Garden Blogger's Bloom Day May 2013 - Spring Blooms!

 

This is a crazy time of year for me so I take solitude in my spring blooming gardens to find some peace of mind and quiet time. My garden is my sanctuary and I thank everyday for it. It is May and the gardens are alive with color. It is time for another Garden Blogger's Bloom Day hosted by Carol at May Dreams Gardens and there is much to see. Come along and walk with me. 

May Garden 2013

Within the past couple of weeks once the temperatures started approaching the 70's, the perennials have emerged from the ground almost overnight and are in bloom.  Over the past few days the spring rains have also caused flowering  shrubs such as azalea and spirea to spring to life.  

Spirea 'Goldmound', Heuchera, Hosta, Ajuga and Nepeta (foreground)

The Nepeta 'Walker's Low' which I planted just last spring has grown into these wonderful robust clumps and I am anticipating quite a show in just a few weeks.

Sedum 'Aurea'
Along the rock of the waterfall Sedum 'Aurea' are brightening up the garden. It grows in the tiniest of cracks in between the rock and thrives there.

Ajuga reptans 'Burgundy Glow'

The Ajuga reptans is now in full bloom and livens up the shadier area of the garden with its vibrant carpet of blue.

Azalea Blooms

Traditional Azalea light up the garden with their bright fuchsia blooms.

Perennial Garden (Shadier Area)

Here is another view of the perennial garden showing hosta, ajuga and nepeta.

Lamb's Ear

The Lamb's Ear is sporting its new silvery-white foliage against the green of the rest of the garden and has taken up residence for years. 

Perennial Garden (Sun)

Here is the full sun perennial garden.  Just a couple of weeks ago all that was blooming were the hyacinth and crocus bulbs and now the garden is completely filled in with lilies, astilbe, hosta, salvia and lamb's ear. I can't wait for everything to start blooming but for now I am enjoying all the new foliage! 

Spirea Double Play 'Big Bang'

New to the garden this spring is my new Spirea Double Play.  I can already tell you I love this plant!  It has already put on a foliage color show turning from orange to yellow and I am anticipating the very large pink blooms that will be produced throughout the summer.

Front Walkway Garden

Along the front walkway the Heuchera 'Caramel' are full of new growth.



Weeping Japanese Maple Green Cutleaf

Both the Japanese Maples are sporting their new delicate foliage.  These were planted back in 1996 and now each approach 6 feet in height on the front lawn.

Weeping Japanese Maple Red Cutleaf

 

Salvia 'Maynight'

Welcome Salvia...love your purple blooms!  This is one of my favorite perennials in the garden and just in time for Bloom Day!

Wisteria

The Wisteria is really developing into a mature tree now.  Planted in 1996 it started as a vine that I twisted together to form the trunk.

Peony in Patio Garden

The peony are growing at an astonishing rate and getting ready to form buds. Did I mention how I love spring?

 Coral Bark Maple and Golden Oriental Spruce

My Coral Bark Maple has really filled in over the past few years to make a beautiful specimen of a tree that I enjoy every day along with my Oriental Spruce as I pull into and out of the driveway. The Barberry and Nepeta are putting on a show as well.

Garden Love 

Thank you for visiting my May garden. I will be sure to visit you as well.  After a long and difficult winter spring has finally arrived in all its glory and this gardener is in her element!  As I run around to clients I always stop in my garden for just a moment to take it all in and enjoy some solitude.  Please stop by and visit our hostess Carol at May Dreams Gardens to see what others have blooming in their gardens.  Happy Garden Blogger's Bloom Day and Happy Spring...and

 

As Always...Happy Gardening!

