So my visiting companion said as we were driving out of June Blake’s garden this afternoon and, of course, the conversation continued as we drove: “I loved that lipstick pink phlox…and that new dahlia in the lower part of the garden…and that blue geranium near the house – what was its name? That monkshood was a great blue and that double blue delphinium with it was fabulous. There was great colour in the red and orange border and great use of the crocosmias; they can be a blasted nuisance but when you see them used to well you’d be inclined to use them a bit more. It’s better with those trees gone – leaves in a lot more light and that corner looks a lot better now. Imagine Primula florindae still looking so well; they’re well gone at home! I love the outer parts of the garden – a great contrast and a great rest from the intensity of colour in the main garden; it’s lovely to sit and look down on the garden from the top” And on and on it went!
This is the way it usually is after any garden visit, comments and comparisons, highlights mentioned, disappointments aired (none today!) and plans made to search out such a plant or to try an idea in the home garden.
The central area of June’s garden, the herbaceous beds near to the house, simply continue to get better and better with each passing year – a tweaking of colour combinations and plant selections – and I doubt we will see a better example of colour combination and planting in the country. Other areas of the garden have developed wonderfully – the grass area at the entrance, previously an area of wildflowers, is now an undulating lawn with a winding path which slows the visitor down and prepares one to be leisurely in the walk around the garden and encourages one to admire the border leading to the entrance where the heartiest of rodgersias thrive in the rich soil that only farmyard manure can provide.
Above, beyond and around the garden, the sweeping areas of grass have developed to become the perfect balance to the intensity of colour nearer the house. There is a peace there, quiet green and distance from the hub. The view over the garden from the perfectly placed seat encompasses not only the garden but allows views to the farmland and hills beyond. We sat there for a considerable and enjoyable time, the time to take it in, to savour the experience and to watch the gardener busy at her work.
Enjoy the slideshow of images from the garden today but better to visit and enjoy it yourself.
Paddy Tobin
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Paddy Tobin, An Irish Gardener 
Fabulous… hope to visit sometime
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Well worth a visit,Doreen.
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Lovely to read such enthusiastic appreciation of what is indeed a lovely and very accomplished garden. Its three years since I was there but I remember being awestruck as indeed I always am when visiting another garden beside the river Suir. I say takes one to know one!
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It’s time you visited again, Peter. June’s garden is looking especially good at the moment
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