Clematis are among the most decorative and spectacular of all the flowering vines and they're just beginning to bloom beautifully at my farm.
Over the years I have grown many varieties of this wonderful plant. When I purchased my Bedford, New York farm, I knew I wanted to build a long, winding pergola where I could grow lots of clematis. After the pergola was constructed, I concentrated on creating a palette of blue-flowering cultivars and each year I always enjoy the vivid floral display.
Enjoy these photos.
Depending on the species, clematis can start blooming anywhere from late winter to early spring and then continue flowering through the summer and into early fall. This time every year, there are lots of gorgeous blossoms under my long pergola. Clematis is a genus of about 300-species within the buttercup family Ranunculaceae. The name Clematis comes from the Greek word “klematis,” meaning vine.
Each pair of posts under the pergola supports the same variety. Known as the “Queen of the Climbers,” Clematis plants will train onto posts, trellises, and fences, or arch gracefully over doorways. Right now, the pergola is also showing off tall alliums.
Copper wire is wrapped around each post, so the climbing tendrils of the clematis vines could attach easily. The uprights for this pergola are antique granite posts from China originally used as grape supports. They’re perfect as posts because they don’t rot over time like wood does. A friend of mine acquired a lot of stone from this valley and I purchased a couple hundred of these posts. I only wish I had bought more of them.
Most species are called clematis, but it has also been called traveller’s joy, virgin’s bower, leather flower, or vase vine. It’s also been called “Old Man’s Beard,” because of the long fluffy seed heads that look similar to an old man’s beard.
Clematis are native to China and Japan and are known to be vigorous, woody climbers.
The standard clematis flower has six or seven petals, measuring five to six inches across. Colors range from lavender to deep purple, white to wine red, and even a few in yellow.
Clematis leaves grow in pairs along the stems. The clematis leaf shapes vary with different varieties, but knowing how they grow can help differentiate them from other vines.
For this area, I chose various shades of lavender, purple, and blue.
Many clematis are lightly scented. Flowers vary in shape and sizes. They can be flat, tubular or bell-shaped and can be as small as one-inch wide.
Some of the flowers are very light colored with interesting centers.
Once established, clematis should be watered about an inch or so weekly, and more deeply during dry spells.
Some clematis cultivars will bloom in partial shade, but to really thrive, they need at least six-hours of sun each day. Just think, “head in the sun, feet in the shade.” The vines like sun, but cool, moist soil.
Some of the clematis varieties grown here include ‘Parisienne,’ ‘Blue Angel,’ ‘Jackmanii,’ ‘Sapphire Indigo,’ ‘Arabella,’ ‘Contessa de Bouchard,’ and ‘Eyers Gift.’
It can take several years for a clematis vine to mature and begin flowering prolifically. To shorten the wait, purchase a plant that’s at least two-years old. Clematis also prefer soil that’s neutral to slightly alkaline in pH.
This is Clematis viticella ‘Betty Corning’, which has slightly fragrant, bell-shaped flowers that bloom from summer to fall.
Here is a similar variety in pinkish purple.
And in the center of the pergola, I have Veilchenblau roses. This is a vigorous, almost thornless, spring blooming rambler. The blooms start out reddish purple, then turn a dark violet and fade to lilac and blue.
Anyone who passes just takes in the sweet and strong fragrance of these roses – a mix of citrus and apple.
Across the carriage road from my pergola, I also have some clematis vines planted at the base of several bald cypress trees. On these trees, we used twine to secure the climbing vines.
This long pergola takes on several transformations during the year. Soon this area will be filled with bright orange lilies. Just wait and see…
My large vegetable garden is so much fun to visit right now because of all the growing produce - there’s something new popping up every day.
This garden, which is now in its third growing season, is already planted with many wonderful crops - tomatoes, brassicas, artichokes, fava beans, celery, carrots, sweet and hot peppers, peas, all sorts of herbs, and so much more. I always plant in succession, meaning I seed crops at intervals of seven to 21 days in order to maintain a consistent supply of harvestable produce throughout the season. I can't wait for our first big bounty.
Here are some photos, enjoy.
What a difference a couple of months make. This garden is looking great. It is close to my Winter House, so I am able to walk through every day and see all the crops planted over the weeks.
Kale always grow so well here. Kale is a group of vegetable cultivars within the plant species Brassica oleracea. They have purple or green leaves, in which the central leaves do not form a head.
Nearby, I also plant cabbages. To get the best health benefits from cabbage, it’s good to include all three varieties into the diet – Savoy, red, and green. Savoy cabbage leaves are ruffled and a bit yellowish in color.
The broccoli is still small, but developing so perfectly. Broccoli is a hardy vegetable of the cabbage family that is high in vitamins A and D. And, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service, USDA, the average American eats more than four-pounds of broccoli a year.
These are the leaves of my artichokes. Globe artichokes, Cynara scolymus, are popular in both Europe and the United States. Artichokes are actually the flower buds, which will emerge from the center of the plants.
Artichoke plant leaves are silvery-green in color with long, arching shapes. The plant stems are thick and fleshy.
On this day, my gardeners planted a crop of edamame or young soybeans. They are known for being nutrient-rich, gluten-free, and low in calories, making them a healthy addition to a meal or appetizer eaten alone. The term “edamame” translates to “beans on a branch” in Japanese.
One of my go-to seed sources is Bakers Creek Heirloom Seed Company.
