Horticulture Committee
Chair: Joan Levine
Members: Robert Bischoff, Leni De Camp,
Ted Child, MildredCarroll, Selma Clark, Mildred Carroll, Peter J. Davies, Fran Keegan, Annette Leyden, Anna Mae O’Leary, Topsy Preus, Louise Sacci, Cynthia Sammis, Martin Smolin, John Sorice, Cobb Stewart
The Horticulture Committee plans, plants and cares for beds on the Terrace, in the cul de sac, in the Healing Garden, on the river side of Clermont and at the bed at the entry to the campus. When plants are in bloom, these sites welcome both residents and visitors.
Entrance to Kendal on Hudson
Photo by Jeff O'Donnell
In the past year, the Horticulture Committee has met on fewer occasions than in past years, but has had more activity. Several new members are active, particularly on the Terrace where the raised beds have produced the culinary herbs which draw attention and add an interest. We will repeat that bed in the spring including the lavender at the corners to discourage animals.
Flowers at Kendal on Hudson
Click on the first photo to move through the slide show.
Photos by Arthur Brady
We also continue our habit of seeking advice from the New York Botanical Garden and from the Cornell Extension Service. New York State has compiled a long list of aggressive weeds to which they added mugwort (Artemisa vulgarus). Mugwort is everywhere here. It is cut back annually but is never discouraged. We look forward to some answers being sought now at the University of Massachusetts.
Holly (Ilex) near Mary Powell
Last winter was very damaging, particularly to ilex (holly) which were eaten by deer. With fertilizer and compost, some holly have new growth. In the coming winter, we will spray plants with an effective "deer-begone," which has been used successfully. There are a number of plants which deer avoid and those are what we plant. The winter also destroyed two of the wisteria on the pergola. We managed to find two replacements which are leaping up, helped by magnesium which we apply every month.
Twelve boxwood have been moved from a terrace bed and planted along the walk from the terrace to the cul de sac. Along the walk we added a small steel fence to add informality.
We continue to water the plants at the KOH sign as you enter the property. We will add some narcissus in the fall and some compost.
Last edited 4/22/16