Gardening 2011: A Year in Review

Buddleia Lo & Behold 'Blue Chip' (Dwarf Butterfly Bush)
Full Sun

Welcome and happy new year! Another year has gone by and as we look back at the 2011 gardening  season we can start to plan ahead for 2012. Overall it was a great year for my Long Island zone 7 northeastern garden with many new and exciting additions to both the shade and sun areas of the garden. With just the right amount of rainfall and sun the new additions got a wonderful start and the garden flourished to its full capacity.

Double Pink Knock Out Rose

Out of all the additions I think the dwarf butterfly bush, Knock Out roses and heuchera are my top favorites. 
The double Knock Out roses in red and pink have bloomed the entire summer non-stop and are a constant show.  The dwarf butterfly bush has attracted more butterflies to the garden than I have ever seen and the heuchera...well they have just added so much color to the shade garden with their new shades of amber and lime.  I own five varieties of heuchera to date which include 'Palace Purple', 'Caramel', 'Solar Exlipse', 'Citronelle' and 'Plum Pudding'. 

Heuchera 'Citronelle'-Partial Shade/Indirect Sun

I have especially enjoyed how my newest addition, 'Citronelle' has added so much brightness to the shadier part of the garden.  You cannot go wrong with heuchera.  It adds such wonderful color and texture to the landscape and supplies interest even throughout most of the winter months.  I plan to add even more to my garden bed borders next season so keep the new varieties coming!

Also shown  is Heuchera 'Caramel' which looks great along with evergreens .  This variety seems to do well in a northeastern exposure.

Heuchera 'Caramel'-Partial Shade/Indirect Sun

Ajuga 'Burgundy Glow'-Shade/Partial Sun

The 'Burgundy Glow' Ajuga has also added a lot of interest this season.  Even now in winter it displays a vibrant purple foliage that shows up magnificently against the green of the hollies behind them.  

Hydrangea 'Twist & Shout' (Lacecap Variety)-Partial Shade

I must also mention my new favorite Endless Summer Hydrangea 'Twist & Shout'.    Its beautiful lace cap flowers are so delicate and breathtaking that I await in anticipation to see it bloom again next summer.  Every time I think they cannot develop a better hydrangea another variety is introduced that is just as alluring.

Looking back at 2011 it was a very productive year in the garden.  A garden certainly is a thing of beauty that constantly changes and that can be enjoyed for a lifetime.  I can wholeheartedly say that my garden has been such an important part of my life over all these years and it has provided me with more enjoyment than I could have ever possibly imagined.   I can also say the same about being a garden blog writer. I started writing almost two years ago and it too has brought so much joy to my life.  It has opened up a whole new avenue in communicating with fellow gardeners who share my passion.  It has also helped me to realize that gardening really can go on all twelve months of the year. 

Thank you for sharing your love of gardening with me and I hope you enjoy viewing the photos.  Please share your own experiences as well.  I know I am already planning for the 2012 garden! 

Here are some more of this years newest additions.

Heuchera 'Solar Eclipse'-Shade

Pink Lace Tulip-Full Sun

Double Red Knock Out Rose-Full Sun

These new additions have brought lots of color and joy to my 2011 gardens and I have also enjoyed writing about them.  Now the  2012  gardening season is underway!  Happy New Year and Happy 2012!

And as always...Happy Gardening!

Grow old along with me; the best is yet to be.~ Robert Browning

Author:Lee@ A Guide To Northeastern Gardening Copyright 2012. All Rights Reserved