Author: Lee@A Guide To Northeastern Gardening, Copyright 2013. All rights reserved

Feature Plant: Ajuga Reptans - Early Spring Color

Ajuga reptans 'Burgundy Glow'

Blooming in early May, Ajuga reptans is a hardy perennial ground cover that is an excellent candidate for the shadier areas of the garden.  Ajuga is hardy in zones 3 to 9 and grows 3 to 4 inches in height.  Vibrant purple blooms form a carpet of color in hard to grow areas such as under trees and between shrubs or in shade area rock gardens.  Ajuga spreads rapidly in humus soil and can be divided and replanted after bloom. 

Ajuga reptans in Shade Garden

Ajuga grows best in partial to full shade in a well-drained soil.  Depending on the variety, foliage ranges from glossy medium green to variegated cream, purple and green oval shaped leaves that stay semi-evergreen throughout the winter months.  Blue-violet flowers appear in spring on 4-6 inch spikes that add a vibrant sea of color to the garden.

Ajuga serves as a focal point when planted around a boulder or along with other shade loving perennials.  The garden here is in part shade and sun with the purple ajuga in the shade along with hosta and Nepeta next to it in the sunnier area.  I have been growing this perennial in my zone 7 garden for the past several years and have found it to be successful.  Ajuga adds a beautiful splash of color in early spring along with attractive foliage throughout the rest of the season and as an added bonus...it is also considered to be "deer resistant"!

As Always...Happy Gardening!

 

Author: Lee@A Guide To Northeastern Gardening, Copyright 2013. All rights reserved

Garden Blogger's Bloom Day April 2013: Welcome Spring!

Purple Crocus

It is April and my northeastern Long Island garden is finally coming to life after a long and harsh winter. The temperatures have been rising into the 50's and 60's with one day topping at 81 degrees, causing spring to literally "bust out all over".    I have been waiting for this favorite time of year and just got finished doing some spring weeding and getting some photographs for this month's Garden Blogger's Bloom Day hosted by Carol at May Dreams Gardens. Come along and take a look!

White Crocus

The Crocus are the first blooms to arrive with shades of purple and white and are a very welcome sight.  They were late to arrive this year so I am very excited to see them!

Pink Hyacinth

The Hyancinths are opening to display their beautiful blooms in shades of pink and purple...

Purple Hyacinth

and their sweet fragrance is one of the first for spring.  I am happy that I can view these right from my back door.

Sedum 'Aurea'

The Sedum 'Aurea' has all of a sudden turned back to its golden color again after a recent rainfall and will soon be displaying yellow blooms along the rocks by the pool. No matter how small the crevaces in the rocks...this perennial thrives.

Magnolia 'Royal Star'

The rains and warmer temperatures have also caused the buds on my Magnolia 'Royal Star' to open and display their beautiful blooms.  There is also a mild fragrance that can be sensed across the yard and I so look forward to this every year.

Sedum 'Brilliant'

Here comes Sedum 'Brilliant' emerging out of the soil displaying its tiny rosette-like foliage. The characteristic of this perennial that I most admire is its perfect circular shape year after year then of course its blooms in late summer. It is a sure winner.

 

Sedum 'Dragons Blood'

Here is my Sedum 'Dragon's Blood'.  Strange name for a perennial but don't let the name deter you.  I planted it last fall because I admired its deep purple-red foliage and fuchsia blooms later in the season.  It is also a nice spring addition as it makes its first debut after the long winter.

Weeping Pussy Willow Catkins

The Weeping Pussy Willow has proven to be one of my favorite additions to the garden.  I look forward to the beginning of spring each year as the soft white catkins burst open with yellow pollen.  These bees are definitely in their glory!

 

Coral Bark Maple and Golden Oriental Spruce

This photograph was taken just after one of our spring rains at an opportune photo moment when the sky was amazing.  In the backdrop is my Coral Bark Maple starting to bud out.  Soon it will be covered in leaves of light green.

Forthysia

I planted this Forthysia on the center median of our street so that I could see it from my front window every spring...love the bright yellow blooms.

 Pansies!

Love these pansies outside my back door! 

