Sunday, June 03, 2007

Irish Roses


Irish Roses

I have been reminiscing about my trip to Ireland last summer. Especially since someone who went with us is ill right now. I have been going over a few photos and found these pictures of Irish roses. The first one is from a hopelessly beautiful garden in front of some modest townhouses (not sure what they call them over there). If I could cultivate a little more of this type of action I would be a rich man (not only monetarily). Some other photos I took during the trip can be found here:
Ireland Album



I have some correspondence to send out today. I have been woefully lax in emailing friends and family. There are a couple of business emails to go too. I have to explain to everyone how far behind I am. The 1 to 2 inches of rain we are expecting from the remnants of Tropical Storm Barry isn’t going to help matters. I guess I can only do what I can do. I have to get the rest of tropicals out of the Conservatory and that sounds easy except they have to lowered to the first floor via the lift inside (try that with a 16 foot Ficus tree). I also have to finish putting the annuals in and planting the container garden. There is a big Garden Party a week from today at the Estate so I have been concentrating my efforts on getting everything ready.

Yesterday I had to go the garden with a chainsaw. I am guilty of often trying to nurse plants back to health but a few just had to go. Among the victims were a Albizia julibrissin 'Ernest Wilson', which is a tree I have vowed never to try and grow in Connecticut again. A large Kousa Dogwood on the island had to go as the top completely died. I had several plants killed by sapsuckers. Here is a photo of some of the damage on the Leatherleaf Viburnum.



Actually the plant is sprouting from below this damage but I had to cut away 75% of the 12-foot high shrub. The Sapsuckers completely ravaged a planting of San Jose Holly that were about 25 feet tall and 20 years old. I am not sure what to do about them; maybe I should buy a shotgun. I don’t mind sharing the garden with wildlife, that is all part of it, but these birds are way too destructive. A few Mountain Laurel cultivars had to go as they just didn’t come back after the winter.





^These are some 'new' Rose pictures from Ireland.

5 comments:

Ki said...

Wow, amazing how thoroughly the sapsucker damages the plant. The lattice work pattern looks quite interesting but I'd be upset too if I found that kind of damage. Thankfully our sapsuckers seem to stay in the woods in the nearby park. I manage to damage trees and shrubs all by myself with the weedwhacker. Don't know how many I've accidentally girdled. I just planted a pink dogwood and cleanly zipped off 1 1/2" piece of bark. Surprisingly the tree refused to die so after a week I wrapped the wound with duct tape. Another use for duct tape. The tree and the new growth is still thriving!

Really beautiful roses.

RUTH said...

Saw your comment on Ukbobs and thought I'd come and take a look at your blog....glad I did...stunning photos!

Digital Flower Pictures said...

Ki,

Sometimes if you can find the bark and put it right back on and tape it. The cut will heal itself with the old bark. The Weed whacker is one reason we always have a mulch circles on lawn trees.

Ruth, Welcome that UKbobs site is fun. He seems like an English counterpart.

Diane Dehler said...

I love your Irish roses. Your photos are always lovely.

Digital Flower Pictures said...

Princess haiku, thank you so much for the compliments. They really mean a lot to me.

Chris