The gardens and plants around my beloved home in Maine are blooming.
As you know, I love Maine - for me, it is a magical place and I always wish I could spend more time there. In May, I go up to carry out my annual task of planting the large ornamental urns and planters that adorn the exterior of my home. And later during the summer I go up again to spend a few weeks there with my family. Unfortunately, I don't always get to see all the beautiful flowers that bloom at Skylands, but Cheryl DuLong, who helps me care for Skylands, and Wendy Norling, one of my gardeners, keep me updated by sending photographs from time to time.
Here's a look at what's blooming there now, enjoy.
Cheryl is an avid photographer and enjoys taking nature photos around Maine and the pretty flowers at Skylands. Here are some of the first lupines. These flowers are attractive and spiky, reaching one to four feet in height. Lupine flowers may be annual and last only for a season or perennial, returning for a few years in the same spot in which they were planted. The lupine plant grows from a long taproot and loves full sun. The flowers are produced in dense or open whorls on an erect spike, each flower about one to two centimeters long. The pea-like flowers have an upper standard, or banner, two lateral wings, and two lower petals fused into a keel.
Lupinus, commonly known as lupin, lupine, or regionally as bluebonnet etc., is a genus of flowering plants in the legume family Fabaceae. The genus includes over 199 species and come in all different colors including purple, white, pink, red, yellow, blue, and bicolor.
The columbine plant, Aquilegia, is an easy-to-grow perennial that offers seasonal interest throughout the year. Columbines aren’t particular about soil as long it’s well-draining and not too dry. It blooms in a variety of colors and forms, which emerge from its attractive dark green foliage. The bell-shaped flowers are also a favorite to hummingbirds and may be used in cut-flower arrangements as well.
Both my herbaceous peonies and my tree peonies are finished blooming at Bedford, but they’re looking wonderful at Skylands. The peony is any plant in the genus Paeonia, the only genus in the family Paeoniaceae. They are native to Asia, Europe and Western North America.
Herbaceous peony blooms range from simple blossoms to complex clusters. Peony flower shapes are one of four major groups: single, semi-double, Japanese, and double.
Here is another herbaceous peony in red just beginning to unfurl. Do you know the difference between herbaceous peonies and tree peonies? Herbaceous peonies are perennial peonies that die back to the ground each year. The roots remain dormant under the soil, then the plant stems push up in the spring. Tree peonies are woody, deciduous shrub peonies. They lose their foliage in the fall but their woody stems do not die back to the ground.
Wendy took this pretty photo of the beautiful tree peony growing in front of the Living Hall window. Native to Europe and Asia, peonies were brought over to England by the Romans in the year 1200. Behind the peonies in this photo is my sphynx – already out “guarding” the terrace for the season. She is one of two glazed terra-cotta sphinxes designed by Emile Muller.
Wendy also took this closer image. Tree peonies are larger than the more common herbaceous peony, growing up to five feet wide and tall in about 10 years. They are highly prized for their large, prolific blooms that can grow up to 10 inches in diameter.
Here is one of the original kiwi vines growing up the stone wall to my West Terrace – still thriving after all these years.
These alliums are also growing in front of the Living Hall windows. Allium species are herbaceous perennials with flowers produced on scapes. They grow from solitary or clustered bulbs and come in a broad palette of colors, heights, bloom times and flower forms. They will grow in most any soil, as long as it is well-drained. Alliums love sunlight and will perform best when planted in full sun. Since most of them multiply naturally, they can also be left untouched in the same area for years.
Clematis is a genus of about 300 species within the buttercup family Ranunculaceae. The name Clematis comes from the Greek word “klematis,” meaning vine. Clematis, pronounced KLEH-muh-tis, are native to China and Japan and known to be vigorous growers. Clematis are also flowering at my Bedford, New York farm.
