Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day & Foliage Follow-Up October: The Changing Garden

Welcome to my October Garden!

Welcome to my Long Island zone 7a October garden. It's autumn and the colors of the changing seasons are starting to become evident as daytime temperatures drop into the 60's, and there is a slight chill in the air. It's the time of year when temperatures are perfect for working in the garden and the 70's are considered a heat wave. It's a time when there is still much to enjoy and the garden can be looked upon as either getting ready to go to sleep, or just preparing for the next big display. October 15th is also the time for another monthly walk in the garden to see what's blooming. Come along for a stroll!

It's Chrysanthemum Season!

When autumn arrives, it is Chrysanthemum season and the mums are out in full display. A Knucklehead (Wart) pumpkin is added as a conversation piece. This pumpkin is a cross between a gourd and pumpkin and I make a point of finding one each year. It just fascinates me!

Buddleia 'Pugster Blue'

Behind the mums is Buddleia 'Pugster Blue' This dwarf variety of butterfly bush is much hardier than its predecessors and blooms all the way through to the first frost. This one will return to the garage for overwintering.

Mums!

This variety of mums were intriguing with their multiple colors, so they were a must have!

Kousa Dogwood

Let's stroll around to the back gardens. One of my favorite things are the fruit on the Kousa Dogwood as the tree goes into fall mode. We will come around for a close up in a little bit.

Monarch Butterfly

Back to the patio area, we need to take a peek at this beautiful Monarch Butterfly on the butterfly bush (of course!). This butterfly is one happy camper!

Fruit of Kousa Dogwood

Back to the Kousa Dogwood. Did you know that the soft pump of the fruit is edible with a taste similar to ripe persimmon? They are also a picnic for birds.

Montauk Daisies

Here are the Montauk Daisies I planted by the back patio in the cut out garden a couple of years ago so that I could enjoy their blooms from the window every year. There are a nice addition for fall interest and help to extend the season.

Montauk Daisies October Bloom

I enjoy viewing and photographing these from up close!

Hypericum perforatum (St. John's Wort)

On a stroll through the nursery, I came across this Hypericum perforatum (St. John's Wort) and it caught my attention. I have not had this plant as part of my designs, but perhaps I will start incorporating it. It gets yellow flowers in summer followed by red berries in fall and is "deer resistant". I am giving this one a test run in the back garden to see how it does.

Daylily Stella D' Oro

It many be autumn, but here are two plants that just keep on giving throughout the fall until the first frost. They are Stella D' Oro Daylily (with a little deadheading and rejuvenation) and Double Knock Out Rose.

Double Knock Out Rose

Sometimes in late autumn, there can be frost or snowflakes on roses, but I can still get to enjoy the plants from the window overlooking the garden. Thankfully, no frost in the forecast yet!

Hydrangea 'Tardivia'

Here is Hydrangea 'Tardivia' on the northeastern side of the garden. It is a later blooming variety of panicle Hydrangea that displays flowers through mid-autumn. They make for a nice cutting flower too.

Fall Foliage

Autumn is beginning to show its signs as the foliage of the Coral Bark Maple in the front bed starts to change to hues of gold and orange.

Weeping Japanese Maple 'Viridis'

The Japanese Maple on the front lawn is starting to change its color too.

Liriope 'Variegata' (Lillyturf)

Variegated Liriope in the front bed is displaying its lovely purple-blue blooms for fall. It has been a very good season for this plant with just the right combination of temperatures and rainfall.

Red-headed Woodpecker Visitor!

Look...a visitor! This Red-Headed Woodpecker has been frequenting the feeder for the past couple of weeks, so I am keeping him well fed. While the birds have relied mostly on the garden all summer, the abundance of food is starting to decline, so it's time to keep the feeder full! I hope this visitor sticks around.

