Around the garden.

The Lilies have emerged in the last few days. The heat giving them some encouragement. I love their heady scent but find it a bit too strong for in the house…not that I would dream of cutting these beauties. They thrive in this bed which has very good drainage. I really must plant some more.

The shady border beside the chalet has mostly white flowers at the moment…Galega, Yarrow and Shasta Daisies. Soon the Sedum will turn red giving a new focal point.

The pond which is here just over a year is full of life… especially Pond Skaters… loads of them. The Water Lily is producing another couple of blooms. I just love Water Lilies.

Flowering Fennel has the insects in ecstacy…they just adore it. Loads of Hoverflies,  Bees and Bumble Bees  about today. Nice to hear a buzz in the air. For so much of this Summer we did’nt have that…

In the polytunnel Dahlias are in flower. Dahlias don’t do well outside here…the ground is too heavy and wet. I planted tubers in big pots this year and they are doing well. They get an occasional feed with the Comfrey and Nettle liquid feed.

 Purple Teepee Beans are ready for harvesting. They lose their purple colour when cooked but they do look so great when they’re growing. Beans have done well this year. Broad Beans gave a huge crop…then we had the Green Bush Beans. An abundant year…despite the weather.

Grapes are starting to colour too…better clean out them demijohns…soon be wine making time!

Succulents are amongst my fave plants. So easy to grow and propogate. This Sempervivium has produced lots of babies. They can just be broken off, planted in a gritty compost and hey presto you have a new plant!

Random Thoughts from Prospect Cottage.

Cosmos, one of my fave flowers is still doing well here in this tub despite the wind and rain which has been battering us for a few days now.

Sedums are reddening up, Autumn is here!

This purple Sedum which I got earlier in the Summer is already showing it’s dark red flowers. Not too many Butterflies though!

Onions are drying on the bench in the shed. They will be tied in bundles for use through the Winter months. Have you ever noticed how home-grown Onions are much stronger than shop bought?

Red Onions are also drying. These will make a lovely Onion Marmalade or decorate a Winter salad.

In the polytunnel Red Orach is setting seed. I shall plant this outdoors next year as it is very decorative, not so keen on it’s edible leaves.

The Grapes are starting to ripen at last, very late this year. They are surprisingly sweet given the lack of sunshine. I am going to leave some to get really ripe as I plan to make wine this year. The riper they are the higher the natural sugars.

Friday Musings from Prospect Cottage.

Eupatorium purpureum or Joe Pye Weed as it is commonly called is a hardy perennial which likes a sunny spot with a moist soil. Its common name was derived from a Native American who was said to have cured typhoid fever with it by inducing extreme sweating. It was also used as an antisyphilitic. The plant is also a benificial for bees and butterflies.

A bowl of Pot Marigolds, 70 heads to be exact, these ones were used to make an ointment which is excellent for any skin problems. An oil can also be made by covering the heads with sunflower oil, placing in a sunny place for a few days then straining off the resulting beautifully coloured oil. Again an excellent treatment for any skin problems.

This Lysimachia with the variegated leaves will hopefully spread like the plain leaved one. I was careful to plant it where its rapid spread can be absorbed. It too likes a moist situation. It can be divided in Autumn or Spring every 2 or 3 years.

The recent heavy rain has played havoc with the Poppies although they continue to produce masses of new blooms.

I think their seed heads look rather attractive anyway. I wonder if the seeds of these Opium Poppies can be saved and used in cooking? Anyone know ?

The Grapes are slowly starting to ripen in the polytunnel. They are in dire need of some sun which has been very scarce this Summer. Typically the forecast is good for next week just as all the children return to school.

A Visit to Strokestown Park Gardens.

Yesterday was a windy, blustery day here in Roscommon. Undeterred by weather we decided to pay a visit to Strokestown Park Walled Garden. As if by magic, the rain kept away while we were there.

Really enjoy walking around the 6 acres of restored Georgian gardens, especially the wilder undergrowth beyond the lake. Love this double flowered vibrant pink Hawthorn. The large bush was covered in blossom which look like miniature roses.

 Nice to see the display of old tools and paraphernalia from a bygone age, replaced now by mechanisation.

The Peach harvest is looking promising, incredibly healthy looking plants.

Grapes looking good too, lots of fruits forming.

An early flowering Honeysuckle which is also scented, perfection!