Friday, September 21, 2012

Old Westbury Gardens Long Island, NY

Old Westbury Gardens
Temple of Love (Old Westbury Gardens)

Rose Garden Old Westbury Estate

 Cottage Garden Old Westbury Gardens
Old Westbury Gardens Cottage Garden

 Cottage Garden Old Westbury Gardens
Westbury House

South Terrace Westbury House
Commons Pool at Old Westbury Gardens
 
Westbury House Back Courtyard and Entry to Lawn
Old Westbury Estate Grounds South Allee

 
Westbury House
 
Westbury House Terrace
West Gate and Center Fountain
Reflecting Pool
Lotus Pond (Old Westbury Gardens)
Lotus Pond (Old Westbury Gardens)

Lotus Pond (Old Westbury Gardens)
Walled Garden at Old Westbury Estates
 
Old Westbury Gardens located in Old Westbury New York is one of the most beautiful estate gardens I have ever visited. Located on the North Shore of Long Island, the magnificent Charles II-style mansion was completed in 1906 by the English designer George A. Crawley. The grounds were the former home of John S. Phipps along with his wife Margarita Grace Phipps and their four children. Phipps had promised his fiancee that he would build her a home in the United States that resembled her homeland of Battle Abby. The 23 room mansion is surrounded by 200 acres of meticulously manicured grounds, formal gardens, woodlands and watersheds. It has been open for tours since 1959 and today is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Various events take place on the grounds including classic car shows, concerts, Scottish Games, school visits, garden tours, gardening classes, horticultural demonstrations and workshops. It has certainly become one of my favorite places to visit.

For more information visit Old Westbury Gardens

Author: Lee@A Guide To Northeastern Gardening, Copyright 2012. All rights reserved

 

Friday, September 14, 2012

Garden Blogger's Bloom Day September 2012

      Welcome to my garden in September as late blooms emerge and foliage transforms into a beautiful array of color.  Welcome to Garden Blogger's Bloom Day September 2012...a time when gardeners from around the world get to appreciate what's blooming next door.  Stroll along with me as we visit my zone 7 Long Island garden.

Dwarf Butterfly Bush Lo & Behold 'Blue Chip'

 Dwarf Butterfly Bush Lo & Behold 'Blue Chip'  and Red Knock Out Roses are still in their glory with blooms throughout the entire summer and well into fall until the first frost.  In the backdrop are Arborvitae 'Emerald Green', Barberry 'Rosy Glow', Gold Mop Cypress and Weeping Blue Atlas Cedar.

Dwarf Butterfly Bush (left) & Knock Out Roses (right)

Below is Sedum 'Brilliant' which starts its show now in September and blooms throughout Fall.  Even after it is done blooming the spend seed heads will look great in the garden and attract birds.  I have taken on a whole new liking to Sedum this season with additions of many new varieties to the garden The colors still change as the blooms mature.

Sedum 'Brilliant'-early blooms
Sedum 'Brilliant'-mature blooms
I have enjoyed my Nandina Domestica (Heavenly Bamboo) for many years now and look forward to its wonderful purple-red berries in late summer and Fall.   Here it is below.  The berries also attract birds to the garden.
Nandina domestica (Heavenly Bamboo)
As we stroll along we pass by a new friend who watches over the garden... 
Garden Cat
and fits in just purr-fectly!
Liriope (Lillyturf)
The Liriope is putting on a show with its bright purple flower spikes... 
Verbena 'Homestead Purple'
and brand new to the garden this September is perennial Verbena 'Homestead Purple'.  This perennial flowers from summer until frost with vibrant purple blooms and keeps its semi-evergreen foliage.  I have been wanting this one for some time now and have found a spot for it right along the front walkway to enjoy.
Hydrangea 'Tardivia'
My 'Tardivia' Hydrangea tree with its fragrant blooms has grown to be quite a specimen on the northeast side of the property. Its blooms are a welcome sight in late summer.