Maiden Grass 'Yaku Jima'

Once of the signs that summer has ended and fall is here are the plumes on the Dwarf Maiden Grass 'Yaku Jima' and this one can be seen in the back pool garden. It is a more compact cultivar, standing at about five feet in height. In the foreground are Sedum 'Brilliant'.

Stachys (Lamb's Ear)

In the perennial border, the Lamb's Ear have completed flowering and are now showing off their bright white soft foliage. It always looks more prominent this time of year against the yellowing foliage of Astilbe.

Tricyrtis (Toad Lily) 

Last, but not least, is this Toad Lily that I encountered while at the Peconic River Herb Farm out in Calverton, Long Island. It's not in my garden yet, but could be! It prefers moist shade, so I am looking for a place where one could go. This may mean a return trip back to the farm!

October Garden

Thank you for visiting my October garden and I hope you enjoyed your visit. As always, I enjoy hearing from you and seeing what's going on in your garden. Special thanks go out to our hostess Carol at May Dreams Gardens, who makes it possible to see blooms on the 15th of every month with her meme Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day. Also, special thanks to Pam Penick at Digging who has hosted Foliage Follow-Up for all these years, a meme I will still continue to honor. I am also linking with some other wonderful hosts and hostesses at Floral Friday Fotos, Macro Monday 2, Mosaic Monday at Letting Go of the Bay Leaf, Nature Notes at Rambling Woods, Image-in-ing weekly photo share every Tuesday with NC Sue and Gardens Galore Link Up Party every other Monday with Everyday Living. I am also happy to join the Weekly Photo Link-Up at My Corner of the World on Wednesdays. 

~Sharing my knowledge and passion of gardening~

My Author Page and Books

A Guide to Northeastern Gardening: Journeys of a Garden Designer Zones 3-9

Landscape Design Combinations 

Dream, Garden, Grow!-Musings of a Lifetime Gardener

As Always...Happy Gardening! 😊

Author: Lee@A Guide to Northeastern Gardening,© Copyright 2010-2020. All rights reserved.

Indoor and Outdoor Gardening With Succulents

Gardening with Succulents

Welcome to This Month in the Garden! If you are looking for a drought tolerant, easy to grow, low maintenance plant for your indoor or outdoor garden, the world of succulents can open up a whole new avenue for you. Over the years as an avid gardener and landscape designer, I have discovered the limitless number of varieties of succulents available in today's market, with many new cultivars emerging yearly. While some of these may already be familiar to you, I am hoping to introduce some new species along the way! 

 Sempervivum Kalinda

The first on the list is Sempervivum Kalinda, also referred to as Hens & Chicks. Hardy in USDA zones 5a-9b, this mat-forming succulent displays tight, evergreen rosettes of apple-green leaves highlighted by a pinkish-red hue at their base.  During summer, showy starry, pink flowers rise on a stalk above the plant. Sempervivum Kalinda prefers to be planted in full sunlight in a well-drained soil and will withstand temperatures to 20 degrees Fahrenheit (28.9 Celsius).

Sedum Nusabaumerianum 

Sedum Nusabaumerianum (otherwise known as Coppertone Sedum) is perfect for a rock garden in warmer climates or can be used as an annual or houseplant in cooler climates. Hardy in USDA zone 10a, this variety of sedum will withstand temperatures at a minimum of 30 degrees Fahrenheit (-1 degrees Celsius). Sedum Nusabaumerianum grows to a height and width of 3 inches high by up to 24 inches wide. Plant this variety of sedum in full sun and a well-drained soil. It can easily be propagated through seed, leaf and stem cuttings. 

Sedum morganianum (Burro's Tail)

Sedum morganianum (otherwise known as the donkey tail or burro's tail) is a species of flowering plant in the family Crassulaceae, native to southern Mexico and Honduras. This succulent is recognized by its pale blue-green trailing stems which can grow up to 60 centimeters in length and production of  terminal pink to red flowers in summer when grown outside.The leaves overlap on the stems in such a way that they look as though they have been braided, reminiscent of a donkey’s tail, which is how this plant gained its common name. Sedum morganianum is hardy in USDA zones 9-11 and can be grown in full sun and a well-drained soil indoors or outdoors in warmer climates. Plant in a container to allow the interesting foliage to cascade over the side.

