[ormondsview]

I highly recommend the fragrant Viburnum carlcephalum which has the most outstanding scent - probably equal to the lilac, daphne, peony, camelia, jasmine or Asiatic lily. I'm not fussy about the larger viburnum which take up lots of space and grow almost tree like. Are bouganvillea and hibiscus hardy or do you have to suffer a loss each year? I wouldn't recommend the flowering quince, which has luscious looking flowers but they last only a week. Then shoots spread constantly all over. The saucer magnolia looks elegant when in bloom, but when done, the leaves look rotten and cover the ground. I've never really liked that plant. Nor am I keen on the Rose of Sharon, which doesn't have a smell and self seeds terribly. Do you need to bring in tuberous begonias, geraniums and dahlias? Lastly, there's an extensive catalogue at Homebase of bulbs, shrubs etc. Are the stores in Ireland as fully stocked? I have my eye on a monkey puzzle tree.

[Protein]