Heritage Museum and Gardens Rhododendrons
THEIR LEGACY OR SPECIALITY PLANTS ARE THEIR RHODODENDRONS. Charles
Dexter owned this property before Mr. Lilly. Mr. Dexter had a passion
for rhododendrons, accordingly there are 4 acres in this garden devoted
to rhododendrons. Mr. Dexter was the quintessential gentleman. He was a
yachtsman, a photographer and an astute businessman. He had business
dealings all over the world through his Beacon Blanket Company. On his
doctor's advice he was asked to retire at an early age and to lead a
less stressful life. Fortunately, he didn't become too sedentary and
started hybridizing rhododendrons. His legacy is thousands of beautiful
rhododendrons named after him.
Click here for more info
Proper Location For Rhododendrons
JEANIE FEELS THE MOST IMPORTANT FACTOR IS LOCATION. One needs to site
them in a location with over-story protection. Here they have Oaks and
Pines. In addition to light protection they also need some wind
protection. If grown in too much sun, they will need more water and
they then start to brown out. They don't really like a hot, sunny
environment, they like dappled light and less harsh conditions. They
also like a well-drained, acidic soil. They will grow throughout the
country but they need acidic soil. Here they have naturally occurring
acidic soil, thus it's perfect for rhododendrons. Also needed is
mulching, for weed prevention and water retention.
Click here for more info
Pruning Rhododendrons.
JEANIE SHOWS US HOW TO PRUNE RHODODENDRONS. It is an important part of
their horticulture care. Many are intimidated or squeamish about making
a cut. It's easy, first look for deadwood. Deadwood pruning is a
practice that can be done year round. When pruning deadwood, select the
branch, then make the cut as close to the main stem as possible.
However, one should normally prune them when in bloom, then put the
blooms on display, in your living room, etc. This allows one to enjoy
the blooms inside. They form their buds for next year's flower at the
end of the growing season, thus you don't want to prune that off.
Jeanie says here they prune to open up the plant, to get light to the
center of the plant. This triggers future vegetative and flowering
growth.
Click here for more info
Annual and Perennial Vine Collection
The Maze features their newest plant collection at Heritage, AN UNUSUAL
COLLECTION OF DIVERSE ANNUAL AND PERENNIAL VINES. Joe notices a
climbing hydrangea (Hydrangea anomala petiolaris). This is a fast
grower and will grow either on a fence or because it has holdfast feet,
will grow on a wall, even grow up a tree. They're growing very well
here. Jeanie feels their drip irrigation system is one reason and most
helpful. Since this is a hot, sunny location, which is perfect for
vines, they need water. The drip irrigation provides that constant flow
of water. As one enters the maze there is a beautiful perennial Chinese
wisteria vine (Wisteria sinensis).
Click here for more info
Labyrinth
WE NEXT VISIT A LABYRINTH. It is similar to a maze, but different. In a
maze one must make choices, right, left, forward or back. Whereas in a
labyrinth it's one continuous path. It helps reduce stress and that
goes along with their mission statement of quiet contemplation. At
Heritage Gardens they use the garden for different things. We could and
should use our gardens similarly. Marty Cain, a nationally known
landscape designer, designed this labyrinth and has designed others all
over the world. She taught the staff how to use dowsing rods to
actually lay out the 7 circuit path. They then came along with Cape Cod
clam shells and lined the path, then edged it with pink granite. This
labyrinth is really a form of garden sculpture.
Click here for more info
The Giving Tree Gallery and Gardens Artwork Incorporated Into The Gardens
THERE IS ARTWORK INCORPORATED IN AND AROUND THE POND. Rachel loves this
area because there are little things hidden. For example, a bronze
sculpture in the waterfall and a fountain by a local artist named
Steven Lynch. It has been here awhile thus has gotten a patina, a kind
of a green color. One of their philosophies is to let the art sink into
nature, not to treat it like it shouldn't be touched or to put it on a
pedestal. It just incorporates itself into the setting and makes a
great look. Again, this is where art and nature come together.
