Rowallane Spring Plant Fair (6th May 2006)

Rowallane Spring Plant Fair

On Saturday, we went to the Spring Plant Fair at Rowallane in Saintfield, Co. Down. We bought several herbaceous perennials: a number of red, pink and pinkish-white Candelabera Primroses (Primula japonica 'Miller's Crimson', 'Valley Red', 'Red Forms', 'Peninsula Pink' and 'Meadow Mix'), two Elephant's Ears (Bergenia 'Abendglut', syn.'Evening Glow'), two Aubrietia (Aubrieta deltoidea 'Somerford Lime'), a small Bridal Wreath shrub (Spiraea 'Arguta') and a ground-cover Dalmatian Bellflower (Campanula muralis, syn. portenschlagiana).

It was lovely and sunny for most of the fair, but then the cloud came over and a few spits of rain came from time to time. We met a family from our church there who are big National Trust fans, the McNeills. (More news on Mary's Blog.)

Walled garden at Rowallane

After Rowallane, we visited the Gamble Family who live near the Mournes. The wife, Barbara, was at university with me and they now attend an RP church in the south-east of Ulster. We had a good time with them and the kids especially enjoyed playing with their children.