The hellebores are still going strong in Maine. Hellebores come in such an artful array of colors, markings, and formations, it’s hard not to love these fascinating perennials. I’ve had hellebores in my gardens for many years. Hellebores are members of the Eurasian genus Helleborus – about 20 species of evergreen perennial flowering plants in the family Ranunculaceae. They blossom during late winter and through spring for up to three months. Hellebores are widely grown for decorative purposes because they are easy-to-grow and are able to resist frost. It is common to plant them on slopes or in raised beds in order to see their flowers, which tend to nod.
This photo is of a pretty ‘lady’s slipper’, Cypripedium. This orchid is a woodland plant that thrives in bright shade or dappled sunlight under tall trees. Cypripedium are composed of either a basal set of leaves, or a leafy stalk that grows up to two feet tall. The Cypripedium flower, which tops the stalk or rosette, is an enlarged pouch called a “lip” or a “slipper”, backed by three long, dark-colored, twisted petals. The slipper can be as large as a chicken egg or quite small depending on the species.
In this view, one can see the twisted petals behind the pouch.
This is called a ‘Jack in the Pulpit,’ Arisaema triphyllum. It is a herbaceous perennial plant growing from a corm. It typically grows about 12 to 26 inches in height with three-parted leaves and flowers contained in a spadix that is covered by a hood.
Solomon’s seal, any plant of the genus Polygonatum of the family Ruscaceae, consists of about 25 species of herbaceous perennials with thick, creeping underground stems and tall, drooping stems. The plants are particularly common in the eastern United States and Canada. These were blooming in May at my farm, but are now flowering nicely at Skylands. White bell-shaped blossoms dangle below the arching stems. The flowers become bluish black berries in late summer and the attractive, ribbed foliage turns a golden yellow color in autumn.
Creeping thyme, also known commonly as ‘Mother of Thyme,’ is an easily grown, spreading thyme variety. I planted creeping thyme between the stones of my large terrace. It is an evergreen with lightly haired foliage and small flowers appearing in low, dense mats.
And the smoke bushes, Cotinus, are looking excellent. Cotinus are grown for their large, plumelike panicles, which appear after the flowers, and give a long-lasting, smokey haze to branch tips. Their smooth, rounded leaves come in exceptional shades of clear pinkish-bronze, yellow, deep purple, and green.
This is my flower cutting garden at Skylands, not far from my shop, stable, and carriage house. Here, my vegetable and flower garden are together in one large space completely surrounded by a tall fence.
On this side – the planted dahlia bed in the flower cutting garden. I love dahlias, and grow lots of these colorful flowers at my Bedford, New York farm, and up at Skylands, my home in Maine. My dahlia garden at Skylands is quite large with hundreds of different plants in a variety of colors and forms. In fact, dahlias can be found in nearly every color except blue.
And here is the long trough we planted just a few weeks ago. I bought this massive stone trough at Trade Secrets in 2013. It looks so beautiful here on the Maine terrace. It is planted up with succulents and topped with pink gravel – the same pink gravel that covers the carriage roads at Skylands. The views behind it are always so breathtaking. I can’t wait to return.
Established in 1877, the Westminster Kennel Club is America's oldest organization dedicated to the sport of purebred dogs.
The club's annual show runs for three-days to accommodate all the dogs that compete. The first day kicks off with the Annual Masters Agility Championship, where performance dogs climb, jump, weave, and sprint their way through a series of course obstacles. The next two days are dedicated to breed competitions. Dogs are exhibited in seven different groups, organized by the original work that each breed was developed to do. The groups include Herding, Sporting, Non-Sporting, Working, Hounds, Terriers, and Toy breeds. Breeds are evaluated based on their standard, meaning competing dogs aren't compared to other competitors, but to the ideal proportions, weight and size, head shape, gait and other qualities of the breed. The last event on the third night is "Best in Show."
Here are more photos, enjoy.
In 1876, the members of the Westminster Club commissioned one of its officials to find a stud Pointer. A stunning dog named “Don” was chosen. He won his bench championship in England and then later in the United States. He was a handsome lemon and white dog, with a fine head and especially good body. He was renamed and registered as “Sensation.” In 1935, artist J. Wellstood drew the whole dog, with a light lemon patch on its side, frozen in point. The artist had caught the magnificently bodied dog in great detail. The muscles and even the veins of the legs stood out. “Sensation” has since been the Westminster Kennel Club mascot.
