Sunshine and showers at Mornington

 

It is often said that in Ireland we can have four seasons in the one day. So come prepared! Yesterday was a glorious sunny day, though with a cold breeze. A good day for gardening. Today is a rainy April day. It is also the day Adam the gardener comes. So a weatherproof jacket and hat are called for. Inside tasks are scheduled where possible. Completing the clearing of the greenhouse. Putting the fuschias and penstemons into pots. Checking the dahlias have survived the winter and are starting to sprout. It is still too early to plant them out. The potatoes were planted last week.

 

 

Each autumn we plant tulip bulbs in a variety of tubs and pots So that we can have colour in front of the house when guests arrive. Choosing the bulbs is always an interesting task. we use late flowering varieties.  It is always interesting to see the flowers in full bloom. So when attending the Chelsea flower show one year I ordered sufficient for the two main tubs. We were delighted with the recommendations made by one of the staff on the stall. This  past year we ordered from Bloms bulb catalogue again. I will have to check the invoice for the varieties used.

 

 

 

 

The minature daffodils and the hellibores are in full bloom. Many of the daffodils planted years ago had become congested and ‘blind’. ie. They had very few flowers as they were growing in the woods and getting very little light.. Over the past 10 years we have tried to dig up the big clumps and divide them up before replanting.  Most of them are a very old variety which is, I am told, known as  an Easter lily!

 

 

Holly and Noddy enjoying the sunshine.