Rowallane

Plan A was a visit to a decorator's shop on the very upscale Lisburn Road. Turns out it's open only Mon-Fri. Plan B was a tour of the Grand Opera House. Tours not being offered currently. Plan C worked out: a trip to Rowallane Garden.

I was worried there wouldn't be much blooming, but no fear. Everything from poppies to giant salvia (taller than me) to hellobores and loosestrife (white) and at least three varieties of hardy geranium (the ground cover, not the red ones you see in pots). Mom kept asking me what different plants were and I said penstemon for three different plants. I think I was correct once.

This is a walled garden so it is home to lots of exotic plants. Also, it is hydrangea heaven. There were lots of varieties but this one was particularly eye catching, hydrangea aspera.

The brightest flower was the purple aster, on the right below.

I bought two plants--I always buy from National Trust as I think I'm getting something a bit different from the nurseries. Then lunch in Saintfield, then we went to Dobbies, a giant garden centre that also has a lovely gift shop. On the way home, we passed the driving range where I take lessons, so we stopped and I hit a bucket of balls. I expected mom to be impressed with my distance, however she said she couldn't see where the balls went.

Home, walk #2 for Paddy, then dinner: a hearty tagine. Then Strictly Come Dancing followed by our beds.

The red item on the right in this photo is a child in a red jacket. I had to look long and hard, trying to remember what exotic flower that might be!

Oct. 9