Windcliff, A Story of People, Plants and Gardens by Daniel J. Hinkley

Daniel J. Hinkley spoke in Dublin around the year 2000, an event organised by the Royal Horticultural Society of Ireland at University College Dublin, and I can still recall the anticipation and excitement of attending that talk. He was a leading light in the world of gardening, a plant explorer and collector and the introducer …

Not a Tap!

30th January 2021, Waterford, south-east Ireland. I didn't do a tap; didn't lift a finger; didn't do a stroke! Yes, that's the kind of week it was! We had days of snow, frost, freezing temperatures and heavy rain which prevented any work in the garden. There was a change midweek with milder conditions and I …

A Quick Winter Walk

It really is too cold to linger in the garden and taking photographs demands lingering. My intention when I went out this morning was simply to take a quick walk around, a quick check on plants around the garden, just to see how things were after another night of very heavy frost (it was down …

The Snow Report

It seems to me that our grandson, Ben (4), shows great promise as a weather reporter. A future in meteorology would be a breeze (Yes, pun intended!) for him. Why do I think so? Well, he was on the 'phone this morning with the following report: "Hiya Paddy, It's snowing and we made a snowman …

Is it Spring Yet?

Waterford, south-east Ireland, 23 January, 2021. The weather of late winter and the run into spring is a contrary and unpredictable thing in Ireland. Only last week I was delighted with the progress of snowdrops in the garden; they seemed to be popping up all over the garden, a welcomed sight and sign that the …

What Was I Thinking?

Abbie Jury (a New Zealand gardener whose blog I read regularly) prompted a fortnight of reflection. She wondered what people think about when they are gardening and I have been considering this question since. I have come to the conclusion that I am what might be described as a “focused-on-the-task” kind of gardener for my …

January and a New Start!

Waterford, south-east Ireland, 16th January 2021 These last few days have been beautifully dry and mild and we have been able to get out into the garden. Each day's walk-around tell me that the plants are into growth for each days shows changes from the day before. At this time of the year, I am …

July – December: A Photographic Review of the Year in the Garden, Part 2.

Waterford, southeast Ireland, 9th. January 2021 It is that time of year when we look backward with fondness and forward in hope and, when the garden is presently bare, it is encouraging to view again the days when it was full and lush, when the sun shone and all looked fresh and alive. Those days …

De Rigueur!

It was only the lightest coating, little heavier than a dusting of icing sugar, but the moment had to be captured; such fleeting moments always catch our attention. We had snow this morning. There to meet me as soon as I opened the door, waiting for breakfast. The patio with snow nicely dusting the fernThe …

A Photographic Review of the Year in the Garden, Part 1

Waterford, southeast Ireland. 2 January 2021 Here we are into the New Year, 2021. The Roman god, Janus, was generally depicted as being two-headed or two-faced, one looking forward and the other backward. I suppose we all look forward and hope that the coming year will be better than the last and, given the track …