OMG plants!

[radegund]

This morning we went to the Rare and Special Plant Fair in St Anne's Park, and saw many rare and special plants. Also, we ate rare and special felafel, watched a rare and special man weaving a cane chair (not that one), made a careful collection of rare and special sticks, and hurtled around chasing many rare and special dogs.

It was simultaneously brilliant (beautiful day, very warmfuzzy set-up - small fair, not at all overproduced) and frustrating (garden all dug up, can't buy plants, WOE). I got talking to a man about grape vines, scored some Irish apples, ogled Myosotidium hortensia, fondled mosses, and gave measured consideration to a rather fine Tetrapanax papyrifera. Wished I could've stayed longer, but we were due at my parents' for lunch.

The juggernaut of Irish garden shows, the Bloom Festival, is on from 28 May to 1 June in the Phoenix Park. Anyone interested in going along?

Comments

[ailbhe]

We have pretty much decided to get rid of That Tree, as soon as we can afford to have it done professionally. It's now dropping huge hairy catkin things everywhere.

Perhaps we can revive the jasmine, instead.

Mm, gardens. What I lack, as ever, is staff.

[radegund.livejournal.com]

What I lack, as ever, is staff.

Well, quite! In Victorian times, you know, everyone had servants :-)

[sshi.livejournal.com]

I was there with my parents for the afternoon and verily, it was indeed lovely. There was also a surprise outdoor concert with opera-type singing as well, which topped it off nicely.

Hmmn, Bloom... I need to get some serious work done on the garden before I start buying lots of plants, but it's very tempting...

[radegund.livejournal.com]

Oh, I'm sorry I missed the singing.

Come to Bloom! I've been the last two years without being able to buy anything, and it's still been fun. There's lots of garden design as well as the plants, and although it is a little ... how shall I say ... Celtic Tigertastic, I'm planning to enjoy it again this year.

Bit pricey, is the only thing. You can get a discount by buying tickets in advance - and a further two quid off with a promotion code.

[sshi.livejournal.com]

Ooh, I've just had a look at my calendar and it's the June Bank Holiday weekend, when I shall be politically widowed (FCVO the latter :), so I think I shall. I have had a million ideas about garden redesign running through my head, so it would be a great place to do some research, I reckon.

I'll have a look, but I suspect that the leaflets I collected on Sunday include such a promotion code.

[leedy.livejournal.com]

Ooh, maybe, I'll be just back from my hols on the 30th but might be on for some relaxing garden show fun.

I have two grape vines, which are pretty healthy but thus far (being only about two) have no grapes.

[radegund.livejournal.com]

I'm not sure how old these vines were, but he said they were ready to start fruiting this year. They were about two feet tall. I'm half raring to try growing them, and half intimidated by all the Proper Pruning they appear to require.

Do you have my phone number, that you might text me if you'd like to go to Bloom on the 31st or 1st? If not, I can e-mail it to you.

[leedy.livejournal.com]

I don't! And please do!

WRT the vines, I think the height doesn't mean much, as you can cut them waaaaaaay back every year. The person who gave us ours (as cuttings) said they wouldn't fruit until they were about four or five.

Admittedly we have totally failed at Proper Pruning ours this year so they are just growing all over the wall. Next year we will get disciplinarian on their viney asses.