Friday, September 15, 2023

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

Welcome to my Garden!
It is mid-September and the garden is starting to slowly transition into fall mode with a stillness in the air and colors changing throughout the landscape. While we had some of the highest temperatures of the summer just a week ago in the mid-90's, with a heat index of 105 one day,  the seasons are now changing with more comfortable days bringing 70 degree temperatures to move ahead. It is a time of reflection and appreciation for all that nature has to offer. Join me for a tour of my Long Island garden.
My Garden-A Place of Solitude and Peace
As the caption says, my garden is a place of solitude and peace. At this time of year I can easily get lost in the garden for hours at a time, as it is truly my happy place. There is always time for reflection, evaluation and planning for the next possible addition!
Back Island Bed: Crape Myrtle 'Sioux'
A sight I enjoy every late summer is Crape Myrtle. This cultivar is 'Sioux' with deep pink blooms that last for several months, starting at the end of July/early August and continuing throughout September. Along the walkway is Abelia 'Kaleidoscope', just planted this season, with its delicate white blooms, along with the remaining blue blooms of Platycodon 'Komachi' (Balloon Flower).
Back Island Bed-Dwarf Butterfly Bush, Sedum and Heuchera
In the back island bed are Dwarf Butterfly Bush 'Pugster Blue', Sedum 'Brilliant' and Heuchera 'Caramel' (Coral Bells). The 'Pugster Blue' and Sedum are pollinator magnets this time of year!
Dwarf Butterfly Bush 'Pugster Blue'
Here are the vibrant and fragrant purple blooms of 'Pugster Blue' up close.
Back Island Bed-Weigela and Hydrangea
On the opposite side of the island bed is Dwarf Mugo Pine, Variegated Weigela 'My Monet' and Hydrangea 'Limelight Prime', with its panicle-shaped blooms changing from white to pink as fall approaches. 
Echinacea 'Cheyenne Spirit'
In the pool surround, Echinacea 'Cheyenne Spirit' is still producing blooms of various colors on the same plant, while the seed heads are enjoyed by birds.
Back Shade Border
Liriope (Lilyturf) 'Big Blue' is displaying its vibrant purple blooms for late summer along with the foliage of Variegated Boxwood and Leucothoe 'Axillaris'.
Liriope 'Big Blue' (Lilyturf)
I always enjoy the pop of color as I round the corner to the shade garden this time of year.
Back Northern Pool Border
There have been some additional changes going on in the garden. The large Magnolia tree which stood in this spot had been suffering for some time and sadly had to be removed. It did give me the opportunity to revamp the area with these three 'Sky Pencil' Holly, which are the perfect fit for adding some height and dimension, while separating the pool area from the back "secret garden".
Back Northern Perimeter
Along the northern border, Hosta 'Patriot' goes into fall mode with its changing colors and Japanese Dogwood starts to form its red berries...
Endless Summer Hydrangea
while the Endless Summer Hydrangea continues to display its blooms, which are fading but still worth the view!
Pool Border Late Summer Blooms
Alongside Spirea 'Limemound', Sedum 'Thundercloud' are blooming...
Dwarf Maiden Grass 'Yaku Jima' and Sedum
and Sedum 'Brilliant' are blooming alongside Dwarf Maiden Grass 'Yaku Jima', with its wispy plumes.
Pink Double Knock Out Rose Late Summer
Along the fence line, Double Pink Knock Out Rose continues to produce its blooms and will do so until the first frost.
Patio & Pool Surround
For some foliage, here is Osmanthus 'Goshiki' with its changing variegated leaves along with Golden Variegated Sedge. In the distance is a view of the pool area and summer renovation of the waterfall and planting.
Red Double Knock Out Rose Late Summer
Following around the bend are more roses to be seen, this time Double Red Knock Outs still blooming away!
Patio Border-Weeping Norway Spruce & Sedum 'Pure Joy'
Sedum 'Pure Joy', a smaller dwarf version of Sedum is blooming alongside Weeping Norway Spruce...
Patio Perennial Garden
and along the perennial border these are still the remaining blooms of Salvia 'May Night', Echibeckia and Balloon Flower along with the white foliage of Lamb's Ear.
Pinus densiflora 'Low Glow' (Japanese Red Pine)
Here is Japanese Red Pine 'Low Glow'. I have been enjoying this newer addition for the past three years with its pretty foliage along the patio border. It is considered a miniature conifer and will get 3-4 foot tall by wide in 10 years, but can get up to 6 feet in maturity, so I trim the candles in springtime.
Driveway Border
Weeping Blue Atlas Cedar adds a touch of color along the driveway with Coral Bark Maple and Skyland's Oriental Spruce in the backdrop.
Lirope Variegata (Variegated Lilyturf)
Venturing to the front yard, here is Variegated Lilyturf along the front walkway displaying its vibrant purple blooms. I enjoy this perennial all season long for its foliage alone, but the blooms are just fabulous late summer into fall! Care Tip:  To protect Liriope from winter damage, leave the foliage of this perennial over winter and prune it back in early spring as new growth emerges.
Hydrangea 'Tardivia'
For later blooms than most hydrangea, Hydrangea 'Tardivia' blooms late summer with highly scented large while panicle flowers that last into fall. The flowers also look nice in a vase to bring inside.
Front Lawn Weeping Japanese Maple 'Viridis'
On the front lawn, Weeping Japanese Maple 'Viridis' is already displaying more fall-like colors...
Front Walkway Entry
and here along the front walkway is a closer view of 'Skylands' Oriental Spruce, Weeping Blue Atlas Cedar and Mugo Pine, with Coral Bark Maple to the far left.
Front Island Bed & Lawn
The front island bed is starting to look a little bit like fall as well, with the changing colors of foliage. The garden continues to change.
Thank you for Visiting!

