Magnolia coming to life, and other promising signs

Posted on March 25, 2023 by Mominthegarden

Hi there! Growing plants from seed never ceases to amaze me. I am surprised every single time that I see the seedling push through the soil! Perhaps I should have a little more faith? 🙂 I started a bunch of plants from seed again this year and they are up and growing. Last year I had a terrible time with slugs eating my small plants once I planted them out in the garden. So I have just started a second bunch of plantings, as back up. So far, I have sweet pea, sun flowers, coleus, ranunculus, delphinium, and I just planted pumpkins (yesterday). Between the slugs and our windy location, the plants need to be quite hardy to survive here!

The weather has been quite unpredictable. We’ve had lots of rain and gray skies, but we’ve been lucky to get glimpses of the sun, too, which is great for lifting my spirits!

My Magnolia Stellata is starting to come into bloom and it is so pretty. I have it in my chicken run, which means that it is ‘caged up’ so the girls don’t peck at it. That’s not a problem for the shrub, just my camera. 😉

One thing I will be focusing more on in the garden, is companion planting. I honestly have not put much thought into this, until now. Starting small, I added some cyclamen to my iris reticulata (per my friend Susan’s suggestion) and to me it was a game changer. So I added some grape hyacinth to my daffodils, and again, I think it looks so much nicer. I’ll be eyeing the rest of the garden a little differently now.

I’m joining Jim at Garden Ruminations for the Six on Saturday meme. Feel free to join in!

Enjoy the tour!

In Peace,
Dana

1 – Magnolia Stellata. This was a gift to us two years ago for our 25th wedding anniversary (what a super gift!). I love how unusual the flowers are. Even more, I love how early it blooms!

2 – Helleborus Harvington Double Red. I’ve shown this one before, but perhaps a bit too soon. This hellebore is only now coming in to its full glory. It is living up to the ‘lenten rose’ description sometimes given to hellebores, with its late winter/early spring blooming.

iris reticulata purple and cyclamen pink

3 – Companion planting of Iris reticulata and Cyclamen. I’m very happy to report that all of the iris bloomed, despite me shifting them at the start of their season. They were spread out, and I moved them close together in a cluster. I got this idea following my visit to Altamont gardens where all of their iris reticulata were planted in clusters for more visual impact. Copying is the greatest form of flattery, right?

trays of seedlings (sunflower, coleus, sweet pea)

4 – My seed trays. The image is deceiving as the bottom right corner pic is taken from quite high and the other three are close-ups! Bottom right is mostly sunflowers with sweet pea in the bottom right of it. Coleus are in the bottom left picture, ranunculus are top right – those corms were from last year, so I’m happy even though all of them didn’t sprout up (yet?). And top left are some delphiniums. I’ve only had hit or miss luck with those, but the hits are always good!

5 – Daffodils with grape hyacinth. This is more a picture of a blue sky than the flowers!

6 – Anemone pink and purple. I like these guys in the garden as they are no maintenance and they spread. Who doesn’t like a little purple in the garden here and there? I now also have a pink variety growing, and I’m honestly not sure how they got there but happy to have them.

daffodils and grape hyacinth at garden arch

These big bunches of brightness have truly lifted my spirits during these gray days. We could have a blue sky in the morning, and hailstones in the afternoon – it’s just the way it is. I am so glad to have them and I truly go out into the yard just to look at them. 🙂

Thank you so much for stopping by. Let me know if you have any favorite companion plantings that you’d recommend!

A pink and purple theme

Posted on December 5, 2021 by Mominthegarden

Hi there, and welcome to my blog! The mild fall weather absolutely spoiled me, allowing me to work comfortably in the garden for well into November. So when the weather turned ‘normal’ for this time of year, I was a teeny, tiny bit annoyed and withdrew inside. Thankfully, I’ve acclimatized, and have ventured out again – albeit with many layers. You’ll see what I mean about about a pink and purple theme when I show you what I gathered from the garden. 🙂

collage of pink and purple flowers in a vase

Whoa! Look at those colors! So here we have it, my pink and purple flowers. The rose shrubs are more or less at the end of their season, and I saw no reason to leave the flowers outside where no one would be enjoying them (it’s too cold!). I added the anemone because now is when they actually start showing up all over the garden. They might appear to be a frail flower, but they do great in arrangements, as do roses, of course. The roses opened up over the course of the week and were truly lovely. The bottom left photo in the collage was taken a few days after I brought the flowers inside, while the others are from just a short time after cutting the flowers. Never mind that in the same room I had a fall colored arrangement for Thanksgiving. Yes, it clashed, and nope, I didn’t really care.

