Latest news with #EndlessSummer
L'Orient-Le Jour
31-07-2025
- Entertainment
- L'Orient-Le Jour
Forests, visual history and memory: Where to be this weekend in the Middle East
When every weekend blurs into a never-ending scroll of flyers, exhibitions and underground gigs, having too many options can feel a lot like having none. This is why every Thursday, L'Orient Today, in partnership with The MYM Agenda, is going to guide you through cultural happenings across the Middle East that are actually worth your time. Consider this your weekly shortcut to what matters in the region's buzzing cultural scene. Lebanon is celebrating its favorite season — summer — with its ruthless heat and overcrowded roads. If you caught last week's selections, you'll know Beirut's art scene is making the best of it, oversaturating its galleries and museums with bright colors and "biting and bold commentary" dissecting this controversial season. And if you still haven't found what you were looking for, here are two more picks to add to your agenda: Displaying 80 artworks from Phillipe Jaber's collection, the Nuhad Es-Said pavilion of the National Museum is retelling Lebanon's cultural history — through travel and film posters. Impressions of Paradise shows how these advertisements between the 1920s and 70s shaped Lebanon's image both locally and internationally. If you're curious to know what made tourists want to visit us back then and what our cinemas and airports looked like, without having to stuff your nose in a textbook, this exhibition is for you. It's a look into a pre-Civil War country, told through snapshots of everyday life. If you love a Lebanese summer but hate the heat, you can head to Art Scene Gallery in Gemmayzeh to soak in its colors and energy inside an air-conditioned space. Until the end of the month, the gallery is showing Endless Summer, a collective exhibition of local and regional artists who've taken the vibrant season as their muse, specifically the light and freedom it offers. If you're one of the rare Lebanese expats who weren't able to escape the UAE this month, or had to cut your trip short due to our lack of matcha raves, worry not, the space right down your street might have what you're looking for: The Louvre, Abu Dhabi, is offering special summer events where you'll be sure to find something to suit your fancy. The museum is showing the same caliber of timeless art you're used to, while offering astronomy and art camps and classes for you and your little ones. Looking for something a bit more active? Take a kayak ride or a private catamaran cruise across the premises, or book your own private photography session for your most artsy Instagram post yet. For more information, click here. "Everyman's Mountain," the debut solo show by Emirati artist and designer Omar al-Gurg, showing in Lawrie Shabibi Gallery in al-Quoz, takes you on a visual journey through Mount Kilimanjaro's rarely-seen ecological zones. The mountain's forests are usually seen as reclusive, a space that no one enters or exits from, but Gurg chooses to depict it with intimacy and detail, and to see the mountain not as a conquest, but as a living, breathing world. For more information, click here. Printed Nostalgia at Fire Station, Doha, is bringing back print. It features a staggering (record-breaking, I assume) 98 artists from around the world — chosen from over 300 submissions — as it builds a space to reflect on architecture, migration, culture and everyday life, turning personal experiences into shared visual stories. Through photography, collage, painting, illustration, and text, digital expressions are reimagined as tactile prints. The space invites you to join the artists in choosing a point in time in your memories, and allowing it to live its own visual life. Artist Samer Hourani displays Between Confession and Silence at the Orient Gallery in Amman, a series of painted portraits as dramatic as the title suggests. The biggest window into someone's personality is their face, its expressions and eyes, and Hourani takes you through the catalog of characters — and their associated emotions — that marked his life.
USA Today
25-07-2025
- Lifestyle
- USA Today
Endless summer, endless savings! Save 25% on your next Athleta order
Shop best-selling leggings, biker shorts, sports bras and more on sale now. If your summer wardrobe needs a refresh, Athleta's current sale is the perfect excuse to stock up on premium activewear without breaking the bank. Now through Sunday, August 3, you can save 25% on your purchase order during Athleta's Endless Summer sale. Whether need a new sports bra for summer gym time or have been loving your morning yoga classes and need to upgrade your leggings, comfortable activewear passes the summer vibe check. The Athleta sale has something for everyone, and this sale can help you save on every single thing. Shop the Athleta Endless Summer sale Shop Athleta's Endless Summer sale There's no need for a promo code—just add your favorite items to your cart and save 25% on the total amount. With sizes and colors going fast, it's smart to shop fast during this sale.