Here are the rings still empty on the morning of the second day of breed competitions. Breed competitions start at 9am sharp. Thankfully, the weather was quite favorable with highs in the 70s.
Heavy drooling breeds wear bibs to keep their coats pristine before going into the ring. This is a Landseer Newfoundland. The Landseer has a white base coat with black markings. Typically, the head is solid black, or black with white on the muzzle, with or without a blaze.
The Vizsla is a Hungarian hunting dog. Its name means “searcher” or “tracker” and is easily recognized by its sleek golden-rust coat. These rugged but elegant athletes have been the pride of Hungarian sportsmen for centuries, and are growing more popular here in the United States.
The Leonberger is a giant dog breed, whose name derives from the city of Leonberg in Baden-Württemberg, Germany. It has a medium-long waterproof coat, lush triangular ears, a bushy tail, and a black face-mask that frames its dark-brown eyes.
The Curly-Coated Retriever was originally bred in England for upland bird and waterfowl hunting. It is the tallest of the retrievers and is easily distinguishable by the mass of tight curls covering its body.
The Cocker is the American Kennel Club’s smallest sporting spaniel, standing about 14 to 15 inches tall at the shoulder. The coat comes in several colors and patterns – this one is buff-colored and considered part of the A.S.C.O.B. variety meaning any solid color other than black. The ears are gently wrapped to keep them well-groomed and clean until they go into the ring.
This variety is called the parti-color. A Cocker Spaniel in full coat needs extra grooming time, but they are also energetic sporting dogs and love playing and going out for brisk walks.
Here is a black Newfoundland. Newfies can also be solid brown. The massive Newfoundland is a powerful working dog of heavy bone, but also sweet-tempered and great with children.
One of this year’s new breeds is the Dogo Argentino. It is a large, white, muscular breed of dog that was developed in Argentina primarily for the purpose of big-game hunting, including wild boar. This breed also exhibits steadfast bravery and willingly protects its human companions.
Even lying down ringside, I am sure you will recognize this breed – the Golden Retriever – the Scottish gun dog stands among America’s most popular dog breeds. They are serious workers at hunting and field work, as guides for the blind, and in search-and-rescue. They excel at obedience and other competitive events and have an endearing love of life when not at work.
Another sporting dog is the handsome German Shorthaired pointer. The versatile, medium-sized German Shorthaired Pointer is an enthusiastic gun dog of all trades who thrives on vigorous exercise, positive training, and a lot of love. Draped in a cooling robe, this dog is waiting for its turn in the ring.
Poodles come in three size varieties: Standards should be more than 15 inches tall at the shoulder; Miniatures are 15 inches or under; Toys stand no more than 10 inches. All three varieties have the same build and proportions. This Toy Poodle is shown in the sporting clip where its coat is shorn to follow the outline of the squarely built, smoothly muscled body.
Dogs love their toys – these two held onto their matching hedgehog toys until they were ready to show. The Spinone Italiano, a densely-coated hunting dog, is sociable, docile, and patient, sometimes stubborn but always endearing.
The Akita is a large breed originating from the mountainous regions of northern Japan. In their native land, they are venerated as family protectors and symbols of good health, happiness, and long life. Akitas have a dense coat that comes in several colors, including white.
The Bernese Mountain Dog is one of the four breeds of Sennenhund-type dogs from the Swiss Alps. Bred from crosses of Mastiffs and guard-type breeds, Bernese Mountain Dogs were brought to Switzerland by the Romans 2000 years ago. The thick, silky, and moderately long coat is tricolored: jet black, clear white, and rust.
By late morning, it was time for my friend Ari Katz’s dog to head into the ring. This is his Labrador Retriever, CH Gallivant Roundabout, call name “Kima.” The judge looks at bone structure and stance, and compares each dog against the parameters of the idealized version of its breed standard. Kima’s handler is Julie Romeo.
