The clematis is blooming so beautifully here at my Bedford, New York farm this season.
I have always loved these flowering vines and over the years, I have grown many varieties of this exquisite plant. When I moved to this property, I knew I wanted to build a long, winding pergola and have clematis growing all over it. After the pergola was constructed, I concentrated on creating a palette of blue-flowering cultivars. Each year, the floral display gets better and better - stunning lavender, blue, and purple clematis. I also have some growing across the carriage road on the trunks of the majestic bald cypress trees.
Enjoy these photos.
Right now, these beautiful flowers stand out as soon as you near the winding pergola. There are several different clematis varieties planted here, but each pair of posts supports the same kind.
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 for use as posts because they don’t rot over time like wood.
Clematis is a genus of about 300-species within the buttercup family Ranunculaceae. The name Clematis comes from the Greek word “klematis,” meaning vine. (Photo by Ryan Mesina)
They are native to China and Japan and are known to be vigorous, woody, climbers. (Photo by Ryan Mesina)
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.
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.
The standard clematis flower has four to 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. (Photo by Ryan Mesina)
For this area, I chose various shades of purple, blue, and lavender.
Some of the flowers are very light colored – almost white – with interesting centers.
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 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. (Photo by Ryan Mesina)
Once established, clematis should be watered about an inch or so weekly, and more deeply during dry spells.
Some of the cultivars grown here include ‘Parisienne,’ ‘Blue Angel,’ ‘Jackmanii,’ and ‘Eyers Gift.’
This is Clematis viticella ‘Betty Corning’, which has slightly fragrant, bell-shaped flowers that bloom from summer to fall.
Here is another bell-shaped clematis variety in pink.
Known as the “Queen of the Climbers”, Clematis plants will train onto trellises and fences, or arch gracefully over doorways.
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.
The timing and location of clematis flowers varies – spring blooming clematis flower on side shoots of the old season’s stems. Summer and fall blooming vines flower on the ends of only new stems.
Across the carriage road from my pergola, I also have some clematis vines planted at the base of several bald cypress trees.
It is important to understand how each variety blooms in order to properly prune them. They should be cut back to about four or five-inches from the ground in late winter or early spring the first year after it is planted – to promote a bushier, stronger, tighter growth habit.
Clematis plants are also heavy feeders and benefit from a low nitrogen fertilizer such as 5-10-10 in spring, when the buds are about two-inches long. Alternate feedings every four to six weeks with a balanced 10-10-10 fertilizer and then continue this alternate feeding until the end of the growing season. The blooms appear constantly for many weeks making their everblooming nature a must-have in any garden.
Guests love to photograph these beautiful flowers whenever they visit. This photo, and several others, was taken by our Creative Services VP, Ryan Mesina, who is an avid photographer.
And look what’s coming next – wait until you see all the gorgeous tiger lilies, Lilium lancifolium, that flower in mid to late summer and come back year after year. A hand-full of these are already opening. It’s another dramatic transformation in this pergola garden and I can’t wait to see all the many orange blooms.
If you haven't already heard... you can now go to the Mario Badescu flagship salon in New York City and get "The Martha Facial" - a special limited time offer of the same facial I've been receiving their for more than 40-years!
Last week, more than 400-guests attended a party at The Plaza New York hotel to launch the facial and to celebrate more than 50-years of great skin care with the Mario Badescu brand. The event also recognized my long-standing relationship with the company. Good skin care is so important to me - my weekly schedule often includes media appearances, photography shoots, and public interviews, so it is crucial I look my best. Because I wear makeup so frequently, I make sure I take excellent care of my skin to keep it vibrant and clear. I cleanse it very well, apply facial masks and serums, and always use rich moisturizers on my face and body. I love everything from Mario Badescu and always stock my homes with their excellent products. Thank you so much to Mario Badescu for years and years of wonderful service for me, my family, and my friends.
Here are some photos from the event, enjoy.
