Sunday, November 15, 2020

Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day & Foliage Follow-Up: The Colors and Blooms of Autumn

Welcome to my November Garden!
Welcome to my Long Island autumn garden. As we all go through a worldwide pandemic and the results of a historical presidential election here in the U.S., the month of November has been anything but ordinary. I spent the first week engrossed in the activity of stress eating (lots of sweets!) and spending hours outside in the garden. Another unusual thing about this month has been the inconsistency of the season. While the daytime temperatures had been in the 50's and 60's, and we did have our first frost, several days had risen into the mid to upper 70's with a high of 76 ℉ on the 8th. Taking advantage of the warmer days, I have been getting seasonal chores done in the garden. I'll take every moment I can, since being in the garden is my passion and therapy, Come along and join me to explore some autumnal views!
Welcoming Committee
With all the stress going on, one of my favorite things to do is to visit the local nursery. I find peace and a feeling of well being just walking around and being totally surrounded by plants. On a recent visit, I bought myself this cute little bear for the front stoop. It is amazing how this new addition can provide so much joy! 
Autumn at its Peak
By the beginning to mid-November the foliage here is at its peak. Here are Skyland's Golden Oriental Spruce and Coral Bark Maple 'Sangu Kaku' in the front entrance driveway planting. The colors of the Coral Bark Maple are a fiery orange-red and seem to get more intense by the day.
Autumn Views
Here is another view. In the foreground is Weeping Blue Atlas Cedar. This one is about 20-25 years old.
Weeping Japanese Maple Autumn Foliage
On the front lawn, Weeping Japanese Maple 'Viridis' is in autumn mode. Soon just the twisted nature of the trunk and canopy will be on display for winter.
Eastern Redbud 'Lavender Twist' Autumn Foliage
Come along for a closer look up front. After much contemplating, I re-designed and renovated the front entrance planting this summer, starting with this Weeping Eastern Redbud 'Lavender Twist', which was planted in spring. I wanted the tree for its clusters of magenta buds that cover the tree in spring, but am also enjoying its autumn foliage.
Star Magnolia and Weeping Japanese Maple 'Red Select
Strolling around to the back pool garden, 'Star Magnolia' and Weeping Japanese Maple 'Red Select' are extremely vibrant in color this year.
Magnolia Buds
As you can see, the Magnolia is already setting its buds for next season.
Perennial Border November
The back perennial border is showing its fall colors with dried seed heads of Astilbe, Stachys (Lamb's Ear) and  Juniperus 'Blue Star' for a touch of evergreen color.
Stachys (Lamb's Ear) Autumn
This Lamb's Ear is a perennial that adds interest in every season. I think I prefer the foliage even more so than the spikes of pink blooms that appear in summer.
Heuchera Autumn
Did I mention that it has been an unusual fall? This Heuchera just recently set out another flower stalk with the milder temperatures.
Cherry Laurel Bloom in November
The Cherry Laurel in the back shade garden is doing the same thing with a second bloom. I'm not minding it a bit!
Nellie Stevens Holly Berries
One of my favorite things to look forward to in autumn are the berries of Nellie Steven's Holly. They will turn from yellow-orange to a bright red as time goes on.
Sky Pencil Holly Berries
The Sky Pencil Holly is showing its purplish-black berries now in November. Both evergreens attract bird visitors to the garden as the berries are a treat.
Happy Visitors
The birds enjoy the feeder too and it is a popular meeting place every morning and afternoon.
Weeping White Pine Full Sized Cones
As we head southward, you can see the very mature seed cones on the Weeping White Pine in the pool garden, The dwarf Maiden Grass is also showing its attractive plumes.
Dwarf Maiden Grass 'Yaku Jima'
Gardening Tip: Leaving grass for the winter months adds interest to the garden and protects the roots from severe cold. It is best to prune ornamental grasses back in late winter-early spring.
Viburnum 'Summer Snowflake' Autumn Bloom
Moving along to the back garden, even the 'Summer Snowflake' Viburnum is joining some of the other plants by pushing out another round of blooms...
Thanksgiving Cactus
and inside...Thanksgiving Cactus is putting on quite the show!
Thanksgiving Cactus
Another Helpful Tip: Thanksgiving Cactus have serrated, jagged edges to their leaves while Christmas Cactus leaves are more rounded. While both Thanksgiving and Christmas Cactus have elongated foliage, the foliage of Easter Cactus is more rounded-oval.
Dirty Gloves=Happy Gardener ๐Ÿ˜Š
Well...back to the garden!
Thanks for Visiting!

Thank you for visiting my November garden and I hope you enjoyed your stroll. As always, I enjoy hearing from you and seeing what's going on in your 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 FotosMacro Monday 2, Mosaic Monday at Letting Go of the Bay Leaf, Nature Notes at Rambling WoodsImage-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 Weekly Photo Link-Up at My Corner of the World on Wednesdays. 

~Sharing my knowledge and passion of gardening~

My Author Page and Books


Author: Lee@A Guide to Northeastern Gardening,© Copyright 2010-2020. All rights reserved.

39 comments:

  1. You have a great variety of colors and textures in your garden.

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  2. Beautiful photos. Love those cactus.Hugs!

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    1. Thank you! The cactus are blooming like crazy this year so I was happy to be able to share them. Love your holiday colors and matching tea set. You are so creative as always!

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  3. The bear is adorable. I love your foliage color, Lee. That's something we get precious little of in coastal southern California. I have two Japanese maples (one of which is 'Sango Kaku') and I've tried to add more but they really must have both afternoon shade and wind protection to survive here, which means there are limited options for placement; however, I've got my eye on one new area to try when the plants become readily available again in the spring.