The South African
17-07-2025
- Automotive
- The South African
Chasing the Endless Winter: Ford Ranger Wildtrak X review
Before we get to the excellent new Ford Ranger Wildtrax X, we've got to talk surfing. We must because this reviewer has taken up said pastime after the age of 40 and, sadly, it's now become almost my entire personality. Do you know how to identify a surfer over 40? You won't have to, because they'll tell you all about it at every possible opportunity … I honestly didn't think my affliction was too bad. Until I began to catch my friends' eyes glazing over as I responded to 'what you been up to?' Of course, I have to stop myself from giving a never-ending account of the waves ridden and not ridden this winter. And that's another misnomer to address before we talk Ranger Wildtrak X. Pretty much anywhere in the world, surfing is a winter endevour. So, forget the cult movie Endless Summer. In the Western Cape, it's all about chasing the Endless Winter! There's definitely a wave out there. It's just leaving the climate-controlled comfort of the Ranger that's tricky. Image: File Nevertheless, while everyone is bored to tears by me, at least this Blue Oval stead to chase waves with isn't. Of course, I'm talking about the Ford Ranger Wildtrak X and I genuinely believe it is the sweet spot of the Ranger life right now. Think of it as halfway house between the luxury Wildtrak and kick-your-teeth-in Ranger Raptor. It costs R1 070 500, which, by today's standards, is not an insurmountable amount of money for the ultimate adventure bakkie. Key to its offering is the rear Power Roller Shutter, which has been around for some time. And the new Flexible Rack System (a R19 000 extra). For a surfer, the aforementioned is an absolute game-changer. The rear rack can move anywhere you need along the load bay so you can affix your beloved surfboards. Best of all, it means you don't need to immediately fit a bulky canopy to make your Wildtrak X practical. Ford's Tablet-like screen with hard buttons below still the best blend of new tech and every-day usability. Image: Ray Leathern Truthfully, the 9-foot longboard fitted to the Flexi Rack System is purely for show. My 6-foot shortboard fits inside the Wildtrak X cabin no problem. And that's the board you want to tackle the Western Cape's pumping winter swells. Nevertheless, it's the Ranger's impeccable road manners that win the day as we start our peninsula search. Wow, this bakkie really has blossomed into a full-rounded conveyance. The high-tech cabin is awash with practical stowage areas, soft contact points and all the modern conveniences (mod-cons) imaginable. In fact, it might be a little too comfortable for the perfect surf mobile, come to think of it. Because climbing out of the high-riding, temperature-controlled cabin into freezing gale-force winds to pull on a damp wetsuit isn't exactly enjoyable. But surfers are a different breed, I guess. Part human, 'part seal,' as my wife loves to point out to me as I'm shivering in the corner post-surf. Nevertheless, there's nothing a truly committed surfer won't endure if there's the chance of a perfect wave at the end of it … The best thing about winter wave hunting is the obscure spots you'll find that are completely deserted. Image: Ray Leathern Better still, unlike pulling into the carpark in a rusted-out Corsa Ute, when you arrive in a Ford Ranger Wildtrak X, there are only accepting head-tilts all around. First and foremost, this beast of a bakkie looks the part. It's 30 mm wider than a regular Ranger, as is its increased ride height. The X's grille is bespoke, with just enough styling tweaks to notice, but not so many that it looks aftermarket 'zef.' Standard-fit General Grabber AT3 tyres with white-wall lettering look the part and provide sophisticated ride and stability both on and off the bitumen. Furthermore, there is bespoke Wildtrak X trim all around, a brilliant Bang & Olufsen sound system, tablet-like touchscreen, 360-degree cameras, adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist. Best of all, all these mod-cons are reliable and predictable in their operation, too. Besides the digital trickery, spend enough time in it looking for swell and you discover just how wonderfully easy it is to drive. There's precious little sawing at the wheel for a tall-riding bakkie, and even substantial undulations on the road pass-by unnoticed as you glide along. Due to its clever construction, it's super easy to adjust the Flexi Rack System for the perfect fit. Image: Ray Leathern A such, the Ford Ranger Wildtrak X uses the economical 154 kW and 500 Nm four-cylinder Bi-Turbo motor. Granted, it's not especially economical – we saw 10.9 l/100 km most of the trip – but the motor pulls soundly from low down and is quiet and refined. Most other bakkies as big as the Wildtrak X would suffer from a slow steering rack and three-point turns