As
I sit here typing
away, I can't
help glancing out my
window at some
plants I bought last
week.
They are
still sitting in
their pots, waving
their leaves at me
as they beg to be
planted.
The inventory
includes a tricolor
Pieries; standard
Ninebark 'Diablo';
Heucherella 'Sweet
Tea';
Hydrangea 'Incrediball';
and
Solidago
'Little
Lemon'.
The Solidago,
commonly known as
Goldenrod, is
particularly
colorful with its
soft lemon flowers
covering the entire
plant.
Many folks
mistakenly think
that it makes you
sneeze.
Wrong!
That is
Ragweed that looks
quite similar to
Goldenrod.
The
cultivated varieties
of Goldenrod, such
as the one I bought,
'Peter
Pan',
'Golden
Fleece',
'Fireworks'
and 'Sweety'
are all nicely
behaved clump
formers that look
great with fall
blooming Sedums,
Asters, Boltonia and
Japanese Anemone.
As my Mom
used to say, "Try
it, you'll
like it!"
In
this newsletter:
Last
call for Adrian
Bloom's
garden
lectures; featured
plant and garden
product; garden bulb
augers are back;
Perennially Yours
hosts 2011 garden
tour to England;
fall festivals at
Kulak's
Nursery and Binley
Florist and Garden
Center; Tom Mullen's
Tree
Service does it
again; Coastal Maine
Botanical Gardens
and Estabrook's
Nursery now carrying
my book; my first
podcast thanks to
Troy Book Makers;
announcing
the 8th
Annual Great Gardens
and Landscaping
Symposium; special
offer at Gardener's
Supply Company for
Perennially Yours
patrons; jump-start
your 2011 gardens
with a fall garden
and landscape
consultation, and
more.
THE
EIGHTH ANNUAL GREAT
GARDENS AND
LANDSCAPING
SYMPOSIUM IS ON!
Please save April 1
and 2, 2011 for the
Eighth Annual Great
Gardens and
Landscaping
Symposium that is
returning to the
magnificent Equinox
Resort in
Manchester, VT (http://www.equinoxresort.com/).
The symposium
will once again
feature six dynamic
gardening lectures,
garden vendors,
remarkable food,
dozens of door
prizes, terrific
handouts, exquisite
accommodations, and
the opportunity to
meet gardeners from
around the
Northeast.
The event
kicks off with an
opening presentation
Friday evening,
April 1 and then
runs through
Saturday until 4:00
pm.
Special
overnight packages
and day-only rates
are available.
And the best
part
-I
was able to keep the
rates almost exactly
the same as in 2010.
Next month's
newsletter will
announce the
speakers, their
topics and special
rates.
PERENNIALLY
YOURS HOSTS A TRIP
TO ENGLISH GARDENS
IN 2011
Hold
on to your bonnets!
I am always
expanding the
distance I will go
to host a grand
gardening program. So
why not England? As
many of you know,
last July I had the
opportunity to
travel to England
and visit gardens
around London while
on a national garden
writers tour.
After
experiencing this
fantastic journey, I
decided to slightly
modify the trip, add
other highlights,
and with the help of
a highly
experienced,
professional
international tour
organizer, Donna
Dawson, I am
launching my first
tour scheduled for July
2
-
10th,
2011.
The photo is a
picture of Adrian
Bloom's garden at
Bressingham taken by
Adrian.
Here
is the tour's
itinerary:
July
2
Arrival in
London on your own.
Overnight at
London Heathrow
4-Star Radisson
Edwardian with full
English breakfast
next morning.
This hotel is
a short 15 minute
ride from the
airport. There are
hotel hoppa buses at
each of the
terminals.
July
3
We board our
Coach after
breakfast for
Cambridge Botanical
Gardens followed by
a delightful and
relaxing Punt on the
River Cam and then
onward to Bury St.
Edmunds.
Overnight at
the 4-Star Angel
Hotel with full
breakfast.
Welcome
Dinner at The Angel
Hotel.
Stay
at the Angel Hotel
for a total of three
nights.
