Sunday, September 15, 2019

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 WoodsDishing It & Digging It on Sunday with Angie the Freckled RoseImage-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...
Author: Lee@A Guide to Northeastern Gardening,© Copyright 2010-2019. All rights reserved.

32 comments:

  1. I'm a huge fan of hummingbirds and have never heard of a hummingbird moth. I am intrigued. Your garden is lovely and that pool is fantastic!

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    1. Thank you Philip! Your garden blooms are beautiful and the colors on your Crape Myrtles, Caryopteris and Asters are magnificent. I love how you have combined warm and cool colors for maximum impact. Thank you for visiting my blog and leaving a note that you were here. Now I can bookmark your wonderful blog as one of my places to visit!!

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  2. Hello, Lee!
    I love your brand new purchase Hypertufa planter it's stunning! The plants in your autumnal garden are still pretty, especially sedum, daylily and grasses. The Girl with a kitty feels such comfortable in the poolside garden.
    Happy September!

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    1. Thank you Nadezda. Your asters are amazing and all so beautiful! The videos are amazing too. I have heard of Prague Gardens and now I got to see them through your eyes. Thank you!

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  3. So many wonderful flowers and lovely foliage. The sedum is well-named. It is brilliant!

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    1. Yes! They got the name right with this Sedum! I enjoyed your late summer blooms and I love the lemons and oranges! As summer comes to an end, there is still so much beauty in your garden.

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  4. Don't you just love the hummingbird moth? And what a lovely blue your mini buddleia is! Oh, and I like the way the liriope looks next to the mungo pine. Beautiful posting. Happy GBBD! P.x

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    1. I am glad you enjoyed the Hummingbird Moth Pam. It was the first time I ever saw one up that close. You have so many beautiful blooms in your garden and the nasturtium certainly must have been a nice surprise to come home to. I hope you enjoyed your trip to Salt Lake City!

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  5. Your garden looks like a real floral paradise!
    It's always nice to watch butterflies and moths!
    Greetings

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    1. Thank you Ela! I loved your sweet captures of the little bird in your garden.

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  6. Lee, I so enjoy your landscape garden and various plants. That sedum Brilliant is so striking! Seeing your photos reminds me of so many of the plantings I left behind, it's like visiting old friends....the kousa, pentas, dwarf butterfly, even the hummingbird moth and butterflies. Thank you.

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    1. Hi Rita. I'm glad I could bring back some memories of old friends for you. I enjoyed your fall table setting post. The leopard touch works beautifully for the season!

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  7. Your garden is a true blessing for the people who want to learn landscaping ...
    Hummingbird moth is spectacular...some of these flowers are new to me ...Happy garden bloggers blooms day.

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    1. Thank you so much for your kind words. I enjoyed seeing your beautiful zinnias and the Frangipini, a plant which I cannot grow here. It's always a pleasure to see some of your more tropical blooms.

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  8. Temperate country plants are always very attractive for me, maybe because i am used to see the lound hot colors of the tropics. I want the blues, lavenders and violets. That dwarf butterfly bush is surely a hit, wish they grow with us.

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    1. I love all your tropical blooms. Your Pentas and Orchids are beautiful and I have always admired Hoya with their unusual seed pods. I like that they are an attraction to butterflies too!

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  9. What a beautiful fall garden. And photos! I'm glad you included the sedum pictures - I think you've identified my sedum which I now think is Brilliant.

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    1. Thank you and I am glad I could be of assistance in identifying your Sedum! I enjoyed seeing your asters and hydrangea and you have so many raspberries for this late in the season!

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  10. Gosh, your garden is perfect!
    Jeannie@GetMeToTheCountry

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    1. Thank you Jeannie! Your planters are looking fabulous despite the drought and I love all the varieties of Coleus. The Cannas are beautiful too!

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  11. Wonderful fall bloomers. I liked the video of the HM. It is difficult to follow them with a camera but you got some good shots. I wouldn't have been able to resist that hypertufa planter either. You have it planted up very nice. Happy GBBD.

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    1. Thank you Lisa! I enjoyed my visit to your garden and your photographs of the butterflies are stunning! I had never seen that variety before.

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  12. You always have wonderful garden colors any time of the year! So pretty to see :)

    I appreciate your link on 'My Corner of the World' this week!

    My Corner of the World

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    1. Thank you Betty and much thanks for hosting! I always enjoy my visits to your blog.

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  13. Your September garden looks spectacular, Lee. I love those hummingbird moths. They showed up in my garden last year for the first time to my knowledge but I've yet to see any sign of them this year. I'm envious of your Sedum. Strangely, although we can grow most succulents easily here in SoCal, Sedums (and Sempervivums) aren't particularly happy.

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    1. Thank you Kris! The Hummingbird Moth was definitely a surprise. That is interesting about the Sedum not growing where you are. Perhaps it needs the colder winter temperatures that we have here in the northeast during dormancy.

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    1. I appreciate your kind words Carol. Your blooming Hibiscus is stunning!

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  15. I love your writing! I'm jealous of all of your talent! I mostly do vegetables with a few flowers here and there but wow! I might have to start actually designing when I plant. Thank you for the inspiration. I live in California and plant mostly at my community garden. I love love love it! Yours are so beautiful! Again, I am inspired!

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    1. Oh, you are so sweet and thank you for your kind words. I created an herb garden for my husband years ago and actually insisted on designing it with plantings in odd numbers along with color and height coordination. He just let me do my thing. Have a wonderful day and enjoy your garden!

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  16. Your garden is always so beautiful. So many textures, colors, and details.

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    1. Thank you Carol! I always enjoy visiting your gardens as well. 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!