Tuesday, October 15, 2019

Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day & Foliage Follow-Up October 2019: Autumn Views

Welcome to My October Garden!
Welcome to my October garden! It was just 86 degrees two weeks ago and now there are days few and far between that it will be in the 60’s as fall settles in. Where did the summer go? I am still a bit in denial but continue to complete designs and tidy things up in the garden before it gets way too chilly. As temperatures have now moderated into the upper 50's to mid-60's with a feeling of autumn crispness, Montauk Daisies are blooming, Chrysanthemums and pumpkins are out and grasses are showing their delicate plumes. As the garden transitions, there is still plenty to see. Join me to tour my autumn Long Island garden and thanks for coming along!
Autumn Garden Views
The first stop is at one of my favorite fall combinations, that of Ajuga Burgundy Glow with Variegated Liriope. As the ajuga starts to change its hue, spikes of bluish-purple blooms on liriope are at their peak.
'Yaku Jima' Dwarf Maiden Grass
Dwarf Maiden Grass 'Yaku Jima' is sporting its feathery plumes for October. This variety stays at a compact four to five feet in height.
'Yaku Jima' Dwarf Maiden Grass and Sedum 'Brilliant'

Here is the 'Yaku Jima' grass with Sedum 'Brillant' in the foreground.
Dwarf Sedum Thundercloud
A new variety of Sedum that I just added to the garden this summer is Sedum 'Thundercloud'. It is a more dwarf version only reaching approximately 8 inches in height. It does have a similarity to a thundercloud with its jagged edges and burst of cloud-white blooms that appear in the center from summer into fall.
Kousa Dogwood Autumn
Around to the northern garden is Kousa Dogwood 'Greensleeves' with its fall fruit. 
Kousa Dogwood Fall Fruit
Here is the fruit close up, I am always intrigued by its perfect form and vibrant color, and the birds enjoy it too!
Montauk Daisies
My mother's favorite flowers were always daisies. She loved Montauk Daisies, so I finally incorporated some into my garden. They have a special meaning to me.
 Butterflies on Daisies!

The Painted Lady Butterflies really seem to enjoy them too.
Dwarf Butterfly Bush Still Blooming!
On the patio, Dwarf Butterfly Bush 'Pugster Blue' is still blooming away. It will be coming into the garage next month for overwintering and return next spring. Since it's been in a planter on the patio, I have gotten so much more enjoyment from it, being it is in direct view from my favorite chair while enjoying a cup of tea!

Garden Gal's Mondo Grass is Thriving!
Garden Gal got a new bunch of Black Mondo Grass in her planter this summer. It is doing quite well...sorry garden gal!
Stella D Oro Daylilies Still Blooming!
The 'Stella D Oro' Daylilies are still pushing out new blooms after I restored them in late July. They should keep going for sometime into autumn.
Knock Out Roses Blooming in Fall
Double Knock Out rose is always a welcomed member in the garden. It will keep blooming until the first frost.
Rozanne Geranium October Blooms!
Planted in early July, these Rozanne Geranium are blooming away and are adding so much color to the renovated front island bed. I have been using them for years in my designs for their color and long bloom time and FINALLY found a place for them n my own garden! They are growing well with a full day of sun with some late afternoon shade.
A Little Bit of Foliage
There's always room for a little bit of foliage. Here is Weeping Blue Atlas Cedar with Mugo Pine and Sedum Brilliant. 
A Little Bit of Whimsy
There is also room for a little whimsy. You may remember the story of when my husband bought these for me at the very start of the season. He said they reminded him of the two us sitting on the patio together enjoying a cup of tea or coffee.
Succulent Planter Still Going!
If you have read my second book Landscape Combinations, you'll probably recognize this succulent planter. I've had this one for quite some time and it is still going strong. I overwinter the containers in the garage and bring them out the following season, sometimes keeping the same plants and other times I come up with new combinations. It is a fun hobby and the planters last all season long with no maintenance. Just water and enjoy!
Summer Snowflake Viburnum Fall Bloom
Let's wander around to the back corner. Look...the Viburnum are undergoing another bloom. We had a single day in the upper 80's. That did it!
Seasonal Change
The Astilbe and Lamb's Ear in the perennial border are showing their fall colors...

Weeping White Pine Autumn
and the seed cones on the Weeping White Pine are getting huge.
Some more Whimsy!
The Echinacea have gone to seed. The other day I saw a gold finch sitting on top of one of the seed heads enjoying a healthy snack.
Coneflower Seed Heads for Birds
The mums are out, signaling that fall is officially here in the garden and you will notice a different looking pumpkin in the decor for this October.

Seasonal Decor!
This warty looking pumpkin is called a Knuckle Head or Wart pumpkin. Here's a little trivia. This masterpiece is part of a specialty line that took the Siegers Seed Company in Holland, Michigan 10 generations of cross-breeding to create! I couldn't resist its unusual charm!
Hope you Enjoyed the Visit!
Thank you for visiting and I hope you enjoyed your tour of my October garden! 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.

Tuesday, October 1, 2019

This Month in The Garden: New Introductions for 2020 from the Growers at Proven Winners!

This Month in the Garden: New Plants for 2020!
Welcome to This Month in the Garden for September! Today's post will introduce you to some of the spectacular additions that will be joining the Proven Winners family of plants for 2020! I have had the pleasure of trying them out in my own garden this past summer and look forward to their availability on the market for next year. Come along and see what's new!