 Spring April 2013

Spring is certainly my favorite time of year when the landscape turns into a sea of blooms.  Being a true gardener I love being outside and tending to the garden and just thought about today why I rarely wear gloves.  Never having really thought about it much I came to the conclusion that I just love being at one with the landscape...simply put..it is delightful!  Thank you for visiting and please visit Carol at May Dreams Gardens to see what is blooming in other's gardens.  Please leave a note so I know you've been here and I will be sure to visit you as well.  If you are looking for me I'll be out in the garden!

As Always...Happy Bloom Day and Happy Gardening!


Author: Lee@A Guide To Northeastern Gardening, Copyright 2013. All rights reserved

 

Feature Spring Flowering Shrub: Viburnum

~Viburnum Varieties~

Spring has arrived and a favorite and versatile flowering shrub for the garden is viburnum.  There are over 150 varieties of this deciduous to semi-evergreen shrub ranging in size from three to twenty feet, many of which are native to Long Island.  Viburnum are known for their elegant pinkish-white blooms, some fragrant, followed by bright green foliage.  Many species are noted for their brilliant fall foliage followed by berries, which are an excellent food source for winter birds. Viburnum prefer to be grown in full sun to partial shade in a moist but well-drained slightly acidic (pH 5.6-6.6) soil.   Due to their versatility they fit beautifully into a number of landscapes including shrub borders, foundation plantings, screening or woodland plantings. The varieties of viburnum that will be discussed here have proven to be successful in the northeastern zone 7 garden.

Viburnum 'Summer Snowflake'
Height 6-8', Width 8-10'
Hardy to Zone 5

Viburnum 'Summer Snowflake' is definitely a favorite and one of the more popular varieties I use in my landscape designs because of its more compact habit and profuse flat white flowers that last throughout summer and somewhat resemble a dogwood bloom. 'Summer Snowflake' is commonly planted in groupings and can reach a height of 6-8 feet, but can be maintained as a smaller shrub.   It is a lovely addition to an informal foundation planting or in a woodland setting. 

Viburnum 'Carlcephalum' (Fragrant)
Height 6-10', Width 6-10'
Hardy to Zones 4-5

If you are looking to appeal to the senses then Viburnum 'Carlcephalum' will surround you with fragrant snowball like clusters of blooms in early spring.  This variety of viburnum is commonly used as a backdrop in a perennial border or as an individual focal point in the garden and is one of the first viburnums to bloom.

Viburnum 'Juddii' (Fragrant)
Height 4-6', Width 4-6'
Hardy to Zones 4-5

Viburnum 'Juddii' is a favorite for the informal woodland setting and and its lovely bright green foliage fits in nicely against a backdrop of darker evergreens.  'Juddii' produces sweetly fragrant clusters of pinkish-white blooms in early spring and stays full and rounded at a mature height and width of 4-6 feet.

Viburnum 'Juddii' Bloom 

Viburnum plicatum tomentosum 'Mariesi'
Height 4-6', Width 4-6'
Hardy to Zones 4-5

 Viburnum 'Mariesi' produces deep green ridged foliage and beautiful white blooms resembling those of a lace cap hydrangea on a rounded 4-6' high by wide shrub in late spring.  Its tiered branching habit makes it a graceful addition to a mixed border or natural landscape.   

Viburnum carlesi 'Korean Spice' (Fragrant)
Height 4-6', Height 4-6'
Hardy to Zones 4-5

'Korean Spice' Viburnum is another favorite displaying pinkish buds in spring followed by clusters of highly fragrant pinkish-white blooms.   Given the name 'Korean Spice' the blooms give off an aroma resembling spice cake throughout the landscape.  The dark green foliage of this viburnum turns to a bright red in fall followed by the appearance of attractive berries.