Edamame seeds are pretty large – easy to see and plant in the garden bed.
The seeds should be planted about an inch deep and four inches apart in rows that are spaced about 15-inches from each other.
Once the seeds are pushed into the soil, the rows are raked, marked and watered. The growing time for edamame is about 95 days.
In another center bed along this trellis are lots of peas – one section for shelling peas, which need to be removed from their pods before eating, and another for edible pods, which can be eaten whole, such as our snap peas.
The peas are best grown on supports to keep them off the ground and away from pests and diseases.
Pea plants produce beautiful flowers that range from white to purple.
It’s easy to spot where the tomatoes are growing by all the bamboo stakes. If you’ve ever grown a vining plant, you know how important it is to provide strong structures to which the vines can cling and climb. I stake my tomatoes in stages, using taller, stronger supports as the plants develop.
I always grow an abundance of tomatoes to share and to make all the delicious tomato sauce I enjoy through the year. It’s a good idea to grow a range of varieties, including at least one or two disease-resistant types.
This is a bed of basil – both green and purple are planted here. Basil is a culinary herb of the family Lamiaceae. Basil is native to tropical regions from central Africa to Southeast Asia. It is a tender plant, and is used in many cuisines. Since basil grows in tropical climates, it grows well in hot weather.
My garlic bed is also looking good. I planted the garlic last November. Do you know… Americans consume about two to three pounds of garlic per year? And consumption continues to increase because of the many flavors and health benefits.
Right now, there are many scapes. Garlic scapes are the flower buds of the garlic plants. They’re ready about a month before the actual garlic bulbs. Scapes are delicious and can be used just like garlic. Scapes can be cut when the center stalks are completely formed and the ends are curled.
This week, we’re starting to see some of the first jalapeño peppers growing.
At the edge of all the beds, I planted herbs. This is sage. Sage is an aromatic herb of the mint family, cultivated for its pungent edible leaves. It is native to the Mediterranean and is often used fresh or dried as a flavoring in various dishes.
Also always growing here at the farm is parsley. This will find its way into my morning green juice. Parsley is rich in vitamins K, C, and other antioxidants. It has a bright, herbaceous, and slightly bitter taste.
This is curly parsley. This comes from the same family, but curly parsley leaves are thicker and ruffled. Some also say its flavor is a bit stronger in curly parsley than in the flat-leaf varieties.
Everyone always asks what I do with all the vegetables I grow. I share them with my family, but I also love sharing the bounties with friends, colleagues, and my hardworking crew here at the farm. I also provide fruits, vegetables, and eggs for photography and video shoots. And, of course, all my birds get vegetables too.
And Lilium makes three - three Persian cats at Cantitoe Corners.
If you follow my Instagram page @MarthaStewart48, you may have seen photos of my newest resident feline, Lilium. She's a brown Persian longhair I adopted through Rock 'N Rescue, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization based in Bedford Hills, New York, not far from my farm. Lilium traveled all the way from Doha, the capital city of Qatar in the Middle East. She joins Magnolia and Dahlia, also beautiful Persians. All three are doing well and getting to know each other. No doubt they will soon be good friends.
Here are some photos.
When I received the text and photos about another pretty Persian at Rock ‘N Rescue, I knew I wanted to meet her right away. This is Lilium.
Lilium is about three years old with beautiful facial expressions and markings.
She’s independent, confident, very friendly, and so far loves the attention from everyone here at the farm.
Persian cats are well loved for their regal appearance and are often referred to as the “aristocrats of the cat world.”
Lilium is not only regal, but playful. Here she is rolling on her back for belly rubs.
Of the three Persians, Lilium is the largest. Males and females are medium-to-large-sized cats with round, flat faces, known as brachycephalic, and long, flowing coats.
It’s great to see her feel safe enough to nap anywhere in my home. Kittens six months and older, and adult cats, sleep about 16 to 18 hours a day on average. And, kittens have a similar routine to adult cats, napping throughout the day. They are usually most active at dawn and dusk.
Lilium is an excellent eater and drinker – a sign of good health, especially when acclimating to new surroundings.
Lilium is getting more comfortable in my home every day. I think she’ll be a wonderful addition to my menagerie and family.
Here is Lilium being “watched” by Magnolia, who was the first of these three to come live with me. She also came from Rock ‘N Rescue.
Magnolia is a lovely silver shaded Persian with beautiful golden-copper eyes and a friendly disposition.
Magnolia is quite curious – roaming from room to room, upstairs and downstairs keeping an eye on everything that goes on.
Here is Magnolia looking out of the big floor to ceiling windows of my enclosed porch. I wonder what’s caught her attention. Cats have a wider field of vision than humans, but need to be closer to see things in the same detail. Felines have much better night vision than humans too.
And as serious as she looks, Persians are known for being laid-back, charming, and very affectionate.
Magnolia is also full of personality.
And the youngest in my Winter House is Dahlia – just about a year old.
Dahlia is extremely friendly and wants to be wherever the action is.
She is a dilute calico Persian, meaning her calico coat colors are softer. She is so gorgeous with her long, flowing coat and tail, which must be brushed every day to prevent matting.
Dahlia is a favorite at the farm – and comes when called.
I am sure all these cats will love living here at Cantitoe Corners. And don’t worry my two stable cats, Cinco and Mayo, as well as Blackie in my greenhouse, are all doing well too.
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