Sempervivum Commander

Sempervivum Commander, another variety of Hens & Chicks is a hardy perennial, cold hardy in USDA zones 4-9. This mat-forming perennial forms attractive purplish-green rosettes on a 4 inch (10 centimeter) wide plant. The mother plant spreads in all directions to produce offsets (chicks). Plant Sempervivum Commander in full sun in a well-drained soil.

Succulent Planter 

Sempervivum and Sedum can be planted outdoors (depending on the species and hardiness) or indoors or in a decorative planter such as the one shown here. This colorful display adds interest on the patio throughout the summer season and can be overwintered indoors in a southern exposure location. The four varieties of Sempervivum and Sedum mentioned above are just a handful of the numerous colorful and low maintenance cultivars available.

Sedum seleboldii 'Mediovariegatum' 

This attractive perennial is Sedum seleboldii 'Mediovariegatum'. Hardy is USDA zones 4-9, this outstanding plant displays slate green foliage with creamy white centers on a 4-inch high by 8-inch wide plant. Plant Sedum seleboldii 'Mediovariegatum' in full sun to partial shade in a fertile, well-drained soil. This low-lying perennial grows as a rounded mound, sending out horizontal branches in all directions from a central crown. Bright pink star-shaped flowers are produced in summer. 

  Sempervivum tectorum (Hens & Chicks)

Sempervivum tectorum (another variety of Hens & Chicks) are a versatile perennial hardy in USDA zones 3-11 that form clusters of rosettes with the parent rosette being the referred to as the "hen" and baby offsets being refereed to as the "chicks". Sempervivum tectorum can be planted in alpine and rock gardens or in a planter as seen here. Plant Hens & Chicks in full sun and in a well-drained soil for best results. In late summer, mature plants will send up stalks of large pink and white blooms.

Succulent Planter

Here is another planter with a variety of succulents for summer interest. I enjoy changing the combinations around each season.

Sedum rupestre 'Angelina' 

Hardy in USDA zones 5-8, Sedum rupestre 'Angelina' produces a low growing carpet of chartruse-yellow needle-like foliage that reaches 4-6 inches high by 1-2 feet wide. Plant Sedum rupestre 'Angelina' is full sun and a well-drained soil. This evergreen groundcover or edging plant is drought tolerant and virtually maintenance free.

Sedum tatarinowii 'Thundercloud'

Sedum tatarinowii 'Thundercloud' is a variety of groundcover sedum I discovered just two years ago. Native to the Far East, Sedum tatarinowii 'Thundercloud' is hardy in USDA zones 4-9 and displays heavily serrated gray-green foliage with an abundance of white cloud-like blooms in late summer. Plant this perennial in full sun and a well-drained soil in an alpine garden or drought tolerant border. Sedum tatarinowii 'Thundercloud' grows 8-10 inches high by 14-16 inches wide.

Sedum Sunsparkler Lime Twister

This attractive succulent is Sedum Sunsparkler Lime Twister. Sedum Sunsparkler Lime Twister is hardy in USDA zones 4-9 and displays a dense carpet of cream and green variegated foliage with rose flower clusters which are produced in late summer. Plant this perennial in full to partial sun in a well-drained soil. Sedum Sunsparkler Lime Twister is suitable for alpine and rock gardens and is known to attract butterflies and hummingbirds.

Succulent Planter

This planter is all about combining shades of green and is awaiting some new additions. Occasionally, I will add cuttings that will quickly root themselves. 

Sedum acre aurea

Sedum acre aurea (also known as Golden Stonecrop) forms a low lying (2-3 inch high) mat of golden foliage that is ideal for planting in crevices and rock gardens. Hardy in USDA zones 4-9b, this perennial will grow in the most adverse conditions, tolerating a range of soil types. Sedum acre aurea thrives in full sun and a well-drained soil and requires little to no maintenance.

