Adding one type of bush, shrub, tree, or plant can totally transform a space.
I love lilacs and have enjoyed growing them for many years. At my farm, I have an allée of lilac hedges that explodes with gorgeous, sweet-smelling flower clusters every May. Not long ago, as part of a delivery of plants from the wholesale nursery, Monrovia, I received 100 Little Darling® Lilacs. This variety is perfect for smaller spaces. It stays more compact, about four feet tall, and it re-blooms - one big flush in spring and then another in autumn. I decided to plant them around my studio guest house mixed in with the pachysandra - they'll add beautiful purple-lilac color to the beds.
Enjoy these photos.
This is my lilac allée located behind my chicken coops and near my tennis court. This allée bursts with superlative color every spring. Lilacs are easy to grow, and can reach from four to 20-feet tall or more depending on the variety.
This is a collection of Little Darling® Lilacs exclusively grown by Monrovia. All 100 are in such excellent condition. I decided to plant them near the lilac allée around my studio guest house.
The area is at the edge of my Japanese Maple woodland and gets full sun for at least six hours of the day – perfect for lilacs.
My head gardener, Ryan McCallister, is in charge of placing plants in their planting locations. Since these lilacs are more compact, they are positioned about three to four feet apart. Before digging the holes, the distance between each plant is measured accurately and the pots are lined up straight.
The plants will look nice as a border for the pachysandra and smell so sweet when in bloom.
Once all the plants are in place, the digging begins.
Any pachysandra that needs to be moved is carefully transplanted elsewhere – no plants are ever wasted here at my farm.
When planting, the hole should be at least twice the size of the plant. Lilacs thrive in well-drained, fertile soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.5. For best growth, the soil should also be enriched with organic matter.
Lilacs have green foliage and a slender, upright growth habit.
Lilac leaves are simple, opposite, ovate, about two to four inches long, and usually shaped like elongated hearts.
As with any new specimen, before it is planted the root ball is scarified. Essentially, one breaks up small portions of the root ball to loosen the roots a bit and create some beneficial injuries. This helps the plant become established more quickly in its new environment. Arnold does this to the bottom of the root ball.
He also does this on the sides. these roots will be more happy loosened up after being in the pot.
Remember what I always say, “if you eat, so should your plants.” Fertilizer is mixed in with the soil.
I feed with Miracle-Gro Shake ‘n Feed Plant Food – a dependable fertilizer that feeds for up to three months.
The planting depth for most lilac varieties is approximately two inches above the crown. This allows for any gradual settling of soil around the roots once watered.
Arnold carefully backfills the lilacs and tamps the surrounding soil lightly for good contact.
The lilacs look so pretty with the pachysandra. When choosing companion plants for pachysandra, consider bloom time, texture, and growth habits to complement the color and shape of the pachysandra.
Here’s Chhiring giving all the newly planted lilacs a thorough drink. We did get a lot of rain the night before, but we’re expecting very hot and humid weather for the next few days. Check your plants – they can dry up so quickly in summer.
I use Gilmour hoses, wands and sprinklers all over the farm. I especially like that its hoses are gray, but all Gilmour supplies are dependable and durable.
Little Darling® Lilacs will flower with large clusters of dark-purple buds and then open to classic lilac-hue blooms.
These plants are just a foot tall now, but in general, lilacs typically grow about six to 12 inches each year. I’ll be sure to share more photos when they are flowering. Keep following my blog for gardening tips and ideas.
It's always so rewarding to plant new specimens and watch them flourish.
Recently, I received a selection of rhododendrons grown by Monrovia, a wholesale plant nursery specializing in well-nurtured shrubs, perennials, annuals, ferns, grasses, and conifers with several nursery locations across the country. I'm always looking for ways to improve my gardens and I knew the plants would look excellent in my Japanese Maple Woodland. Rhododendrons are beautiful flowering shrubs with showy flowers and glossy green leaves. They're easy to maintain and thrive in areas with dappled light.
Here are some photos, enjoy.
I already grow several different rhododendrons in my Japanese Maple Woodland. Some of the last blooms of one can be seen here in a soft, light pink. When in bloom, these new Rhododendron Chionoides shrubs from Monrovia will be a beautiful white.
One of the things that sets Monrovia rhododendrons apart from others is the way they hand pinch buds during the growing season to get more breaks in the plant and to develop fuller shrubs. This practice is more labor intensive, but it results in a much shapelier specimen.
Rhododendron leaves are characterized by their laurel-like, green elliptic shape, which is thick, leathery, and glossy. Rhododendron leaves also have scales, distinguishing them from azalea leaves, which have small hairs.
This area is part of the northern half of the Maple Woodland. It will be wonderful for these plants.
The first step is to mark where they will go. My head gardener, Ryan McCallister, thoughtfully positions flags in various locations. When selecting a place to plant, always consider the full grown size of the shrub. Rhododendrons need at least two to six feet of space for optimal growth.
Chhiring carefully loads each potted rhododendron onto the wheelbarrow for transport.
And then places one next to each designated flag. Rhododendrons require the right balance of light. While they are shade-loving, insufficient light can decrease the ability to flower. The ideal conditions feature morning sunlight with afternoon shade.
