November 2011

Preparation of the garden for 2012 is well underway. New trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants have been added to the collection and a number of poor performers have been removed. This reflects our general ethos which is to only grow good performing plants.

The main project is a new woodland garden to grow choice plants and also provide an opportunity to allow some of these rare beauties to bulk up and perhaps subsequently sell some of the surplus. A range of Trillium, Erythronium and Meconopsis (including some clumps of the Slieve Donard variety) and others have been planted.

October 2011

Autumn colour has not been good this year and a recent visit to the south of England revealed a similar picture there. Many plants coloured up very early but it was so disappointing not to see the Amalanchiers not giving their all at this time.

The lawn to the front of the cottage is in the course of being drained. Unfortunately this has had to be extensive because the soil is very heavy. The results at this stage look very promising. Note that we are planning a workshop on this subject next year. (See under workshops and events.)

September 2011

There is no end to this rain and gardens in general are not at their best.

It is remarkable to see trees in particular beginning to show autumnal tints . Apparently this is linked to the very warm and dry March and April that we experienced this year.

Whilst many plants do not like this wet weather, some love it and none more so than the Astilbes. All have performed with the three best being Purple Lance, Visions in Red and Veronica Klose.

Our Hole Tree has finally shaped up and I have to admit looks the part; quite a focal point especially at this time of year.

Our propagation programme has been very good this year. Stock taking is underway and in addition to our own stock we always bring in the best of the new varieties coming on the market.

This years's events programme comes to an end very soon. However we have our plans in place for 2012 and can be viewed under Courses and Events.

Maurice

July 2011

When I was answering questions live on Gardeners Corner on Saturday 16 July, a number of people phoning in asked questions that led to answers having a 'time' related response. Helen Marks who was presenting the programme jokingly enquired if the questioner really had to do the task immediately or at a set time.

I responded by saying yes and this led me to mull over how gardening as a hobby and as a profession is very unusual and so critical in this respect. Timing is so important and it seems to apply to almost everything we do in the garden. Last year I thought I was being smart by cutting the box hedge just once in the formal garden in August rather than an early and a late trim. Of course I was found out and the hedge suffered accordingly during the hard winter. This year I have reverted!!!!

One of the most important time related tasks is propagation. For instance if semi ripe cuttings are not taken during the next few weeks the success rate drops off significantly. Likewise the sowing of grass seed is best in August; if sown too late the grass seedlings are too weak to survive the winter.

Sorry if this note led to you having to do some unplanned work!!!

Maurice

June 2011

Sorry abut the missing months but we were really busy. At last we have caught up having dealt with dozens of visiting groups, commenced our first workshop programme and then the day job. It has been very rewarding. We will soon be preparing our programme for 2012 and if you have any ideas on subject matter do drop us an email.

The weather can be a pain; not enough rain or should I say none in March and April, then the gales and guess what, now too much rain. However various species of plants react differently. The Astilbes are starting their show and they will be superb here at Ballyrobert Cottage Garden. Our Hostas have never been better and the day lilies are heavily budded. Do visit us during the next few months in particular.

What a year for the Astrantias. Roma, Giant White and Buckland have been spectacular in the garden and the impression they created has had the effect of having few left for sale in our plant centre. Roses though are plentiful and Joy has a current offer of 20% off.

Whilst on the subject of the garden, Allister has skillfully built three new wooden bridges over the stream and I have been developing some interesting focal points in the garden. These include a giant pear and an eel beside the stream !!

Do not forget our Charity Day on Saturday 23 July. Our charity this year is Action Cancer.

1 March 2011

Lots of enthusiastic weather and lots of enthusiastic gardeners combined to make the Hellebore Open Day on Saturday a great success! We didn’t even have time to get any really good photos. We think this was the first Hellebore Open Day in the province – does anyone know any different? There will definitely be another one next year.

The only downside was that the recent cold weather delayed the flowering of a few hellebore clumps around the garden – you will just have to visit again in a couple weeks to see them! Interestingly though this highlights that timing hellebores can be difficult. It also worth remembering some hellebore strains can vary to a surprising extent. For example on Saturday the Ballard strain was in full bloom however the Ashwood types where only just beginning to flower.

The interest in hellebores in the garden is growing fast (no pun intended). I think this is due to the large amount of breeding and selection that has taken place over the last ten years. I also think their inclusion in gardens old and new will bring an exciting dimension to winter gardening in the future. Hopefully I am right!

Maurice

7 February 2011

Blood of the Boyne, Bloody Butcher and Kill Apple may more often be confused with Ireland's political past. But, did you know these are old Irish apple varieties?

We have some of these old types in our own orchard at Ballyrobert Cottage Garden. These have their own history and in addition to providing fruit they enrich the garden with their own history. It is the ideal time now to plant some of these in the garden and the location could be in a hedge, mixed border or a good sized pot.

Maurice

21 January 2011

‘Spring Into Action’

After a really tough winter borders are not looking their best. Now is a good time to make a difference by completing a thorough border renovation.

At this time we have completed 50% of our borders and the difference is enormous. Unruly trees and shrubs have been tamed and herbaceous plants trimmed to ground level. We can now see the emerging bulbs such as snowdrops, aconites, hellebores and daffodils. During this process we have also removed any weeds and I from my experience if weeds are under control early in the year the burden of weeding later is drastically reduced.

Despite the weather it is beginning to ‘show’ like spring !!!!

Maurice

4 January 2011

The snow has just gone a short time but already damage to the garden is beginning to show. The main victim at this stage is the Camellia with leaves turning brown very quickly. Happily the variety Donation is in fine condition.

Low growing plants seem fine at this time and this is due to the thick blanket of snow when the frosts were at their worst.

The task of preparing the garden for the new 'season' is well underway. I trust we will receive no more snow!!

Maurice