We were all fairly cocooned during the first two weeks of March with its many weathers. There was plenty rain, frost and windy weather which was not good for gardening.
After the good St Paddy’s Day when we gave him due homage, I ventured out to explore my garden after the winter hibernation.
The morning weather was kind, the sun even ventured an appearance and so I went back indoors and attired myself in some suitable gardening attire that was last seen in October.
My next port of call was the garage to fill up the lawn mower with petrol. I started the engine and the mower purred over nicely. It had been returned after its annual service and was rearing to go. I set the blade at its highest level and off I went ag baint an fhéir. I topped four full boxes of, and I must say it looked much better.
My biggest surprise was when I went around the flower beds and pots. When I looked along the back and side wall it reminded me of Wordsworth’s poem
“I wandered lonely as a cloud,
that floats on high oe’r vales and hill,
When all at once I saw a cloud a host of golden daffodils”
Beside the lake beneath the trees,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze
There were lots of daffodils ready to burst into bloom.
The varied coloured polyanthus were radiant in their stunning colours of red, yellow with yellow and pink centrepieces while the hyacinths were showing off in their purple leafy robes.
My primroses never disappoint me with their off-white leaves and that lovely yellow centrepiece. They are real stunners in spring.
I really know warmer weather is on the way when the contorted hazel start showing off its catkin finery, they were the pièce de résistance in any garden at this time of year.
I love other constants in the shape, colour and form of the bluebells and crocuses while the everlasting muscari must be admired for its delicate blue colour.
The Aubretia is showing off its tiny blue plumage as it pushes its way through creeping Jenny.
Finally, the Brunnera Jack frost has emerged since its winter hibernation and is beginning to display it’s forget me not like flowers which it will shed and give us a lovely white veined leaf for the summer months.
I am delighted that nature has once again awakened. I hope we get nicer weather shortly when we will be able to visit garden centres and sow this year’s plants and shrubs for our enjoyment and relaxation.
I am looking forward to another great year in the gardening outdoors.
Michael O’Callaghan