Click here for more info
Garden Rooms
JOE LIKES THE WAY THE GARDEN ROOMS ALL HAVE THEIR OWN LOOK AND FEEL. In
the next room, although only a few feet from the pond, we're in a
completely different space, one that has its own look and feel. Not
only are we just a few feet from the pond but additionally not far from
the main road in Cape Cod. They carved out this little nook in the
bamboo and called it their Garden of Self Solitude, because the third
element of art and nature is the people that come and build memories
here.
Cape Cod is historic and charming. It has inviting shops, historic inns
as well as churches and gardens throughout. The people are friendly and
hospitable and there is a large artisan community. The climate is
perfect for gardening, pleasant with mild winter temperatures and warm
and breezy summer days. Plants and flowers are thriving everywhere one
looks. In this show we visit Sandwich, a quaint town on Cape Cod, and
explore two very different gardens. One of the most visited gardens on
the Cape, The Heritage Museums and Gardens, is a large public garden.
It sits on 100 acres and has wonderful Rhododendrons that are over 20
feet tall. The second garden would most likely not be seen from the
street but once discovered will be remembered for a long time. It is a
diamond in the rough and the result of a mother/daughter team that are
proprietors of The Giving Tree Gallery. It incorporates sculpture
throughout the garden. There are a lot of attractions in Cape Cod and
plenty of reasons to visit. We show you several in this show.
Jim Ingram is a Vice president with Bartlett Tree Experts and is also a
Trustee for Heritage Museums and Gardens. Jim feels fortunate to be in
the Village of Sandwich, Cape Cod's oldest incorporated town. Going
back over 300 years the trees and other forms of vegetation on Cape Cod
were utilized by the colonists for making glass, salt and a myriad of
other products. Because of this, for the most part, the Cape was
denuded of all its forests. They were fortunate, however, because the
sea captains, who called this area home brought back trees from all
around the world - China, Manchuria, Japan and all of Europe. An
example is Heritage Gardens. It is a beautiful place, the museums are
spectacular and the gardens are beautiful. Heritage Gardens has true
historical significance.
Jeanie Gillis is the horticulturist at Heritage Museums and Gardens and
has been here for 29 years. Jeanie feels fortunate to be a Cape Coder,
to live and work in this wonderful environment and to be a part of the
green industry. Jeanie went to school at the University of
Massachusetts at Amherst and received a degree in Plant and Soil
Science. After that she did an internship at the Arnold Arboretum in
Boston. Her predecessor at the Heritage also worked at the Arnold
Arboretum and gave her a job at Heritage. She came here for a summer
job and 29 years later she's still here and loving every day.
Jeanie tells us a little about the garden. In 1968 Josiah K. Lilly
established Heritage Plantation - the name then - it's Heritage Museums
and Gardens now. He established it as a museum to honor his family. He
hired a landscape architect by the name of Phil Lansel. Phil's job was
to marry the existing buildings, the new buildings, the thousands of
rhododendron, as well as put in some new garden features. Jeannie
thinks he did a wonderful job; he married rhododendrons with velvet
lawns that they encourage people to enjoy. In total there are 100
acres, about 75 are presently developed. They have another 25 acres
still to be developed, which is promising because they have a lot of
fun, future goals. It's always nice in gardening to have something to
look forward to.
THEIR LEGACY OR SPECIALITY PLANTS ARE THEIR RHODODENDRONS. Charles
Dexter owned this property before Mr. Lilly. Mr. Dexter had a passion
for rhododendrons, accordingly there are 4 acres in this garden devoted
to rhododendrons. Mr. Dexter was the quintessential gentleman. He was a
yachtsman, a photographer and an astute businessman. He had business
dealings all over the world through his Beacon Blanket Company. On his
doctor's advice he was asked to retire at an early age and to lead a
less stressful life. Fortunately, he didn't become too sedentary and
started hybridizing rhododendrons. His legacy is thousands of beautiful
rhododendrons named after him. The Dexter Rhododendrons are nationally
known yet he only lived on this property from the 1920's till mid 40's,
but during that time he created as many as 10,000 crosses a year, an
astounding number of hybrids.