Viburnum rhytidophyllum 'Leatherleaf' (Semi-Evergreen)-Fragrant
Height 10-15', Width 10-15'
Hardy to Zones 3-5

The last is 'Leatherleaf' Viburnum which is one of the semi-evergreen varieties in zone 7.  Due to its higher stature it is often used as hedging or as a backdrop in privacy border.  In spring Viburnum rhytidophyllum 'Leatherleaf' produces fragrant clusters of creamy-white blooms on coarsely textured blue-green foliage.  Fall interest includes the formation of blue berries starting in June and developing into mature black berries by September.  Leatherleaf Viburnum will tolerate shadier conditions and moister soil conditions than most other viburnums.

Viburnum are a wonderful way to welcome spring.  Their versatility makes them an excellent addition to many a landscape and while providing all season interest another attribute is that they are also "deer resistant".  Try one or more of the many varieties available as an addition to your landscape.

Happy Spring and Happy Gardening!


Author: Lee@A Guide To Northeastern Gardening, Copyright 2013. All rights reserved

 

Digital Garden Art: Part II With Adobe Photoshop

Ruffled Daylily Artistic Brush Stroke with Ink Outlines

 I finally made the move to purchase Adobe Photoshop and have been enjoying learning how to produce some digital art from my garden photos.  It is going to take some time to learn all the program has to offer and I am anticipating taking many new photos to work from.  Just when I thought my appreciation for the art of nature could not be any greater I am now enjoying the beauty of the garden through yet a different medium. 

Coneflower Adobe Photoshop Artistic Dry Brush

 I am using a variety of techniques including dry brush strokes, angled and crosshatch strokes, ink outlines and blurs to soften the effects. This Coneflower is a photo that I took at Old Westbury Gardens. I applied an Artistic Dry Brush Stroke to achieve this effect. 

Dahlia Adobe Photoshop Dry Brush

 This Dahlia photo was taken at the Planting Fields Arboretum last summer. It was also created with Artistic Dry Brush.   Dahlias have a lot of structure to begin with so this was an easy flower to work with.

Stargazer Lillium Adobe Photoshop Dry Brush Gaussian Blur

Artistic Dry Brush Sponge and Gaussian Blur were used to create the softer look of this Stargazer Lillium from my home garden ...

Japanese Iris Adobe Photoshop Artistic Sponge

as well as this Japanese Iris. The sponge tool gives more of a watercolor appearance to the photograph.

Daylily Adobe Photoshop Artistic Dry Brush



Photographs of the Daylily (above) and Coneflower (below) were also taken at Old Westbury Gardens. I used the Dry Brush and Cut Out tools but then altered the brush stroke size to get the look I wanted. 

Coneflower Adobe Photoshop Artistic Dry Brush Cut Out

The peony (below) is a favorite bloom in my personal garden. The photograph has been created using the Filter Oil Painting Application.  Thanks to Donna at GWGT and my graphic designer cousin I learned this part of the program and am hooked!

Peony Adobe Photoshop Filter Oil Painting (Newly Added)

This is a Ruffled Daylily from Planting Fields Arboretum with the Filter Oil Paint Application. 

Daylily Photoshop Filter Oil Paint Application (Newly Added)

Here is the same coneflower as above with the Filter Oil Paint Application.

Coneflower Adobe Filter Oil Paint (Newly Added)

Last but not least is the Wisteria in my backyard created using the Artistic Dry Brush-Cut Out Brush Stroke.

Wisteria Adobe Photoshop Artistic Dry Brush Cut Out

I have found the Artistic tools to be my favorites so far but this is just the very beginning of my venture.  Next it is onto layering several photos onto one which I have been told is a challenge and may take extensive reading of my Adobe book.  I am enjoying my newest indoor hobby of transforming the beauty of nature into digital art while the weather outside is freezing but will be soon venturing back into the garden. Thanks to all the wonderful digital artists out there who have inspired me to give this a try. 

As Always...Happy Gardening!

 

Author: Lee@A Guide To Northeastern Gardening, Copyright 2013. All rights reserved