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Yew Cottage Garden Private garden N.Ireland featured on More4 Garden of the Year 2022 & RTE1 Irelands garden heroes 2021

24/10/2026

🌿❄️ OVERWINTERING TENDER PLANTS ON A BUDGET! 🌴🌱

It's that time of year again! The temperatures are dropping here in Northern Ireland, and the annual mission to keep as many of my tender plants alive through winter has officially begun! 🥶😂

This year, I'm trying a few different techniques to make overwintering as cost-effective as possible, without relying on expensive heating systems.

🌵 First up, the Aeoniums! I've managed to squeeze as many as possible into cold frames inside my polycarbonate tunnel. Essentially, it's a greenhouse within a greenhouse! The idea is to create an additional layer of insulation, offering some extra protection against frost and those particularly cold winter nights. I'll also have horticultural fleece on standby when temperatures really start to drop!

🌴 And the tunnel is certainly filling up! Alongside the Aeoniums, I'm attempting to overwinter a whole collection of plants, including:

🌿 Colocasia
🌳 Sparrmannia africana
🌵 Mangaves and Agaves
🍌 Musa sikkimensis and Musa basjoo
🌸 Various tender summer bedding plants
🌱 Different varieties of Plectranthus
🌺 Cockscomb coral tree
💛 Yellow bottlebrush shrubs

I'm particularly keen to save as many of my summer bedding plants as possible. Not only does it reduce the cost of buying new plants every spring, but it also means I can keep enjoying some of my favourite summer colour year after year! 🌸

☀️ I'm also trying a little experiment this Winter!

I've laid black, shiny tarpaulin across the tunnel floor to see whether it might absorb some additional warmth during those occasional sunny winter days and release a little of that heat as temperatures fall.

Will it make a noticeable difference? I've absolutely no idea! 😂 But gardening is all about experimenting, learning and occasionally getting things wrong. It's worth a try!

Of course, horticultural fleece will be making plenty of appearances throughout the winter, and I'll be keeping a close eye on temperatures, ventilation and moisture levels.

🌱 The goal? To get as many of these beautiful plants through winter and into spring 2027 without spending a fortune in the process!

I'll keep you updated on what works, what doesn't and which plants make it through. Fingers crossed for a mild Winter! 🤞❄️

Are you overwintering any tender plants this year, or have you any clever tricks for keeping the frost at bay? I'd love to hear them! 👇

18/10/2026

🍁❤️ AUTUMN CLIMBERS | BOSTON IVY❤️🍁

After spending last week in Kraków, Poland 🇵🇱, I don't think I've ever visited a country that uses quite as much Parthenocissus (Boston Ivy) in its urban spaces, and WOW, what a sight at this time of year! 😍🍂

This incredible deciduous climber is self-attaching, making its way up buildings and walls using little adhesive pads. Personally, I think it looks absolutely stunning against natural stone, particularly when its lush green Summer foliage transforms into the most spectacular shades of crimson red in Autumn! ❤️

And here's my opinion… Parthenocissus is MASSIVELY underused here in Northern Ireland!** 🌿

Somewhere along the way, I feel we've moved away from incorporating climbing plants into our architecture, particularly on newer properties. But with climate change, increasingly warm Summers and the benefits of green infrastructure, I think there's a real argument for bringing them back!

Climbers can help shade buildings, soften hard architectural features, support urban biodiversity and bring incredible seasonal interest into otherwise grey spaces. 🏡🌱

Of course, with a vigorous climber like Boston Ivy, choosing a suitable wall, ensuring the structure is sound and keeping growth maintained are important considerations.

But just imagine more of our towns, villages and buildings dressed in these incredible Autumn colours! 🍁

**I'd absolutely love to see more of it planted across Northern Ireland.

What do you think? Would you grow Boston Ivy up your property? 👀

17/10/2026

🍁🍇 AUTUMN COLOUR AT ITS ABSOLUTE FINEST! 🍇🍁

If there's one climbing plant that knows how to put on a show in autumn, it's Vitis coignetiae, more commonly known as the Crimson Glory Vine! 🍂

And trust me, there's nothing subtle about this one!

Throughout Spring and Summer, this vigorous, incredibly hardy climber produces enormous, heart shaped green leaves, some almost the size of dinner plates! 🍃 But it's during Autumn that the real magic happens, as its foliage transforms into a spectacular display of fiery reds, deep crimsons, rich burgundies and burnt oranges. ❤️🧡

Now, a few things worth knowing before planting one!

🌿 It's deciduous, NOT evergreen! Those spectacular leaves will eventually fall, leaving the woody framework exposed throughout winter.

☀️ It loves full sun! A sunny position will help encourage those wonderful autumn colours.

🏡 Shelter is important! With leaves almost the size of dinner plates, strong winds can catch the foliage like a sail! A sheltered wall, pergola or substantial structure is ideal, rather than somewhere particularly exposed.

🌱 It's a vigorous climber! Although it can scramble and cling through surrounding structures using its tendrils, it's not truly self-clinging like ivy. A sturdy trellis or supporting wires will help it establish and continue climbing.

🍇 It's ornamental, not a dessert grape! Although it can produce small grapes, these aren't generally grown for eating. The real attraction is that extraordinary foliage!

❄️ And it's very hardy! Once established, this is a robust climber capable of coping with our chilly UK and Irish Winters.

One final consideration: give it space! This isn't a delicate little climber for a tiny trellis. It's a bold, architectural plant that needs room to spread and a strong structure to support its mature growth.

For me, this is one of those plants that proves a garden doesn't have to be full of flowers to deliver incredible seasonal impact. Sometimes the foliage steals the entire show! 🍁

Would you give the Crimson Glory Vine a place in your garden?🍂

11/10/2026

Kraków part 2 🇵🇱👌🏼

10/10/2026

Planting Scheme in Kraków 🇵🇱

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.

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