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Notes from Bellefield by Paul Smyth

A few days good weather has brought Bellefield to life and reinvigorated us all. The garden is teaming with birdsong, light and flower!

Our daffodils have all but finished but the tulips have continued to perform, despite lots of them being in the ground for a number of years. ‘Princess Irene and ‘Ballerina’ both brilliant oranges are shining in the pots by the back door as I type this.

With the heat come the weeds but our team of volunteers have been helping keep them at bay. We try to balance the work and give a lesson on relevant topics every week too, gardening isn’t all weeding!

This brilliant spell of weather gives us false hope that frost is gone, but be warned there’s plenty of chilly morning and surprise frosts on the way… especially here in Irelands Hidden Heartlands.

Some formative pruning of one of the large yellow Magnolias left us with some flowers which we floated in the pond with the volunteers help. I later learnt I should have pickled them, lesson learnt!

We’re moving on seedlings at a fast rate too, potting on, pricking out and sowing new batches. Hopefully we’ll have lots of new annuals and perrenials to fill the garden and to sell as the season progresses.

Our colleague Judith celebrated her Birthday this week by planting a beautiful specimen of Malus ‘Profusion’. A stunning variety with pink flowers followed by masses of deep red crab apples. Something for us all to enjoy for year to come.

If you’re interested in volunteering we are always on the lookout for gardeners of any and no ability, just bring your enthusiasm and we can supply the rest. If you’re interested please email bellefield@rhsi.ie

Airfield Estate Gardens

Ardan Garden

Ballintubbert Gardens and House

Ballycommane Garden

Ballyedmond Castle Garden

Ballymaloe Cookery School

Ballyrobert Gardens

Bantry House and Garden

Belvedere House Gardens & Park

Benvarden Garden

Birr Castle Demesne

Blarney Castle and Gardens

Burtown House and Gardens

Caher Bridge Garden

Colclough Walled Garden

Collon House

Coolaught Walled Garden

Coolwater Garden

Dawros Gallery & Garden

Douentza Garden

Dower House

Drimbawn Garden

Dromana House and Gardens

Festina Lente

Fota House – Victorian Working Garden

Gash Gardens

Glenarm Castle Walled Garden

Glenavon Japanese Garden

Hester Forde Garden – ‘Coosheen Garden’

Hillsborough Castle and Gardens

Hunting Brook Gardens

Irish National Stud and Gardens – The Japanese Gardens and St. Fiachra’s Garden

Johnstown Castle, Estate, Museum and Gardens

June Blake’s Garden

Kilfane Glen and Waterfall

Kilgar Gardens

Killruddery House and Gardens

Killyreagh Garden

Kilmokea Country Manor and Gardens

Kilravock Garden

Kylemore Abbey and Victorian Walled Garden

Lodge Park Walled Garden

Loughcrew Gardens

Medina

Mount Congreve Gardens

Mount Stewart House and Gardens

Mount Usher Gardens

Oakfield Park

Old Deanery Garden

Patthana Garden

Rothe House Museum and Garden

Rowallane Garden

Salthill Garden

Seaforde Gardens

Seanabea Cottage

Springhill

Strokestown Park Gardens

Tourin House & Gardens

Tullynally Castle Gardens

Tyrrelstown House Garden

Woodville Walled Garden

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