Gardening with Succulents

I hope you enjoyed This Month in the Garden for October, and be sure to stop by on the 1st. and 15th. of each month as I continue to share gardening tips, information and horticultural adventures! (Linking with: Floral Fridays, Macro Monday 2, Ruby Tuesday and Image-in-ing Weekly Photo Link-Up.

For more information on succulents, there is a very informative site called Succulent Market. Visit their various collections and blog for everything you need to know about growing these beautiful plants.

 For gardening info and tips: Visit my Author Page/Purchase My Books  😊

A Guide to Northeastern Gardening: Journeys of a Garden Designer Zones 3-9

Landscape Design Combinations
Dream, Garden, Grow!-Musings of a Lifetime Gardener

~As Always...Happy Gardening~

Author: Lee@A Guide to Northeastern Gardening,© Copyright 2010-2020. All rights reserved. 

Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day & Foliage Follow-Up September: Late Summer Blooms

Welcome to my September Garden!

As the years pass by, the month of September has become one of my favorite times in the garden as temperatures moderate into the upper 70's, blue skies are frequent and humid days turn into less humid ones. There is a slight crispness as the cooler breezes rush in during the mornings and evenings and the landscape transitions from summer into Fall. Join me to see what is blooming in my late summer Long Island garden.

September Garden

Grab a beverage and come along!

Lagerstroemia (Crape Myrtle) 'Sioux'

The end of July through September is Crape Myrtle season and this Lagerstroemia 'Siox' is showing off its bountiful blooms. Crape Myrtle are cold hardy to USDA zone 6, and growers keep working on developing stronger and more cold tolerant cultivars so they can be grown here in our zone 7a climate. I planted this tree at just a few feet tall in a large patio container some twenty-something years ago until it was transferred to this island bed. It now towers at over 20 feet tall and its deep pink blooms never cease to amaze me.

Crape Myrtle 'Sioux'

Standing from the patio and looking out, you can see a long view of the island bed with Juniperus 'Gold Lace' to the left, Hydrangea and Skip Laurel in the backdrop and Blue Globe Spruce in the foreground. 

Dwarf Butterfly Bush (Buddleia) 'Pugster Blue'

Another favorite in the garden for September is dwarf Butterfly Bush 'Pugster Blue'. With its fragrant blooms, this shrub is a pollinator magnet for a variety of butterflies and bumblebees, and sometimes I even get to experience a hummingbird moth hovering around it!

Dwarf Maiden Grass Plumes 

At this time of the year, dwarf Maiden Grass 'Yaki Jima' is showing its interesting plumes in the back pool garden. Beneath Dwarf Maiden Grass 'Yaku Jima' is Sedum 'Brilliant' with its attractive light green foliage and deep pink blooms.

Stachys (Lamb's Ear) and Astilbe Late Summer

The Lamb's Ear bordering the perennial garden seems to look much brighter this time of year against the foliage of Astilbe, which is going into autumn mode.

Long Time Resident Tree

I had to show a view of this very mature Ash that was planted on our corner almost 40 years ago when it was just 10 feet high. It was planted by our neighbor down the street who has always had a love of horticulture like myself. He recently moved to South Carolina, but leaves his legacy behind!

Weeping Blue Atlas Cedar

With the Ash in the background, you can now get a view of the Weeping Blue Atlas Cedar (foreground), Skyland's Oriental Spruce (right) and Coral Bark Maple (center). You may notice how the back (southern) portion of the Maple is already changing color. That is from the salty air that blew in with Tropical Storm Isaias in August. You can see this happening all over Long Island, as we are southern bordered by the Great South Bay. 