galore. However, this not the case here. Better still, Ford has fitted a new Trail Turn function that can shorten tight turns by simply nipping the inside wheel's brake. Although this is more of an off-road feature and will wear your ATs out if you attempt it too often on tarmac. But this search for perfect winter waves highlights the Wildtrak X's quick and easy-going nature. Of course, it's a heavy bakkie, but lay into the throttle progressively and you build speed effortlessly. Just what you want scooting from spot to spot along the coast, trying to decipher what the wind, swells and tide are doing. Another quick surf rule-of-thumb I've come to learn, for those who are interested: If there are waves, you surf! Don't leave one spot that's working, thinking there might be something better elsewhere. In the time it takes to explore and return to your original spot, invariably, conditions will have deteriorated. There's millions of waves out there, but it only takes one … Wet and sandy gear? No worries, just lob it in the rubberised load bay and cover up with the Power Roller Shutter. Genius practicality. Image: Ray Leathern So, is the Ford Ranger Wildtrak X the ultimate lifestyle surf vehicle? Absolutely. The Flexi Rack System is unsurpassed and when combined with the Power Roller Shutter, there's no pre- or post-surf situation you won't be prepared for. Many of these same traits will apply to mountain bikers, fishermen, canooists, you name it, and the practical benefits are endless. In this guise, the Wildtrak X absolutely monstered the task of chasing the Endless Winter all around the peninsula. This bakkie clearly walks a fine line between Raptor tough and Wildtrak comfort, but it does so while adding genuine practicality to the mix. I'm just sad I have to hand the keys back to Ford and go back to making do with an inferior solution to my surfing needs. You know, the ones I can never shut up about … Ford Ranger Wildtrak X 2.0 BiT 10AT Engine: 2.0-litre twin-turbo diesel 2.0-litre twin-turbo diesel Transmission: 10-spd auto 10-spd auto Power: 154 kW 154 kW Torque: 500 Nm 500 Nm 0-100 km/h: 9.5 seconds (estimated) 9.5 seconds (estimated) Consumption: 7.6 l/100 km (claimed/combined) 10.9 l/100 km (tested) 7.6 l/100 km (claimed/combined) 10.9 l/100 km (tested) Price: R1 070 500 Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
Winnipeg Free Press
08-07-2025
- General
- Winnipeg Free Press
We are gardeners
What am I? (Walters Gardens photo) Read to the bottom for the answer. Hint: it's not Autumn Joy. Timing fertilizer Time to fertilize? It depends on how much time has lapsed since you added a slow-release fertilizer. If you added slow-release fertilizer in late May, annual plants such as flowers and vegetables will benefit now from the application of a water-soluble fertilizer such as a seaweed solution. Once every two weeks is recommended. Flowering shrubs such as hydrangeas are heavy feeders and are pumping out blooms at this time of year. Dr. Michael A. Dirr, renowned hydrangea breeder and author of The Hydrangea Book: The Authoritative Guide and Hydrangeas for American Gardens , recommends fertilizing hydrangeas in early spring, prior to leaf emergence. He uses four ounces (113 grams) of 10-10-10 granular fertilizer such as Osmocote scattered around the base of the plant. Do not fertilize trees, shrubs or perennials in August. Shown: Endless Summer hydrangea. (Colleen Zacharias photo) Dirr also recommends a second fertilizer application (10-10-10) AFTER flowering. But in our short-season climate, this method would only be suitable for panicle hydrangeas that bloom in July. Often, older generation Limelight hydrangeas as well as bigleaf macrophylla hydrangeas such as the Endless Summer series do not bloom until August. It is important to NOT fertilize hydrangeas or other shrubs or any perennials after the August long weekend. Fertilizing perennials and shrubs after early August results in lush green growth that won't harden off in time for winter. Tailor fertilizing to your specific type of plant and keep your eye on the calendar. Other key tasks in June 🌸 Deadhead the spent blooms on flowering plants to promote rebloom. It also helps plants to direct their energy down into their root system rather than expending it on seed production. 