Top
Joe wants to know if people are new to Rhododendrons and want them in
their garden what are the main things they need to know to keep them
healthy?" JEANIE FEELS THE MOST IMPORTANT FACTOR IS LOCATION. One needs
to site them in a location with over-story protection. Here they have
Oaks and Pines. In addition to light protection they also need some
wind protection. If grown in too much sun, they will need more water
and they then start to brown out. They don't really like a hot, sunny
environment, they like dappled light and less harsh conditions. They
also like a well-drained, acidic soil. They will grow throughout the
country but they need acidic soil. Here they have naturally occurring
acidic soil, thus it's perfect for rhododendrons. Also needed is
mulching, for weed prevention and water retention. Jeanie also thinks
they need to be sited where their beauty can be enjoyed. Don't put them
behind the back of the garage, put them where you'll see them and be
able to enjoy their regal flowers.
Rhododendrons are a great choice for anybody that wants an evergreen
shrub, something that blooms in the shade. It's adaptable across the
country, all the way south to zone 7 then east and west and all the way
north. So, if you want a flower that blooms in the shade, has fragrance
and is evergreen, plant a rhododendron. Give it good drainage, lots of
mulch, acidic soil and it will be a great plant.
Top
JEANIE SHOWS US HOW TO PRUNE RHODODENDRONS. It is an important part of
their horticulture care. Many are intimidated or squeamish about making
a cut. It's easy, first look for deadwood. Deadwood pruning is a
practice that can be done year round. When pruning deadwood, select the
branch, then make the cut as close to the main stem as possible.
However, one should normally prune them when in bloom, then put the
blooms on display, in your living room, etc. This allows one to enjoy
the blooms inside. They form their buds for next year's flower at the
end of the growing season, thus you don't want to prune that off.
Jeanie says here they prune to open up the plant, to get light to the
center of the plant. This triggers future vegetative and flowering
growth. Although they prune a lot here Jeanie would like to do more.
It's a big job and never seems to get completely done.
We move on and as we turn the corner, Joe notices a beautiful windmill.
Jeanie says it certainly does provide the "wow" factor. The old-east
windmill with its white sails is particularly beautiful when accented
against the blue sky, it just doesn't get any better. Windmills have a
history in this area. They were prominent in the older days, every Cape
Cod town had a windmill. They were an important part of industry.
Whether one ground corn, salt or grains, there was a windmill
associated with it. The way they created this scene and view wasn't by
accident, it's set up that way. For many years there were trees growing
in front of the windmill, thus many visitors would leave the property
without seeing it. They had to make a big decision. Take down large,
mature trees which is always difficult or choose the view. They opted
for the view and this is the result and it is spectacularly beautiful.
When they took out the Hemlocks they needed to put something else back
in. To frame the view they've purposely planted a mixture of low
growing annuals, perennials and shrubs. In addition to being low
growing, they all have primarily white flowers. This was done to
reflect the view of the sails on the windmill and to showcase a bride's
dress. This is a beautiful spot for brides to have their ceremony or
have their photographs taken. There's something magical about the white
sails of the windmill, the white flowers and the white of a bride's
dress.
Joe notices an obedient plant, 'Miss Manners', (Physostegia virginiana
'Miss Manners') which, of course, has white flowers. It was hybridized
by one of New England's horticultural couples, Darrell and Karen
Probst. Darrell hybridized the plant and Karen named it 'Miss Manners'
because it won't outgrow its space. Obedient Plant tends to spread
around the garden, this one won't. Sometimes gardeners are looking for
that plant that will stay in one spot. This is it.
Joe also notices astilbe and hosta. But, he also notices that they're
in full sun but these plants are typically planted in shady situations.
Jeanie says they like to break the rules here. And the reason they can
in this instance is because these plants are next to their beautiful
lawn and their lawn has irrigation that comes on every morning which
means these plants, too, get a nice soaking. The Hostas get plenty of
moisture, but importantly she believes Hosta varieties that have white
in their leaves or some yellow tones do better in sun. The big blue
ones don't hold up in direct sun, they prefer shade.
