Thursday, May 15, 2014

Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day & Foliage Follow-Up May 2014: The Garden in all Its Glory!


It is May at last and the gardens are alive with color. Over the past few days the temperatures have elevated into the 70's and even hit 82 degrees one afternoon, allowing buds to burst into wonderful blooms.  I am in my glory especially during the months of May and June when there is so much to be enjoyed in the garden.  I am known to be found with shovel in hand, covered from head to foot in mud, sporting a grin...a state of true happiness and satisfaction.  It is time for another Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day and Foliage Follow-Up.  Come walk along with me and take a look at what is happening in my May Long Island garden.
Thundercloud Plum
The Thundercloud Plum in now in its third season and is finally coming into its element with the best blooms yet this spring.  The dainty pink blooms are short lived but enjoyed nonetheless and are followed by beautiful deep burgundy foliage that lasts throughout the summer.
Tulips
Detour!  I came across these gorgeous tulips in my travels.  They were just too beautiful to pass by without a photo opportunity. The color on these is so vibrant!
Viburnum Carlcephalum
Back to my gardens....the Viburnum is all in bloom and the flowers are very large this year with large white fragrant blooms.  
Ajuga 'Bronze Beauty'
The Ajuga and Azalea are blooming at the same time...
Azalea 'Girard's Fuchsia'
displaying purple and fuchsia blooms.
Azalea 'Girard's Crimson'
Another Azalea is playing backdrop to the dwarf cypress in front of it and low spreading Sedum 'Dragons Blood' in the foreground.
Heuchera 'Caramel'
The 'Caramel' Coral Bells are getting all their new growth and are very vibrant in color.  I am still very impressed with this plant.  This particular variety takes both sun and shade and winters very well here on Long Island.
Acer palmatum dissectum 'Viridis'
The Japanese Maple in the front yard has really reached maturity and the trunk gets more and more twisted with time.  It never ceases to fascinate me so take a look under the canopy of the tree and you will see what I am referring to.
Picea pungens 'Glauca Globusa'
Now lets talk foliage.  The evergreens are getting a lot of new growth...
Halenkolea (Japanese Forest Grass)
and the Japanese Forest Grass is looking very full.  
Alchemilla Mollis (Lady's Mantle) 
I finally added some Lady's Mantle this spring and am enjoying its large umbrella like leaves.  When it rains the leaves capture raindrops that sparkle in the sun.  There are some flower buds forming on this one and I anticipate the arrival of blooms.
Juniperus 'Gold Lace' and Heuchera
Around into the front gardens there are two forms of Heuchera, 'Palace Purple' and 'Caramel' next to the golden foliage of Juniperus 'Gold Lace'.
Hosta 'Patriot'
The 'Patriot' Hosta are unraveling their white and green foliage.
Nepeta 'Walker's Low'
The perennials are still slightly behind due to the long cold winter and cooler than usual spring but the Nepeta 'Walkers Low' and Salvia 'May Night' are now forming their flower buds.  The blooms are not far behind!
Salvia 'May Night'
Here is the the front island bed with Skyland's Golden Oriental Spruce, Coral Bark Maple, Barberry 'Royal Burgundy', Nepeta 'Walker's Low' and Juniperus 'Old Gold'.  The Coreopsis and Dwarf Fountain Grasses are also starting to make their appearance.
Front Island Bed with 'Skyland's' Oriental Spruce
Here is the last of the Grape Hyacinths...
Grape Hyacinth
and the Spirea Double Play 'Big Bang' made it through its first winter in the garden and is starting its show all over again.  It started off with vibrant orange foliage that has now turned to gold and huge pink blooms will follow throughout the summer months.  This new addition has certainly become a favorite of mine!
Spirea Double Play 'Big Bang'

I hope you enjoyed the tour of my gardens.  Please visit our hostesses Carol at May Dreams Gardens for Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day and Pam at Digging for Foliage Follow-Up.   I am also linking up to Creative Country Mom's new Home Sweet Garden Party. Thank you for the visit and if you leave a note I will know you dropped by to say hello and I will be sure to visit you as well!  