🌱 Trying a new plant in your garden for the first time? Take note of the light conditions and how your plant is performing. Too few blooms or consistent wilting or leaf scorch? Your plant may be asking for more or less sun exposure. Dig it up as soon as possible and replant in a better location. You'll both be happier. ✂️ Is there a self-seeding plant, such as Astrantia, or a rampant beast, such as Rudbeckia laciniata Tall Coneflower, that you would be fonder of if only it would behave? There are two solutions. For aggressive self-seeders, off with their heads as soon as they finish blooming! Deadhead to control the spread of self-seeding plants such as Astrantia Sparkling Stars Pink. (De Vroomen Bulb Canada photo) For plants that want to grow way beyond their allotted space or hog all the available light from neighboring plants, regularly prune back stems at the base of the plant. In fall, sink a spade into the root ball to reduce its size. Gift the division to a friend or your local garden club. Guess who's coming to dinner Aphids. Cabbage moths. Spider mites. Barberry looper. And they have big appetites for plants! A Barberry looper on a defoliated branch. (Colleen Zacharias photo) Keep on the lookout for these and other uninvited 'guests' in your garden. Scout regularly for signs of pest damage, especially if you have had previous infestations. Early monitoring can be successful in reducing pest populations. Great deals on plants Sale! Check your local garden centre for sales on perennials and the last remaining annuals. You can find savings of up to 50 per cent on some items. Don't pass up perennials that need a little TLC. Find a good spot, add some compost in and around the planting hole, water regularly, and your new plant will reward you with healthy growth. My find: Penstemon barbatus Elfin Pink Beard Tongue. Gotta love the name. Compact with narrow, grass-like leaves. Marked down to $3! Admittedly, a bit ragged-looking at the time of purchase, but it is settling in nicely and just starting to bloom. Also: Algerian ivy, 50 per cent off. I love it. Large dark green leaves with deep reddish- purple leaves. The only ivy I will ever buy again. I paired it with red and white non-stop begonias and tucked in some Scotch moss. Smoke gets in your… plants? Special air quality statements are a regular occurrence these days, unfortunately. Smoke-filled air is irritating to the eyes, nose and throat. As smoke levels increase, it can impact our activities. But what impact does air quality have on plants? I reached out to Tim Lynham, a forest-fire researcher and fire scientist who worked for more than 35 years with the Canadian Forest Service. 'When wildfire smoke is in the air, trees essentially close their tiny pores (stomata) on their leaves, preventing the intake of carbon dioxide and the release of oxygen. This is a defensive mechanism to avoid the harmful effects of the smoke. Smoke may slow growth for a few days or weeks, but the smoke doesn't kill the trees.' Lynham used trees as an example, but all living plants have the same protective mechanism he describes. The leaves of all types of plants close their tiny pores when smoke is in the air. (Karen Loewen photo) An easy project Carlos Ferreira created this simple but appealing container design that is perfect for a tiny space. Here's what you will need: A broomstick handle 6-inch (15 cm) clay pots Potting soil Wire (optional) An outer wall or backdrop in a full sun location A mix of sun-loving, drought-tolerant plants. Stack the pots one on top of one another, but on the opposite side of the broomstick so it creates a ladder-type of look. Tilt each pot so part of it rests on the rim of the pot beneath. If desired, a bit of wire through the drainage hole of the pots can be used to secure the pots to the broomstick handle. The lowest pot should sit evenly on the ground. Ferreira used a mix of cacti, succulents, geraniums, and Kangaroo Paw (Anigozanthos). A clay pot ladder (Carlos Ferreira photo) Bloom alert! Leila Wegert says she is delighted that a plant given to her three or four years ago by a fellow gardener, Ayleen Ewbank, is blooming for the first time! 'It is called Penstemon strictus Rocky Mountain,' says Wegert. 'I have never seen it in any garden centre. It has lovely blue and purple flowers, but it is slow to spread and doesn't seem to reseed. This year it finally has about eight flowering stalks. I like penstemon in general but haven't been successful with some varieties, so I am glad this one is happy.' Penstemon strictus Rocky Mountain (Leila Wegert photo) Inspired to grow more penstemon, Wegert recently purchased three pink-flowered Penstemon Grandiflora plants for just $5 each. 'It is supposed to grow to 61 to 122 cm tall and is hardy to -40 C. The leaves are quite large and a sort of bluish green. Maybe these will grow for me!' Hypertufa In addition to experimenting with penstemon, Wegert, a member of the Selkirk & District Horticulture Society, enjoys making hypertufa, a substance that looks like rock but is lighter and moldable. She gave a workshop earlier this month on how to make hypertufa leaves and whimsical mushrooms. Wegert says many recipes for hypertufa are out there, but she uses: 1 part cement 1 part sand 1 part peat moss 1 part vermiculite or perlite, and about 1 and 1/4 parts water. 