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.
Nowadays, while many have access to a smartphone for sharing pictures or posting on social media, there's something very special about capturing high-quality images with a manual camera.
My granddaughter, Jude, is an avid and experienced photographer. Not long ago, she and three of her friends participated in a week-long course under Jude's instructor, celebrated photographer Mindy Vèissid. The group learned about the various settings and functions of a camera and practiced different techniques for lighting, composition, and editing. On one day, the group came to my farm where they spent several hours taking images of the flowers and trees, the birds and horses, and anything else that caught their attention.
Here are photos from the group's day at Cantitoe Corners and some of their images taken during the course with Canon EOS cameras, enjoy.
Photography involves both science and art. Taking thoughtful, high-quality images and understanding the technical aspects of photography are essential. My granddaughter and I share a passion for photography and have loved using Canon cameras to take many of our pictures.
Last month, Jude and her friends Layla, Raisa, and Nyla, took an in-depth photography course with Mindy – a distinguished photographer, author, and founder of the boutique school Art of Intuitive Photography. The five-day workshop included walks around the city and various locations, a trip to my farm, and lessons in editing the photos taken.
Mindy’s approach encourages aspiring photographers to use intuition and creativity to inspire their work and find their subjects.
Mindy discussed the use of a zoom lens – when it’s best to use it and how it works to maintain focus when its focal length changes.
After the lecture, the group went out to test their knowledge and skills. They started up close, taking photos of this weeping katsura just outside my Winter House.
They all took images of the flowers on my terrace parterre.
Jude has developed a very keen eye for photography and has taken many lessons with Mindy. Here she is taking photos of the potted succulents.
Mindy works with each student to carefully teach them how to select the settings to take their shots – the aperture, shutter speed, ISO, and white balance.
They took turns with the Canon zoom lens, taking time to select what they wanted to photograph. They were encouraged to use creativity and self expression.
The group walked down the carriage road toward the stable. While Jude has taken many photos around the farm, this was a great time to get a different perspective on familiar scenes and objects.
Here they are in the stable taking closeup photos of my handsome Friesian, Rinze – the patriarch of my herd.
And here they are with the chickens, watching their movements and waiting for just the right opportunities – all part of mindful photography.
The young photographers wanted to share some of their photos taken during the week-long course. This image and the following were all captured in and around New York City, including my farm. I’m so impressed with the photos and so happy they enjoyed their lessons. (Photo taken by Layla using a Canon EOS Rebel T6)
(Photo taken by Layla using a Canon EOS Rebel T6)
(Photo taken by Layla using a Canon EOS Rebel T6)
(Photo taken by Raisa using a Canon EOS Rebel T6)
(Photo taken by Raisa using a Canon EOS Rebel T6)
(Photo taken by Raisa using a Canon EOS Rebel T6)
(Photo taken by Nyla using a Canon EOS Rebel T7)
(Photo taken by Nyla using a Canon EOS Rebel T7)
(Photo taken by Nyla using a Canon EOS Rebel T7)
(Photo taken by Jude using a Canon EOS RP)
(Photo taken by Jude using a Canon EOS RP)
(Photo taken by Jude using a Canon EOS RP)
Please follow Mindy’s Instagram page @mveissid and go to her web site mindyveissid.com for more information and her photos.
Martha Pins
Martha Tweets
