I always enjoy seeing photos from others taken during their vacations.
Earlier last month, my outdoor grounds crew foreman Chhiring Sherpa and his son, Mingmar, returned from a brief trip to Hawaii. Once described by Mark Twain as "the loveliest fleet of islands that lies anchored in any ocean," the Hawaiian Islands form an archipelago in the North Pacific Ocean encompassing a land area of 6400 square miles. Hawaii consists of 137 volcanic islands. The eight main islands are Niʻihau, Kauaʻi, Oʻahu, Molokaʻi, Lānaʻi, Kahoʻolawe, Maui, and Hawaiʻi or the Big Island. On this eight-day trip, Chhiring and Mingmar visited Maui and O'ahu.
Here are some photos, enjoy.
This grove of eucalyptus trees in Maui is located along the Hana Highway. Eucalyptus can grow hundreds of feet tall.
They can also have a diameter of up to six-feet. Eucalyptus trees thrive in warm, humid climates.
Hawaii is the only US state situated entirely on an archipelago, and the only state not geographically connected with North America. The United States incorporated the region into the state of Hawaii in 1959. The islands are exposed peaks of a great undersea mountain range known as the Hawaiian–Emperor seamount chain, formed by volcanic activity over a hotspot in the Earth’s mantle.
Chhiring and Mingmar spent one day driving to Hana on this winding road along Maui’s lush eastern coast. The popular road trip includes 620 curves and 59 single lane bridges. They described the roads as “like a roller coaster” with all the ups and downs.
Wai’anapanapa Black Sand Beach is located in Wai’anapanapa State Park on the Road to Hana. This type of black sand is formed by volcanic materials and lava fragments left millions of years ago – very different from the tan and brown sand found on mainland beaches.
The weather was pretty dry during their vacation, but the father-son duo did pass a waterfall during one of their hikes.
Here is Chhiring surrounded by growing bamboo. Bamboo is not native to the Hawaiian islands. It was brought to Hawaii by Polynesian voyagers who used the versatile material to make canoes and fishing poles. Bamboo grows very fast and has become invasive in some areas.
This is the Iao Valley State Park and the historic natural rock formation called the Iao Needle, a 1200-foot-tall pinnacle of greenstone that towers over the park’s lush valley. In 1790 King Kamehameha I defeated the Maui army in a pivotal battle in his quest to unite the islands under one rule. That battle took place here.
Chhiring and Mingmar visited The Maui Dharma Center founded in 1974 – a well known and respected place for the practice and study of Tibetan Buddhism.
The Great Paia Lha Bab Peace Stupa is the gateway to the Maui Dharma Center. It stands 27-feet tall and houses a large prayer wheel inside.
Look carefully and see the beautiful rainbow Chhiring photographed. The islands’ abundance of sunlight and water, combined with geographical location, make rainbows a common occurrence on the islands of Hawaii.
They also visited the famous Pearl Harbor National Memorial constructed at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam on Oahu Island. This is where we remember one of the most pivotal moments of US history – the attack on Pearl Harbor. On December 7, 1941, the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service launched a surprise military strike on the United States, drawing it into World War II.
These are ficus trees. Ficus is a genus of about 850 species of woody trees, shrubs, vines, epiphytes, and hemiepiphytes in the family Moraceae. Collectively known as fig trees, they are native throughout the tropics. Many have aerial roots like these and a distinctive growth habit.
Many beautiful palm trees dot the Hawaiian landscape.
This is a grove of screw pines, with their distinctive stilt roots that harvest rain water.
Here is a group of rainbow eucalyptus trees with their beautiful trunks. Because these trees shed bark, the bark colors are in a constant state of change.
Chhiring and Mingmar made it a point to visit Lahaina, the town ravaged by the August 2023 firestorm. This ferocious storm killed 100-people and left the area in ruins.
It was difficult to see the devastation, especially up close.
But then they noticed a Buddha that was left undamaged. This 12-foot-tall copper statue was in front of a temple. Luckily, there was nothing immediately around the statue that could burn.
