No one has noticed this more than Paul Maher, curator of the National Botanic Gardens, who was amazed to see some of his newly planted shrubs, which would normally grow a couple of feet in height, reach the three-metre mark.

"We planted one side of a herbaceous border and the plant just shot up, " he said.

"The same thing has happened to our geranium at the entrance. Normally it has about sixteen inches of growth and lots of flowers.

This year, it's two feet high with barely a flower to be seen on it. All the rain has made it grow like mad, but it needs sun to flower and that just hasn't happened."

It's been a strange summer for gardeners. While the rain has led to green and lush lawns all over the country, flowers have suffered. And if we don't get consistent sunshine soon, there's a danger that many plants will suffer in the winter frosts.

"We are really hoping for some sunshine to ripen and harden the plants because if not, they could easily be killed off by the first hard frost, " said Maher. "Then we'll be back to square one."

Despite word from Met Eireann last week that Ireland might see some prolonged sunshine over this weekend and into this week, it now seems likely that overcast conditions and rain showers will put paid to any sunny spells on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

"The snails and slugs have been having the time of their lives this summer, so at least someone is happy, " said Maher.

"But, " he added, "they have decimated lettuces, dahlias and other soft plants."

Maher's other concern now is for his herbaceous border.

"It's in danger of being lopsided now unless we get the same weather next summer, " he said.

"But I don't suppose anyone wants that."