'Start with less water and add as needed for the right consistency. It should hold its shape if you make a ball and should be well mixed. It makes a strong product that is lighter than concrete. Cover with plastic until cured (three to four days), then unmold.' Hypertufa mushrooms (Leila Wegert photo) Wegert says that the stems for the mushrooms were made in a nylon stocking so that they could be shaped at will. She has made several for her Selkirk garden. 'It was fun making these samples, so the workshop should go smoothly as I have already made all the mistakes!' Check out these giant butterflies crafted from plastic coat hangers and window screens that were made at a society workshop in spring. Butterflies made from coat hangers and window screens. (Leila Wegert photo) 'I finally mounted them,' says Wegert. 'I am actually not a big fan of 'kitschy' garden art, which I suppose these are, but they do add interest to my garage wall.' Do you have a project or an upcoming workshop that you would like to share? Hit reply on this email and let us know. Red and white fever Lois Wales, president of Red River North Tourism, is thrilled with the response by residents and businesses in Selkirk, St. Clements, and St. Andrews to RRNT's initiative to plant red and white flowers. Homeowners rushed to deplete the stock of Canadian flags and flag-themed whirligigs and solar lights that were sold at two local dollar stores, says Wales. 'The City of Selkirk has all their planters done – red canna lilies with white flowers and some grasses. We have a lot of pride in our community.' Did you plant red and white container gardens this year? I combined red and white non-stop begonias in a moss-lined wire basket. We'd love to see what you created! A Canada Day red and white container. (Lois Wales photo) Hail damage In the past few weeks, thunderstorms have brought large hail to parts of Manitoba. Hail damage to infrastructure is costly — but hail damage to plants can break a gardener's heart. In the case of severe hail damage, woody plants such as trees and shrubs can gradually recover. Hail-damaged perennials generally recover fully. If your garden is affected by hail, start by cleaning up debris. Leave in place any foliage — even torn bits of leaves — on damaged plants, as these will utilize photosynthesis for the plant's growth and recovery. If perennials and shrubs are completely defoliated, maintain adequate moisture and be patient. Take heart from Irene Rajfur's experience. When a large hailstorm ripped through North Winnipeg in August 2023, many plants, including perennials and shrubs in Rajfur's garden were badly damaged. At the time, Rajfur wrote in an email to Winnipeg Gardener , perennials such as rudbeckia, Russian Sage, and Shasta daisies were 'totally flattened.' Hydrangea shrubs and Cotinus smoke bushes were also defoliated. But two months later, the hail-damaged plants in Rajfur's garden were already showing signs of recovery with healthy new growth, and they returned the following year. Summer reading challenge This summer, explore the healing power of medicinal plants. A Cabinet Full of Medicinal Plants: A practical card deck by Monique Simmonds, Melanie-Jayne Howes and Jason Irving, offers the complete package. (Kaddo / The Quarto Group photo) Test your knowledge and discover the power of plants! Packaged in an elegant gift box that you will want to display within easy reach, this unique collection includes 60 beautifully illustrated cards, each one offering insight into a different medicinal plant with details like height, parts used, and alternative uses. The set is divided into eight categories: circulation, digestion, inflammation, infections, skin issues, pain relief, respiratory conditions, and mental well-being. Endorsed by the experts at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, this educational tool is rooted in scientific knowledge. You will discover many insights into medicinal plants that you can grow indoors or outdoors. Consider Comfrey, aka boneset or knitbone, a common herb grown locally in many gardens. Known as a traditional medicine for healing wounds, sprains, and bones by making a poultice from boiled leaves, comfrey has been studied in many trials, several of which support its efficacy for pain relief. About the authors: Melanie-Jayne Howes has a PhD in phytochemistry and is a senior research leader at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Monique Simmonds is director of the Commercial Innovation Unit and deputy director of science at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, and Jason Irving is an experienced forager, herbalist, and ethnobotanist who is currently undertaking a PhD on the trade of medicinal plants. I love this card deck and think you will, too! Upcoming events Garden-tour season is in full swing with many opportunities to visit Manitoba's most beautiful gardens. Garden tours are in full swing. (Val Thomson photo) • The Charleswood Garden Club's bus tour to Altona on July 12 is sold out! Registrants are excited to visit Elemental Stone, a