And here is a gorgeous sunset. Because Hawaii is far from any landmass, there is little atmospheric disturbance and the horizon remains unobstructed. This, and the sun’s perfect angle over the water make Hawaiian sunsets stunningly dramatic. Thanks fo the photos, Chhiring – what a nice trip.
There are so many beautiful begonias in my greenhouse.
Begonia is a genus in the family Begoniaceae. It contains at least 1500 different plant species and numerous hybrids. They are native to Mexico, Central and South America, Asia and South Africa - regions with tropical and subtropical climates. Rhizomatous begonias are grown for their interesting and spectacular leaves. They come in an array of sizes, colors and textures, and can be small or large, smooth or veiny, decorated in bold accents of red, copper and silver or subtle shades of green. I’m certain there’s one begonia, if not more, that could inspire and captivate any gardener.
Enjoy these photos.
My growing collection of begonias is among the first one sees when entering my main greenhouse. I keep my begonias on a long, sliding table, so each plant is within easy reach.
Some of these begonias were purchased from various nurseries over the years, but many were also grown from leaf cuttings and then nurtured right here at the farm.
One can root rhizome pieces in a mixture of half peat moss, half perlite.
Most rhizomatous begonias are grown for their interesting leaves – there are so many great shapes, sizes, and colors.
They range from small, delicate plants with one-inch wide leaves to large, robust specimens with 12-inch wide leaves or more.
All begonias have oval-shaped leaves that can be spade-like with a pointed tip in some varieties. The leaves grow from the main stem in an “alternate” structure. This means they never grow opposite one another, but instead, each individual leaf emerges slightly higher on the stem than the previous one.
And, because these plants store water in the rhizomes, which are their thick, fuzzy stems, it is important not to overwater them – water when the top-inch of soil feels dry.
Between waterings, let the soil dry out slightly. And for the best results, place pots in a warm room with bright indirect light.
The stems of the begonia carolineifolia are exceptionally thick, and show the scars of felled leaves. As a houseplant, this variety is highly decorative and easy to grow.
To successfully grow rhizomatous begonias, It’s a good idea to use clay pots as they are more porous and allow the roots to breathe. And only repot one size up when the roots have filled their current vessel.
Begonias grow best in light, well-drained soil.
This is Begonia ‘soli-mutata’. It is a compact medium-sized species from Brazil. The heart-shaped leaf colors vary depending on its exposure to bright light, which is why its common name is “Sun tan” Begonia.
Begonias are considered cool temperature plants and prefer temperatures ranging from 58- to 72-degrees Fahrenheit.
They are remarkably resistant to pests primarily because their leaves are rich in oxalic acid – a natural insect repellent.
While the leaves are very interesting, right now these begonias are starting to display clusters of small lovely blooms that grow like clouds above the foliage.
The flowers bloom now to early spring and can range from shades of pink blush to bright white.
Mature rhizomatous begonias sometimes have extended periods of flowering, providing weeks of color.
Begonias should be fed a general purpose fertilizer every other week during spring and summer.
This variety has bold magenta leaves with dark chocolate markings.
This one has dark green leaves with spirals of silver outlining the flower edges.
And this begonia is among my favorites – Begonia ‘Martha Stewart’ – I got my first one about five years ago from Logee’s Plants for Home and Garden in Danielson, Connecticut. It was during one of my visits to Logee’s when owner, Byron Martin, had me select one of the unnamed specimens to be named after me. This begonia has a compact growth habit and is about eight inches in height with a mounding display of beautiful bronze-green leaves. There is no end to the variety of leaf shape, color and texture in the begonia. Begonias make wonderful year-round houseplants. I hope you are inspired to get one for your windowsill.
During the cold Northeast winters, it's nice to head south and visit gardens flourishing with lush green foliage.
