A GUIDE TO NORTHEASTERN GARDENING

Tuesday, September 15, 2026

Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day & Foliage Follow-Up September: Late Summer Garden Tour

Welcome!

Welcome to my zone 7b Long Island garden! With fall approaching rapidly, the summer seems to have dwindled away so quickly. While the seasons are changing with cooler temperatures mostly in the 70's and much needed rain, the garden continues to produce interesting foliage and blooms. Join me for a tour and discover what there is to see!

Back Island Bed

Starting in the back island bed, the later blooming Hydrangea 'Limelight Prime' is still showing off its blooms, which turn in color from greenish-white to white and then to the pinkish tint, which you see here as we approach the fall season.

Patio Garden

Abelia 'Kaleidoscope' along the patio border is starting to produce its trumpet shaped white blooms in mid-September, which will continue into October. Since I introduced this relatively new addition to the garden, I have been enjoying the late summer interest and the foliage as well, as it remains mostly evergreen throughout the different seasons.

Abelia 'Kaleidoscope'

Here are the blooms up close!

Blue Globe Spruce and Echinacea (Coneflower)

Along the patio border, Blue Globe Spruce is in the distance with Echinacea Pow Wow 'Wild Berry' in the foreground. The American Goldfinches have really enjoyed the seed heads of the Echinacea this year!

Echinacea Late Summer

There are a couple of somewhat remaining blooms...

Echinacea Seed Head

and I am enjoying the interesting spiral structure of the seed heads.

Liriope 'Big Blue'

In the back shade border, Liriope 'Big Blue' (Lilyturf) is showing off its wonderful bright purple blooms...

Jacob's Ladder

while variegated Jacob's Ladder is displaying its wonderful foliage! The plant itself stays a compact 12 to 18 inches tall and produces bluish-purple blooms in late spring.

Northern Fenceline

Along the northern fence-line, Kousa Dogwood is joined by miniature Black Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia 'Little Goldstar') and Hosta 'Patriot'.

Back Shade Border 'Secret Garden'

Following the stepping stone path around to the "secret garden" is where Weeping Norway Spruce can be seen along with Mountain Hydrangea, Heuchera 'Caramel' (Coral Bells) and Jacob's Ladder.

Endless Summer Hydrangea Almost Fall

There are still the remains of some blooms on Endless Summer Hydrangea, and on the other side of the yard, Crape Myrtle 'Sioux' continues to bloom as we approach the back perimeter garden.

Back Perimeter View

Here is a view of a section of the back gardens along the perimeter on the southern side of the property with the patio garden in the foreground. Crape Myrtle 'Sioux' starts its bloom at the end of July and continues into fall.

Hydrangea 'Firelight Tidbit'

Here is another relatively new addition (within the last three years). Meet Hydrangea 'Firelight Tidbit'. Its white blooms are now getting their wonderful pinkish tint.

Sedum 'Pure Joy'

Speaking of pink, Sedum 'Pure Joy' is still blooming away since August...

Knock Out Rose 'Radrazz'

and blooming all summer long with its bright red blooms is Knock Out Rose 'Radrazz'.

Back Patio Garden

For a little foliage, here is Rhode Island Red Japanese Maple with variegated Osmanthus 'Goshiki' Weeping Blue Atlas Cedar, Dwarf Mugo Pine 'Slowmound' (left) and Dwarf Red Pine 'Low Glow' (right).

Front Island Bed with Moss Rock Boulder Wall

Follow me as we go around to the southeastern lawn where we see the newly added Nepeta 'Chartreuse' (Catmint) along the front of the new boulder wall. Since the large tree came down from the corner, the area is now receiving full sun and the Nepeta is doing well.

Front Eastern Border

Along the front foundation and facing directly east is golden Hinoki Cypress 'Verdoni', Juniperus 'Blue Star' and Japanese Variegated Sedge. With a slight cleaning out this past spring, the variegated sedge is exceptionally vibrant this season.

Hydrangea 'Tardiva' Front Northern Side

Hydrangea 'Tardiva' is one of the latest blooming hydrangea varieties and is blooming away for late summer through fall. I look forward to its large white panicle shaped flowers every year as the summer nears its end.

Hydrangea 'Tardiva' Blooms Up Close!

Here are the delicate blooms up close.

Starting to Look Like Fall!

As we near the end of the tour, you can see the changing foliage of Weeping Japanese Maple on the front lawn with Blue Atlas Cedar in the backdrop...

Tea Time!

and perhaps it is now time to enjoy a nice hot cup of tea!

Thanks for Visiting!

I hope you enjoyed your visit to my September 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 Woods, and Garden Affair at Jaipur Garden.

