Monday, January 15, 2018

Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day & Foliage Follow Up January 2018: A New Gardening Year Begins!

January Long Island Garden

Welcome to my Long Island January garden! As we enter a brand new year, it is time to venture outside for the first Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day and Foliage Follow-Up post of the season. After all, as author Marie Husten put it, "The gardening season officially begins on January 1st, and ends on December 31st." The focus is mostly on foliage and structure at this time of year, but you may encounter some blooms, or buds along the way. Come along, and you might want to bundle up. It's cold outside!
Skyland's Golden Oriental Spruce with Coral Bark Maple in Backdrop
January started off with the first blizzard of the winter season with Winter Storm Grayson on the 4th, with 14.6 inches of snow for our area. We've had some of the coldest days on record with temperatures in the teens, with a slight relief on the 9th with temperatures that actually got above freezing! The nice thing about the colder months is that the cone bearing evergreens and trees known for their decorative bark, like this Skyland's Spruce and Coral Bark Maple (photo above) appear even more majestic.
Skyland's Spruce Seed Cone
The seed cones on the Skyland's Spruce always amaze me. They are such an attribute to the already brilliant golden foliage, and I love when they reach full size during the winter months. 
Song Sparrow
Here is a little song sparrow watching over the garden. There is a greater appreciation for wildlife that is brave enough to stick around and take the cold. These little sparrows fluff up their feathers to keep warm and they love to nestle in the spruce which is right near our back door.
Blue Atlas Cedar Foliage
As I had mentioned, evergreens really become the main focal point in winter, so I have many of them in a variety of different colors, shapes and forms. These are the seed cones on the Blue Atlas Cedar which exists in the front of the property.
Another Friendly Visitor
Here's another friendly visitor coming for the seed I threw outside. I couldn't get to the feeder for a couple of days, and these little guys are hungry.
Coral Bark Maple 'Sangu Kaku' Wintertime
In the front property, the Coral Bark Maple is doing what its names implies. The colder the temperatures, the brighter red the bark becomes.
Evergreens in Winter
Evergreens in the backyard are covered in a layer of snow, still left over from winter storm Grayson. There is 'Montgomery' Globe Blue Spruce in the front, with Dwarf Golden Hinoki Cypress (to the right), Mugo  PIne (to the left) and Weeping White Pine (in the backdrop-center).
Mockingbird
On top of the Weeping Pussy Willow is a very personable Mockingbird who just loves being photographed. This is his one-legged pose, while he tucks the other one up to keep warm.
Weeping White Pine
As we move around closer to the pool area, here is the Weeping Pine White a little more close up. You can see the pine cones hanging from its branches. This pine was planted with the original pool scape in 1996, and had matured to a 6 foot high by 10 foot wide tree.
Song Sparrow
Another sparrow visitor joins us!
Magnolia Royal Star Buds Forming!
The thing I enjoy most about Bloom Day is that Carol from May Dreams Gardens really gets us to look more closely at everything around us. I have gained a deeper appreciation for the little changes that take place in the garden, especially during the winter months. Here is the one of the slightest signs of spring...Magnolia buds.
Magnolia Royal Stat Bud
 When viewed close up, the fuzzy looking buds resemble catkins of a Pussy Willow tree.
Weeping Norway Spruce
Back in the "Secret Garden", the Weeping Norway Spruce that exits there has really matured. I just noticed the other day that it has grown into a shape that resembles an elephant, with its trunk to the left, ears (center) and tail to the right. Look closely and you will see!
Driveway Entry
Here's another snowy view of the driveway garden with lamppost, golden Skyland's Spruce (left) and blue-green Blue Atlas Cedar (right)
Back Patio Gardens
Here are the two Weeping Norway Spruce by the back patio and pool area, all covered in snow. To give some perspective, the Royal Star Magnolia we visited before is in the back (left of the shed) and the mountain lake pool exists to the left of that.
Front Walkway-A lot of snow!
Did I mention we got a little snow? Here's a view to give you some perspective. I am sure many of you got a lot more snow than this. It is pretty, but by the end of the winter this gardener will have had enough!
Weeping Blue Atlas Cedar
Here is the Weeping Blue Atlas Cedar by the front walkway...
Garden Whimsy
and here is a little garden whimsy. 
Hellebore 'Shooting Star'
The Hellebores were in full bud and ready to burst open right before the snow, so I am cheating just a little and including a view from last year. I hope to see them soon and maybe next Bloom Day I can get a new photo.
Garden Wear!
This is the gardening attire for January. You can tell it's serious business when these babies come out!
Happy New Gardening Year!
Happy new gardening year...Make it a good one! I leave you with these words as I look forward to springtime with warmer temperatures and renewal in the garden. We have to get through a whole lot of winter yet, but one can dream...can't they?
Welcome Bear!
Thanks for Visiting!
I hope you enjoyed this month's tour through my garden. Special thanks go out to our hostesses 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 and Pam at Digging for hosting Foliage Follow-Up. I am also linking with some other wonderful hosts and hostesses at Floral Friday Fotos, Macro Monday 2, and Nature Notes at Rambling Woods. Also check out Garden Bloggers' Foliage Day at Creating my own garden of the Hesperides, Wednesday Around the WorldDishing It & Digging It and Image-in-ing weekly photo share every Tuesday. 

