'Midsummer Blooms'- Irish Cottage Garden
The Lost Forest garden is endlessly dancing between tender young flowers and billowy mature blooms. It is a delight to tend and care for it on a daily basis, with simple weeding, deadheading, feeding, trimming and watering. What the garden gives me back in return is a tapestry of changing colour, fascinating winged visitors, perfumed warm air and an uncomplicated purpose.
When the garden was first created last June, I have introduced a few new additions. As the beds are large, ground cover is a must. I chose wild strawberries to run free and stretch out their curious tendrils to their hearts content. My favourite hardy geraniums are also an ideal ground cover. Geranium Rozanne is a firm favourite and has matured beautifully since last June. I added in Geranium Dreamland, Tiny Monster, Beth Chatto and Blue Skies recently. I love how they sprawl and meander through the beds, and the taller flowers spring up from their mass of green skirts.
I decided to name my garden ‘Kitty Blossom’ garden in honour of my 6 rescue kitties. They love hiding in amongst the flowers and snoozing away in the midsummer sun. I often refer to them as my kitty blossoms, so of course it made sense to name it after them! I made the sign from an old slate roof tile and used a white marker for the text.
In May I decided to expand my rose collection with a number of new David Austin roses. I chose Strawberry Hill and Generous Gardener to trail up my new garden archways. They are both vigorous climbers, so hopefully in time I will have a wonderfully scented arch of roses to enjoy. Emily Bronte joined my Roald Dahl rose, to create a miniature writers section in my flower bed. Finally Munsted Wood added a bewitching jewel-toned drama to the garden, further echoing the deep plum tones of the impressively leggy knautia.
I use Nepeta or catmint on the verges to create a stunning purple haze that illuminates when the sun sinks low in the evening. It really is quite a sight. Catmint is a lovely herb, with a very similar blossom and scent to lavender. Lavender does not grow very well in the boggy Cavan earth, so I decided to replace it with the catmint and it has been hugely successful. The cats of course love rubbing their noses on it, licking it, chewing on it, and often jumping on it! Catmint secretes the scent nepetalactone, which causes a euphoric effect in kitties, making them extra playful and loveable. It’s a must for any garden, and even grows well in pots and containers.
I’m proud of my how my cottage garden is evolving, and the knowledge I’m acquiring along the way. Tending to a garden is the ideal way to destress, refocus and just be present in a moment, as my normally busy mind is hushed and a welcomed quietude is attained. - Gillian x
