Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day & Foliage Follow-Up September 2019: The Garden Transitions

September Garden 

Welcome to my September Long Island garden and thanks for joining me! As the late summer garden slowly transitions into fall mode, temperatures that were in the 80's and 90's have now dropped into the 70's, with a feeling of autumn in the air. There are still plenty of blooms to be seen, along with some surprises, and even some unexpected visitors! Follow along with me to see what the September garden has to offer.

Dwarf Butterfly Bush 'Pugster Blue'

There's something special about the changing seasons in the garden. While some look at the end of summer as a time of decline in the landscape, I take it as a time of autumn blooms and late summer visitors. Since I became retired from teaching and immersed myself even more so into a love of landscape design, I have concentrated on extending the season through the addition of certain plantings.

Hummingbird Moth!

One plant in particular is this dwarf Buddleia 'Pugster Blue', which I keep in a planter on the patio and overwinter in the garage. It is a magnet for butterflies, including Monarchs, Swallowtails and Painted Ladies, but there was one more unexpected visitor...this Hummingbird Moth!

Hummingbird Moth Closer View

I had seen Hummingbird Moths from a distance in the past, but never had I experienced one up close, at least not until now! It's colors are stunning, as it hovers around the flowers of the Butterfly Bush in a dancing motion similar to that of a hummingbird; hence, the name. 

Backyard Island Bed

Other interest in the garden in September are these Sedum Brilliant' in full bloom. Come closer and you can also see the Burgundy Glow Ajuga groundcover in the foreground and Caramel Coral Bells in the backdrop. The three make for a wonderful combination of late summer color.

New Dwarf Solidago 'Little Lemon'

New to the garden is Solidago. I saw it at a nursery and couldn't resist its bright yellow blooms! Better yet...it is Solidago 'Little Lemon' which only grows to a height of 10-12 inches tall and stays compact.

Painted Lady Butterfly Enjoying Sedum

Here is a Painted Lady butterfly visitor on the Sedum...

Hemerocallis (Daylily) Stella D' Oro Still Blooming!

and look...Daylilly Stella D Oro is still blooming! How?...you may ask. I rejuvenate them. Get the scoop and other tips in my first book, A Guide to Northeastern Gardening! (Sorry...shameless plug.) Now, onto the rest of the tour!

Poolside Garden Late Summer

Let's visit the southwestern section of the poolside garden. Here is dwarf Maiden Grass 'Yaku Jima' in the background showing its feathery plumes, definitely a sign of autumn on the way!

Knock Out Roses Still Blooming!

Knock Out Rose Double Pink are still blooming in September. They will continue to do so until the first frost.

Kousa Dogwood Greensleeves and Rudbeckia 'Little Goldstar'

Other signs of autumn are the blooms of Rudbeckia and the sighting of red fruit on Dogwood trees. This Rudbeckia is a dwarf, compact form called 'Little Goldstar' and the Dogwood is 'Greensleeves'.

Kousa Dogwood Fruit

Here is the fruit of the Dogwood up close.

Last View of the Pool this Season

Here is a last glimpse of the pool while open. It will be closing for the season within the next couple of days. I'll just take it all in for now as we bid farewell to summer and look forward to new adventures.

Dwarf Maiden Grass and Sedum

Next to the pool is another view of Maiden Grass 'Yaku Jima' and Sedum 'Brilliant'. The Sedum is so vibrant!

Weeping Japanese Maple

Let's venture to the front lawn. The foliage on the Weeping Japanese Maple will be changing its colors soon. 

Front Walkway

Along the front walkway are Blue Star Juniper, Golden Euonymus, Sweet Flag, Japanese Garden Juniper, Variegated Liriope and Caramel Coral Bells...

Front Walkway Entrance South Side

and here is Weeping Blue Atlas Cedar, surrounded by Mugo Pine and more Sedum 'Brilliant'. 

Walkway Eastern View-Variegated Liriope and Mugo Pine 'Slowmound'

Back around to the walkway is Variegated Liriope up close with its spikes of deep purple blooms. In between the Liriope is Mugo Pine 'Slowmound'.

Front Island Bed

The new plantings on the front island bed are doing well. Here is Weeping Norway Spruce and Hosta, with a little glimpse of the new Osmanthus (False Holly) in the foreground.

Rozanne Geranium Blooming!

The 'Rozanne' Geranium is happy in its new home as well.

Annuals Still Blooming-Sunstar Pink Egyptian Star Flower (Pentas lanceolata)

Last, but not least is this wonderful annual from Proven Winners, called Pink Egyptian Star. It is still blooming in September and looking just as beautiful as it has all summer. I have been enjoying it alongside the back patio. Also meet the newest garden member, a Hypertufa planter with dwarf Hinoki Cypress, Juniper and Variegated Boxwood.

Hypertufa Planter

It was an impulse buy...but I love it!

Thank you for Visiting!

I hope you enjoyed the tour of my September garden! Thank you for visiting! 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, Dishing It & Digging It on Sunday with Angie the Freckled Rose, 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 Homestead Blog Hop  and Weekly Photo Link-Up at My Corner of the World on Wednesdays.

For gardening and design inspiration along with personal musings...

Visit my Author Page/Purchase My Books

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

Landscape Design Combinations and my latest...

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

As Always...Happy Gardening!

Author: Lee@A Guide to Northeastern Gardening,© Copyright 2010-2019. All rights reserved.