I hope you enjoyed your visit to my September garden. I so appreciate you being here, look forward to your comments and look forward to seeing what you have blooming in your neck of the woods! 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 FotosFriday Bliss at Floral Passions, Macro 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 and Garden Affair at Jaipur Garden. Wishing all with gardens that thrive!

Friday, September 1, 2023

This Month in the Garden: Ilex crenata 'Sky Pencil'

This Month in the Garden: Feature Shrub: 'Sky Pencil' Holly
Ilex crenata 'Sky Pencil' (Sky Pencil Holly)
Welcome to This Month in the Garden. For the month of September, we feature Ilex crenata 'Sky Pencil', a versatile selection which adds dimension and intermediate height to the garden. Hardy in USDA zones 5-9, 'Sky Pencil' Holly displays a narrow, columnar habit with dark green evergreen foliage which adds interest throughout the year. In springtime, insignificant small white flowers that attract pollinators lead to small purple berries in fall, if a male holly is nearby. Growing to just 2-3 feet wide by 6-8 feet in height, this shrub adds a dramatic vertical accent to the landscape. 
Ilex crenata 'Sky Pencil' (Sky Pencil Holly)
Plant 'Sky Pencil' Holly in full sun to partial shade (in warmer climates) and water when the top two inches of soil is dry. Ideally, a location with morning sun and afternoon shade is best. Holly are best if watered at the base of  the roots rather than from above and prefer a moderately moist, well-drained soil. If leaves yellow, it is most likely an indication of too much moisture. The height of this broad-leaved evergreen can be easily maintained by pruning in springtime after new growth pushes out and again in late summer if desired, as this selection grows approximately six to twelve inches a year when conditions are ideal. Since this is a broad-leaved evergreen, it is recommended to mulch around the base of the plant to protect it from temperature changes and to spray the foliage with an anti-desiccant in late autumn to protect the leaves from winter drying. 
Ilex crenata 'Sky Pencil' (Sky Pencil Holly)
I hope you enjoyed This Month in the Garden for the month of September. Be sure to stop by on the 1st. and 15th. of each month as I continue to share gardening tips, information and horticultural adventures! Also, be sure to check out my author page and books, as I share a lifetime passion of gardening! 


Author: Lee @A Guide to Northeastern Gardening, © Copyright 2010-2023. All rights reserved. 

Tuesday, August 15, 2023

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

Welcome to My Garden!