July
4
Coach to Beth
Chatto Gardens -
Beth Chatto is one
of the most
influential living
gardeners in Britain
who is perhaps best
known for her
pioneering
ecological approach
to gardening
developed in the
1960s, yet so
relevant to
gardeners today.
Then on to
Dedham, John
Constable Country.
There will be
time to visit the
village, shop and
enjoy an Afternoon
Cream Tea at the
famous Essex Rose
Tea House (owned by
Tiptree) that is
famous for
preserves. Overnight
at The Angel Hotel.
July
5
Morning free
to enjoy Bury St
Edmunds, a Britain
in Bloom and Bury in
Bloom city and so
very easy to walk.
While you are
here why not wander
over to the Abbey
gardens, just across
the street from our
hotel. In the
afternoon we board
the coach to visit
the East Rushton Old
Vicarage gardens,
one of the most
remarkable and
enjoyable gardens
made in recent
years. Created by
Alan Gray and Graham
Robeson, it is a
feast of formal
design and
decorative
exuberance. Last
night at The Angel
Hotel.
July
6
Coach to
Blooms of
Bressingham Gardens.
The expansive
Bressingham gardens
cover 17 densely
planted acres with
over 8,000
varieties.
Later in the
afternoon we leave
for London and check
in at the 4-Star
Tara Copthorne Hotel
with full English
breakfast each
morning.
Stay at the
Tara Copthorne Hotel
for four nights.
Welcome to
London dinner.
July
7
Coach to
Hampton Court Palace
Flower Show with
show guide.
After you
have visited the
show and desire some
quiet time, we have
also included entry
to the Hampton Court
Palace and Privy
Garden. Henry VIII's
very favourite
palace
was Hampton Court.
Later that
afternoon return by
coach to the hotel.
July
8
Day of
Leisure in London.
Enjoy
shopping, strolling,
visiting Museums or
take in the gorgeous
Kew Gardens. We will
have plenty of ideas
closer to the tour.
Overnight at
Tara Copthorne
Hotel.
July
9
Coach to
Sissinghurst, one of
the most
internationally
famous gardens and
the final home of
Vita Sackville-West.
We finish our
glorious tour with
Great Dixter, the
late Christopher
Lloyd's garden in
East Sussex, an
example of cottage
gardening in
abundance.
Farewell
Dinner at the hotel.
July
10
Morning
breakfast and Tour
concludes.
The
tour’s land
package includes:
4-Star
Hotel Accommodations
for 8 nights
English
breakfast daily
Three
dinners (Welcome
dinner in Bury St.
Edmunds, Welcome to
London dinner and
Farewell dinner)
Hampton
Court Palace Flower
Show and Show guide
Entrance
to Hampton Court
Palace and Privy
Garden
Cambridge
Botanic Gardens
Punt
on the River Cam
Bressingham
Gardens Tour
Beth
Chatto Gardens
Sissinghurst
Gardens
Great
Dixter House and
Gardens
East
Rushton Old Vicarage
Gardens
Afternoon
Cream Tea at the
famous Essex Rose
Tea House
All
entrance fees, coach
and driver tips
Special
Garden Gift for you
and
Unforgettable
Memories!
And
the cost you ask?
The
price is only 1635
GBP (approx $2550 US
per person land
sharing) and
520 GBP
(approx $810 US
additional for a
single room - NOTE
only 5 available).
As you can
imagine, space is
limited.
To reserve a
spot, a deposit of
$500 US is required
when making the
reservation with the
balance due three
months from the tour
leaving.
The tour is
priced in Great
British Pounds so
final amount will be
determined by
currency rates.
Please
send me an email at pyours@nycap.rr.com
indicating that you
are interested in
this tour and as
soon as the full day
by day itinerary and
registration form is
done (October 2010)
we can send you off
the full tour
information.
LAST
CALL FOR ADRIAN
BLOOM’S
PERENNIAL
COMBINATIONS TALK ON
SEPTEMBER 25th
Sponsored by Horticulture
magazine and White
Flower Farm
Adrian
Bloom is recognized
world wide as a
brilliant garden
designer,
specializing in
colorful perennial
gardens that command
year-round
attention.
