Summer Solstice, Longwood, and 8 foot Delphs

Still busy, busy as we hit the summer solstice! It won't be long now as the days are getting shorter! Autumn leaves, it's right around the corner...SORRY.

Last weekend I caught some drum corps in Pennsylvania and bunked with friends in Kennett Square. That's right, off to Longwood to see what's up. This trip I was intrigued by two orchids (big surprise). I'm sharing the photos. That scary one is Stanhopea, a South American epiphyhte that lives in cooler conditions high in the trees. The intense fragrance of vanilla does not permeate the blog page but is was a WOW.





The other three pointed flower belongs to Disa uniflora. This time a South African terrestrial that requires ultra moist soil conditions. Just lovely, you can see why I'm smitten.

An update from last week! We did make it! The 3 year English delphs did make 8 feet(actually 8' 5") Intern (and Mr. Sustainability) Tom Kievit shown here with the proof. He 's ecstatic about the bragging rights. You can also see how wonderful this stand looks. We are super proud.

Think "Blue"(some Mohonk guests even come dressed appropriately)  and we'll see you next time... 

Gartenmeister (complete with new headshot)

Alliums Are As Easy To Grow As Onions!

Oh boy, there's alot to talk about, but first introductions all around to the summer interns. Pictured left to right Cory McCurdy, Ryan Chaney and Tom Kievit. Of course Head Gardener Kim Fusaro, front and center and yours truly backstage. We are havin' a great time gardnin' here at the big house.



We didn't make 8 feet :(  The three year old English delphs are just about 7 feet high, DARN. The purple varieties shown below are hand pollinated stock from the RDS (Royal Delphinium Society)... you know, across the pond. Well, we keep trying.

Oh right, blue flowers......... here's some goodies, Allium azureum and Delphinium bellamosum. The shades are so groovy, but they don't really come across in these shots. Oh yeah, another excuse for a Mohonk visit! Alliums are as easy as onions to grow and the seedling species delphs like bellamosum can be sowed directly into good garden soil right at home.

Good News! The pots along Lake Porch are up and lookin' spiffy. Begonias, of course, accompanied by fuchsias, plectranthus, and friends. This summer make sure your containers are well watered and fertilized. We use both timed release pellets and liquid organics. "Feeding is Fundamental"

Flag Day, Father's Day ........it can only mean that summer is upon us!

CU Next Time,
Gardenmeister

Rich Garden Soil, Early Delphinium and More!

You asked for more info? Here it is. Now don't be shy...please comment! First, after thinking the rains were gone forever, they returned over the weekend. Thank goodness! Plants are growing like crazy. How about the unreal blues of the early Delphinium. Pictured are "Aurora Light Blue" and "Diamonds Blue." Both are easy enough to start from seed and do require rich garden soil.  (Don't we all?)

Next in the line up, Cotinus coggygria "Velvet Cloak." Spectacular clouds of pink "smoke" hide the seeds which eventually dry off and blow away (how aptly named). Smokebush come from the United States and Europe and can grow into small multi-branched trees. Several cultivars are available that may highlight gold foliage or a particular fall color but the message is PLANT ONE.

On to Syringa reticulata "Ivory Silk." Always an attention getter as the tufts of creamy-white flowers are "abuzz" with bees and various sundry pollinators. Yes a Lilac but blooming much later, this time with a pungent honey fragrance. The trees live for years and seem to bounce back even after devastating ice and wind storms. "Ivory Silk" is a much showier cultivar than the species which I've seen once at the Planting Fields Arboretum.

Got a sneak peak at the Garden Holiday line-up, taking place August 29 through September 3 at Mohonk. It should be quite a reunion of old horticulturists who made their mark on the grounds in the past. Let me know what you think of this blog and tell all your friends because I'd like to know who's out there...

Drew (A.K.A The Garden Meister)

June is busting out all over!

No truer words can be spoken than at the Mohonk Mountain House. Feast your eyes on these beauties......Lupines, Peonies, Poppies and Roses.

Of particular note is the Papaver orientale "Great Red" which we raise from seed and Rosa "William Baffin"  which happens to be the hardiest, most reliable climber on the planet.

This week we also dug the "dahlia ditches". An "old school" technique of trenching the tubers, leaving them exposed to the sun, and burying them after the shoots emerge.

The Garden Pass is becoming quite popular and I'm happy about that. Have I forgotten anything?