During a short weekend trip to Florida, my head gardener, Ryan McCallister, visited Vizcaya Museum & Gardens, previously known as Villa Vizcaya, the former winter residence of businessman James Deering of the Deering McCormick-International Harvester fortune on Biscayne Bay. The extraordinary early 20th century estate includes Italian Renaissance-inspired gardens, statues, fountains, and a beautiful collection of plantings.
Here are some photos, enjoy.
Platycerium is a genus of about 18 fern species in the polypod family, Polypodiaceae. Ferns in this genus are widely known as staghorn or elkhorn ferns because of the uniquely shaped fronds. Staghorn ferns like this one, abound throughout the estate.
Here is a map of the Vizcaya grounds. Villa Vizcaya was originally 180-acres and included the Main House, the gardens, and the Village—a cluster of buildings that housed the residence staff, machine shops, and domestic farm functions. Today, approximately 50 of those acres still remain as part of the Vizcaya Museum & Gardens, now maintained by Miami-Dade County.
James Deering built his winter home between 1914 and 1922. This is the east façade of Vizcaya’s Main House, which was designed after an Italianate villa.
This fountain is one of the twin cascades, leading from the entry piazza to the arrival court.
Known as the Barge and built by Alexander Stirling Calder, this structure is located in the water outside the Main House. It was meant as a breakwater to protect the mansion from rising tides. Shaped as a boat, the Barge is decorated with carvings representing mythical Caribbean creatures.
The gardens of Vizcaya are reminiscent of gardens created in 17th and 18th century Italy and France. The overall design includes a series of outdoor “rooms.”
There is a formal pool flanked by clipped native oaks. These hedges protect the gardens by blocking wind and rain coming from Biscayne Bay.
The wall pots of the Secret Garden were created to hold plants from Vizcaya’s orchid collection, but proved unsuitable. Now they hold succulents, which thrive in the bright sunlight and salt air.
Dripping over this planter is the threadlike Rhipsalis baccifera, commonly known as the mistletoe cactus, an epiphytic cactus which originates from Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Florida.
The Secret Garden features grottoes. Their interiors were created to resemble the grottoes of Italy.
Here is a view from the Secret Garden through the gazebos of the East Statuary Walk.
Atop what is called the Garden Mound is collection of gnarled Live Oak trees, some of which are about 200-years old. These trees were dug from other properties as mature specimens and brought to Vizcaya.
Here is a waterfall in the formal gardens leading to the Mound. It is flanked by parallel staircases.
These stairs, which also lead to the Mound, are framed by rusticated stucco and stone walls. They were originally designed with ramps to accommodate gardeners’ carts and wheelbarrows.
The statues, busts, vases and ornamental urns range from antiquity to the Renaissance and Baroque periods, and also include various art pieces from Deering’s time.
Deering wanted the gardens to have an aged and mature look, so he used old and weathered architectural pieces wherever possible.
Designed to complement the estate, the David A. Klein Orchidarium was created and features tropical orchids and other native plantings.
Majestic palm trees dot the gardens and offer much-appreciated shade from the hot Floridian sun.
If you follow my blog regularly, you may recognize these blue agaves. I have a large collection of agaves at my farm. Agaves are exotic, deer-resistant, drought-tolerant, and make wonderful container plants. And, do you know… tequila is distilled from the sap of the blue agave? Agave tequilana has sugars named agavins, mostly fructose, in the core of the plant that are suitable for the preparation of alcoholic beverages. In fact, the blue agave is an important economic product of Jalisco, Mexico, where tequila is produced.
In this corner is a potted Silver Saw Palmetto, Serenoa repens ‘Silver.’ It is a small, slow-growing palm tree native to the southeastern United States. It is known for its striking silvery-blue fronds, which can reach up to five-feet long.
And here is a Strangler fig, one of several stunning specimens at Vizcaya. Strangler fig is the common name for a number of tropical and subtropical plant species in the genus Ficus, which all feature a common “strangling” growth habit. If you’re ever in the area, do stop by Vizcaya Museum & Gardens. I have been there many times myself and enjoy every visit.
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