Winter Reading:

~Enjoy the beauty of the season...and As Always...Happy Gardening!~


Author: Lee@A Guide to Northeastern Gardening, © Copyright 2018. All rights reserved.

40 comments:

  1. Hello, Lee!
    Love your conifers and Weeping White Pine is a real beauty! You have a lot of snow, dear, here in my garden there is much less snow. The climate is changing, isn't it?
    Love your winter boots, I'd love to!

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    1. Thank you Nadezda! The climate does seem to be changing. We have had a lot more extended cold for our area while you are warmer where you are. I loved your beautiful indoor blooms, especially the beautiful orchids.

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  2. Pretty snow, we were disappointed to get only a sprinkle. Glad to see your birds! All those lovely evergreen trees help them find shelter from the wind. Love the Coral Bark Maple!
    Happy Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day!

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    1. Hi Lea. I loved your photograph of the Hellebore buds and Woodpecker visitor...beautiful! Happy Bloom Day!

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  3. You make a really good case for the beauty and benefit of conifers. I wish I had the room. I do treasure the Norway spruce that came with our 'new' house.

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    1. Thank you Pat! The conifers really are needed for interest in the colder climate, especially with all the snow. I saw that you have a lot of ice where you are. Spring won't come soon enough!

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  4. You got a lot more snow than we did, Lee. Your January garden is lovely. That Coral Bark Maple is stunning! I'm thinking of adding the exfoliating one to my space. I have a miniature weeping spruce and it's one of my favorites. You fooled me for a minute with the hellebore, ha.ha. P. x

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    1. Thank you for you kind words Pam, and yes...the Hellebore blooms are under there somewhere! I loved your post about your favorite things. You are blessed to have such a full life with wonderful grandchildren and gardens to enjoy. I also enjoyed seeing my book on your shelf...thanks for adding it to your collection! Have a good January.

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  5. I love the photos of the song sparrow - what a cutie!
    Thanks for sharing at https://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2018/01/a-few-feathery-visitors.html

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    1. I am glad you enjoyed the photos Sue. Thanks for hosting and have a great week!

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  6. You have a beautiful garden. No wonder the song sparrows like it there. Happy GBBD.

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    1. Aww...thank you so much Lisa! I enjoyed your snowy views.There is something beautiful about the landscape covered in a sea of white. Your evergreens look especially stunning. Happy Bloom Day!

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  7. What lovely pics. I am sitting inside watching more snow fall. Enough already, I am ready for spring.

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    1. Thank you Denise. We have more snow in the forecast for tomorrow, but spring is just 45 days away!

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  8. Even in the snow your garden is beautiful. Happy Bloom Day.

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    1. Thank you Dorothy! I enjoyed seeing your sweet alyssum in bloom during the wintertime and the views of your bird visitors. Happy Bloom Day!