Here is Kima going around the ring. The purpose of breed conformation shows is to evaluate breeding stock. Judges select winners based on their ability to contribute and improve the next generation of dogs. Kima is an excellent example of a true Labrador Retriever.
This class of Labradors was very big – 41 Labs competed. Kima did not win the breed competition, but she did get an Award of Merit. At the discretion of the judge at Westminster, an Award of Merit may be made to outstanding entries that are not judged Best of Breed, Best Opposite or Champion Select. And Kima is still a youngster. We’re all so proud of Ari and his dogs. Please go to his web site AKLabradors to learn more about his kennel and his dogs.
This is a Siberian Husky – staying cool in front of a fan. The Husky is a thickly coated, compact sled dog of medium size and great endurance. It was developed to work in packs, pulling light loads at moderate speeds over vast frozen expanses. This northern breed is friendly, fastidious, and dignified.
The Boxer has been one of the country’s most popular breeds for years. These dogs are loyal, affectionate, intelligent, and beautiful. Its temperament is bright and alert, sometimes silly, but always courageous.
A well-bred Giant Schnauzer closely resembles the Standard Schnauzer – it’s only bigger. The double coat is either solid black or “pepper and salt” with males standing as high as 27.5 inches at the shoulder and weighing about 95 pounds.
Bull Terriers are robust, big-boned terriers. The breed’s hallmark is a long, egg-shaped head with erect and pointed ears, and small, triangular eyes.
And this is the Portuguese Water Dog – a robust, medium-sized dog covered by a coat of tight, low-shedding curls. These dogs are eager and athletic companions built for water work. The breed can be groomed in two styles: the retriever clip, where the entire coat is clipped to one inch in length, with the tail tip at full length, or this lion clip, where the coat on the hindquarters and muzzle is clipped down to the skin.
After the breed winners are chosen, they are photographed with their judge. If you’re ever in the New York City area when this show is on, try to catch it. It’s a great event for the entire family. And next year, the show will be back in Manhattan January 24 through 26.
I always enjoy attending the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show – not just to see the dogs compete, but to learn all about their special characteristics and care. Here I am with Ari at the “Best in Show” competition. It was so much fun and a well-organized event.
Over the weekend, more than 2500 dogs representing all 50 states and Puerto Rico, as well as 10 additional countries competed for top honors. This year, there were 209 breeds and varieties including four newly eligible breeds - the Barbet, the Biewer terrier, the Belgian Laekenois, and the Dogo Argentino. And for the first time ever, because of the pandemic, the show moved from New York City's famous Madison Square Garden to the grounds of the 67-acre Lyndhurst Mansion in nearby Tarrytown. The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show is a wonderful way to learn about the many different types of dogs. I enjoy going to this show every year, especially when my own dogs or their relatives, and dogs I know, are competing.
Over the next couple of days, I will be sharing lots of fun photos from the show - enjoy.
The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show launched in 1877 and is now one of the longest continuously running American sporting events, second only to the Kentucky Derby. This year, the show was held outdoors and with a much smaller crowd – no spectators or vendors were allowed due to COVID-19 regulations. This large tent was reserved for the nighttime group and “Best in Show” competitions.
The breed shows happen in large rings, where the dogs are walked around to display their gaits and overall appearance. Here at Lyndhurst, there were a total of eight rings, and each breed class is scheduled a time to compete during the day.
The Pointer’s name define’s its job – to point game birds for its hunter. The dog’s coat comes in several colors, solid or in patterns. A large male can stand 28 inches at the shoulder and weigh up to 75 pounds, while a small female might weigh as little as 45 pounds and stand 23 inches.
Like most hairless dog breeds, the Chinese Crested Dog comes in two varieties, with and without hair, which can be born in the same litter. This trio is already very excited to get out and show.
This is an Old English Sheepdog – a large breed of dog famous for its profuse coat and peak-a-boo hairdo. All the dogs are groomed before their scheduled class is called to show – some require more grooming than others.
