Friday, November 15, 2024

Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day & Foliage Follow-Up November: Autumn Views and Blooms!

Welcome!
Fall is a wonderful time of year as the landscape transitions into an array of changing color. It has been one of the warmest and driest Novembers I can remember here in the northeast with temperatures ranging in the 50's to low 60's and no significant rainfall for over a month. Finally, a very welcomed and needed rain came during the early hours of the morning on the 11th. The trees are dropping leaves rapidly like falling rain due to the lasting drought, but the colors are vibrant as ever and with the milder temperatures, there are still some blooms to be seen. Along with the first rain in over a month, there are colder temperatures in the forecast, so I am enjoying the views while I can! Join me for a tour of my Long Island garden! 
Front Lawn
The first stop is along the front lawn as the two Weeping Japanese Maples put on a colorful show. Japanese Maple 'Viridis', which is normally light green, now displays hues of orange, yellow and red all on the same tree. Next to it is a red variety of Weeping Japanese Maple, along with Blue Atlas Cedar and Gold Lace Juniper in the distance.
Back Pool Garden
As we move to the back pool border, Sky Pencil Holly is displaying its dark bluish-black berries against Leucothoe with Golden Sweet Flag in the foreground, which stays evergreen all year along with the other plantings. Nellie Stevens Holly in the backdrop displays its bright red berries this time of year.
Leucothoe 'Axillaris'
This variety of broad-leaved evergreen is Leucothoe 'Axillaris'. A highlight is its changing foliage this time of year with deep pinkish-red and golden highlights as the temperatures change.
A Visitor!
There is plenty of wildlife around these days and this visitor even stopped for a photo shoot!
Patio Vegetable/Herb Planter
Near the patio, the vegetable/herb planter is done for the season, but the parsley is still showing some greenery. The spearmint (in a separate planter) has not gone dormant either.  Gardening Tip: If you are growing mint, it spreads rapidly by underground rhizomes and will take over an area in no time. Always plant it in a confined area or in a planter!
Patio Border
Along the same patio area, Salvia 'Blue by You' continues to bloom, joined by Rhode Island Red Japanese Maple, and evergreens Osmanthus 'Goshiki' and Dwarf  Japanese Red Pine 'Low Glow'.
Back Perimeter Garden
In the back border, Kousa Dogwood 'Greensleeves' displays its changing foliage and red fruit.
Patio and Pool Gardens
Along with the blooms of Salvia, there are other blooms to be seen, as 'Stella D Oro' Daylily and Echinacea Pow Wow 'Wild Berry' continue to bloom along the back patio and pool.
'Stella D Oro' Daylily
Here are the bright yellow flowers of Daylily as it continues to push out autumn blooms...
Echinacea Pow Wow 'Wild Berry'
along with the blooms and seed heads of Echinacea.
Abelia 'Kaleidoscope'
Bordering the back walkway, Abelia 'Kaleidoscope' is still showing its tubular white blooms from later summer...
Dwarf Rudbeckia 'Little Goldstar'
and Dwarf Black Eyed Susan continues to push out some final blooms in the northwestern garden.
Weeping Japanese Maple 'Viridis'
As we venture back to the front portion of the property, here is another view of the foliage of Weeping Japanese Maple. Soon the interesting structure of the tree and trunk will be even more visible.
Front Island Bed
As Hosta and Sedum go dormant in the front island bed, evergreens Weeping Norway Spruce, Dwarf Cryptomeria and Osmanthus 'Goshiki' continue to supply interest for the fall and winter months as Coral Bark Maple (below) presents its autumn blaze of color.
Front Entrance Garden
Accompanying Coral Bark Maple 'Sango Kaku' are 'Skylands' Golden Oriental Spruce, Weeping Blue Atlas Cedar, Mugo Pine, Weeping White Pine, Japanese Garden and Blue Star Juniper and Variegated Liriope. Maintenance Tip: It is best to not cut back Liriope in the fall, but to leave it intact for winter interest and to protect the crown. Cut back in springtime after any threat of frost to allow for new growth.
Skyland's Oriental Spruce and Coral Bark Maple
Autumn certainly is a wonderful time of year with color, color everywhere. Here is another view of Skyland's Oriental Spruce and Coral Bark Maple.
St. John's Wort Autumn
As we get closer to the end of the tour, St. John's Wort displays its dried seed heads with a bit of artistic flair...
Pool Surround
and the changing foliage of Spirea and Weeping Japanese Maple complement one another.
All-Season Planter
This all-season planter with evergreens will provide some interest throughout the winter months... 
Knock Out Rose 'Radrazz'
and Knock Out Rose will continue its glorious blooms until the first hard freeze.
Indoors: Thanksgiving Cactus
As the outdoor garden goes into dormancy for the winter months, focus shifts even more towards tending to the indoor garden, which includes Thanksgiving Cactus and African Violet as they continue to bloom. 
Thanksgiving Cactus and African Violet
Thank you for visiting and whatever the season, enjoy all the beauty that nature has to offer. Be sure to stop by on the 1st. and 15th. of each month as I continue to share gardening tips, information and horticultural adventures! In the meantime, check out my newsletter and also my books, which can make great gifts for the gardener in your life!  Until we meet again...best wishes to you and yours for a safe and Happy Thanksgiving! 
Thanks for Visiting!
I hope you enjoyed your visit to my November garden. I so appreciate you being here, look forward to your comments and enjoy seeing what you have growing 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 had hosted Foliage Follow-Up, a meme I will continue to honor. I am also linking with some other wonderful hosts and hostesses at Floral Friday Fotos, Nature Notes at Rambling WoodsImage-in-ing weekly photo share every Tuesday, Weekly Photo Link-Up at My Corner of the World on Wednesdays and Garden Affair at Jaipur Garden. See you next month!


