Latest news with #ThePresident
Ottawa Citizen
22-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- Ottawa Citizen
The City Gardener: Clematis, queen of the garden
My friend Sharyn is a passionate gardener who lives, and gardens, in the Rouge Valley. By her own admission, Sharyn is a clematis queen – she has some twelve different varieties in her wonderful cottage-style garden. She planted her first one, a sturdy little 'Jackmanii', by the front porch fourteen years ago, and it's still growing strong, topping out today at close to 16 feet. Altogether, her collection makes a spectacular display from early June almost till fall. Article content Article content Article content Clematis (feel free to pronounce it Clem-AH-tis, or CLEM-ah-tis, since both are correct) is an old-fashioned favourite that appears in literature going back as far as ancient Greece, where it was associated with the god Apollo. (The word 'clematis,' somewhat unimaginatively, comes from the ancient Greek word for vine.) But the form we know today was probably introduced to Victorian gardens in the mid-nineteenth century, and has been a much-loved (and much-hybridized) garden staple ever since. Article content What Sharyn loves about them is that they are extremely easy to grow, almost indestructible once established, and if they like where you put them, will thrive for years, even centuries: abandoned farmhouses sometimes still have clematis vines blooming by their front doors. Article content The plant comes in a huge variety of colours, from white, pink, red, and blue to light and dark purple – and different sizes and shapes, including bell, star-shaped, multiple, evergreen forms, large or tiny blossoms, and even cone-shaped or tubular varieties. Some are richly fragrant, feature two or even three colours on a single blossom, and can be striped, spotted, or have contrasting throats. Sharyn's collection includes 'The President,' 'Nelly Moser,' 'Icy Montana,' and of course the granddaddy of them all, 'Jackmanii.' Article content Article content The full clematis family comprises twelve different groups, each with different habits and methods of care. But most popular are the spring bloomers (Group 1), repeat bloomers (Group 2), and summer/fall bloomers (Group 3). It's important to know which group your clematis falls into, as each has unique annual pruning requirements – and these can vary considerably. Article content The care tag that comes with the plant will tell you all of that, along with planting and growing tips; read it carefully and hang on to it for future reference, especially if, like Sharyn, you grow more than one variety. (She tends to stick to one favourite group to avoid confusion; almost all of hers are Group 1 or 2.) Article content Clematis prefer rich, well-drained soil, and plenty of water throughout the growing season, but don't let them get soggy. Dig a hole the same depth as the pot the plant arrived in and settle it in carefully, adding soil at the sides as needed but being careful not to add more soil on top; they hate being planted too deep. Water regularly and add compost or fertilizer monthly during the growing season.
Qatar Tribune
11-05-2025
- Sport
- Qatar Tribune
Luwsail shows fight to win The President Of The UAE Cup at ParisLongchamp
Tribune News Network Paris Luwsail (Al Mourtajez) returned to Europe with a strong and determined performance to land the Gr.1 (PA) The President of the UAE Cup – Coupe d'Europe des Chevaux Arabes at ParisLongchamp on Sunday. Trained by Jean De Mieulle, owned and bred by Al Shaqab Racing, the five-year-old horse was ridden to victory by Faleh Nasser Bughenaim. Run over 2000 metres, the race featured a field of six top Purebred Zwair (TM Fred Texas) set a strong early pace. Luwsail tracked the leader in second, with the favourite Muraad (Thakif) racing a bit keenly in third. Ch'Ezza (Af Albahar), Nour Al Maury (Azadi), and RB Kingmaker (Baseq Al Khalediah) followed behind. As they entered the false straight, Al Zwair drifted off the rail, giving Luwsail the perfect opportunity to slip through on the inside. He did just that and took the lead with ease, still full of running turning into the final straight. The favourite Muraad moved up to challenge and looked ready to take control, but Luwsail had more to offer. Showing real determination, he dug deep and fought back, pulling away again to win by three-quarters of a length. Muraad finished second, while RB Kingmaker ran on strongly from last to grab third. This victory marks Luwsail's third Gr.1 (PA) success, following his win in the Qatar Gold Sword (Gr.1 PA) at Al Uqda earlier this year. Winning trainer said after the race: 'Like with every Group 1 race, it's always a challenge. But the horse came into this in top form, especially since he had just won a Group 1 race in Qatar four weeks ago. The main concern was managing the transport. I want to thank STH, they did an excellent job. Honestly, the horse arrived at the stable in perfect condition. We only had to maintain him. I also want to sincerely thank Olivier D'Andigne, who always does a great job leading the way. 'It's real teamwork. Faleh is the main jockey, and Olivier is always there to support us, he also won a Group 1 this year. Everything is going really well. This is my first Group 1 win in France, and my fourth overall. We're starting the summer season after a great winter season, let's hope it continues. When you've got the horses, it's easier' Bred by Al Shaqab Racing, Luwsail is out of the unraced mare Al Dowha (Munjiz), a half-sister to Al Hayyem (Amer), who was Gr.3 (PA) placed at Casablanca over 1900m and at Ostende over 1600m at four.