Among the world’s oldest breeds is the slim but rugged Saluki – the hunting hound of kings for thousands of years. Salukis are swift and agile sprinters who love a good chase, but they’re also gentle, dignified, and loyal pets.
Which end is up? This breed is called a Puli, a small-medium breed of Hungarian herding and livestock guarding dog known for its long, corded coat. The tight curls appear similar to dreadlocks and can weigh several pounds.
I am quite fond of the Keeshond – I once had one of my own. This is a medium-sized sturdy breed that is smart and eager to learn.
Tipping the scales at no more than 12 pounds, the Brussels Griffon is smart, devoted, and comically self-important. This breed come in four colors including red, black-and-reddish-brown, black and tan, and black. It also comes in this smooth coats, or in a rough coats.
The dogs do not compete against each other, but against the standard of the breed – the dog’s ideal description for appearance, movement, and temperament described by the breed’s parent club. These Bearded Collies may all look the same, but to the judge’s discerning eye, each one is very different.
In the ring, the dogs are asked to line up in a stack, so the judge can easily walk by each one and assess its appearance. I am sure you recognize this breed – the French Bulldogs.
Small dogs are placed on a table where the handler can easily set them up for closer inspection by the breed judge.
Here is a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel in the red and white colored variety called Blenheim. Its ears are lightly wrapped to keep them well-groomed before entering the ring.
And here is Talosa, the sister to my dear Empress Qin. She is four years old now and loves to show. I am always excited to see the Chow Chow competition.
Here is Buddakan – my late G.K.’s son. He is a gorgeous specimen of the breed, and currently one of the top Chows in the country.
Buddakan won “Champion Select” – or second place to the breed winner.
And Talosa took “Best of Opposite” – meaning, because the winning Chow was a male dog, they also award the best female. In the end, both Buddakan and Talosa did a great job. Tolosa and Buddakan are bred by Karen Tracy of Pazzazz Kennels.
Borzois are large Russian sighthounds that resemble some central Asian breeds such as the Afghan hound, Saluki, and the Kyrgyz Taigan. Borzois can generally be described as “long-haired greyhounds”. Borzois come in virtually any color. The coat is silky and flat, often wavy or slightly curly.
This is a Rhodesian Ridgeback. The Rhodesian Ridgeback is a large-sized dog breed bred in the Southern Africa region. The Rhodesian Ridgeback is an all-purpose “Renaissance hound” whose distinctive mark is the ridge, or stripe of backward-growing hair, on its back. Though the breed was made famous in its native Africa for its skill at tracking and baying – but never, ever killing – lions, today Ridgebacks are cherished family dogs whose owners must be prepared to deal with their independence and strong prey drive.
Slightly bigger than the Cocker Spaniel is the English Springer Spaniel. The English Springer Spaniel is a sweet-faced, lovable bird dog of great energy, stamina, and intelligence. This Springer is waiting for his time in the ring wearing his purple robe made by Dog Robes.
The elegant, agile Belgian Tervuren is a bright and self-assured herding dog of medium size. The Belgian Tervuren is characterized by a straight and abundant coat, an elegant but muscular frame, and an alert and intelligent demeanor.
Juniors are also invited to enter if they have been awarded Best Junior Handler at a number of member shows the previous year and who are at least nine years old and under 18. These talented handlers come from across the country to be judged on their dog handling skills.
Here is another junior with her lovable Bloodhound. The Bloodhound is a large scent hound, originally bred for hunting deer, wild boar and, since the Middle Ages, for tracking missing persons. Believed to be descended from hounds once kept at the Abbey of Saint-Hubert, Belgium, it is known to French speakers as le chien de Saint-Hubert.
In the end, all these dogs are loved members of their families and alway go home winners. When thinking about sharing your home with a dog, always do your homework first and read as much as possible about the breeds and breed mixes that interest you.
Here is the statue of “Sensation” – a gorgeous Pointer and the Westminster Kennel Club mascot. I’ll share more photos from the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in my next blog – stay tuned.
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