Adrian
resides in a
charming town
outside of
London,
E
ngland.
His 17-acre property
is filled with
glorious garden beds
that have been
featured in many
publications as well
as his books.
These are the
gardens we will be
visiting on our tour
to England!
His newest
book, Bloom's
Best Perennials and
Grasses: Expert
Plant Choices and
Dramatic
Combinations for
Year-Round Gardens,
will be featured in
one of his lectures
on Saturday,
September 25 at the
Glen Sanders Mansion
in Scotia, NY.
The program
runs from 9:00 –
noon (registration
and continental
breakfast starts at
8:30 a.m.) and
includes two, one
hour presentations,
a book signing, door
prizes and a
continental
breakfast.
The
registration fee is
$45 per person.
Pre-registration is
required. To
register, visit my
web page at www.pyours.com/gardenclasses.htmlor
call me at (518)
885-3471.
RESERVATIONS
ARE ROLLING IN FOR
THE SECOND ANNUAL
GARDEN PARTY AT THE
SAGAMORE RESORT ON
OCTOBER 15 & 16
Sponsored
by Organic
Gardening
magazine
Don
't
procrastinate
registering for this
popular event at the
world-class, 4-Star
Sagamore Resort (www.thesagamore.com)
on Lake George (NY).
The resort
underwent a
multimillion dollar
renovation recently
and the outcome is
extraordinary.
Both
day-only and special
overnight packages
are available.
More than 50
people from around
the Northeast
attended last year
and I fully expect
the 2010 program to
surpass this.
The program
features talks by internationally,
award-winning garden
designers and
authors Gordon
Hayward
and Ethne
Clarke as
well as myself and
the resort's head
floral designer.
For
more about the
agenda, lectures and
workshops, as well
as registration
details, please
visit www.pyours.com/gardenclasses.html.
TOM
MULLEN’S TREE
AND STUMP REMOVAL
RETURNS TO
PERENNIALLY YOURS
Whenever
I need any tree work
done on my property,
I dial Tom's number.
I know I will
get superior service
at a good price and
my 
property
will look spic and
span after he
leaves.
Tom Mullen's
Tree and Stump
Removal is returning
this month to limb
up some trees and
remove dead branches
from my prized oak.
They are
based in Saratoga
Springs and have
been doing exemplary
work for 25 years.
Tom has many
repeat customers,
including
Perennially Yours.
Check out his web
site at
www.tommullantreeservice.comfor
more about their
services.
One look at
their gallery page,
and you will be
convinced that Tom
and his loyal crew
are the men for your
job.
They were
voted one of the
2010 BEST in the
Readers Choice
category in the
Saratogian newspaper
this year. Tom
provides free
estimates so give
him a call at (518)
598-3791 and learn
why Tom Mullen Tree
and Stump Removal is
a prized business in
the Capital
District.
MY
FIRST PODCAST
I
am so clueless about
computers and media
technology.
When I was
first asked by Troy
Book Makers to be
featured on a
podcast I had the
vision of a seed pod
casting its ripened
seeds around the
garden.
Sad me.
Anyway, I
showed up for the
appointment and
Susan, their
marketing director
and an author
herself, conducted
the interview.
It is now
posted on their web
site.
At under five
minutes in length,
it is a lively
info-packed segment.
Please check
it out by clicking
on this link, http://thetroybookmakers.com/2010/podcast-friday-kerry-mendez .
MORE
LOCATIONS CARRYING
MY BOOK:
WELCOME
ESTABROOK'S
NURSERY AND COASTAL
MAINE BOTANICAL
GARDENS
Last
month I had a blast
visiting my Dad and
Mom in Maine.
While there,
I always do two
things.
I go to one
of my very favorite
garden centers,
Estabrook's Nursery
(www.estabrooksonline.com)
located
in Yarmouth.
They also now
have a seasonal
garden center in
Kennebunk as well.
And I never
miss a chance to be
thrilled by the
breathtakingly
beautiful Coastal
Maine Botanical
Gardens (www.mainegardens.org)
in 
Boothbay.
