I am People!

I had not previously realised my plurality nor the multiplicity of my personalities but, it appears, It has been the case for some time. What brought it to my attention was a chat with Mary, my wife, about an hydrangea in the garden – Hydrangea ‘Hot Chocolate’. This is a cultivar of Hydrangea aspera, a …

The Hidden Horticulturists

When historic account is populated with individual stories it becomes real, all the more interesting and more accessible to us. Should we read of a First World War battle, with deaths in the thousands, we are duly shocked but should we be told of a young Lancashire lad, who was under age when he enlisted, …

Every Dog has it Day!

“Let Hercules himself do what he may, The cat will mew, and dog will have his day”, wrote Shakespeare in Hamlet around 1600, and the saying may well be applied to our garden plants for it is a regular occurrence that a year may arrive when a plant gives a display far beyond and far …

The Thug in the Rain

This glaringly red poppy, Papaver orientalis 'Allegro', has been in and out of favour with us since we grew it from seed and planted it in the garden almost thirty years ago. So disgusted did we become with it at one time that we dug it out only for some remaining roots to send up …

Epitaph on my own Friend

At the funeral of a dear friend today, her husband quoted Robert Burns, "Epitaph on my own Friend" An honest man here lies at rest, As e’er God with His image blest: The friend of man, the friend of truth; The friend of age, and guide of youth: Few hearts like his, with virtue warm’d, …

Even on a Bad Day!

We can all, at times, work to the motto sometimes seen on sundials, "I only count the sunny hours". This is especially true of photographers who will inevitably seek out the most pleasant views, say in a garden, and ignore the less attractive pictures which may well present themselves. Likewise, if we have a choice, …

The Annual Show

Ambrose Congreve's planting style - at his Mount Congreve Garden - was very often designed to impress, to wow, to stop the visitors in their tracks and take their breath away and the Paeonia Borders do all of this in the most dramatic manner. There are other similar areas throughout the garden - the amazing …

Catching the Sunshine

The sunshine comes and goes here in Ireland and, with that, the light changes very quickly from the glare of full sun and skies of blue to the dull grey of our overcast and cloudy hours - and I have not mentioned the regular fog we experience here beside the river, nor the mist and …

The Chocolate Box Scene at The Bay Garden

The lie of the land brings you there; the footpaths through the dappled shade of the woodland garden lead you there; the light ahead on the shady walks tell you that there is something ahead and, though I have gone there many times, it still comes as a surprise and a delight. It is always …

Tombrick Garden

Tombrick Garden hasn't opened as regularly as previously in the last few years so when it opened today - a charity event - it came as no surprise that it attracted a big attendance; well, actually, a huge attendance. There was virtually a small army of helpers in attendance to guide cars to and from …