Le Jardin Bleu

Finally after 2 years of planning, the Blue Border has arrived! You probably remember the blog on sheet mulching from weeks back, well the process has come to completion. Thursday, we (the remaining grounds and garden folks) put to task on transplanting 15 beds from the show garden and planted along the west side of the upper cutting garden. Terrific teamwork made it a smooth operation.

Iris fans looking for their seats

 

Ben and Tom uprooting 'Nepeta'

Trevor wrestling with 'Buddlieas'

These photos show various stages along the way featuring the weapons used in such a project. Shovels, spades, forks, and knives were implemented. (What no spoons?). 

Mud gloves and hori knives

Giving advice to the photographer

Getting leverage on every hole

Many thanks to Kim Fusaro, Trevor Harvey, Ben Helt, Tom Kievitand, and our official photographer Tom Wright. Here is a list of the plants:

     Buddliea 'Adonis'

     Panicum 'Dewey  Blue'

     Nepeta siberica

     Iris 'Princess Caroline'

     Linum perenne

     Echinops ritro

     Nepeta 'Joanna Reed'

     Nepeta 'Walker's Low'

     Veronica 'Darwin's Blue'

     Veronica ' Royal Candles'

     Aquilegia 'Barlow Blue'

     Lupine 'The Governor'

     Caryopteris 'Blue Myth'

     Delphinium 'Royal Delphinium Society Hand Pollinated Blues'

I hope I didn't forget anything.
Next bulbs, like Muscari and Camassia.   

I know it looks wilted, but that's just  a little transplant shock. 

The Big Picture

p.s. Not too shabby some begonias on my front stoop

Begonias at MY place

It's Not Over Yet

Not much to report...

Too busy with those September garden chores (I know its October). I hope you are out there -

• transplanting perennials
• putting organic fertilizer down
• sharpening your trowel for all that bulb planting
• placing orders for plenty of paper whites for indoor forcing
• drying off the Amaryllis 
• keeping the beds clean
• and dodging the raindrops. 

See! No wonder I have no time!

Lotus Pool at Chanticleer 

White Caladiums at Longwood

Potted Plant Extravaganza
at Cornell Plantations

P.S.
      All these pictures are inspiration to keep going...it's never too late to prepare for next spring.


Gartenmeister

The Seedy Side of Gardening

I was just lookin' around at the fall garden and was reminded that it's not just about flowers, what about fruit?

'Carmencita Pink' Castor Bean

These Ricinus (castor beans) have really intriguing seed stalks containing spiny globes that look like medieval weapons. Of course with beguiling shades of pink and red.

'Carmencita Red' Castor Bean

 'Japanese Beauty Berry' Callicarpa

In sharp contrast are the glossy 'Barney' purple clusters of Callicarpa or Japanese Beauty Berry. They remind me of a bawdy shade of lipstick.

Sweet Bay Magnolia

Then from some other planet are these "creatures" in the Magnolia virginiana. These seeds are borne in an aggregate of follicles (go ahead, Google that, I dare ya). Other Worldly to say the least.  

Northern Sea Oats

 

Much more common are the Northern Sea Oats and Chasmanthium. You can almost here them rustling in the breeze.

Clematis 'Mrs. Robert Brydon'

Finally, Cousin Itt joins us from the Clematis Genus. These swirling, furry   dervishes stop traffic in the Show Garden.

Thanks for stopping by.....


Gartenmeister

My... Things Have Grown

Power Plaza

I just turned around and WHAM the Power Plaza planting is going "Bananas."

Castor Beans and "Grand Daddies"

I jumped into one shot so you could get a proportion. I'm 6' 4".............the castor beans in front are loaded with seeds and the "grand daddies" in back must be over 15'. Remember these are annuals.

Red Abyssinian "Bananas"





The Red Abyssinian "Bananas" are as monstrous as ever! There must be a gardener hiding in there somewhere?

Koi

Yes, things have grown. The koi in the fountain are fattening up for winter (aren't they cute?). 

Scoparia 'Mellangolly Blue'

Over in the blue corner, a pleasant surprise, Scoparia 'Mellangolly Blue' has rebloomed with the return of cooler weather and some rain. Scoparia is a nice powder blue colored ''shrublet" not often found but grown as an annual.

Eucalyptus 'Silver Dollar'

Andrew, more blue please. OK.  Eucalyptus 'Silver Dollar'. These seedlings really shine in the early fall sunlight.

'Heavenly Blue' Morning Glories

 And more? Perfectly blue morning glories aptly named 'Heavenly Blue.'

 

P.S. The quiet midweek days are an ideal time to visit on our Garden Pass. 
Talk to you next week.

 

Gartenmeister




 

September Slips In

Oh yes, the drought is back.

Some bright spots…

How about these fall blooming Colchicums popping out of the Lysimachia? Easy as pie, you just have to buy the bulbs early! Fall "crocus" produce lots of leaves in the spring, die off for the summer, and the flowers emerge (naked) in September.