Mario Badescu founded the salon and product line that bore his name in 1967. He started in his kitchen, formulating his signature products and eventually opened a skincare establishment on the bottom floor of his residential building. Since then, Mario Badescu has grown and evolved as a brand that includes gentle, fresh-botanical-based ingredients for the entire body. It was such an honor to be recognized as one of its long-standing clients and friends. (Photo by Bre Johnson/BFA.com)
The event was held in the Oak Room of the prestigious Plaza Hotel NYC. The hallway leading to the Oak Room was filled with lots of greenery, and a large photo of Mario Badescu himself. (Photo by Rupert Ramsay/BFA.com)
The Oak Room at The Plaza NYC features an elegantly paneled, German Renaissance Revival-style space 20-foot high ceilings. (Photo by Andrew Werner)
For this event, the walls were covered in green “boxwood” as part of a garden theme and photographs showing a timeline of my relationship with the Mario Badescu brand. (Photo by Andrew Werner)
I have been a customer of Mario Badescu since the 1960s when Mr. Badescu was still alive and creating his magical products. Here is the section showing photos from the 70s, a time when Mr. Badescu’s clients were seen by recommendation only. (Photo by Andrew Werner)
In the 90s, the Mario Badescu Skin Care line of products earned a seal of approval from beauty editors, celebrities, and tastemakers—helping to cement Mario Badescu’s reputation as a line of trusted skin essentials.(Photo by Bre Johnson/BFA.com)
In the 2000s, Mario Badescu products launched in Henri Bendel on Fifth Avenue, the first of many successful retail partnerships. And then in 2017, I developed my Martha Stewart – Mario Badescu kits for each decade of one’s life – from teens through the 50s and beyond. (Photo by Andrew Werner)
There were many photos of me on the walls showing how much I love the Mario Badescu brand. I continue to go to the New York City spa for my regular treatments. I am so happy that everyone can purchase products in so many different places including department stores, beauty shops, online, mass market makeup retailers, and on QVC. (Photo by Rupert Ramsay/BFA.com)
Hundreds of guests came out to celebrate – influencers, celebrities, colleagues, and friends. (Photo by Rupert Ramsay/BFA.com)
The walls were also decorated with some of the notes I’ve written to the brand over the years. (Photo by Bre Johnson/BFA.com)
There was an informative, oversized medicine cabinet with a timeline of my favorite products by shelf. Half of it open to present the product and half closed to expose a mirror for selfies and social media moments. (Photo by Bre Johnson/BFA.com)
Here, Mario Badescu CEO Morris Cabasso stops for a photo with his son, Joseph, President of Mario Badescu. (Photo by Bre Johnson/BFA.com)
Many small bites were passed around to all the guests. Here is a tray of New England lobster rolls, with house ground ‘Old Bay.’ (Photo by Bre Johnson/BFA.com)
There were also Vietnamese vegetable summer rolls with plum sauce. (Photo by Bre Johnson/BFA.com)
And the classic franks ‘en croute’ topped with spicy brown mustard – also known as “pigs in a blanket” – a big favorite for all parties. (Photo by Rupert Ramsay/BFA.com)
For drinks, there was my delicious wine, Martha’s Chard – be sure to visit 19Crimes.com for a store near you. You will love it – so well balanced and flavorful. (Photo by Bre Johnson/BFA.com)
There were also two specially themed cocktails – this cucumber wave with gin, cucumber, lemon juice and simple syrup garnished with a fresh mint sprig, and a summer spritz which includes vodka, vermouth, and grapefruit soda and garnished with fresh rosemary. (Photo by Bre Johnson/BFA.com)
Guests could even cut their own fresh garnishes. (Photo by Bre Johnson/BFA.com)
Each guest went home with a gift bag containing many of my favorite items, such as Mario Badescu products – drying lotion, vitamin C serum, facial spray with aloe, herbs and rosewater spray, super collagen mask, sellufirm drops, mineral sunscreen SPF30, Martha Stewart CBD Tropical Medley Gummies, a Martha.com 20-percent off promo card, a Martha Stewart and Marley Spoon voucher, and a special 20-percent off coupon for a “Martha facial” at Mario Badescu NYC. (Photo by Bre Johnson/BFA.com)
Thank you so much to the Mario Badescu company for so many years of great service and products. Although I was not able to attend, the event was a huge success and everyone had a terrific time. (Photo by Rupert Ramsay/BFA.com)
The 2022 Summer Season at the Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts is underway - I hope you take the opportunity to attend one of their events if you're in the area.
Caramoor, which is not far from my Bedford, New York farm, is an 80-acre former estate where Lucie and Walter Rosen built an Italianate-style villa and gardens to entertain their friends from around the world. In 1946, the Rosens opened their property as a performing arts center, which now hosts summer concert series, historic house tours, educational programs, and other outdoor affairs and performances. Earlier this month, I attended Caramoor's special Opening Night Gala to celebrate its 77th season of events. The evening included cocktails, dinner, and a spectacular performance by The Knights and Yo-Yo Ma.