Drew

The Peonies Are Right On Time!

Well it seems that although most flowering plants are weeks ahead, the peonies are right on time! Who knew? It is an awkward time for tulips, make sure you leave the foliage on your bulbs to ripen naturally (I know it's ugly but it is crucial for their future). A hint for people who want long lived tulip stands is to plant DEEPLY, 8-10" is common practice.

We've also added the Plant of the Week feature on this page. Don't miss it.

Now on to this week's feature...a fragrant trio. Boy do these shrubs (I can't say bush) pack a punch!

Rosa rugosa hybrids: hardy, aromatic, and featuring luscious petals that look good enough to eat.

Magnolia virginiana: aka Sweet Bay Magnolia, intoxicating fragrance and flowers that last for 3 months (try to get that out of a Bradford Pear)!

Abelia mosanensis: graceful, hardy, and showstopping good smells!

All are easy to grow and are in bloom now at Mohonk Mountain House. Why not come visit on the Garden Day Pass and bring some friends!


Next week ..red peonies and Memorial Day poppies

Drew

A Whirlwind Week of Gardening!

Wow! What a whirlwind weekend of high brow horticulture in Litchfield Hills. First, Saturday I joined the buying frenzy at Trade Secrets held at Lion Rock Farm. Wonderful plants of all makes and models for sale. (I did spot Martha). Pictured here are some shoppers eyeing groovy shrubs from Broken Arrow Nursery.

Then back on Sunday for the Trade Secrets garden tour. Lovely to say the least and if you ever get a chance to visit Bunny Williams' garden in Falls Village (CT) do! Oh and I thought I might drop by White Flower Farm to see if the Wisteria was in bloom. BINGO check out that photo on this page.

Fans of the blue koi have seen her swimming in the Mohonk fountain, AND in the "very good news department" our garden interns have arrived and we went right to work on the renovation of one of the Long Arbor Borders. We are planning on a full season of pastel-hued perennials here. Starting with Hellebores in April and ending the season with Korean Mums. Welcome to Cory and Ryan, boy will they be busy!



..........and one more thing, how about the blue of this Salvia patens 'Patio Light Blue' yesssssssssssssssss!

Drew

Welcome back!

As I write, we are expecting a frost this evening. The truth about frost is that 32 degrees F is not a killing frost. That's 28 degrees F or "black frost." Often these "extremes" of temperature happen around the full moon which is two weeks away. So we press on regardless and don't worry about the pansies (pansies are tough, they just can't take the heat).


My featured blue plant is Camassia coerulea. It is quite showy this week both in the Show Garden and the Long Arbor border at Mohonk Mountain House. Planted in the fall, this is a hardy bulb that fills that awkward gap between spring bulbs and early perennials. Of course we source it from our good friends at Scheepers in Bantam, CT. Camassia is native and fairly deer resistant...what's not to like?


Oh, and speaking of BLUE, I have my eye on this blue Koi for the Mohonk fountain. A lovely variety called Shusui, she (I'm told) has stunning markings of deep orange. Who knows? She might be swimming here by the weekend. My buddy at Sugar Loaf Koi, Matt Corino has groovy fish of all varieties. I'm like a kid in candy store there.

...off this weekend to a high brow plant sale and garden tour in western Connecticut...I'll keep you posted.

Drew

News from the Gardens!

Friday, May 7, 2010
News from the Gardens!
Hello fellow fans of horticulture and welcome to my new blog!

Each week I'll try to keep you abreast of the gardening happenings at Mohonk Mountain House and in my travels. I hope it's informative, entertaining, and keeps you "in the loop."In my premier edition, I want to make you aware of three things from the "git go"'

• First, the 2010 show garden is featuring all blue plants. This is considered a horticultural feat and we hope you follow the progress this season. Check out this photo of Anchusa 'Blue Angel.' That should get your mouth watering.

• Second, we're launching an exciting new promotion for garden lovers: The Mohonk Garden Pass. It allows garden enthusiasts to come to Mohonk for the day with special parking privileges, a map for a self guided tour and "gardener's only" discounts at the greenhouse that day and more. Click here for more details.

• Third, it's Wisteria time here on the mountain and here are the pictures prove it. Thanks to the diligent pruning efforts over the last several years by yours truly and Grounds Supervisor Trevor Harvey (pictured), the vines are lovely (and fragrant too)!