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    1. Thank you Kris. I do enjoy the fall season with all the changing colors, but you have some unique plants in California that I would love to have! Thank you for the smile with all your gorgeous blooms, collages and vase arrangements!

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  4. Wow ! Lea Lovely post . I am drooling over those berries.This teddy bear plant holder looks interesting ,have you made it by yourself.Stunning Christmas cactus blooms,It would be my pleasure if you join my link up party related to gardening where you can share posts related to plants and flowers here at http://jaipurgardening.blogspot.com/2020/11/garden-affair-happy-diwali.html

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    1. Hi Arun. Thank you for visiting and for your kind words. I purchased the planter, but wish I had the talent to create something like that! I just linked up with your share party. Thanks for hosting!

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  5. The Viridis and red maple are two of my favorites.
    I should send you a photo of my house plant and ask you what's wrong with it.
    Dawn aka Spatulas On Parade

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    1. Dawn-I enjoyed your photos. Autumn is looking lovely with the beautiful color of those maples and the idea of a cobbler (as the temperatures are plummeting today) is very welcoming! Feel free to send a photo of your house plant. It is usually too much or too little watering that is the issue. Have a wonderful day!

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  6. Oh that bear is so cute!!! :) I love that Japanese Maple and the pine cone is so big, very cool! You have a wonderful Fall garden! :)

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    1. Thank you Rain! I enjoyed visiting you blog and seeing your artwork. It made me smile!

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  7. What a pretty bear! I love your perennial border, Lee. Stachys (Lamb's Ear) is my favorite for autumn and I guess I'd plant it everywhere in my new added garden. It will paint the beds.

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    1. Hi Nadezda. Hope all is well. I love all your autumn colors, the berries on the snowberry bush and the interesting structure on your pine. Thanks for stopping by and happy fall!

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  8. Surrounding yourself with beauty like this sure helps with stress. I love getting out in nature and seeing new plants and flowers. Your little bear is very cute too! Enjoy your week!

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    1. Yes it does! I enjoyed tagging along on your hike (even if virtually) and seeing all the blooms and pollinators. Have a good week!

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  9. Lee - when I am stress eating, I go for salty foods - popcorn, tortilla chips, nuts! My time in the garden is over - we have had snow, snow, snow for the last couple of week, so I will have to watch that calorie intake! I miss my Lamb's Ear from living in the Midwest! Your garden is spectacular in every season, and I always look forward to your posts for a TOUR! Thanks for linking to Mosaic Monday!

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    1. It's chocolate for me LOL!!! Thank you for bringing us along on your wonderful travels. Someday I hope to go to Yellowstone and that Darby Wind Cave looks amazing! I feel like I just escaped for a a quick get away without having to leave my house! The tour is quite amazing (even if virtually).

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  10. Replies
    1. The plants are ready but I'm not! It suddenly got cold here, but it is supposed to warm up again by the end of the week. The longer I can still work outside, the better! Have a good week!

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  11. Hi good afternoon . All right? I want to present my Blogger on culture, travel and tourism. I would like to invite you to follow my Blogger. I'm the follower number 165.

    https://viagenspelobrasilerio.blogspot.com/2020/11/museu-casa-rui-barbosa-parte-iv-rio-de.html?m=1

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    1. Thank you stopping by Luiz and for sharing your wonderful photos of the museum park. It looks like a lovely place to visit. (P.S. I looked for a follower button on your blog but could not find it, but will come by to say hello!)

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  12. Boa noite Lee!
    Que olhares fascinantes do seu jardim!
    Lindo trabalho!
    Um terno abracinho!๐ŸŒป๐ŸŒผ๐ŸŒพ
    Megy Maia๐ŸŒˆ

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    1. Thank you for stopping by and for your kind words. Your photos are beautiful and do look like artwork!

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    2. Obrigada de coraรงรฃo, Lee!
      Um grande beijinho!๐ŸŒป๐Ÿ’›๐ŸŒป
      Megy Maia๐ŸŒˆ

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  13. A beutiful November garden! Just love Japanese maples. 'Sangu Kaku' is stunning!

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    1. Thank you! Your purple blooms this late in the season are beautiful, especially the Dahlia!

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  14. That bear is ADORABLE! Love your gorgeous fall captures!

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    1. Thank you Veronica and thank you for sharing your sweet story. Have a good week!

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  15. Autumn is such a special season with such unique colors! Yours are just stunning!

    I'm so happy to see your link at 'My Corner of the World' this week!

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    1. Thanks for hosting Betty! I loved the photo of your Clematis after the blooms. It is just another one of those beautiful things about autumn!

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  16. beautiful autumnal colours and what a cute bear!

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    1. I am glad you enjoyed the photos! Thanks for sharing your sighting of the albino squirrel. I had never seen one before, so this was a first!

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    1. I am glad you enjoyed the "tour"! Your photos of the Great Blue Heron are beautiful. Thank you for sharing!

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  18. My favorite has to be your Japanese maple, Lee, in its fall foliage. Such perfect form. P.x

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    1. Your garden is looking quite beautiful with all of its colors too Pam. Thanks for visiting!

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  19. Beautiful Post! Thanks for joining in Garden Affair. It would be my pleasure if you share your post related to gardening here at http://jaipurgardening.blogspot.com/2020/11/garden-affair-rose.html

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    1. Thank you for hosting Arun. I always enjoy seeing your beautiful tropical blooms!

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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!