Connect With Me 🌼

It's time to plan your garden! Visit my Author Page 👈to learn about and purchase my books, each one focusing on different aspects of gardening, including landscape ideas, design principles, gardening by month for all-season interest, gardening tips and maintenance, shade gardening, gardening inspiration and more. And also be sure to check out my newest publication, The Houseplant Guide, to guide you on your houseplant journey! If you have read any of my books and have found them to be useful, reviews are very much appreciated!

Also, check out my newsletter Northeastern Gardening News for monthly updates all to do with gardening! It's free to subscribe or you can pledge a donation to show support for my work, or upgrade to receive extra perks monthly right into your inbox!

Find me on Instagram at Northeastern Gardening and Facebook at A Guide to Northeastern Gardening Blog & Author Page.

Until we Meet Again...Happy Gardening!

Tuesday, September 1, 2026

Mopa Mopa Plant: From Rainforest to Artwork

Welcome!

Welcome to This Month in the Garden! On a recent trip, I learned about yet another amazing plant and the fascinating history behind it. Mopa Mopa tree (scientific name Elaeagia pastoensis) is native to the higher elevation, humid rainforests in southwestern Colombia where the Andes meet the Amazon. Hardy in USDA zones 10-11, it can reach 13 to 32 feet in height and is very difficult to find or cultivate outside its native region. Mopa Mopa belongs to the Rubiaceae family, which is the same botanical family which includes coffee, and the resin of the tree is the essential material behind Barniz de Pasto, or Pasto varnish, one of Colombia’s most distinctive traditional art forms.

Mopa Mopa Tree Artwork

The material prized by artisans is concentrated around the plant's developing leaf buds and shoots. A resinous substance accumulates around these tender growing portions, forming a protective coating. Harvesters pick the sticky leaf buds and shoots of the tree, then the material is heated in water, softened, worked and cleaned until all the unwanted plant material has been removed. As the remaining material is heated, it becomes soft, pliable and elastic. Traditionally the artisans would stretch it by hand or with their teeth into paper-thin, glowing sheets.

The Process (Photo Credit: The Mask Aruba)

Modern workshops now use mechanical methods for some portions of the process, but the fundamental knowledge remains similar. Considerable skill is required because the material must remain warm and flexible without becoming unusable. The resin can occur naturally in shades ranging from yellowish to green; however, once processed the colors can be amplified before being cut and inlayed onto carved wood objects. The artisan places the colored resin over a wooden object and cuts the material with a sharp knife. Extremely fine cuts can produce leaves, flowers, birds, animals, geometric forms and elaborate scrolling patterns. Although the finished objects may look like lacquer, Mopa Mopa is something quite different.

Mopa Mopa Artwork

Mopa mopa is not a recent discovery. Archaeological and historical evidence indicates that related resins have been used by Indigenous peoples in the region for more than a thousand years. The material had a number of uses besides for decoration. Historical evidence indicates that Mopa Mopa and related resins could serve as adhesives, sealants and protective coatings. It was also used in other ceremonial and decorative applications. The art is not simply a reflection of decorative style. It represents the survival, evolution and knowledge surrounding a particular plant, its environment and its extraordinary physical properties.

Mopa Mopa Artwork

Symbols & Colors: In Mopa Mopa artwork, each symbol and color has a meaning. While circles represent totality (earth, wind, fire and water), rebirth and wealth, tears symbolize the elimination of sorrow and pain, while flowers bring peace, love and tranquility. Yellow symbolizes the power of the sun, red is for wisdom, green represents nature and the color blue is the representation of the cosmos and air, bringing tranquility, peace and health.

The Mopa Mopa tree faces serious threats of decline due to deforestation, regional development, and climate change in southwest Colombia and today very few master artisans remain. On December 16, 2020 the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization recognized the need to safeguard this tradition and declared Mopa Mopa art a "Cultural Heritage of Humanity". The story of the Mopa Mopa tree is a reminder that art can be forever intertwined with nature.

Connect With Me 🌼

Find me on Instagram at Northeastern Gardening and Facebook at A Guide to Northeastern Gardening Blog & Author Page.

Until we Meet Again...Happy Gardening!

Saturday, August 15, 2026

Garden Bloggers' Blooms Day & Foliage Follow-Up August: Welcome Late Summer Blooms!

Welcome!

Welcome to my zone 7b Long Island garden! As summer passes by quickly, the month of August brings both an abundance of heat and blooms. With some days in the 90’s, thunderstorms arrive in the evening hours and bring some needed rain to the garden. Late bloomers such as Crape Myrtle, hydrangea, allium and balloon flower (to name a few) bring color to the landscape. Join me for a tour of my late summer garden!