This picture shows the flowers after a few days being inside. They all opened up beautifully. It’s the simple things.

Look at that morning sky! We’ve seen lots of pink and purple hues of late. It’s just beautiful, and something I will never tire of. While I do love pink and purple, it’s now time to get into Christmas mode (and colors). We’ve just put up our outside Christmas lights, and that really helps to get everyone in the Christmas spirit!

I hope you are keeping safe, and well, and that your December is exactly what you need it to be.

In Peace,
Dana

lit Christmas tree outside with kitty — Kitty was helping me to check on the lights. 🙂

Seizing the moment this Valentine’s weekend

Posted on February 14, 2021 by Mominthegarden

Hi there! Welcome to my blog. Life is still pretty crazy, and the news isn’t really getting much better, but something wonderful happened this weekend. I just let every worry go and went outside and had some silly fun with my girls! It was freezing, it was wet, it was snowy, but most of all it was just what I needed.

When I mention ‘my girls’, I’m usually referring to my chickens, but this time I actually mean my daughters. They are 16 and 20 and they are really a delight. This lock down can’t be easy for any of us, and they are holding up so well. I’m glad we had the opportunity to get out and have a bit of fun.

Our area is not really known for snow. Admittedly, we’ve had a few dustings this winter, and it has definitely been colder than usual. But for whatever reason, the snow this weekend had all three of us going outside and having a bit of fun. We were out long enough to make a snowman and take some pictures, which was the perfect amount of time! Our snowman was the laying down variety, since the snow was too heavy for us to lift the body (it was really, really wet!). By the time we rolled the three parts, most of the snow had been rolled up!

I’m so glad we did it. I was tempted to stay inside and just watch them from the window (I don’t like the cold!). It was so worth being with them and a part of their silliness. I probably need to do that a little more often!

I hope you’ve had the chance to be silly, too! I think it is good for all of us.

Take care!

In Peace,
Dana

Mom in the garden and her daughters playing in the snow

I’m so glad the girls aren’t ‘too old’ for having fun in the snow! (You can see the grass showing after we rolled the snowman!) Everything was green again the next day – washed away with the rain.

We’ve had more snowfall this year than usual. We’ve had a long stretch of rainy, cold, or snowy weather!

The sun managed to visit us just today! It was lovely to get some pictures of the flowers currently blooming! (clockwise from top left: Hellebore (unknown variety), anemone, snowdrops, Winter Sunshine hellebore)

Hellebore Winter Sunshine February 14 closeup

The Winter Sunshine hellebore is really starting to come into full bloom. There are so many flowers! It never disappoints.

This dark pink hellebore plant is also starting to come along. I have hellebores at different stages, and this one is not as far along as the Winter Sunshine. You can actually see the Winter Sunshine hellebore in the top right hand corner of the above picture.

These snowdrops have never looked as ‘happy’ as they do this year! I especially like the green markings. They are so dainty, and when they are fully open they look like miniature lampshades. These were a gift from a friend’s garden, years ago, and have been divided at least once. But this group here is the showiest.

Last but not least, we have this anemone, which isn’t a Mr. Fokker, like the rest in my garden. So I’m unsure what it is. I found the color to be quite pretty, though.

We did have one blue sky day this week, and it was just beautiful. I’m so thankful for days like this, which really lift my spirits!

I hope you’ve had a wonderful Valentine’s weekend, and have been made to feel special! Thank you for visiting, and do take care! 🙂

February brings Spring to Ireland … sorta

Posted on February 7, 2016 by Mominthegarden

signs of spring

Hmmm, I am wondering how I somehow sneak back into blogland after not posting anything for three months? Do I just jump back in and pretend I’ve been here all along??? Or maybe I list the five million reasons why I haven’t been able to blog??? No, I think I’ll start with:

I have REALLY missed taking pictures and blogging!!!

O.K., now to my list of excuses 🙂 Suffice it to say that working, coaching, parenting kids who swim and Irish dance, and traveling 700 miles a week has kept me out of the garden. But it has been during this time when I couldn’t be on my blog that I discovered how much I truly enjoy working on my blog, and I really miss it. So once again, I will do my best to stay on top of my garden and reporting all things beautiful to you (while hopefully maintaining a level of sanity)!