Arnold and Alex start digging the holes for all 36 rhododendrons. When planting a large grouping, it’s often faster to do it in a production line fashion.
The holes should be twice as wide and just as deep as the root ball. Also be sure the hole’s sides slope slightly.
Chhiring also brings a wheelbarrow full of composted soil from my yard to each hole.
Alex sprinkles a generous amount of appropriate fertilizer in and around the hole.
For these plants, I use Miracle-Gro Shake ‘n Feed Flowering Trees & Shrubs plant food. It feeds the soil with kelp, earthworm castings, feather meal, bone meal and lasts for up to three months.
Because it is so hot and humid, I like to give each rhododendron ample water when it is transplanted. Chhiring fills the hole first with water.
Meanwhile, Arnold removes the plant from its original pot.
And then he scarifies the root ball, meaning he uses a knife to make intentional cuts around the entire root ball to loosen the roots and stimulate growth.
Next, Arnold places the specimen into the hole. Plant rhododendrons on a mound above the base soil to ensure well-drained and healthy roots. This also keeps the bottom most leaves from laying on the ground.
Alex and Arnold work together to backfill, making sure the plant is buried as deeply as it was in its original container.
Once planted, Alex rakes the area, so it is neat and tidy. Doing this also allows one more look to make sure everything is done properly.
Chhiring follows with another watering. He is using a Gilmour hose and wand. I’ve been using Gilmour for years. Gilmour hoses and sprinklers are excellent and very durable.
This Japanese Maple Woodland area is constantly evolving and I can’t wait until these white rhododendrons bloom next spring. I named this garden in memory of my late sister, Laura Plimpton. I just know she would be so pleased with how it’s doing.
When you go on vacation, who takes care of your dog? Or when you're away at work, who exercises and walks your furred friend?
Last week, I learned about Delighted Pets, a local business in nearby Brewster, New York that offers boarding and daycare services focused on canine enrichment, positive behavioral reinforcement, and well-supervised outdoor interaction. The facility is equipped with both indoor and outdoor play spaces, a clean and quiet kennel area, a grooming room, a retail shop, and 24-hour on-site management. It also offers regular pick up and drop off for all dogs, outings to fenced-in open spaces, and on-leash private or semi private walks around town. Finding a reputable canine care center with an experienced, knowledgeable, and friendly staff is vital - for both your pet and your peace-of-mind.
Here are some photos from Delighted Pets, enjoy.
Sal Romano, on the right, started Delighted Pets in 2015 in New York City. Its first offerings included daily walks around Manhattan. Now, his company offers full concierge service, boarding, small group excursions, and more. After properly temperament testing each dog, they are slowly acclimated to limited number pack groups.
Delighted Pets has a facility and access to secured, open spaces in Westchester County as well as services in New York City.
Walking into Delighted Pets, one is greeted with classical music and a room filled with “client” photos.
Outside, in one of the fenced in dog spaces – a small number of friendly dogs is already enjoying a morning playtime session.
Dogs are well-socialized. Many of the dogs are together on a daily basis.
All breeds and mixes are accepted at Delighted Pets. This is a Boykin spaniel, a medium sized dog originally bred for hunting wild turkeys and ducks. It is a very active breed that needs lots of exercise and mental stimulation, but is considered a friendly, social dog and good family pet.
Here’s my friend Ari Katz, who runs the @raisingtheperfectpet Instagram page. He is an experienced dog handler and breeder of Labrador Retrievers.
When selecting a daycare or boarding facility for your pet, be sure it is up-to-date on all vaccines and accustomed to being with other dogs.
Here is a yellow Lab waiting for its turn for attention. Also be sure your dog is accustomed to riding in a car and being away from home without anxiety.
It’s important that any dog daycare facility be well-supervised. There are always at least two guardians in the enclosure for safety and proper management.
This is a Samoyed with its striking white coat and friendly disposition. This “Sammy” is a regular at Delighted Pets, and seems to love it.
Every room is clean and climate-controlled. The main exercise room of Delighted Pets is decorated with a gallery of dog portraits.
The room is also padded for safety and equipped with an agility A-frame and jumps for indoor stimulation and training.
There are also exercise treadmills specifically designed for canine use and exercise when outdoor play is not possible.
An adjacent kennel room has individual crates for quiet time and naps. Owner notes and personal food, treats and supplies are kept near each crate.
This is a hydraulic grooming table. It can accommodate both small and big dogs for brushing or cuts – a professional groomer is on-site.
There is also an appropriate stainless steel animal tub.
The Delighted Pets boutique includes all-natural, American made treats. These Delightful Bites come in several flavors and treat sizes.
Other shelves include a curated collection of grooming accessories and supplies.
And this area has a collection of cold-weather vests and coats for big and small dogs.
And of course, there is also a section for toys.
At Delighted Pets, dogs are given one-on-one attention, training, and lots of playtime. As the saying goes, a “good dog is a tired dog.”
This is a Lagotto Romagnolo, the well-known “truffle dog” of Italy. When looking for a reputable dog care facility in your neighborhood, be sure to do your homework and research what the center offers. Delighted Pets… it’s a good thing.
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