Hydrangea 'Firelight Tidbit'

The first stop is along the entry to the backyard as you pass through the gate. This newly transformed garden has stolen my heart as it was once my mom's iris garden which had finally run its course after some forty years. I planted these Hydrangea 'Firelight Tidbit' as a tribute to her and they have grown and become even more beautiful over the past three years. As fall arrives, the once white blooms will take on a pinkish hue.

Hydrangea 'Limelight Prime'

Also in the back portion of the property is another late summer blooming hydrangea, Hydrangea 'Limelight Prime', which brings beautiful white blooms to give contract against the deep green foliage of the Compacta Hinoki Cypress behind it, Mugo Pine to the right and Variegated Weigela 'My Monet' to the left.

Patio Surround

Along the patio border is Trombly's Red Sentinel Japanese Maple, Ableia 'Kaliedoscope' (blooms late August-September), Spirea 'Candy Corn', Echinacea and a rarely seen variety of Balloon Flower known as Platycodon grandiflorus 'Komachi' whose flowers never open up, but rather remain as uninflated puffed up balloons!

Platycodon 'Komachi' (Balloon Flower)
Here are the blooms up close, and yes...it lives up to its name!

Crape Myrtle 'Sioux'

On an island bed on the southern side of the property is Crape Myrtle 'Sioux', which started blooming about two weeks earlier this year, along with Compact Hinoki Cypress (to the left), Mugo Pine (front) and Juniperus 'Gold Lace' in the backdrop. The hydrangeas along the fence-line are completing their bloom for the season.

Buddleia 'Pugster Blue'

On the opposite side of the raised island bed is Buddleia 'Pugster Blue', a dwarf non-invasive hybrid of Butterfly Bush with large, deep purple blooms.

Spirea 'Candy Corn' and Echinacea Pow Wow 'Wild Berry'

Bordering the patio is Spirea 'Candy Corn' with a second mini round of blooms and in the foreground is Echinacea.

Southern Border Garden-Secret Garden

Leaving the southern secret garden presents a different view, from before. Crape Myrtle 'Sioux' can be seen in the distance, with Allium 'Millennium' in the foreground. I love seeing these wonderful lavender blooms in late summer. The bumblebees love them too!

Allium' Millennium'
Here is a close-up of a very happy visitor!

Northern Border

Here along the northern portion of the property is a garden statue of a boy reading a book along with Weeping Blue Atlas Cedar and Heuchera (Coral Bells) 'Caramel'...

Echinacea 'Cheyenne Spirit'

and along the pool border, Echinacea 'Cheyenne Spirit' continues to bloom. An American Goldfinch visitor has been enjoying the seeds on a daily basis!

Patio Border

A dwarf form of Sedum growing to only 10-12 inches in height is Sedum 'Pure Joy'. Along the patio, it is starting to show its late summer blooms.

Back Northern Border

Along the northern fence-line, Kousa Dogwood is joined by Hosta 'Patriot', Rudbeckia 'Little Goldstar', Gold Lace Juniper (to the right) and Endless Summer Hydrangea to the left.

Rudbeckia 'Little GoldStar' (Dwarf Black Eyed Susan)

I enjoy how this cultivar of Rudbeckia is dwarf, more compact and does not spread everywhere.

Viburnum 'Summer Snowflake'

Summer is winding down, so Viburnum 'Summer Snowflake' is pushing out another round of its white star-like blooms resembling snowflakes...

Pool Border

and the Golden Pacific Juniper which I planted a few years ago seems to be very happy as it trails down the moss rock waterfall. The Juniper is joined by a mature Weeping Norway Spruce and Upright Variegated Boxwood.

Back Shade-Secret Garden

As we approach the end of the tour, a bluestone path leads to the back northern secret shade garden where another Weeping Norway Spruce is joined by 'Caramel' Coral Bells, Pulmonaria, Jacob's Ladder, Cherry Laurel and Variegated Boxwood. At the very end is a miniature bird bath which is visible around the corner bend.

Thanks for Visiting!

I hope you enjoyed your visit to my August 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 Woods, and Garden Affair at Jaipur Garden.

Connect With Me 🌼

Find me on Instagram at Northeastern Gardening and Facebook at A Guide to Northeastern Gardening Blog & Author Page.

Until we Meet Again...Happy Gardening!

Welcome!

Welcome to A Guide to Northeastern Gardening. I am a landscape/garden designer, consultant, speaker and book author from the south shore of Long Island. Involved in the horticultural field since 1996, I started this blog so that I could share my love of gardening with others. Join me for over 350 articles on general gardening, landscape design principles, gardening tips, planting, pruning, garden maintenance, feature plants and more. I look forward to and welcome your comments and will try my best to answer any questions that you may have. Thank you for visiting and do come back often! Happy Gardening! ~ Lee (A Guide to Northeastern Gardening)