Sedum 'Pure Joy' and Dwarf Japanese Cedar 

Follow me along to the front! This is Sedum 'Pure Joy' in front of Dwarf Japanese Cedar (Cryptomeria Globusa Nana) on the front island bed. Sedum 'Pure Joy' is hardy in USDA zones 3-9 and grows to just 12 inches high. Cryptomeria Globusa Nana is hardy in USDA zones 5-7 and grows to a compact height and width of approximately 2-3 feet.

Variegated Liriope (Lillyturf)

Here is another compact evergreen, Pinus mugo 'Slowmound' bordering the walkway along with Variegated Liriope. This combination is perfect for a narrow or small space.

Sedum 'Brilliant' and Mugo Pine

Here is another view of  Sedum 'Brilliant' in the front garden bed. This cultivar is smaller and more compact than 'Autumn Joy', standing at a height of 12-18 inches high.

Sedum 'Brilliant'

Pollinators love the Sedum this time of year!

Sedum (Stonecrop) Thundercloud

Here is another cultivar of Stonecrop, Sedum 'Thundercloud', in its second year in my garden. This variety grows in a low mound to just 12 inches tall by wide and displays jagged gray-green foliage and white blooms that resemble clouds. It is hardy in USDA zones 4-8 and blooms mid-late summer.

Hemerocallis (Daylily) 'Stella D Oro'

Here is 'Stella D Oro' Daylily sporting its last round of blooms. I love how this plant just keeps on giving! A little deadheading-rejuvenation is all it takes.

Hydrangea 'Tardivia' Tree Form

As we venture over to the northeastern side of the property, here is Hydrangea 'Tardivia' (hardy in USDA zones 3-8) with its fragrant panicle blooms that start in August and last through fall. It's lacy white flowers develop a pink hue as the season progresses. 

Hydrangea 'Tardivia' Blooms

I enjoy the beauty of the flowers and they are also excellent for putting into a vase to bring inside.

Coreposis 'Zagreb'

Here is a perennial that just keeps on giving from June until Fall. Coreopsis 'Zagreb' (hardy in USDA zones 3-9) is still blooming in the driveway border! 

Pollinators Love Coreposis 'Zagreb'

While the season is winding down, the pollinators are very happy!

Double Knock Out Roses in September

Double Knock Out Rose is still blooming! I absolutely love this plant as it blooms June through frost and can be seen right outside my window.

Double Knock Out Rose

Getting up close and personal to take in its mild fragrance is nice too!

Long Island Life

As our tour comes to an end, I'll leave you with a little Long Island life. The Great South Bay is just a couple of miles down the road south of us and I will often stop at the pier after working to take in the cool breezes off the bay and visit the seagulls that perch there. It's a wonderful way to top off a day and appreciate all that nature as to offer.

September Garden-Thank you for Visiting!

I hope you enjoyed your visit to my September garden. As always, I thank you for being here and enjoy hearing from you. Special thanks go out to our hostess Carol at May Dreams Gardens, who makes it possible to see blooms on the 15th of every month with her meme Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day. Also, special thanks to Pam Penick at Digging who has hosted Foliage Follow-Up for all these years, a meme I will still continue to honor. I am also linking with some other wonderful hosts and hostesses at Floral Friday Fotos, Macro Monday 2, Mosaic Monday at Letting Go of the Bay Leaf, Nature Notes at Rambling Woods, Image-in-ing weekly photo share every Tuesday with NC Sue and Gardens Galore Link Up Party every other Monday with Everyday Living. I am also happy to join the Weekly Photo Link-Up at My Corner of the World on Wednesdays. 

~Sharing my knowledge and passion of gardening~

My Author Page and Books

A Guide to Northeastern Gardening: Journeys of a Garden Designer Zones 3-9

Landscape Design Combinations 

Dream, Garden, Grow!-Musings of a Lifetime Gardener

As Always...Happy Gardening! 😊

Author: Lee@A Guide to Northeastern Gardening,© Copyright 2010-2020. All rights reserved.