Daffodil bulbs – more signs of spring

What could be more beautiful than the greens from bulbs pushing their way out of the soil? I see this as new signs of life and hope for all things beautiful to come! I can even ignore all of the weeds and ONLY see the new greens from the bulbs … because why spoil something so exciting?

Tulips pushing through in the Rose Garden

Look at the stones in my soil! I clear them away all the time, and new ones appear. Ha! The same thing happens with the weeds!

Winter Sunshine Helleborus

I bought this lovely “Winter Sunshine” Hellebore last year. The flowers are really pretty!

Helleborus Winter Sunshine – look at all of those flowers!

Have I mentioned our weather to you? I titled today’s blog “February brings spring to Ireland … sorta” because the weather we have been having is more “winter storm-like” than spring-like. We haven’t gone more than a day without rain, and I mean a lot of rain. The bad weather has been relentless since November. November! We’ve had major (rain & wind) storm after storm after storm. The funny thing about Ireland is, though, that the sun will peek out for a short amount of time every now and then… just enough to keep us from going completely crazy. Good thing!

Helleborus Winter Sunshine

O.K., now I have a picture that could win a prize for “Worst Garden Ever” due to the bed being completely taken over by grass. This is why you should never have a wild flower garden where you really want a proper flower bed. Lesson learned!

Grass is everywhere!

I definitely know that anything can be achieved by starting small. Just look at any of my gardening projects and you’ll know I have patience and perseverance. But this bed has me running for any other job in the garden! I’m hoping one of these days I’ll just dive in and dig up that grass (again)!!!

Weeping Cypress Nootka

Elsewhere in the garden… My weeping Cypress Nootka is well settled in now. I simply love it.

Abies Koreana

Almost directly across from my Weeping Cypress Nootka is my newest tree, an Abies Koreana. It shouldn’t grow too big, and has a lovely “Christmas tree” shape. We grow our garden one tree/plant at a time!

Ditch Wall Garden

The color in my ditch wall garden is really striking at the moment, don’t you think?

Favorite Winter Flower – Anemone

I probably have too many pictures of my anemone, but I love the color they provide in the winter and very early spring months!

It was so lovely sharing my garden with you. I hope you enjoyed it, too!

I hope that no matter what the weather is where you are that you are able to enjoy it! … and I also hope that the rain in Ireland eases up a bit so we can enjoy more time in the garden!

Happy Winter/Spring! 🙂

In peace,
Dana

In a Vase on Monday: In like a Lion and out like a Lamb

Posted on March 23, 2015 by Mominthegarden

A Lion & a Lamb & a Spring Bouquet

Are you smiling? I hope so! I had a little fun with this “In a Vase on Monday” post. I came across these cute puppets last week when I was deep cleaning our playroom (read: went through all of the toys to get rid of what wasn’t played with anymore). I’m hopeless though, and only a few things were actually taken away. Items like these cute puppets were just squished into higher-up cabinets to have on hand for little visitors. (Did ya like that pun?) Somehow, thankfully, the room did end up tidied and I found some props for my post!

full view

I really can’t believe it is nearing the end of March. The weather was true to the expression: it was crazy at the beginning of the month and it has thankfully calmed down (enough to garden at least!).

Daffodil season in full swing (Ice King & Tresamble). These large daffodils have since turned a creamy white. the Ice King variety resembles a carnation.

We have collected quite a few different varieties of daffodils over the past few years and I am really liking all of them!

The small daffodils (Velocity) I bought from Mr. Middleton’s Garden Shop in Dublin. The catalogue describes them perfectly: early dwarf daffodil with deep yellow strongly reflexed petals and an orange red corona. So true!

pink anemone: Anemone coronaria ‘Sylphide’

I have only one pink anemone, but I thought it was stunning so I had to add it. It is my favourite colour of pink! Just one little bloom for the vase. This little guy is planted in a container. He did really well last year, and I’m delighted to see flowers again this year. I’ve read that the anemone will do better after several years. Lovely news!

Paperwhites were forced inside (and the family don't enjoy their scent!)

Paperwhites (Narcissus papyraceus) were forced inside (and my family do not enjoy their scent!)

stacking the flowers on top of each other

We have been so lucky to have good weather on the weekends. I have so enjoyed working in the garden! The sunny days help to inspire creating an arrangement.

