bud garden centre

This sunday last we opened our new Garden Centre in Bunratty, County Clare. We are myself and my old friend Andrew. We studied Horticulture together many years ago and followed different career paths until we came upon the idea of setting up a Garden Centre together last summer. 

Several months of hard work followed and Bud Garden Centre was born last sunday. We have a strong location right beside the popular Bunratty Castle. We plan to focus strongly on plants and gardening. 

We also hope to have a modest bonsai offering and maybe some demos and workshops. 

It will be a busy season, and hopefully a rewarding one.

clare garden festival 2013

 We attended the Clare Garden Festival on sunday last, our first time to attend and the festivals second year in existence. The festival was much extended from last year and at a more suitable time of year for us. Great work by Carmen in getting exhibitors and attracting visitors. We had a busy day meeting new customers and telling them about ourselves. We also sold some plants, always welcome. Many thanks to Patrick & Eric helping with the set-up. Looking forward to next year..

it was a challenge gathering together plants in colour after the cold spring

interesting willow weaving

very cool stand

air plants

also a lot of artisan food & crafts present

eric stand

germination

These are the first seedlings of 2013, sown in mid January. They will be hopefully ready for sale around April & May.

flat leaf parsley

swiss chard

greyhound cabbage

wild rocket

autumn plants

Heading into the colder seasons,  these are some of the plants we're growing now for winter weather.

Calcocephalus brownii

Euphorbia 'Ascot Rainbow'

Lonicera nitida 'Baggeson's Gold'

Viola Sorbet

Pansy Matrix

perennials in bloom

Here'e a few perennials I like from the glasshouse that might find their way into the garden at some stage....

Echinacea Pow Wow Wild Berry

Erigeron Sea Breeze

Osteospernum Tresco Purple

Leucanthemum 

still spreading compost

Slowly spreading more compost, but busy growing plants for others during day...

Starting to assemble some plants...

Pinus strobus 'Minima'

Pinus strobus 'Sea Urchin', Pinus sylestris 'Westonbirt'