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Yew Cottage Garden, Magherafelt (2026)

05/09/2026

🤖🌱 Six months in… and I genuinely don’t know how I managed without it.

We got a Segway Navimow X450 back in April and it has been an absolute game changer for keeping on top of the grass at home.

🌧️☀️ Wet weather, dry weather, slopes and two separate mowing areas, it just gets on with the job.

And it certainly doesn’t have an easy life here… 🦃🪿🐕 Between turkeys, geese and two very inquisitive Sprockers, there’s always something for it to navigate around!

What I love most is just how independent it is. It heads out, cuts the grass, changes the mowing direction between vertical, horizontal and diagonal patterns, then takes itself back to its garage and charging dock when it’s finished. 🔋🏠

Even when I’m working or away from home, I can keep an eye on everything through my phone. It’ll even send me notifications when it needs attention, an update or its camera needs a clean. 📲

It’s been working away for the last six or seven months and the amount of time it has given me back is probably the biggest compliment I can give it.

Less time pushing a mower.
More time actually enjoying the garden. 🌿

Safe to say… the robot has officially earned its keep. 😂🤖

31/08/2026

What a fantastic visit to The Pavilion Garden Centre & Restaurant in Cork this weekend! 🌿

A massive thank you to Mark, D and the entire team for an incredible visit and customer care like no other. Safe to say, I didn’t leave empty-handed… and these beauties somehow found their way home with me! 😂🌱

🌺 Zauschneria californica – An absolute late-summer firecracker, producing brilliant scarlet-orange, tubular flowers. Hardy in a warm, sheltered, free-draining position and a fantastic magnet for pollinators. Perfect for a sunny gravel garden, wall or drought-tolerant border.

💙 Euphorbia myrsinites – One I already know and love! Its trailing stems of architectural blue-grey foliage are topped with striking lime-yellow bracts in spring. Hardy, drought tolerant and happiest baking in full sun with sharp drainage – superb spilling over walls or through gravel.

🪴 Echeveria derenbergii – A gorgeous little succulent forming tight rosettes of blue-green leaves, followed by stems of yellow and orange-red flowers. Frost tender, so definitely one for a sunny container that can be protected or brought under cover for winter.

🌸 Akebia quinata – The Chocolate Vine! A vigorous, semi-evergreen climber with wonderfully unusual deep purple-maroon spring flowers and a subtle chocolatey/vanilla fragrance. Hardy and brilliant for quickly clothing a sunny or partially shaded wall, pergola or sturdy support.

🌴 Begonia luxurians – Possibly the showstopper! Known as the Palm Leaf Begonia, its long, finger-like leaves give it an incredible tropical appearance, with delicate white flowers adding another layer of interest. Frost tender, so I’ll be giving this one a warm, sheltered spot with bright, filtered light and winter protection.

Five VERY different plants, five new additions and plenty of inspiration brought home from Cork. 🌿

Thanks again to Mark, D and everyone at The Pavilion for making the visit such a memorable one, I’ll definitely be back soon!

20/07/2026

🌊 Last week I had the opportunity to head out on a boat tour with Causeway Boats in Portrush, and I honestly can't recommend it enough. 🚤

Just to be clear, this isn't sponsored in any way – I simply wanted to share something I genuinely enjoyed. 😊

Seeing the Skerries from the water completely changed my perspective. They're so much bigger and more impressive than they ever appear from the mainland. The views along East Strand, the White Rocks, Elephant Rock, Dunluce Castle and all the way towards the Giant's Causeway were absolutely breathtaking. 🌅

It also gave me a whole new appreciation for our coastline and its incredible geology. Seeing the limestone and basalt cliffs from the sea really puts everything into perspective, and the commentary from the team made the experience even better. I learned so much along the way. 🌍

I took for granted what's right on our doorstep

If you're in or around Portrush this Summer and have a couple of hours to spare, I'd genuinely encourage you to book a trip. It's a fantastic way to experience the North Coast from a completely different angle, and I don't think you'll regret it.

Have you ever seen our coastline from the water? 👀

13/07/2026

If there’s a perennial star at Yew Cottage, it’s Phlomis russeliana! 🌿 My inland garden might not see salty shores, but I garden as if I’m coastal & Phlomis thrives in both! 🌊 It stands strong against winds (whether sea or just blustery), loves free-draining soil, and it’ll bloom from late May to mid-July with soft buttery yellow charm.

As summer fades, those rigid stems keep the structure right into winter, looking gorgeous with a touch of frost. ❄️ And it’s evergreen so year-round presence is guaranteed. Low maintenance, bird-friendly, and perfect for cottage or contemporary schemes, whether you’re by the sea or not.

Trust me add to cart! 😉

🌼🌬️🐦

30/06/2026

Cephalaria gigantea, commonly known as Giant Scabious, is one of those perennials that quietly earns its place in the garden year after year. If you're looking for a plant that delivers impressive height without the constant need for staking or support, this is one I'd recommend time and time again. Despite reaching well over 2 metres in height, it produces incredibly strong, upright stems that remain remarkably self-supporting, even in more exposed positions. The large, textured foliage stays low to the ground, allowing the elegant flower stems to rise effortlessly above the surrounding planting without creating a bulky or overcrowded feel.

The soft, creamy ivory flowers seem to float above the border from late spring right through summer. Mine have been flowering continuously since the end of May, and as we move into July, they're still showing no real signs of slowing down. Those long, perfectly straight stems also make Cephalaria gigantea an excellent choice for floristry, particularly if you're looking for elegant cut flowers for natural arrangements or even bridal bouquets, where the delicate ivory flowers complement almost any colour palette.