Given the
extensive plantings
and theme 'rooms',
you would never
guess this arboretum
is only four years
old.
Their new
Children's Garden is
the most creative,
interactive and
educational one I've
ever experienced.
That's
me infront of one of
their children's
houses in the
garden.
Both Estabrook's and
Coastal Maine
Botanical Gardens
are now carrying my
book, The
Ultimate Flower
Gardener's
Top Ten Lists
for gardeners in
zones 3, 4 and 5.
Gardeners
in zones 6 and 7
will also benefit
from a
pro's
tips on plants,
design, and
maintenance
shortcuts, but they
can skip the
sections on dealing
with icy, cold
winters.
Signed
copies of my books
are available on my
web page www.pyours.com/toptenlistsgardenbook.html
as is information
for group order
discounts, using my
book as a
fundraiser, and a
complete listing of
businesses where my
book is carried.
My book has
been selling great
guns.
As of this
month,
almost 2,000 copies
have sold since its
release in
mid-March.
STEEL
BULB
AUGERS ARE BACK!
My
nifty steel bulb
augers are back in
stock.
This
must-have utility
tool will save you
many a back and
wrist ache from hand
digging 
spring,
summer and fall
blooming bulbs.
Each fall I
order a case of
augers and they
rapidly sell out.
The 24"
augers can be used
with most electric
or battery powered
drills.
Simple insert
auger, press the 'on'
button, and
let the good times
roll.
The augers
sell for $25, including
sales tax.
These will be
for sale at my fall
garden programs.
If you would
like one shipped,
the additional
postage and shipping
container fee is
$6.50 per auger.
You can also
pick one up at my
house in Ballston
Spa with a
prearranged time.
Simply email pyours@nycap.rr.comor
call 518-885-3471
and let me know your
wishes.
And need I
say that bulb augers
make unique and
memorable holiday
gifts for that
hard-to-buy for
person?!
SALE
CONTINUES ON HOME
GARDEN AND LANDSCAPE
CONSULTATIONS
The
special $55 per hour
summer consultation
sale has been a hit.
Folks love
getting ideas for
making their
properties more
colorful and 
less
work.
Plus many of
the plants and
garden prep
recommendations can
be realized this
fall when garden
centers are marking
down product and it
is cooler to work in
the yard.
I keep the
old spade 'digging
holes' until the end
of September.
You should
too.
I can also
coach you on how to
put your gardens to
bed for the winter
and jump-start them
in spring.
After October
1st I over-winter
sale purchases in
their pots for next
year's use.
I can show
you how to do that
too!
To request a
consultation, kindly
email me at pyours@nycap.rr.comor
call (518) 885-3471.
Check out this
adorable picture
taken by Barb
(a person I
recently helped with
her gardens) of
her black labs!
FEATURED
PLANT
Purple Stemmed
Angelica (Angelica
gigas) Sun to
Part Shade.
You will
think an alien
planted this
"Dr.
Zeus"
looking plant.
It
stretches between 4"
to
6"
tall
in August and
September.
Funky
purple-domed flowers
sit atop
burgundy-red stems.
And the large
leaves are just as
eye-catching.
Angelica is
in the herb family
and prefers dry or
medium draining
soil.
It is
typically labeled as
a biennial or
short-lived
perennial for zones
3-9.
Seeds can be
collected when
ripened and then
started in pots.
Although
Angelica takes a bit
more effort than
others, it is worth
every penny of your
time!
Zone 4
FEATURED
PRODUCT
Nature
Mill Composter.
Hold
the vegetable peels!
Active
composting has now
entered the kitchen
arena.
In the 'old
days' we had to take
our veggie and fruit
scraps, coffee
grinds, egg shells
and other
'acceptable' items
out to our compost
pile in the
backyard. 
Now
we can simply reach
'under the sink' and
achieve the same
results, less any
'fragrance'.
PLUS this new
composter can even
'chew away' at meat,
fish or dairy
products without
indigestion (for the
machine or us).
