Another good pruning job is complete at my Bedford, New York farm - this time, on the purple columnar beech trees surrounding my swimming pool.
Back in 2018, we planted more than 170 purple columnar beech trees, Fagus sylvatica 'Dawyck Purple' along the inside of the pool fence. The columnar beech is a splendid tree with deep-purple foliage that holds its color all season long. It reaches 40 to 50 feet in height and only 10-feet wide which makes it perfect for tight spaces and for use as an interesting hedge. Last week, my gardeners gave the hedge a good pruning to keep all the beech trees healthy and looking their best.
Enjoy these photos.
When planning the gardens around my pool, I wanted to create a natural border along both sides of my pool fence, so I chose a dark purple color palette. The hedge on the left is made of purple columnar beech trees, Fagus sylvatica ‘Dawyck Purple’. The shorter plantings on the right are Physocarpus opulifolius ‘Diabolo’ and Cotinus coggygria ‘Royal Purple’ shrubs.
Columnar beech trees are fastigiate meaning their branches slope upward more or less parallel to the main stem. I knew they would be perfect around the pool, but like all garden specimens, they must be well-maintained. I instructed my gardeners to prune them all at least a foot so they were all even.
Here’s a view from the top – they definitely need some pruning.
From this vantage point, one can see the hedge surrounding the enclosed pool. It is developing so nicely and disguises the fence very well.
The leaves of the Columnar Purple Beech are rounded ellipses, two to four inches long and one to three inches wide, with an undulating margin and a slightly pointed tip. They are smooth and softly lustrous in the sunlight. In spring the new leaves are a vibrant, deep purple-red. As they mature in summer they become dark burgundy-purple, holding this color well through the hotter weather.
To ensure the pruning is perfectly straight, we always use a landscaping twine, so it is visible and can be pulled taut. The twine is pulled between bamboo poles and placed along the sections of the hedge. The yellow level is placed on the twine as a guide.
Here is the twine stretched over the hedge. Brian also checks the line and level several times to be sure everything is trimmed properly.
And as each section is done, Brian moves the bamboo stakes and twine to the next area to be pruned.
Ryan uses our STIHL battery telescoping hedge trimmers to trim off the long tops as a start. Pruning means to lop or cut off any superfluous branches or shoots for better-shape and better growth. These look fuller every year – in part because of our regular pruning.
This STIHL hedge trimmer is designed with less bulk than others of its kind. It features hardened, precision-ground cutting blades and anti-vibration technology, keeping hands steady during every job.
Brian uses the STIHL battery-powered hedge trimmers to lop off the tops more precisely. This trimmer is lightweight, starts instantly and delivers quiet, powerful performance.
And Pasang works more closely to cut off any dead, diseased, damaged, non-productive, structurally unsound, or otherwise unwanted plant material.
Beneath the hedge is a variety of dark-leafed plants. This is Ajuga ‘Black Scallop’ – a unique perennial in the mint family Lamiaceae, with most species native to Europe, Asia, Africa, and southeastern Australia. Ajuga has lush dark burgundy-black foliage that blankets the ground when mature. The Ajuga ‘Black Scallop’, also known as Black Scallop bugleweed, ground pine, carpet bugle, or just bugle, has very glossy foliage and bright blue flowers in late spring.
Ajuga ‘Chocolate Chip’ is a dwarf, spreading groundcover that creates a tight mat of rich, chocolate brown foliage with dark green undertones.
This is a Nasturtium. Nasturtium plants, Tropaeolum, are loved for their rich, saturated, jewel-toned colors. Planted in the spring after the threat of frost has passed, they are fast and easy to grow. Nasturtium is a genus of about 80 species of annual and perennial herbaceous flowering plants. It was named by Carl Linnaeus in his book Species Plantarum, and is the only genus in the family Tropaeolaceae. These flowers can vary in shade, but the most popular versions are orange, yellow, pink, red, or mahogany. There are also varieties in subdued shades of butter yellow and cream.
Here’s a closer look at the interesting leaves of Nasturtium. The leaves are circular, shield-shaped and grow on a trailing plant. They are fragrant, with a mustard-like scent.