Colchicums

Sweet Autumn Clematis

What's that climbing in the birches? Clematis? YUP, again a fall blooming species, ternifolia (used to be paniculata among others). They sprawl up the arbor and off into the branches. It looks like a white birch in bloom. GOTCHA 

Uliginosa

Argentina Sky

....and just one more mention of the fantastic Salvia species and varieties. Bluer than blue and hummingbird magnets! Just a few to note, uliginosa (Bog Sage), guaranitica 'Argentina Sky', and 'Indigo Spires'

Indigo Spires

............pray for rain............CU next time.............got your bulbs ordered? Don't forget paperwhites,



Gartenmeister

GARDEN HOLIDAY 75th ANNIVERSARY HIGHLIGHTS

A warm (and I mean warm) week was enjoyed by all as current staff and alums made various presentations. Opening day found garden and greenhouse staff a like sharing valuable info on some projects. Here Tom Kievit discusses the ins and outs of sheet mulching.

Kim Fusaro, Head Gardner

Head Gardener Kim Fusaro regales visitors with herbal know-how and Cindy Muro, Greenhouse Manager previews a repotting demonstration.

Cindy Muro, Greenhouse manager

A RARE REUNION

Four superintendents gather together at the formal tea party. Lots of Horticultural hoo-ha here! Pictured here: Tom Wright (current Superintendent of Parks & Grounds), John Van Etten, Diana Weiner Story, and Chet Davis.

 

THE GRAND DAME HONORED

Elizabeth Scholtz, attending Garden Holiday (and hosting) for 44 years is recognized with a summer house in her honor. Lots of great stories and memories!








"MICRO BREWERY" AT MOHONK?

Cindy Lou has been at it again with a taste test of 18 different teas from garden acquisitions. Tasty and inspiring to all!

Sheet Mulch Shenanigans!

Just shoot me! It’s one of those times when I know I’ve got too much on my plate and of course I’m going to start a new project. This one’s been in the works for quite some time. We’re building a blue border! (You’re surprised) just off the upper cutting garden fence. The technique we’re using is called sheet mulching. It’s kind of like making lasagna. Several layers are involved. Let me take you through the steps:  

1. A grassy area is string trimmed down and rototilled.
2.  Wood chips are added (6 inches) and tilled.

3. A cardboard layer sets atop the chips, make sure it overlaps

4.  Add 4 inches of healthy compost.

5. Next 6-8 inches (at least) of straw on top. Wet this down well. 

If all goes well, we should be able to plant in late September. NOTE: We tilled because we want to plant quickly. If we were to wait until spring, we could have skipped that step. Wish us luck!

And yes, it’s Fair time! Our neighboring county, Dutchess, hosts a delightful county fair—celebrating 165 years. Yours-truly judges there with some regularity, this year being no exception. I wanted to show you some shots of the horticulture building and introduce you to a dear friend and the Grand Dame, Marge Griffin (below). She’s been a major force in the success of this show for years and once again my hat goes off to her.

That’s it for now… ON TO GARDEN HOLIDAY!

Gartenmeister

UPDATE! UPDATE! UPDATE

OK I think the rains are back (THANK GOD!) and the nights are cooler (SHHH), so we seem to have more energy and even a smile on our faces.

So...UPDATE: Thought I'd show you a better shot of the Bruggies (that's slang for Brugmansia).

Those intriguing Aristilochia are blooming again. Tropical vines related to the Northern hardy Dutchman's Pipe...and it looks like the grounds/gardening crew don't know if they're coming or going?

UPDATE: My buddy Harold looks perplexed, but it is 6:00 a.m. and it's hard paying attention to the plants and the garage customers at the same time...remember back in my July blog?

UPDATE: Donna Stanley stopped by to check on the progress of the "sphere". Here she is discussing Morning Glory culture and the promise of things to come with Tom (his better side in the picture above)...remember when Tom and Ryan were planting contortionists back on July 15th?

There, now you've got the update, Garden Holiday coming up soon...I hope it doesn't stop raining...

I'm not in love with these plants, but...

The Brugmansias are blooming their heads off and all are agog! (I'm not in love with these plants but...) The fragrance is sweet and wafts everywhere on warm summer evenings. (I'm not in love with these plants but....) The dramatic effect is stunning as you walk down greenhouse road at Mohonk (I'm not in love with these plants but...) I'm about the only one! Luckily, Tom is around to help pick up all the debris that drops everyday. (That's why I'm not in love).

The Lantana standards are nearby and much easier to love.

Gartenmeister
p.s. Amy Eggers (ex Mohonk greenhouse specialist) came by to say goodbye to the Ball State University interns...thought you should know.

It's Never Too Early

...well the weather hasn't changed much…we keep our noses to the grindstone trying to keep everything looking perky. This is by no means an easy task. Oh well life in the gardening world. A good friend and superior horticulturist stopped by last week from Planting Fields Arboretum in Oyster Bay, NY. Vinnie Simeone (world's biggest Yankee fan) brought some interns to check out Mohonk. It seems everyone is in the same boat battling the weather challenges. They had a great time and got to speak with our interns from Ball State University Landscape Architecture program.

August is also planning season, so on a field trip last week I spotted some potential varieties for next year's garden. How about Gomphrena 'QIS Carmine' for the gumdrop alley in "Candy Land" (Showgarden 2011) or Patrinia scabiosa for the long arbor border? Not enough? OK. Psycho-delic dahlias and Swizzle Stick zinnias for Candyland and who could pass up Hydrangea 'Color Fantasy'? I'm sure we can find a place for that badboy.

That's it for now…bulbs are ordered...saying goodbye to the interns :(  oops is there water running?

Gartenmeister