Milkweed is prolific here. It's a beautiful plant called Butterfly
Weed. It has a pink flower. As the name implies, it is normally covered
with butterflies. The flower is attractive and the seedpods are
striking. It's in the Milkweed family and the seedpods spread around
the garden. Here they have a woodchip path, which helps control
spreading and when the seedlings land in the garden they just pull them
out. In your own garden you might want to be more careful and cut some
of the seedpods off before they get a chance to open and spread around.
This of course depends on the look you're trying to create.
Joe notices some rhododendrons that are only knee high, yet we just
visited some that were 20 feet tall. This is a variety called Yaku
Princess (Rhododendron x 'Yaku Princess'). It's a Yak Rhododendron.
It's distinguished by its low growing characteristics. It also has
fuzzy indumentum on its leaves. It's a mossy looking structure and what
Jeanie has found is that it seems to be more disease resistant and pest
resistant. Bugs don't want to chew a leaf that has the fuzzy
indumentum.
A signature plant here and on Cape Cod is the hydrangea. One sees many
beautiful blue hydrangeas, primarily the 'Nikko Blue' variety
(Hydrangea macrophylla 'Nikko Blue'), the big mophead blues. As well,
there are lace caps (Hydrangea macrophylla normalis) and other colors.
Hydrangeas and Cape Cod are a natural mix. They have the correct soil
combined with the correct climate. The temperate zone here is ideal. Go
a little further north, they don't grow as well. Even here, some years
when it gets really cold, they lose some of their blossoms, because the
buds get blasted. This plant will grow in the shade or sun. If in the
sun, water must be addressed.
Top
We next visit their Maze Garden. This is their newest garden attraction
and called the Hart Family Maze. It's about 3 years old, so it's still
young. It was designed by landscape architect, Steve Simpson, who
wanted to promote a concept of family fun. Fun for the kids to run
through and get lost in the maze but also entertaining for adults. And
it's educational. While the kids are having fun, the adults have
something to do; they can learn about vines. The Maze features their
newest plant collection at Heritage, AN UNUSUAL COLLECTION OF DIVERSE
ANNUAL AND PERENNIAL VINES. Joe notices a climbing hydrangea (Hydrangea
anomala petiolaris). This is a fast grower and will grow either on a
fence or because it has holdfast feet, will grow on a wall, even grow
up a tree. They're growing very well here. Jeanie feels their drip
irrigation system is one reason and most helpful. Since this is a hot,
sunny location, which is perfect for vines, they need water. The drip
irrigation provides that constant flow of water. As one enters the maze
there is a beautiful perennial Chinese wisteria vine (Wisteria
sinensis). Wisteria is a fun, romantic plant because of the beautiful
purple and pink colors. The landscape architect built trellises over
the top of the maze, so you can run through and have wisteria hanging
down. Wisteria is a vigorous grower, so they have to keep after it
because eventually it could take over. Thus, they prune it regularly.
They also have a corkscrew vine (Vigna caracalla). It has a flower that
is in the shape of a corkscrew, which is fun. Another favorite is
annual passion vine (Passiflora spp), which has a stunningly beautiful
purple blue flower. This area is a learning center as well. Here one
can see plants that screen or block something they don't want to see.
Almost everyone has something they want to screen in their yard. It's
also a good learning experience because here all senses are stimulated.
Sight, fragrance, even taste are highlighted. For taste, they've
planted a grapevine that within several years should produce grapes,
even wine if someone were so inclined.
Top
WE NEXT VISIT A LABYRINTH. It is similar to a maze, but different. In a
maze one must make choices, right, left, forward or back. Whereas in a
labyrinth it's one continuous path. It helps reduce stress and that
goes along with their mission statement of quiet contemplation. At
Heritage Gardens they use the garden for different things. We could and
should use our gardens similarly. Marty Cain, a nationally known
landscape designer, designed this labyrinth and has designed others all
over the world. She taught the staff how to use dowsing rods to
actually lay out the 7 circuit path. They then came along with Cape Cod
clam shells and lined the path, then edged it with pink granite. This
labyrinth is really a form of garden sculpture.