As Always...Happy Gardening!

Author: Lee @A Guide to Northeastern Gardening, © Copyright 2010-2024. All rights reserved. 

Friday, November 1, 2024

This Month in the Garden: The Beauty of Autumn

Welcome!
Welcome to This Month in the Garden! The words of 
Albert Camus ~"Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower", repeats through ones mind this time of year as the landscape transitions into an array of changing color. Today's post is not about a feature plant, garden chores that need to be completed or a botanical garden visited, but simply the works of nature to be appreciated. Sometimes one needs to step back from the stresses of everyday life and simply "stop and smell the roses." I hope you enjoy the views!
Weeping Eastern Redbud 'Lavender Twist'
Weeping Japanese Maple 'Viridis', Weeping Norway Spruce (center), Dwarf Cryptomeria (left) and Hosta (right) 

Coral Bark Maple, Skyland's Oriental Spruce (back center), and Weeping Blue Atlas Cedar along with Blue Star Juniper and Variegated Liriope (front)
Coral Bark Maple 'Sango Kaku' (center stage) and Boxwood with Hinoki Cypress (to the left)

Weeping Japanese Maple 'Viridis', Blue Atlas Cedar (backdrop) and Dwarf Cryptomeria (left)

Sedum 'Brilliant' Flower Heads and Foliage

Crape Myrtle 'Sioux' (center) with Gold Lace Juniper and Blue Globe Spruce (foreground)

Another View of Weeping Japanese Maple 'Viridis', Weeping Norway Spruce and Hosta

Autumn Views-Gazing Through the Trees

The Local Pond-Wildlife and Views

The Transitioning Landscape

Natural Beauty
I hope you enjoyed This Month in the Garden. Be sure to stop by on the 1st. and 15th. of each month as I continue to share gardening tips, information and horticultural adventures! Catch up on posts and other news with my newsletter, Northeastern Gardening News. Subscribe for free to receive monthly updates.

IN THE NEWS: I have recently been quoted in two online garden publications, Homes & Gardens where we discuss annuals for shade and Parade Home & Garden , an article that warns about possible poisonous plants in your garden, plus I had fun speaking to the Paumanacke Garden Club here on Long Island as I presented Gardening Through the Seasons. It is always fun chatting and teaching others about gardening! Speaking of chatting and teaching about gardening, check out My Author Page & Books!
"As Always...Happy Gardening!" 

Author: Lee @A Guide to Northeastern Gardening, © Copyright 2010-2024. All rights reserved. 

Tuesday, October 15, 2024

Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day & Foliage Follow-Up October: Long Island Garden Autumnal Views