Enjoy these photos, and please visit the website at caramoor.org to see what events are being offered in the coming weeks.
On the expansive Caramoor grounds, guests are welcomed by this commissioned sound art sculpture, in”C”, created by Trimpin. Born Gerhard Trimpin, Trimpin is a kinetic sculptor, sound artist, and musician. His work integrates sculpture and sound across a variety of media. (Photo by Gabe Palacio)
The Rosens built the estate and Tuscan-style villa gradually during the 1930s, importing many architectural and decorative items from Europe. The estate became a center for the arts and music following the World War II death of the Rosen’s son. The couple donated the property in their son’s memory, and it quickly became an established summer festival venue. (Photo by Gabe Palacio)
During the Summer Season, guests can sit on Friends Field to watch various outdoor musical performances. (Photo by Gabe Palacio)
At the Opening Night Gala, we all gathered for dinner under the large tent. Dinner was prepared by Great Performances. It included burrata, spring peas and greens with favas, edamame, and lemon vinaigrette along with a vegetable mosaic of chioggia beets, carrots, radishes, and chickpea mousse. The second course was grilled beef filet with tarragon roasted baby carrots, green peas, and king oyster mushrooms. And for dessert – lemon curd and light lemon mousse with blueberry and mint petit fours. (Photo by Julie Ades Richter)
Caramoor President and CEO Ed Lewis III took to the podium and welcomed all the guests to the Opening Night Gala.
Comments were also given by Vice-Chairman, Peter Kend.
Featured wines on this evening included 2016 The Napa Valley Reserve Kend Family Reserve and a 2021 Babich Black Label Sauvignon Blanc.
(Photo by Gabe Palacio)
Opening Night at Caramoor, Katonah’s wonderful music festival, is always a festive affair. The audience was packed and very enthusiastic about the performances and the music. (Photo by Gabe Palacio)
This is Caramoor Chairman of the Board Jim Attwood. Jim has served on the Board of Trustees for more than 15 years. He is a personable and knowledgeable music aficionado who loves Caramoor.
On this night, attendees celebrated the transformative philanthropy of Leslie Williams and Jim Attwood. They have done so much to support Caramoor over the years.
Here, Ed introduces evening’s performance from The Knights and Yo-Yo Ma.
This is the inside of the Venetian pavilion. The Theater is set around Greek and Roman marble columns topped by Venetian arches and protected by a billowy tent. It’s always brilliantly lit and the acoustics excellent. (Photo by Gabe Palacio)
This is violinist and composer, Colin Jacobsen. He is a touring member of Yo-Yo Ma’s famed musical ensemble and an artistic director for The Knights.
And here is renowned cellist, Yo-Yo Ma. Yo-Yo graduated from the Juilliard School and Harvard University and attended Columbia University and has performed as a soloist with orchestras around the world. He has recorded more than 90 albums and received 19 Grammy Awards.
Yo-Yo’s primary performance instrument is a 1733 Montagnana cello. Yo-Yo is well known for his smooth, rich tone and virtuosity.
Yo-Yo and Colin along with the entire ensemble played so beautifully together. Included in their musical program – Leonard Bernstein’s Overture to Candide, Scott Joplin’s The Maple Leaf Rag and The Chrysanthemum, and Johannes Brahms’ Hungarian Dance No. 1. (Photo by Gabe Palacio)
It was a a great show and a wonderful evening. Colin and Yo-Yo enjoyed performing as much as we enjoyed watching.
Upcoming performances at Caramoor include J’Nai Bridges, mezzo-soprano with Bradley Moore on the piano on July 7th. (Photo courtesy of Caramoor)
Another event features The Chevalier: A Concert Theater Work About Joseph Bologne Written and Directed by Bill Barclay which is on July 10th. (Photo courtesy of Caramoor)
And this weekend to celebrate Independence Day on July 2nd, is Pops & Patriots
Westchester Symphonic Winds – Curt Ebersole, conductor, Christine Taylor Price, soprano, and Thomas West, baritone. Please see the Caramoor website for a full calendar of upcoming events and tickets. (Photo by Gabe Palacio)
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