Joe thanks Jeanie for showing us this beautiful garden. It has been a
wonderful experience and Jeanie has been a great teacher.
We next visit the garden of Judith and Rachel Smith. Not only are they
mother and daughter but also co-owners of The Giving Tree Gallery. This
is a breezy day and great for showing off their wind sculptures. And
they have some striking wind sculptures.
Rachel tells Joe how the name came about. When Rachel was in high
school Judith took her to this piece of land and said she wanted to
start an art gallery and sculpture gardens. Rachel couldn't see it. But
when prompted about a name suggested The Giving Tree, as it was the
first book she learned to read. It was a story of giving and giving and
not getting anything back. Rachel was worried that was what would
happen here. But, Judith started to carve out these gardens and invited
local artists to place their work here. Barry Pinsky was the first, he
did chainsaw art. Later, Nashville artists Lyman Whitaker (the well
known wind sculptor) and Craig Ritchie would come. Lisa Horowiitz from
Philadelphia also started exhibiting her work here. It just started to
build, it was where art and nature met. Judith provided the place and
the artists provided the art. When they were cleaning up after Barry
one day, Judith found some pieces of wood. She started to carve those,
making bangles and once done found that people wanted to buy them, thus
they started selling jewelry. A national artist named Jeanine Payer put
some of her pieces here and Judith decided to make a website for her.
Jeanine got an article in People Magazine and the next thing they knew
they had a web business. So now they have a jewelry business, a
sculpture business and beautiful gardens to display the work.
Top
We next visit a garden in front of a beautiful pond that includes some
of their sculptures. This area was all wooded when Judith bought it.
They cleared everything. Working with Barry Pinsky they dug the pond,
collected the rocks from a construction site and started building. It
was a labor of love. THERE IS ARTWORK INCORPORATED IN AND AROUND THE
POND. Rachel loves this area because there are little things hidden.
For example, a bronze sculpture in the waterfall and a fountain by a
local artist named Steven Lynch. It has been here awhile thus has
gotten a patina, a kind of a green color. One of their philosophies is
to let the art sink into nature, not to treat it like it shouldn't be
touched or to put it on a pedestal. It just incorporates itself into
the setting and makes a great look. Again, this is where art and nature
come together.
Top
JOE LIKES THE WAY THE GARDEN ROOMS ALL HAVE THEIR OWN LOOK AND FEEL. In
the next room, although only a few feet from the pond, we're in a
completely different space, one that has its own look and feel. Not
only are we just a few feet from the pond but additionally not far from
the main road in Cape Cod. They carved out this little nook in the
bamboo and called it their Garden of Self Solitude, because the third
element of art and nature is the people that come and build memories
here. Many people say they maintain a relationship with the place and
visit every year on their trip to Cape Cod.
Our hosts go into another meditation garden. Here they've laid down
broken glass from one of their glassblowers, all his mistakes. They've
taken those glass chips and incorporated them into the pathway. It's
striking. Our journey now takes us along the marsh and to a labyrinth,
where one sees Scorton Creek Marsh. It provides a huge landscape vista.
The tide rises and falls, it is always changing and looks different at
any point during the day. The view is truly spectacular. Doug Irving
works with them and has done a great job creating the pathways, working
with the marsh and creating an incredible journey. The next turn leads
us to a 52-foot long suspension bridge. Going across the bridge
completes the circle and we end up at the wind sculptures, where we
started.
It has been a breathtaking trip, loaded with wonderful, unusual
landscaping design ideas. Now that Joe has finished he wants to do some
shopping. But first he thanks Judith and Rachel. This has been a real
treat. The gardens and sculpture have been wonderful, very unique.
There are many lessons one can learn from this walking tour.
Top
Philodendron are fabulous house plants. And there are a wide range of these plants from tried-and-true varieties to exciting new selections you may not have heard of yet. click here. for a great article from our friend Justin who writes about several of his favorites.
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