As the summer quickly passes by, the month of August brings an abundance of late summer blooms. The northeast has been fortunate weather-wise with temperatures mostly in the 80's with some "dog days of summer" thrown in, but there have been frequent enough rain showers to keep the garden thriving. While a cooler spring has delayed the blooms of Crape Myrtle, which is just starting to open its buds, the weather conditions have been ideal for Hydrangea. Following a seven week drought last season, and they are now in full bloom and showing all their glory! Welcome to my zone 7a Long Island garden. Join me for a stroll!
Hydrangea Limelight Prime
The highlight of the late summer garden this year are the Hydrangeas. This Hydrangea 'Limelight Prime' displays an array of changing color from pale green earlier in summer to bright white in mid-late summer, then to a deep pinkish-red as fall approaches, thus continuing the show! Hardy in USDA zones 3-8, 'Limelight Prime' prefers partial shade, grows to a mature height and width of 4-5 feet tall by wide and blooms on new wood.
Hydrangea Let's Dance 'Big Band'
Another beauty is Hydrangea Let's Dance 'Big Band'. I had this cultivar growing in a twenty-inch pot for three years and just transferred it into the northern garden. It is a compact enough (2-3 feet high by wide) to grow either in container or in ground, and it is thriving. This re-blooming variety is hardy in USDA zones 5-9 and prefers more shade over sun.
Walkway Border
Follow me to the back patio border. Here the bluish-purple blooms of Platycodon 'Komachi' (Balloon Flower) blooming along with the white blooms of Abelia 'Kaleidoscope’, with Blue Globe Spruce in the backdrop. ‘Komachi’ is the only variety of Balloon Flower in which the flowers remain as "balloons", which can be popped once they dry out!
Platycodon grandiflorus 'Komachi' (Balloon Flower)
Here are the interesting blooms up close! They are always quite the conversation piece when visitors stroll the garden. 
Echinacea Pow Wow 'Wild Berry' (Coneflower)
Also along the walkway is Echinacea (Coneflower) Pow Wow 'Wild Berry', which continues to bloom since last month.
Back Northern Border Hosta 'Patriot’ and Black Eyed Susan
Along the back northern border, Hosta 'Patriot’ is showing its blooms along with the blooms of Dwarf Black Eyed Susan 'Little Goldstar'.
Rudbeckia 'Little Goldstar' (Dwarf Black Eyed Susan)
This variety of Black Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia 'Little Goldstar') remains in small clumps and does not spread like other varieties.
Hydrangea 'Endless Summer'
Also in the same garden is Hydrangea 'Endless Summer'. Due to the alkalinity of the soil in this location, the color of the blooms is pink, while on the other side of the property they are blue.
Buddleia 'Pugster Blue' (Dwarf Butterfly Bush)
I have always loved Dwarf Butterfly Bush due to its perfect compact size, but have not had the best of luck with them in our zone, where the winters can sometimes be harsh.  This dwarf variety 'Pugster Blue' seems to finally be happy in its spot. Fingers crossed as time will tell! 
Allium 'Millenium' 
Here is a perennial I have always admired in other gardens and finally purchased some for myself. I love how they bloom later in the season after the 'Globemaster' Allium bloom in springtime. The blooms also attract the pollinators! 'Millenium' grows 15-20 inches high by 10-15 inches wide and prefers full sun. They are hardy in USDA zones 4-8.
Hydrangea 'Tardivia'
Walking along to the northern side of the property, this Hydrangea 'Tardivia' (hardy in USDA zone 3-8) produces massive fragrant panicle blooms in late summer on an 8-10 foot tree-sized plant.
Hydrangea 'Tardivia'
This one is about twenty years old and I look forward to its blooms every year.
Lilium 'Stargazer'
While the Lilium 'Stargazer' have already finished blooming, I had to include a view from just a week ago for Bloom Day! These bloom along the pool patio every summer and I can smell their fragrance across the yard when there is the slightest breeze.
Daylily 'Stella D Oro'
Continuing to bloom since June is Daylily 'Stella D Oro', which just keeps on giving. While I've been wanting to clean up the foliage, they just keep producing more buds, so I will need to be careful!
Pink Double Knock Out Rose
The Double Knock Out Roses continue to bloom as well. These pink ones exist along the northern side of the property with southern exposure. 
Hosta and Leucothoe 'Axillaris’

For some foliage, here is Leucothoe 'Axillaris' with the blooms of Hosta in the foreground. It makes for some interest in the shade border...
Front Walkway Foliage Combinations
and along the front walkway are the large heart-shaped leaves of Weeping Eastern Redbud 'Lavender Twist'. Weeping White Pine follows, with 'Skylands' Oriental Spruce in the back center and Coral Bark Maple to the back left. 
Front Garden Berm
In the front garden berm are various cultivars of blue and gold blooming Hosta along with variegated evergreen Osmanthus 'Goshiki' and perennial Sedum 'Pure Joy', which will be blooming next month.
Hosta Blooming!
Another variety of Hosta in the garden is Shadowland ‘Etched Glass’. I enjoy its combination of lime green and golden highlights.
Pink Dipladenia  
Last, but not least are the vibrant blooms of  tropical Dipladenia, which sits right by the back entry where I get to see it everyday. I am going to try overwintering this beauty inside near a window to see if I can get another season out of it. Similar to Mandevilla which is a climbing vine, this species tends to be more shrub-like.
Sedum 'Brilliant' Future Blooms!
That is it for our stroll. There is always something to look forward to in the garden, and there will be more blooms to see next month!
Thank you for Stopping By!
I hope you enjoyed your visit to my August garden. I so appreciate you being here, look forward to your comments and look forward to seeing what you have blooming in your neck of the woods! 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 FotosFriday Bliss at Floral Passions, Macro 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 and Garden Affair at Jaipur Garden. Wishing all with gardens that thrive!