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  9. Whoa - haven't seen that much snow since I lived in Sweden! Anyway, it's in climates like that that conifers truly earn their keep - I covet your Weeping White Pine... Since you listed all those other blog memes at the end, I thought I'd invite you to mine. It happens every Wednesday and is a good place for oddball photos and ponderings. More here: https://flutterandhum.wordpress.com/wednesday-vignette/

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    1. Yes... and more on the way but only a dusting this time! I will check out your blog. Thanks for visiting!

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  10. You have some wonderfully structural plants in your garden which look marvelous in the snow. I think that is one thing about northern gardens-the use of conifers and those gorgeous winter branches on deciduous plants. Something I miss. also beautiful collages. One of my son's is just settling down to gardening in Westport- quite a winter this year. I keep telling him fruit trees are a must, something I miss dearly. Happy Gardening Year.

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    1. Thank you for your visit and kind words. Best of luck to your son in Westport with his gardening. Maybe you can re-live fruit trees through him!

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  11. Happy New Year, Lee! The coral bark maple and conifers are so pretty in the snow. Your garden is looking full of interest and beauty, even at this time of year.

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    1. Happy New Year Pam! It’s always a pleasure visiting your gardens and they are looking wonderful!

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  12. Your garden takes to winter beautifully, Lee! I love all the bird pics too.

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    1. Thanks for visiting and for your kind words Kris. Your combination of succulents is magnificent and I am enjoying all the different colors and textures you have in your garden.

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  13. Hi Lee, that's an insane amount of snow! Is round 3 (or 4) hitting? The pic of the lamppost looks straight out of 'The Lion. the Witch and the Wardrobe'! Hoping that snow melts away soon so you can enjoy your blooms. In the meantime, you have a beautiful winter garden. Happy GBBD!

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    1. Thank you Jennifer! Fortunately, the snow is gone for now, as some warmer temperatures moved in. I enjoyed the photos of your new area and the Hellebores are really gorgeous with so many blooms. Happy Bloom Day!

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  14. These are some awesome photos! The bear with the lamp is just too cute!

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  15. Wonderful Lee..very cold and snowy here in western NY, but I have my plant catalogs and I added a new front yard bed with pavers around it...less lawn...Michelle

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    1. I enjoyed seeing your new project Michelle. It's always fun to have a new space! Stay warm!

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  16. I love your bird pictures. Song sparrows overwinter in my area and I always enjoy their presence in the garden.

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    1. Thank you! I very much enjoyed your post with your beautiful Caldwell Pink roses, then the last photo of snow in Central NC! Stay warm!

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  17. Delle immagini bellissime! Complimenti! Mi piacciono moltissimo le tue conifere, da fare invidia, soprattutto quella picea orientalis dalla forma perfetta! Il 'Sango Kaku' poi è incredibile, non ne ho mai visto uno così grande e con le conifere è proprio bello da vedere.

    Un saluto e buona Domenica!

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    1. Thank you Pontos! Your garden is so beautiful. I loved the photos! Have a great week!

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  18. You always have great creatures and scenery. Thanks for sharing!

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  19. Hello Lee, your garden is beautiful here in its winter dressage!!! I love your bird photographs ~ really nice. I'm coming over from Life and Linda and the Dishing It and Digging It link party from this weekend. Thank you for feeding the birds around your home. I've been feeding the hungry bunch over here in North Texas, which include some really lovely but shy cardinals. Thank you for a lovely garden blog; I will be back! I pinned a bunch of your photographs via Pinterest and scheduled via Tailwind to my Animal Friends, Gardening and Ethereal Gardens and Decor boards for you. <3

    Take care,
    Barb :)

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    1. Thank you Barbara. You are so sweet and you made my day with your kind words! It's nice to hear when others are taking care of our feathered friends. I have been watching the weather there for Texas and you have been getting some unusually cold temperatures, so I am sure the wildlife appreciates your help. Have a great week!

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  20. I enjoyed the tour, and, yes, I see the elephant! I loved all the images of the birds. The little mockingbird is so cute trying to keep his tootsies warm! Your garden is so well designed; it looks beautiful with its bones showing against the snow.

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    1. Thank you for your kind words Deb. I hope the elephant shape stays. I had cleaned out some expired branches on the inside of the spruce and it made it look a bit like legs, so when I took a second look I saw it! It's always a new adventure when gardening LOL! Have a great week!

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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!