Hinoki Cypress 'Crippsi' & 'Patriot' Hosta
I recently added this Hinoki Cypress 'Crippsi' (center).  I am really enjoying it and hoping that it does well in its new home!  The foliage is so delicate and I love the golden color especially next to the 'Patriot' hosta.  
Crape Myrtle'Tuscarora' Bloom

The color on the Crape Myrtles is much deeper this year probably due to the span of hot weather and then moisture that really made them pop. Pictured here is Lagerstroemia 'Tuscarora' in full bloom.
Front Entrance Path
As we walk along the walkway to the front of the house the garden is showing signs of Fall.  The Birch trees are losing leaves but already pushing out new buds for next year.  The evergreens will supply color throughout the winter months.
Dwarf Fountain Grass 'Hameln'

One thing I always admire in September are the delicate wispy plumes of the dwarf fountain grass as they sway in the wind.  It is a sign of summer past as the seasons are changing in here in the northeast.  
Heuchera 'Caramel' (Coral Bells)
The Heuchera 'Caramel' (Coral Bells) new last summer are thriving and deepen in color as they bring in the cooler weather. They have really proven themselves in this gardener's garden with rich changing color all season long.
Perennial Border (Backyard)
The evergreen and perennial garden I have had for years is really filling out nicely.  The old reliable Lamb's Ear really adds a touch of white to add some contrast and dimension to the border.  I also added Salvia 'Maynight' for some additional late summer color. 
'Stella D Oro' Daylily Still in Bloom
 Here Daylily 'Stella D Oro' displays brand new foliage and more blooms. For the past couple of years I have been cutting them completely back in August and it has really prolonged the bloom season of these plants.   It has also become a regular routine on the to-do list.
Dwarf Grasses & Sedum
Here are more grasses with Sedum 'Brilliant'Heuchera 'Palace Purple' (Coral Bells) and Juniperus 'Blue Star'. I just can't get enough of the grasses in Fall and they are great all summer long as well.
 
The Lantana tree (annual in the northeast) my husband surprised me with this summer is really doing nicely in its new planter and will stay outside a little longer until the temperatures start to drop.  This welcome member has been such a joy to see on the patio everyday and hopefully it will successfully over-winter in the garage.  Any over-wintering tips are greatly appreciated!
Backyard Island Bed with Crape Myrtle 'Sioux'

On the other side of the property is an island bed that I created just for this Crape Myrtle tree (Lagerstroemia indica 'Sioux') about seven or eight years ago when I bought it at a local nursery at five feet tall.  The bed has expanded and grown to incorporate a Hinoki Cypress, Gold Lace Juniper, Sedum, Salvia, Coral Bells, Ajuga and Mugo Pine.
September Garden
Thank you for visiting my September garden.   Please visit our hostess Carol at May Dreams Gardens to see what is blooming in gardens around the world and to share your passion of gardening along with us.
 
 
"A late summer garden has a tranquility found no other time of the year."
- William Longgood
 
 
As Always...Happy Garden Blogger's Bloom Day and Happy Gardening!
 
 
 Author: Lee@A Guide To Northeastern Gardening, Copyright 2012. All rights reserved
 
 

 

Saturday, September 1, 2012

Late Summer and Fall Blooming Perennials


 As the weather starts to change so does the garden.  There are a number of perennials that can add beauty and interest to the late summer-fall landscape.  When designing I always take into consideration what the garden will look like throughout all the seasons so I plan accordingly.   Late summer to Fall blooming perennials can add color, texture and movement to your outdoor space and extend your garden's prime time.  Through experience these are a few of the favorites that have proven to be hardy and dependable in my zone 7 Long Island garden.  
(Black Eyed Susan)
                             Rudbeckia 'Goldstrum'                         

Rudbeckia or "Black Eyed Susan" blooms July-September on 24-32 " high stalks.  They are characterized by the distinctive brown "eye " at the center surrounded by vibrant orange-yellow flowers.   This perennial prefers full sun but will also thrive in partial shade in a moist but well-drained soil in zones 4-9.  Rudbeckia is an aggressive grower and will spread so alot sufficient space.  Rudbeckia looks lovely in informal perennial borders, mass plantings and cottage gardens.
Coneflower 

