Transformations in Bloom: A Summer Update from Hazelwood Gardens

The gardens at Hazelwood House are constantly changing. This year we have introduced some new herbaceous beds into areas of the garden that have been up to this, choked with brambles. Sleeves were rolled up, and areas were cleared and prepped. We then imported some of last year’s weeds and trimmings. These have now been transformed into a rich compost with an abundance of beneficial bacteria and microorganisms. Containing also the gardener’s favourite - the essential bounty of worms - a rake over and were ready to plant. 

Every plant on the estate is either propagated on-site or sourced from Irish growers. One of our new beds, located in the deep shade behind the old stable yard, features shade-loving plants like Windflowers, Bears Britches, Ferns, Bugleweed, Jerusalem Sage, and Plantain Lilies. We've mixed these with evergreens such as the Chilean Lantern, Sweet Box, and Spotted Laurel, all of which love the shade and will thrive in these conditions.

Across from this bed, we've transformed another neglected area into a Frog pond. This makes good use of a wasted space, as it not only brings movement and sound from the water to a disused corner; it also greatly increases the biodiversity elements of the gardens. The pond will benefit a whole world of our fellow creatures and attract in a good mix of wildlife. They’ll be especially happy to see that they can book into a nearby handmade five-star Insect Hotel. The frogs are very small now, when anything or anyone passes by you see them scurry to the edge and dive back into the safety of the pool. But they are a vital part of a garden like this one. As they grow, these frogs will wander the areas, and help to control our number one enemy - the constant and always hungry army of slugs.