two-hectare property that is home to the creations of famed stone artist, Todd Braun. The tour also includes a visit to Altona's Gallery in the Park and the Altona Community Garden, which includes an orchard. • The 3rd Annual Holiday Avenue Project Garden Tour in Portage la Prairie takes place on Saturday, July 12 from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Visit nine gardens including beautiful Island Park as well as the winner of the 2024 Burgess Shield Award for Best Urban Home Grounds. The tour also includes an outdoor market. Tickets are $25 and are available at Solomon's Home & Garden Gift, a local greenhouse in Portage. For more information or to purchase tickets, email holidayaveproject@ • The Manitoba Master Gardener Association's Annual Garden Tour is on July 19, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Featuring nine beautiful gardens in the Kildonan and Transcona areas, visitors will have a chance to talk with master gardeners at each of the gardens. Tickets are $20. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit the Manitoba Master Gardener Association. • Birtle Centre for the Arts hosts its annual Garden Tour of Birtle and Area Gardens on July 19 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The tour starts at the Birtle Centre for the Arts, 617 Main Street, Birtle. Tickets are $10; email info@ or phone 204-842-3846. • On July 19 and 20, the City of Brandon hosts Brandon's Open Garden Tours from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Follow City of Brandon Parks & Recreation Services on Facebook for garden locations. Tickets are free! • The Red River North Tourism Garden and Art Tour will be held on Sunday, July 20 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Featuring 10 beautiful private and public gardens in St. Andrews, St. Clements, and Selkirk, this self-guided tour also includes the opportunity to enjoy 15 talented artists showcasing their artwork. Stroll through gardens while listening to live music from local musicians. Tickets are $25. For more details, visit Red River North Tourism. Other gardening events for your calendar: • On August 8 and 9, the St. Vital Agricultural Society will present an annual fair like none other in its storied history. The theme for the 114th Annual Display and Fair is 'Cultural Diversity – our shared stories, our shared future' in celebration of Winnipeg's diverse community. Plan to attend! St. Vital Centennial Arena, Meadowood and Ste. Annes Road. For more details, visit the society's website. • On Saturday, July 19, the Manitoba Regional Lily Society invites you to come to the St. Vital Shopping Centre for the 41st Annual Lily Show. Enjoy a stunning display of hardy lilies grown in Manitoba by gardeners from many different areas of our province. There will also be lovely floral arrangements to admire. MRLS volunteers will be pleased to answer your questions about growing lilies and creating flower arrangements. Members of the public are welcome to bring their lily stems and designs for judging. There will be volunteers available to help you stage, classify and enter your stems and designs. Tips for Showing Lilies: Pack up your stems carefully in buckets or other secure holders. Stem holders for the show table will be provided. No sign of disease should be apparent on the stem. At least one bud must be fully open. More open blooms are great, but none should be faded or past their prime. Flowers and foliage should be fresh, clean, undamaged, with no distortions. Some allowances are made at the head judge's discretion if local weather has been severe. When cutting your stems, leave at least one-third of the stem in the garden to feed the remaining bulb, and cut two-thirds of the stem for the show. Do not remove the pollen and anthers, but you can clean off the pollen on the petals. A show stem is a clean stem, so clean off all debris like spider webs, dirt, etc. Small paint brushes, Q-Tips, small sharp scissors and something to hold the stem in the holder provided, like rhubarb, pipe wrap foam etc., should be brought with you to the show for staging purposes. The 41st Annual Lily Show will be held July 19. (Manitoba Regional Lily Society photo) Name this Plant Sedum 'Lemonjade,' Rock 'N Grow Collection, Walters Gardens Unlike most autumn stonecrops, which have pink flowers, Lemonjade features large five- to seven-inch panicles of bright citron yellow flowers in early fall and grey-green toothed foliage. Plant height is 16 to 18 inches (40 to 48 cm); spread is 26 to 28 inches (66 to 71 cm). Sedum Lemonjade Rock 'N Grow Collection (Walters Gardens photo) The flowerheads bloom in early fall and take on rosy peach tones as temperatures drop. In addition to its unique colour, Lemonjade sedum does not split open when it blooms, a common problem with older types of sedum. In winter, the dried flower heads provide food for birds.