Magic Show 'Enchanted Indigo' Verbena

Hardiness Zones 4-8 (Perennial)
Exposure: Partial to Full Sun
Bloom Season: Summer-Fall
Mature Size: 16-18 inches

Magic Show 'Enchanted Indigo' Verbena impressed me from the start with its spikes of violet-blue blooms that last throughout summer with just a little bit of deadheading. The compact size makes its perfect for the front of a perennial border. I am looking forward to seeing this one in the garden year after year.

 Bright Lights Berry Rose African Daisy Osteospermum

Hardiness Zones 9-11 (Annual)
Exposure: Partial to Full Sun
Bloom Season: Spring-Fall
Mature Size: 8-12 inches
This new annual, which is a hybrid form of Osteospermum, produces beautiful daisy-like, berry-pink blooms that hold up well in the heat of the summer. I would highly recommend this beauty! It just keeps on blooming!

 Superbena Sparkling Amethyst Verbena

Hardiness Zones 8-11 (Annual)
Exposure: Partial to Full Sun
Bloom Season: Spring-Fall
Mature Size: 6-12 inches

This Superbena Sparkling Amethyst Verbena is a winner hands down with its robust profusion of amethyst and while blooms that quickly form an 18-30" clump. This annual is self-cleaning and does not require any maintenance to keep it going all summer long and into fall. It is also heat tolerant, resistant to powdery mildew and is also known to be "deer resistant". This one is a keeper!
Sunstar Pink Egyptian Star Flower Pentas lanceolata

Hardiness Zones: 11 (Annual)
Exposure: Partial to Full Sun
Bloom Season: Spring-Fall
Mature Size: 18-22 inches

Sunstar Pink Egyptian Star Flower Pentas lanceolata is an eye-catcher with its display of large light pink star-shaped flowers that have a tropical feel. This robust plant with its broad dark green foliage and prolific blooms has looked beautiful and produced blooms all summer long and into fall. It has been a welcomed addition to the garden and I look forward to adding it again next spring.

Supertunia Vista Snowdrift Petunia

Hardiness Zones: 10-11 (Annual)
Exposure: Full Sun
Bloom Season: Spring-Fall
Mature Size: 12-24 inches

Supertunia Vista Snowdrift Petunia is a prolific bloomer displaying beautiful snow-white blooms that keep performing all summer long in full sun. It has continuous vigor without deadheading and is a pleasure to have in the garden border. I would highly recommend this annual as part of your garden next year.

 Superbells Double Blue (Hybrid Calibrachoa)


Hardiness Zones 9-11 (Annual)
Exposure: Partial to Full Sun
Bloom Season: Spring-Frost
Mature Size: 6-12 inches high by 12-24 inches wide

This easy care plant is best grown in an area of good drainage, such as in a raised garden border in an area of full to partial sun. Lilac-blue double blooms that resemble miniature rose buds adorn the plant from spring until the first frost on cascading branches. Blooms are continuous throughout summer with no deadheading needed! 
Suncredible Yellow Helianthus

This unique new sunflower produces numerous blooms on a branched bush-like habit, unlike traditional sunflowers. The blooms are approximately 4 inches across and do not need to be deadheaded to continue blooming,  but can be groomed for tidiness. This 24-42" tall by 20-32" wide plant blooms several weeks longer than similar sunflowers and is great for attracting pollinators to the garden. Blooms continue all season and well into the fall. I am really enjoying this new addition to the Proven Winners collection.


Hardiness Zones: 9-11 (Annual)
Exposure: Full Sun
Bloom Season: Planting-Frost 
Mature Size: 24-42 inches tall  by 20-32" wide

Rockin Blue Suede Shoes Salvia
Hardiness Zones: 9-11 (Annual)
Exposure: Part-Full Sun
Bloom Season: Spring-Frost 
Mature Size: 30-40 inches tall  by 24-30" wide

This striking new salvia is excellent for pollinator gardens and is a major attraction for bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. Blue blooms with darker calyxes add an extra pop of color and contrast on this non-stop bloomer. This addition makes a taller statement in the back of a border and will provide enjoyment all summer long! It just keeps getting better and better!

 Proven Winners Goldilocks Rocks

Hardiness Zones: 9-11 (Annual)
Exposure: Full Sun
Bloom Season: Spring-Fall
Mature Size: 18-14 inches
Goldilocks Rocks is a heat and drought tolerant plant that has been performing well in my southern exposure garden. Its vibrant golden-yellow blooms continue throughout spring, summer and into fall and are an attraction for pollinators. Its compact size makes this annual an excellent addition to the front of a sunny garden border.
Diamond Snow Euphorbia
Hardiness Zones: 10-11 (Annual)
Exposure: Full-Partial Sun
Bloom Season: Spring-Fall
Mature Size: 12-18 inches

Voted annual of the year for 2020, this variety replaces Diamond Delight with the vigor of Diamond Frost. This easy to grow plant resembles snowflakes with its bright white delicate blooms that last all summer and into fall. 'Diamond Snow' is heat and drought tolerant and also deer resistant and makes a lovely addition to the garden. Visitors to the garden have regularly admired this one!
Proven Winners Collection New Plants for 2020
I hope you enjoyed This Month in the Garden for September. Be sure to stop by on the 1st. of each month for This Month in the Garden, as I share gardening tips, information and horticultural adventures! Also be sure to check out these new introductions from the growers at Proven Winners! Linking with:  Floral FridaysMacro Monday 2Friday Photo JournalImage-in-ing Weekly Photo Link-Up and Dishing It & Digging It.

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