Nature Mill (www.naturemill.com)
has introduced
amazing, efficient
composters that
looks as good as
they work.
The machine
includes a carbon
filter that removes
any unpleasant
odors, assuming
there are any, after
the high tech
composting process.
Now here is
the 'icing on the
compost pile'.
Karen Totino,
owner of
Green-Conscience
Home and Garden (www.green-conscience.com)
in Saratoga Springs
(NY) will offer
Perennially Yours
patrons $50 off the
retail $399 price
tag for an indoor
composter.
And no
shipping fees!
Simply
mention you saw this
in my garden
newsletter and save
$50.
I will be the
first in line.
FUN
FALL FESTIVALS AT
TWO GREAT GARDEN
CENTERS
You don
't
want to miss these
annual celebrations
that include lots of
fun activities for
children of all
ages.
Of
course, great plants
on sale are a given!
Binley
Florist and Garden
Center in Queensbury
kicks off the fun on
Saturday, September
18 from 9:30 to 4:00
pm.
The festival
includes many local
crafters, alpacas, a
pet adoption
organized by SPCA of
Upstate NY, free
chair massages, dog
demos by Warren 
County
K-9 unit handlers,
and free hot dogs
and soda.
Plus I will
be answering garden
questions and
selling/signing my
book between 10:00
and 2:00 pm.
Check out the photo
I took of an author
selling books at an
event. Maybe I
should get a button
like that. For
more about the
festival visit http://www.binleyflorist.com/
or call (518)
793-9603.
Kulak's
Nursery
& Landscaping
in
Rexford hosts
their Fall Festival
on Saturday, October
2 from 10:00 to 4:00
pm.
Some of the
attractions include
a Bouncy Bounce,
rock climbing, pony
rides and petting
zoo, pumpkin
painting and crafts
plus games, prizes
and refreshments.
For more
about the nursery
and events, visit
their web site at http://www.kulaksnursery.com/
or call (518)
399-2404.
SPECIAL
OFFER FROM GARDENER'S
SUPPLY COMPANY
Gardener's
Supply Company in
Burlington, VT holds
a very special place
in my heart.
The company
is not only
unequalled for their
superior garden
products, plants,
outdoor decor
home outlet section,
wellness and comfort
line and much more,
but also for the
cheerful,
ever-helpful staff.
Gardener's
Supply Company has
two stores in the
Burlington area as
well as an expansive
mail-order catalog.
Check them
out at www.gardeners.com.
And for the
month of September
patrons of
Perennially Yours
will get $6
off a $25
online purchase by
using the code
xxxx7116 at checkout
on the web site.
Ka-ching!
EVAN
AND MOM'S
CORNER
Every August Evan
and I trek to Maine
to see my Dad and
Mom and enjoy a long
weekend.
The fantastic
seafood and 'refreshing'
Maine
water are always
part of our
experience.
Evan thinks
nothing of diving
off the pier,
goofing around on an
inner tube, and
seeing how long he
can hold his breath
under water.
Being the
competitive guy he
is, I worry he takes
the holding his
breath a tad too
seriously.
Of course,
having that same
competitive vein, I
have to jump into
the icy water also
to show I am not a
wimp.
In a blink of
an eye, I am in and
out.
But the point
is, I DID go in.
The last
night of our visit,
Dad bought Maine
lobster for us to
feast on.
Understanding
the guests they were
dealing with, my Mom
first put a shower
curtain over the
dining room table
and then handed each
of us a bib.
It 
brought
a tear to my eye to
see my 6'3",
187 pound son,
wearing a drooly
bib.
Just like the
old days.
After the
lobsters were
ceremoniously placed
in front of us, we
dove in.
Evan
demolished his in
minutes.
His bib
worked well to keep
the 'backsplash'
from staining his
shirt.
It did
nothing to stop the
'side spray' from
hitting me.
Next time I
will sit across the
table from him.
After
cleaning ourselves
up, we settled down
as a family to watch
an old black and
white Alfred
Hitchcock movie,
Notorious.
A might good
evening.
Perennially
Yours,
Kerry
(a
new fan of lemon
juice baths)