Welcome!
Welcome to my zone 7b Long Island garden! Fall has officially arrived and there are signs everywhere as the landscape starts to transition into an array of color. The month of October has brought cooler temperatures in the upper 50's to low 60's by day, while dipping into the 40's some evenings with mostly clear skies. After a month of drought we finally received a few hours of steady light rain on the 7th, which helped to refurbish the landscape. Join me for a tour for some changing foliage, ongoing blooms and whatever else nature has to offer!
Abelia 'Kaleidoscope'
As we start our stroll, one of my new favorite shrubs for fall is Abelia 'Kaleidoscope'. Planted just last spring, it's white star-like blooms start in late summer and last for months into fall. The blooms are just an added bonus to its colorful evergreen foliage. Joining Abelia are Blue Star Juniper and Echinacea Pow Wow 'Wild Berry', with a Blue Globe Spruce in the backdrop.
Abelia 'Kaleidoscope' October Blooms
Here is a view of the foliage and blooms up close!
Echinacea Pow Wow 'Wild Berry'
It has been a good season for Echinacea as well with its repeat blooms. The gold finches have been enjoying the seeds and now there are a few new buds and blooms lasting well into fall.
Salvia 'Blue by You' Still Blooming!
Salvia 'Blue by You' is a new favorite species of sage that is recently new to the market and to my garden. Its blooms start earlier than those of other varieties and just keep on blooming through fall with just two minimal dead headings. 
Echinacea (Coneflower) Seed Heads
As cooler temperatures arrive and the seasons transition, even the left over seed heads of Echinacea are a delight to see in the garden. In my opinion, I think they add a nice touch to the autumn landscape, and that is why I leave them for quite some time. 
Nepeta 'Blue Wonder'
In the back pool border, Nepeta 'Blue Wonder', a more dwarf version of catmint is still blooming...
Front Island Bed
as Sedum 'Brilliant displays its dried blooms along with the huge leaves of Hosta.
Perennial Border
As many of you know, I am a huge fan of combining foliage throughout the landscape. Along the perennial border, the soft white foliage of Lamb's Ear complements the golden foliage of Spirea 'Candy Corn', making for a colorful fall display. 
Front Walkway
Continuing to bloom in the front walkway border is Variegated Liriope (Lilyturf) with its deep purple spiked blooms. Helpful Tip: Do not cut back Liriope in fall. Rather, leave it for interest during the winter months and cut back in early spring. This will protect its delicate crown from severe cold. 
Rudbeckia 'Little Goldstar' 
It is getting a lot cooler outside, but dwarf Black Eyed Susan keeps pushing out some new blooms...
Montauk Daisy
and of course, Montauk Daisy is blooming, which is a sure sign of autumn!
Back Garden Border
As we stroll along the back garden border, the Kousa Dogwood is producing its red fruits, which are edible. The soft pulp of the fruit is sweet with a flavor similar to a ripe persimmon and can be used to make into jellies and jams. 
Kousa Dogwood Fruit
Here is a close up view of the colorful fruit.
Hydrangea 'Firelight Tidbit' Autumn
Last month, I introduced the new 'Firelight Tidbit' Hydrangea that were planted where my mother's iris garden used to exist. I am loving the pinkish hues of the long lasting flowers as they transition into fall, and am looking forward to years of beautiful blooms.
Dwarf Buddleia 'Pugster Blue'
In the back garden bed, dwarf Butterfly Bush 'Pugster Blue' is still producing colorful blooms...
Double Knock Out Roses Still Blooming!
and the Knock Out Roses are blooming too!
Front Island Bed
As we near the end of the tour, there are more signs of autumn with the changing colors of Weeping Japanese Maple on the front lawn contrasting against the deeper evergreen foliage of Weeping Norway Spruce and evergreen variegated foliage of Osmanthus 'Goshiki'. Heuchera (Coral Bells) 'Caramel' with their burgundy undersides give a pop of color in the foreground and Blue Atlas Cedar can be seen in the distance.
Sedum 'Brilliant' Seed Head
Here the dried flower heads of Sedum 'Brilliant' can be seen along with the deep greenish-burgundy foliage of Ajuga...
Dipladenia Still Blooming in October!
while Dipladenia continues to bloom in a planter along the patio.
Garden Visitor: Common Darner Dragonfly (Anax junius) 
The autumn garden does bring many surprises. While working in the garden, I encountered this Common Darner Dragonfly with its green body and golden highlights that sparkle in the sun. She stayed long enough for me to photograph her, and now I can share the moment with you.
Thanks for Visiting!
I hope you enjoyed your visit to my October garden. I so appreciate you being here, look forward to your comments and enjoy seeing what you have growing 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 had hosted Foliage Follow-Up, a meme I will continue to honor. I am also linking with some other wonderful hosts and hostesses at Floral Friday Fotos, Nature Notes at Rambling WoodsImage-in-ing weekly photo share every Tuesday, Weekly Photo Link-Up at My Corner of the World on Wednesdays and Garden Affair at Jaipur Garden. See you next month and do check out my newsletter and books in the meantime! As always...Happy Gardening!

Sharing a Lifetime of Gardening with My Books! (Garden Design, Planning, Maintenance Tips and more!) - Makes a great gift too!

Author: Lee @A Guide to Northeastern Gardening, © Copyright 2010-2024. All rights reserved.