As Always...Happy Gardening!

Author: Lee@A Guide To Northeastern Gardening, Copyright 2014. All rights reserved

20 comments:

  1. Thanks for the walk-about in your garden, and yes, the tulips were worth a de-tour! Over here the tulips are long gone and finished, that was March and April, now the summer blooms are ready to pop.
    I like heucheras too, and have started to build a new collection after having got rid of my old ones because of an infestation from a nursery. So far I have 6 and there are so many lovely colours now! I have ‘caramel’ too.
    Happy GBBD!

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    1. Hi Helene. You are so far ahead of us and your gardens are looking lovely! Thank you so much for dropping by. You will love the Heuchera 'Caramel'. It seems to be much hardier than the others and the color is wonderful!

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  2. Your Long Island garden is quite lovely in May. Obviously, spring has finally reached you. I greatly enjoyed my walk. Happy Bloom Day!

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    1. Glad you enjoyed the walk Dorothy. Thanks so much for visiting and Happy Bloom Day to you too!

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  3. Lovely blooms in your garden! I love the Crimson Azalea! I have to find myself one! I also grow the Caramel Coral Bells and a Caramel foliage Spirea just planted last year but with a different name than yours: Spirea Japonica "Magic Carpet". Happy GBBD !

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    1. Thank you Daniela. The Spirea Double Play 'Big Bang' looks very similar to the 'Magic Carpet'. I just got some Lemon Princess Spirea as well and can't wait to see how that does. Happy Bloom Day and thanks so much for visiting!

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  4. It really is a wonderful time of year, and everything in your gardens looks so beautiful, Lee!

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    1. Thank you so much Lisa! I have been enjoying your wonderful photography. The one of the deer not too long ago took my breath away...so beautiful!

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  5. Thank you for introducing me to your heuchera! ... and thank you for taking me to Long Island.
    Ray

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    1. Thank you for visiting Ray and I am glad you enjoyed the Heuchera and Long Island. I enjoyed my visit to your gardens and seeing your beautiful Iris!

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  6. just Lovely :)
    and do not miss

    SATURDAY SHOW OFF

    it is FUN :)
    Welcome
    The Roseman

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    1. Thank you for visiting. I just joined in on Saturday Show Off!

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  7. Lee, what an absolute pleasure it was to see around your garden. You've so much colour. I've scrolled up and down 3 or 4 times - very inspirational, thanks for sharing.

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    1. Thank you so much Angie. The month of May is wonderful with everything just starting to bloom, especially after the long winter we had. You put a smile on my face with your comment. Enjoy the weekend!

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  8. Hey, Lee - bet we thought this type of beauty wasn't happening for us after our horrid winter! But Mother Nature always pulls through. You garden is lovely and I can just picture you covered in mud and so happy :)

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    1. I was in my glory Astrid. Sometimes just getting lost in the garden and covered in mud seems to make everything right! Thank you for dropping by and I am on my way over to visit your lovely gardens!

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  9. Lucky you on Long Island to have such warm temperatures! It is still really cold here. The twisted trunk on the Acer palmatum dissectum 'Viridis'. How old must that tree be? I like the color of your 'Caramel' heuchera. I have never been much of one for peach before, but I find myself admiring orange colors lately.

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    1. Hi Jennifer. I planted the tree back in 1991 and it was about 2 1/2-3 feet tall at the time. That makes the age of the tree about 30 years. Now it stands 8 feet tall and 12 feet wide and I can stand up half way underneath the canopy. It has grown a bit!

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  10. Beautiful! I featured your post at this week's Home Sweet Garden Party! http://creativecountrymom.blogspot.com/2014/05/home-sweet-garden-party-420.html Thanks so much for sharing it!! xxx--Brooke

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    1. Thank you so much Brooke. I'm honored! I loved the Garden Party...so many wonderful posts and such a great idea!

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Thank you for visiting. I love reading your comments and knowing you have been here, and will try to reciprocate on your blog. If you have any questions I will try my very best to answer them. As always...HAPPY GARDENING!