One of my favourite ways to use Giant Scabious at Yew Cottage Garden is in borders that receive the evening sun. Plant it where it can be backlit by the low western light and you'll be rewarded with one of the most magical sights in the garden. As dusk begins to fall, the flowers almost seem to glow while the tall stems cast beautiful shadows through the planting. It adds height, movement and atmosphere without ever feeling heavy or overbearing.

It's also proved to be wonderfully adaptable, coping well across a range of soil types in my garden, and it has become one of the busiest plants for pollinators. Bees absolutely adore it, visiting the flowers from morning until evening throughout its exceptionally long flowering season.

So, if you're searching for a tall perennial that combines elegance, strength, long-lasting flowers, incredible value for pollinators and stems that are equally at home in the border or the vase, Cephalaria gigantea (Giant Scabious) is a plant that's very difficult to beat.

25/06/2026

Picture this?

You’re out in the garden, enjoying the Summer, and you spot that one perennial that’s flopped over like it’s had one too many at the garden party.

Fear not! because this is prime time to take control!

Cutting spent perennials down to the ground isn’t just a garden glow-up; it’s your plants’ summer reset.

Those tired, donenfor the season plants lying on top of their neighbors?

They’re not just sunbathing they’re blocking the show. Clearing them out lets your next stars like the tall, elegant Thalictrums, the swaying Stipa tenuissima, or Sedum Autumn Joy step into the limelight.

Now, don’t confuse this with a Chelsea Chop; this is the full-on haircut. In my case, Papaver ‘Coral Reef’ a fab plant just isn’t giving me a second act, so snip, snip. What you gain is breathing room, oxygen flow, and a clean slate for fresh performers. Trust me, your garden won’t sulk—it’ll sparkle.

& who knows?

If you’re lucky, you might even get an encore bloom before Autumn steals the show!

24/06/2026

If you’re after a golden treasure in your garden, Stipa gigantea also known as golden oats is your architectural ace!

This evergreen grass keeps a neat low mound of foliage year-round no bare patches here and then sends up towering golden plumes that shimmer like a sunset. It’s especially magical in evening light, so grab a cup of tea, stand back, and let it glow!

Now, the trick is to pick a spot that catches at least six hours of sunlight, especially the evening sun. June is a great time to map this out grab your garden chair, do a bit of sun chasing, and find that golden spot. This stunner thrives in coastal, exposed, inland, formal, or modern gardens. It’s the Swiss army knife of grasses works everywhere!

Picture this: summer rolls in, and those golden oat plumes dance in the breeze a shimmering showstopper from summer right into autumn, especially if you get a mild one. It’s practically maintenance-free no staking needed, and hardy as old boots.

Whether you’re styling up a sleek modern garden or adding a bit of whimsy to a cottage border, Stipa gigantea is your golden ticket. Few plants bring this kind of gleam so get ready for a gold rush in your garden!

🌾✨🌞🍂🏡

23/06/2026

When I first set out to tame my 33m-long border, 1.2m wide, I knew I needed a colour theme that worked as hard as I do. Enter my dream team: white, yellow, and blue. It’s a bit like an all-season football squad—always ready to perform, no matter the month! I start with spring bulbs—Muscari, Narcissus, Tulips—before passing the baton to perennials. Early summer brings Geraniums, Phlomis, white Papaver, and Nepeta 'Six Hills Giant'—with Brunnera for early foliage flair. Come late summer, the baton is carried by Echinops, Solidago, Alchemilla, and that drama queen bronze fennel. Since there’s a path on both sides, this border is a full 360° experience—like a garden catwalk! Honestly, if you ever feel lost in colour themes, trust me, white-yellow-blue is like the Swiss Army knife of combos. It’ll give you blooms for every season, and your garden will practically sing! 🌼💙🌞

12/06/2026

Ever tried a silver-themed container showstopper? 🩶

I’ve just planted a large terracotta pot with the classic thriller, filler, and spiller combo all about silver foliage!

At the heart is Buddleia ‘Silver Anniversary,’ a rare evergreen Buddleia. Forget the flowers its silver leaves steal the show!

Next, for the filler, I’ve nestled in Plectranthus ‘Silver Shield,’ grown from cuttings. It’s tender here in Northern Ireland, so I’ll give it winter protection.

The foliage ties in beautifully with the Buddleia. Finally, spilling over the edge is Sedum sieboldii, those pale pink blooms in late Summer will add a subtle pop. Right now, it’s all about those silvery tones blending together.

This is my experimental silver trio tell me in the comments:

chic or not your cup of tea? ☕

Come Autumn, I might separate them but for now, this silver display is stealing the spotlight!

03/06/2026

Overwintering my bedding plants was a bit like hosting a winter sleepover, but for floral divas! I took last year’s stars—pelargoniums, standard fuchsias, osteospermums, begonias, and even my self-seeded Erigeron—and gave them their own winter homes in separate containers. Armed with horticultural fleece for the nastiest frosts, not all made it (nature keeps me humble), but most pulled through!

Now they’ve been repotted together, and let me tell you, they’re like a fabulous garden reunion. A sprinkle of chicken manure pellets gave them a boost—foliage lush, flowers bright, and everyone’s looking tip-top.

The best bit? This means bedding plants are no longer a one-season fling. If you’ve got a polytunnel or even a polycarbonate tunnel, you can keep these beauties going. Yes, it’s a bit of work, but think of the cost savings and that glorious colour blooming right around your home. Your future self will thank you when those flowers return!

Yew Cottage Garden

05/09/2026

31/08/2026

20/07/2026

13/07/2026

30/06/2026

25/06/2026

24/06/2026

23/06/2026

12/06/2026

03/06/2026

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