16/10/2026
The road home also included a stop at Mount Venus Nursery! Space in the car was pretty limited by now! A week ago put up a pic of a stunning Cotinus Flame on sale here – OMG! I had one about 15 years ago, but he was a sad and sickly fella and eventually died (I take no responsibility!). Having got his glorious replacement into the car, I squeezed in another lad I couldn’t leave behind, then headed home! Once there I left everything in the car so as to not arouse suspicion!
Thurs am, time to unload! The lovely big lamp from Jayne in Portlaoise; all swirly bits: I love it! A frame for a clematis I think! Then my lovely carved stones – these were fecking heavy! But I had to lug them out myself and try and blend them in with surroundings – you know what I’m talking about women! So cool – I just have to work out what I am going to do with them!
Next out of the tardis (Ford Mondeo) was two lovely teal throws from Allens - Home & Gift Stores in Kilkenny, just my (garden) colour, reduced to €10 each, perfect for a glasshouse couch, at some stage! Then THE PLANTS! You can NEVER have enough plants, don’t mind negative folk who say the opposite, cut them out of your life! I have no idea where I’m gonna squeeze these lads in, but I will! Johnstown Castle, under Head Gardener Ciarán Fitzgerald are now selling extra plants they have propagated, and currently they're reduced to €5! A heap of Hedychiums must have just been added as they looked amazing! I picked the best three, €15, Cavan person’s buzz! I got a fab set of metal drawers from Hamiltons in Wexford, they will look deadly planted up!
Coolaught Garden finds included Fothergilla “Blue Mist” and “Blue Shadow”, Azalea “Hotspur Red”, Rhodo “Lord Roberts” and lots of Cyclamen Hederifolium. And finally from MVN the massive Cotinus “Flame” plus an Enkianthus Perulatus. These were all picked for their stunning autumn colour, and I do try to go on a shopping trip every autumn to add lads to the planting here: you are much better going in autumn, and picking the plant with his autumn colour, and of course, pick the best lad there! I am just delighted with my few days away, a hugely pleasurable work trip!
