This is the journal of my endeavours to grow a range of fruit, veg and flowers from seed, grow organically, and my attempts to create a personal paradise with 1/2 acre of maintained gardens and 1/2 acre wild meadows. Northern Ireland's average daily high temperatures are 18 °C (64 °F) in July and 6 °C (43 °F) in January. Soil type: Clay

Wednesday, 29 May 2013

Bloggers' Networks and Perks

The package arrives.
Isn't it exciting when a little package arrives!
In December I joined the UK Spalding Bulb Blogger Club and I was able to choose a plant from their catalogue for free. I chose a Hydrangea 'Magical Moonlight' which arrived in its dormant stage which is the perfect time for planting. I planted it straight away in a pot and waited and waited.... and finally this month I see some growth  (pictured below) - hooray for Spring growth. I'm sure it'll get established in no time and I'm hoping for some lovely white blooms this Summer. If you click on Hydrangea you will see what the plant will look like in flower (it's lovely).


Dec 2012 - dormant Hydrangea.
May 2013 - Spring growth.

Spalding also sent me 100 bulbs of various types - tulip, allium, anemone, narcissus, muscari and iris. Due to the Christmas holidays I planted the bulbs in pots in January. However they're doing well as per the photos below.
Narcissus Tete-A-Tete planted with Muscari are currently in flower.
(Photo taken 7 May 2013.)
The Tulips are lovely and more still to come.  I believe tulips are a bit later this year. 
(Photo taken 24 May 2013.)
 If you're interested in this opportunity do get in touch with Spalding. They also run Blogger Club competitions during the year - see example here.

Copyright: All words and photos are property of Kelli's Northern Ireland Garden.
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7 comments:

  1. Sue Garrett29 May 2013 at 01:22

    I joined too and received an apple tree with apples that are supposed to stay red in the centre - I guess it will be a while before I find out if that is true!

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  2. Jo@awholeplotoflove29 May 2013 at 03:54

    I joined last year too but never did anything with it. I hope your Hydrangea does well for you.

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  3. --Ana--29 May 2013 at 05:02

    I'm so jealous right now...I can't get any seedlings by mail...postage costs more than plant, they travel 6 weeks and they always get stuck on the border(if it's not on their list of plants it can't get in the country). :(
    Hope your Hydrangea grows into a beautiful flowery bush :)

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  4. Janneke 29 May 2013 at 11:24

    That Hydrangea paniculata 'Magical Moonlight' certainly will flourish in your Irish garden, it is a beauty. Yes tulips are even a month later this year due to the severe and long winterperiod. Now tulips, columbines and honesty are all flowering happily together.

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  5. Peggy29 May 2013 at 12:29

    Hi Kelli,its always nice to get something in the post ( apart from bills)and especially a package! Hydrangeas are a great value shrub with their big blowsy blooms.
    I read down about your square metre garden it looks promising to say the least with lots of things growing side by side.
    The daffs and muscari are a striking colour combination and everything seems to be lapping over this year, plants which should be gone are still in bloom when the later ones are coming out!

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  6. Paula @ Blooms 'n' Spades30 May 2013 at 05:48

    Isn't it lovely to get a package of plants, even better if they're free ;-)

    Your bulbs look great in pots and I always find them easier to plant like that anyway. Wow, that Hydrangea looks gorgeous in bloom, I bet you can't wait for it to get to that stage!

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  7. gardenenvy31 May 2013 at 10:31

    Packages are always nice but especially packages with plants! Jeannine

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