Korea Herald
28-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Hydrangeas are in full bloom – here's where to see them
As summer sets in, hydrangeas bloom in brilliant shades of blue, pink and lavender across Korea, drawing flower enthusiasts and tourists alike to gardens and nature parks across the country. Known for their large, lush petals and various hues, hydrangeas reach their peak from early June through July. From central Korea to the southern coast, here are three hydrangea-viewing destinations that offer not just floral beauty but immersive seasonal experiences: Yugu Saekdong Hydrangea Garden, Yulbom Farm and the poetic and secluded Manhwa Secret Garden. Yugu Saekdong Hydrangea Garden Located in Gongju, South Chungcheong Province, Yugu Saekdong Hydrangea Garden is the largest hydrangea garden in Korea's central region, spanning over 43,000 square meters along the scenic Yugu Stream. The garden boasts 22 varieties and more than 54,000 hydrangea plants, including Enamel, Endless Summer, Pink Annabelle and Mophead hydrangeas. The garden features flat, easy-to-navigate walkways, making it accessible for all ages. Pastel-colored hydrangeas bloom most densely behind the garlanded area near Yugu Bridge, which has become a popular photo zone. Even after peak bloom, the dried petals offer a unique aesthetic that adds to the garden's charm. In June, the garden hosts the annual 'Gongju Yugu Saekdong Hydrangea Festival,' now in its fourth year. This year's events extend beyond the garden itself to include the nearby Yugu Traditional Market, highlighting local culture through performances and themed activities. The festival kicks off on Friday with the 'Jeong Eui-song Hydrangea Song Festival,' featuring 15 performers selected through a preliminary contest. On Sunday, acclaimed poet Na Tae-joo takes the stage in a musical poetry concert titled 'Songs That Became Flowers, Hearts That Became Poems.' Folk, jazz and Korean traditional music performances by local artists are scheduled throughout the festival period. The garden also offers a luminous experience by night in the Yugu Saekdong Moonlight Garden, with light installations that enhance the dreamlike ambiance. A night market-style food and drink venue, the Hydrangea Night Pocha, adds flavor to the evening events. 'This is more than just a sightseeing event,' said Gongju Mayor Choi Won-cheol. 'It is a meaningful festival that combines the region's nature, culture and the pride of our local residents.' Yulbom Farm, quiet garden for flower enthusiasts For those seeking a more serene, low-key escape, Yulbom Farm in Gwangju, Gyeonggi Province, offers a more intimate hydrangea-viewing experience. The private botanical garden is not widely promoted on social media, meaning it is still a hidden gem for those looking to enjoy flowers without the crowds. As early June brings the first whispers of summer, hydrangeas in gentle shades of lavender, pink and sky blue cover the landscape. Unlike traditional parks, Yulbom Farm blends agriculture, nature and art into a cohesive experience that lives up to its name — 'Yulbom,' or "the quiet spring." The garden is known for its intentional simplicity. Carefully planned plantings, clean walking paths and subtle artistic installations create a harmonious atmosphere. But it is the understated presence of the flowers like watercolors softly blending into the landscape that leaves the strongest impression. More than a garden, Yulbom is a certified Rural Art Theme Farm, offering educational programs using seasonal produce. Children can learn about ecology through hands-on farming experiences, while adults find a peaceful retreat from urban life. Manhwa Secret Garden, living canvas of hydrangeas in the south In the foothills of Byeokbangsan Mountain in Goseong County, South Gyeongsang Province, lies the Manhwa Secret Garden — a 330,000-square-meter sanctuary named after the phrase 'Manhwa Bangcho,' meaning 'a place of 10.000 flowers and fragrant grasses.' Founded in 1997 by garden director Jeong Jong-jo to offer solace to city dwellers, the garden now features over 200 varieties of hydrangea, 700 species of wildflowers and 66,000 square meters of wild tea fields. Designed with minimal artificial alteration, trails follow old animal paths and the landscape flows with nature's contours. The garden's Hydrangea Flower Road is its crown jewel, where the flowers stretch as far as the eye can see. A hydrangea festival runs through July 13, showcasing the full bloom of these vibrant flowers. Despite the stunning scenery, Manhwa retains a 'secret garden' quality — it was once known only through word of mouth and has only recently begun receiving public attention. Visitors can explore wildflower fields, a natural rock garden, a small pond filled with yellow lotus blooms and shaded trails lined with cedar and hydrangeas. Traditional clay houses serve as spaces for rest and even natural dyeing workshops, while giant wooden totems mark the entryway to the garden's more rustic areas. Climbing higher toward the summit of Byeokbangsan Mountain, visitors are rewarded with views of the East Sea and an experience that feels more like wandering an old village hillside than a manicured tourist attraction.