                  Echinacea Purpurea 'Kim's Knee High'

Echinacea displays lovely rosy pink flowers from June-September on 18-24 " high stalks.  Echinacea prefers to be grown in full sun and is hardy in zones 4-9.  There are many varieties and colors to choose from and butterflies are attracted to them.  Echinacea (Coneflower) serves nicely in perennial borders, cottage gardens and mass plantings along with Rudbeckia and grasses.
 Balloon Flower

  Platycodon

Platycodon (also known as Balloon flower) blooms July-September on 24-36" high stalks.   Flowers are vibrant blue and balloon-shaped and create a quite the conversation piece in the garden.  Pinch stalks back in early July to create a fuller more compact plant.  Balloon flower serves nicely as a single piece and brings much interest to the late summer-Fall garden in zones 3-8.
Liriope


    Liriope muscari 'Variegata'

Liriope produces purple spiked flowers on 10-12 " high variegated foliage followed by berries in Fall.   This perennial blooms in late summer (August-October) and can be grown in a range of conditions from full sun to full shade.  It is hardy in zones 4-10 and prefers a rich but well-drained acidic soil.  Liriope provides interest all season long as a lovely addition of texture to the garden and the late summer blooms just add an extra punch!
 Montauk Daisy

 Nipponanthemum

Nipponanthemum (Montauk Daisy) displays full white flowers with yellow centers on 2-5' stalks.  It blooms in late summer through Fall (September-November) in zones 5-9.  Montauk Daisy prefers to be grown in full sun in a well-drained soil.   These perennials serve nicely in perennial borders, mass plantings or in a cottage or seaside garden. Pinch back stalks before budding in mid-late summer to produce a fuller plant.

Aster 

                           Aster 'Professor kippenberg'

There are many varieties of Aster to choose from ranging in color and size.  This particular cultivar produces Blue-lavender flowers on 12-15" stalks that bloom September-October.  Asters prefer to be grown in full sun and are hardy in zones 3-9. They serve nicely in a perennial border and can also add late summer color to any formal or informal garden.
Dwarf Fountain Grass
 
                             Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Hameln'                         
Ornamental grasses can add much interest to the late summer-Fall garden as well as throughout the entire season.  On this variety, delicate plumes emerge on 2-3' blades in late summer through Fall (August-November).  Fountain grasses prefer to be grown in full sun in a well-drained soil and are hardy in USDA zones 4-9.  There are a number of sizes and selections of ornamental grasses available and they can add interesting texture and movement to any garden.
Sedum
                                            Sedum 'Brilliant'                                         
Sedum produces rose colored blooms on 18" high stalks in late August-September and adds some nice color to the Fall garden. It prefers to be grown in full sun and in a well-drained soil and is hardy in zones 3-9. Sedum serves nicely as an accent in either a formal or informal garden and when grown next to grasses complements them beautifully. There are a number of varieties of sedum ranging in size from a ground cover to 24 inches in height.
Russian Sage
                            Perovskia atriplicifola                               Perovskia atriplicifola (Russian Sage) which blooms in mid-summer through fall is hardy in USDA zones 4-9. Mildly fragrant violet-blue blooms are produced on gray-green 3-4 foot tall stalks that are 2-3 feet wide. Russian Sage prefers to be grown in full sun in a well-drained soil and is drought tolerant once established. This perennial's loose and open habit makes it an excellent filler in the back of a perennial border and it goes well with sedum, echinacea and rudbeckia.

If you are looking to add late season interest to your landscape then be sure to add one or more of these lovely perennials to your gardening list and enjoy the fall benefits!

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                                                      As Always...Happy Gardening!

Author: Lee@A Guide To Northeastern Gardening, Copyright 2012 & Updated 2014 All rights reserved