Anemones blooming all winter long

I was rather surprised to have enough for an arrangement. If you looked at the yard you’d wonder where the flowers came from, they are spread all around, not really making an impact just yet (except for the purple anemones as they have been making an impact all winter.)

Anemone clump

Anemone beauty on a frosty morning

The Mr Fokker Anemone fade to a light purple as they age. They start a lovely deep, dark purple.

Belleek vase seemed fitting for March (think St. Patrick’s Day)

I missed quite a few ‘In a Vase on Monday’ postings this winter. I have to say it is nice to be back at it again. I hope you will also join us! Cathy at Rambling in the Garden https://ramblinginthegarden.wordpress.com/2015/03/23/in-a-vase-on-monday-between-sweet-williams-two-lips/ hosts this fun (read: addictive) meme. You will see some lovely arrangements when you stop by!

Happy Spring!
Dana

my favourite picture of the group

My First Weekend in the garden and boy was it lovely!

Posted on March 8, 2015 by Mominthegarden

Pulmonaria

What a wonderful weekend I had in the garden! The weather was perfectly spring like. There was so much weeding and cleaning up to do it was a bit overwhelming at first. Ever feel that way? All I could do was start with one little job at a time.

Primrose

There are lovely signs of spring.

Anemone Mr. Fokker

I also had some new plants to plant, and others to move around the yard. My husband is very good and does the planting for me, even the movings around of plants (sometimes more than once).

Anemone

I had forgotten that I had some very pink anemone growing in a container. What a lovely surprise to see them this week!

Anemone

Our strawberry plants are in a mess. You should really clean up the plants around September. Some how our schedules got in the way of our gardening last fall. So we are now in the process of cleaning them up and what a job it is!

Strawberry beds in need of attention

I cut back all of the green leaves of my Hellebores. Some of their leaves were turning black and it wasn’t pretty. They have been flowering all winter, so if you are looking for a winter blooming plant, this is definitely one to get (and so many colours to choose from).

Hellebores

Our winter garlic is finally up, growing and doing well. And look at that, another strawberry bed in need of attention! (arg!)

Garlic bed

Garlic

This is the first daffodil in my yard. It is kind of lonely all on its own. Hopefully the others will be up soon!

Daffodil

I’m so happy to have had time in the garden this weekend! I hope spring has sprung for you, too (or will soon)!

Happy spring!
Dana

In a Vase on Monday: Mr. Fokker Anemone & Primrose in January

Posted on January 12, 2015 by Mominthegarden

Mr. Fokker Anemone & primroses

It is cold, wet and windy outside! So goes our January. The wind would knock your socks off! Nevertheless, the sun has made several appearances so really I shall not complain.

Waterford crystal candle holder with anemone and primrose

I took a little break from my blog over the Christmas holiday. I wasn’t really taking a break from blogging but rather making more time for the family. I like blogging and was looking forward to getting back to it! So when the sun was shinning bright on Saturday I decided to run outside and see what I could find for the meme In a Vase on Monday, hosted by Cathy at Rambling in the garden (http://ramblinginthegarden.wordpress.com). It was COLD outside!

Mr Fokker Anemone in the garden

I have loads of Mr Fokker Anemone in the garden. Unfortunately, where they are in the garden doesn’t see the sun until the very end of the day (if at all). So they are closed up most of the time. It was lovely to watch them open after being placed in warm water in the candle holder (their vase).

The flowers opened up in the warm water

The colours are lovely. I kind of squished the primrose into the vase. That bright pink is fabulous in the yard. I have to say they look rather lonely though, as everything around them is pretty much in sleep/winter mode.

The candle holder usually sits in a room which we rarely use. So the only job it has is to collect dust. I’m glad to put it to better use.

floating flowers

It is always fun to try and be a little creative with what is in the garden and what vase to use. I hope you’ve enjoyed my In a Vase on Monday post!

bright pink

I have to say that it is nice to have flowers in the garden in January.

primrose in the garden

I hope you have a good week and that you are nice and warm, wherever you may be!

Peace,
Dana

Mom in the Garden

Enjoying life. In Ireland. With my family.

Tag Archives: Anemone

Magnolia coming to life, and other promising signs

A pink and purple theme

Seizing the moment this Valentine’s weekend

February brings Spring to Ireland … sorta

In a Vase on Monday: In like a Lion and out like a Lamb

My First Weekend in the garden and boy was it lovely!

In a Vase on Monday: Mr. Fokker Anemone & Primrose in January