On one end, I have several potted Stephanotis – one of five to 10 species identified within the genus of twining vine-like shrubs. It is sometimes called Madagascar jasmine. The leaves are leathery, oval-shaped, and opposite, and the plant’s woody tendrils can grow to 20 feet.
The flowers are narrow, tubular, waxy horns about two inches in length that open to a crown of five lobes and stamens.
It doesn’t take long for the ground to fill with clippings – and this is just from one section.
To clean the area after pruning, Brian lightly blows any cut leaves and debris with STIHL’s backpack battery and handheld blower. The backpack battery eliminates the cost of fuel and engine oil and can be used for several hours before needing another charge.
Here’s a look at one side of the newly pruned hedge – so straight all the way down.
Here’s the hedge from the outside of the pool fence – it looks so much better behind the growing skirt of Cotinus and ninebark.
At the far end of the pool I have five staddle stones. Staddle stones were originally used in the 17th and 18th centuries as support bases for granaries, hayricks, and game larders. They typically looked like giant stone mushrooms, but mine are square – a more rare and unique version. I wanted the pool to look as natural as possible where I could enjoy the panoramic views of the landscape with my family and friends. I’ve worked hard to develop the surrounding gardens and am so pleased with how well they’ve grown. This is one of my favorite summertime areas of the farm.
Replacing doors and adding elegant and functional shades can really transform a room.
In my last blog, I talked about the latest project at my Bedford, New York farm - the renovation of a kitchen in my guest house, so it could be used for video and print shoots. Among the changes, I replaced the French doors to the terrace with new ones from Pella and added beautiful sheer rolling shades by Erik Bruce Inc. These updates really completed the space, and I am so pleased with how everything came out.
Enjoy these photos.
Outside this kitchen is a beautiful stone terrace looking out onto one side of my allee of fragrant lilacs and roses. As part of this kitchen project, I wanted to replace the doors that had deteriorated over time. The old doors were removed and the opening was prepared for the new doors to be installed.
The doors are carefully carried to the opening and fitted perfectly level and plumb. These Pella hinged French doors allow true light into the room while maintaining exceptional energy efficiency.
The doors are secured and ready to be fully attached and insulated. Whenever installing doors, be sure to always measure the radius of the swing and ensure there is adequate space for the door to open and close. Pella doors can be either in-swing our out-swing.
Next, the molding around the doors is matched to the rest of the moldings in the room and installed.
Here are the finished doors. Look how much great light comes into the kitchen. These doors will also allow fresh breezes in and out. This house has three sets of French doors – all of them were replaced in the same way.
To go along with the rest of the kitchen’s decor, the doors were painted black. They look great with the brass hardware.
Next, I called on Erik Bruce Inc., to install shades on all the doors and windows in this house. The company’s owner, Eric Bruce, did all the shades for my Winter House, Summer House, and Tenant House – I’ve known him many years. Because everything was pre-measured, all the shades are delivered labeled with the room name.
Each shade was removed from its plastic wrapping and placed by its assigned window or door. Appropriate brackets are also placed next to each shade. Putting all the supplies near the designated work spaces make the process more efficient.
These shade mounting brackets hold the shade securely in place and allow it to move smoothly without falling out.
Tony carefully screws in the mounting brackets – one slightly above each side of the window or door being covered.
And then Tony paints the heads of the screws the same color as the bracket – in this case, black.
The paint is kept in nail polish bottles and brought to every installation.
These are manual roller Husk II shades in granite. They work perfectly with the room’s black color scheme.
Look how sheer they are – they let the light in, but not the glare. I love them.
Here they are fully installed on the French doors from Pella. What do you think?
I also added the same shades on the kitchen windows.
And to the adjacent cookbook library windows and doors.
These roller shades stay down with a handsome and weighted hem bar at the bottom of each shade.
The same shades are also on this large window in the sunken living room. After each shade is installed, Tony tests the rolling tension several times to make sure it is perfect.
I also wanted to replace the shades in the other rooms of this house. Jay prepares the shades for installation. I chose a combination of Breezy off-white and Daybreak Dove for these rooms.
