windowboxes

Window boxes here are not well suited to summer bedding. Yes, it’s a great spot for a blaze of colour and from the kitchen the display is usually great. However, it’s next to impossible to keep them watered properly in warm weather.

On the other hand, I love having just a little colour, together with a few small evergreens here between between Halloween and Easter.

Cacti

In return for the Cyclamen I bought for Marion, she returned the love by purchasing this pretty container. In fact she bought me two of them. I am a fortunate man. Several cacti that had been on the south-facing window in individual containers were repotted and I think they look well.

All Leaves Not Down Yet

I love how the fallen leaves have been trapped at the base of these planters on the patio beneath the Crabapple. Tumbling over the edge is the annual Lysmachia, known also as Creeping Jenny. These plants & fallen leaves will remain in place until after Christmas because more leaves will fall between now and then. It’s a great place for bugs and insects to shelter during cold weather ahead. We await a hard frost to denude the tree completely

Viburnum

Out front, I planted this last spring. It is approximately 30cm. It has settled in very well. I also have it beneath the (above) Crabapple. They both need pruning, a job I’ll get at shortly. Viburnum tinus ‘Eve Price’.

Rosa ‘Orange Dream’

Last week there was some discussion about Acer ‘Orange Dream’. This week it’s the turn of this lovely rose by the same name.

I have no rose expertise. This one was completely underwhelming. I think there were only half a dozen blooms this year. Not terribly exciting. What to do? Pass it on to someone who can get the best out of it? Persist here for another year? Food for thought. If plants could speak… Would this rose ask to be rehomed?

On the other hand, wanting to be as positive as is possible… there’s still this one bloom remaining. When nearly everything else is gone over, the single bloom is a highlight.

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Until next time, I hope you get to enjoy some time in the garden.

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In other news my first book, ‘The Write Time’ has been published and launched. Available online HERE. (Note: This is included here not as a sales pitch; rather as my way of recording the event and how it synchronised with my gardening. When I read this post in twelve months time, I’ll be delighted to see that it is out of stock!)

Páraig

Six-on-Saturday: New Beginnings

Readers on my other Thethreehairs.com blog will be aware that my first book is being launched this week. All the preparations are in hand, so I’m just about ready to return (on a more regular schedule) to Six-on-Saturday hosted by Jim. I’m on my new WordPress blog (yes, another one!) because many Six-on-Saturday contributors are unable to find my (irregular) Saturday contributions on my self-hosted domain. To be clear, the issue lies with me, not them. There, that’s clear.

Here are a few bobs & bits from a wet, wintery week here on the SE Irish coast.

Acer Seiryu

It’s just beyond that lovely time of the year. The colour of several Acers in the garden was magnificent until about two weeks ago. Mostly, all are now bare, but there’s usually an exception.

Here it is. Acer palmatum Seiryu. It’s east-facing and very sheltered.

Gladiolus

There’s beauty within. Yes, we marvel at the beautiful flowers of plants, but when old age arrives, there’s a tendency to look the other way. I’m choosing to gaze in wonder at the dead stalk. I think it will serve as shelter for many insects over the cold winter. Perhaps I’m over-optimistic.

Cyclamen

Taken outside our local Civic Offices recently. Cyclamen bring beautiful colour and triumphant energy to this dreary time of the year.

Ferns

I constructed a timber fence to shelter the refuse & food bins from sunshine. It was a good idea, and as a result, there was no scent smell even during warm weather. It’s also an ideal spot to keep potted ferns. Bins on their own are not attractive, but this adds to the situation.

B&T: Begonia and Thistle

Who would have thought things could get so bad? Because of our daughter’s summer wedding, and finishing my new book, The Garden was left to its own devices to a much greater extent this year. Now, look what pops up! Beyond doubt, my favourite annual is Begonia (the annual variety) but when I notice the well-established thistle, my eyeballs roll.

Office

I’ve worked hard here since February. It’s my small conservatory office space. Now almost abandoned, I can spend some time once more appreciating the cacti & succulents.

So, hey everyone… Have a great week. I think there may be some high pressure approaching SE Ireland. I live in hope.