Everything is measured twice, sometimes three times, to ensure everything is lined up perfectly.
The same types of brackets are installed and the screws painted white.
This shade is in one of the guest bedrooms – it is more opaque for privacy and light control for sleeping, but still keeps the room looking bright and cheerful during the day.
All the shades look so crisp and clean. Shades are not only decorative, but functional, keeping heat out in warmer months and keeping warmth contained inside during winter. Adding window treatments is a great finishing touch to any space.
So many of you love hearing about my pets and seeing photos of them here on my blog. I am happy to report - they're all doing very well, including my three clean, well-groomed cats.
I've always been a firm believer in regular brushing, combing, and bathing my pets. My cats are brushed every single day and bathed about once a month. And, since I started grooming them when they were young, they actually enjoy the process - sometimes they even fall asleep.
Enjoy these photos.
Blackie is my greenhouse cat. He loves people and is always ready for a rub or some playtime.
Ryan is in charge of keeping Blackie well-groomed. Here he is getting brushed – I wish you could hear him purr.
Blackie loves his neck brushed also.
And here, Ryan is brushing his back. Notice – he stays still on his own. Blackie is shorthaired, so Ryan brushes his coat once a week and checks it for ticks and burs every day.
What a handsome boy you are, Blackie.
Then it’s off to my Winter House to bathe my two dominant calico Persians, Empress Tang and Princess Peony. Do you want to be first, my lovely Tang?
Bath time takes place in the big laundry room in my Winter House basement. I have two large, deep enameled sinks there, which are good for soaping and rinsing. Here’s Enma making sure the water temperature is just right.
Enma soaps Tang and then runs a comb gently through her coat. Cats have built-in grooming tools and do a lot of self-grooming. Longhaired cats require a bit more grooming care than shorthaired cats. My cats are longhaired, and very active, so bathing is a necessity. Always use a good quality shampoo specifically made for pets.
Enma is very careful not to get the face wet. She uses a warm towel to gently clean around her eyes and mouth. Cats do not like getting water in their ears or nasal passages. In general, cats are skittish about water. The key is to make it a gentle and positive experience. Enma talks to the cats throughout the entire process. It’s also good to schedule baths when the cat is most relaxed.
Tang is rinsed, conditioned, and then rinsed again.
Removing all traces of shampoo and conditioner is crucial in preventing skin irritations.
After her bath, Tang is wrapped in a large terry towel for drying. Be sure to dry in an area free from drafts. Tang is very affectionate, and loves being swaddled, held, and petted.
And then, with the dryer on the lowest heat setting, Tang is dried and combed thoroughly. It’s always good to look for and remove any matted fur. This is important because collected mats can cause irritation and hairballs. Tang and Peony have been brushed since they were kittens, so they are very relaxed during grooming time.
Enma also checks to see if any of Tang’s nails need trimming. Pet nails grow quickly, so it is important to check them often and trim whenever needed. And only cut the white part of the nail – never the pink part, which is called the quick – this is where the nerve and blood vessels are located.
Enma uses the towel to gently wipe Tang’s ears. Her ears are very clean.
Tang also enjoys being brushed and stays still for much of her grooming session. Here she is on her side while her tail is combed.
Princess Peony is bathed in the same way, with lukewarm water and special pet shampoo. Here, Enma checks Peony’s feet to see if there is any dirt stuck in between or around the nails.
Peony is such a good girl in the bath.
Once on the grooming table, Peony actually begins to fall asleep.
A good, durable comb is a must-have for grooming. Always be sure to introduce the cat to new tools before using them, so they never shy away from grooming time.
Grooming time is not only a good opportunity to get your pets looking clean and beautiful – it’s also a wonderful time to bond with them and check for any other possible abnormalities to the coat and skin.
And in less than an hour, they’re both “free” to roam. My cats definitely like their routines – they like to eat and go out at the same times and they like to sleep and lounge in the same places. Peony and Tang are very healthy and happy.
Meanwhile, Blackie is back outdoors in the shade of the beech hedge and behind these beautiful Nasturtium leaves. How often do you groom your feline friends? Share your comments below.
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