A GUIDE TO NORTHEASTERN GARDENING

Wednesday, July 15, 2026

Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day & Foliage Follow-Up July: Summer Blooms in the Garden

Welcome to My Garden!

Welcome to my zone 7b Long Island garden! With a record breaking heat of 97 degrees on the 3rd, (which felt like 102) followed by torrential rains on the 6th, believe it or not, we are still in a drought. On the hotter days as I sit under my the covered porch and as the lyrics to the song "Summer Breeze" go over and over again in my mind, I gaze out into the garden and daydream. On the cooler days, it is time to work in the garden deadheading perennials and performing some needed pruning. Whatever the temperature outside, the garden is always my happy place. Join me for a tour!

Welcoming Committee

As we start the tour, here is a view of the patio garden. Trombly’s Red Sentinel Japanese Maple stands as a focal point, surrounded by Spirea ‘Candy Corn’, Echinacea, Lamb’s Ear, lilies and juniper. The welcoming committee is here to greet you along with a beverage of choice!

Patio Border

This is the view I see from the patio, where I sit and contemplate what is going to be the next chore to do in the garden, go over in my mind the course of the day, or to take a break after doing some maintenance. In view are the blooms of Echinacea Pow Wow 'Wild Berry', along with a closer view of Spirea 'Candy Corn', Juniper and mixed perennials.

Pool Border

Along the pool border is my favorite statue of a young girl with her kitty, along with Echinacea ‘Cheyenne Spirit’ and Golden Dwarf Hinoki Cypress. Astilbe ‘Sprite’ can be seen displaying its unusual feathery, star-like blooms in the backdrop.

Weeping White Pine, Astilbe 'Sprite' & Sedum Groundcover

Here is a closer view of Astilbe 'Sprite'. This dwarf variety displays light pink wispy blooms beneath the cascading foliage of Weeping White Pine along the pool border. Groundcover sedum is going into bloom along the sunnier portion of the bed.

Echinacea 'Cheyenne Spirit' and Blue Globe Spruce

Here is the Echinacea ‘Cheyenne Spirit’ with its multitude of different color blooms on the same plant, along with Dwarf Blue Globe Spruce.

Veronica spicata 'Royal Candles' (Speedwell)

Veronica 'Royal Candles' displays its long lasting spikes of colorful blooms along the walkway, while Hydrangea 'Nikko Blue' shows its attractive blue blooms each summer.

Shade Garden-Endless Summer Hydrangea

'Nikko Blue' is a reliable old fashioned hydrangea that blooms on old wood. Pruning Tip: To ensure blooms each summer, only prune off only the dead flower heads just above the next node in late winter or early spring. We have had some cold Spring temperatures where the buds can be affected, but luckily the plant is sheltered where it is.

Hydrangea 'Nikko Blue'

Here are the blooms up close. I so look forward to enjoying them each year.

Daylily 'Sammy Russell'

Now that the month of July has set in, and the Stella D Oro Daylilies have been blooming for some time, the next round of blooms are here from Daylily ‘Sammy Russell’. The orangey-red blooms with yellow centers last for quite some time and brighten up the garden.

Miniature Blue Hosta 'Mouse Ears'

The blooms of Hosta also take notice starting in July, and the tubular flowers are an attraction for hummingbirds. Here are some of the first blooms from a miniature variety called Hosta ‘Mouse Ears’, which resides along the pool border.

Nepeta 'Cat's Pajamas' (Catmint)

There are many new varieties of Nepeta (Catmint). This one is Nepeta 'Cat's Pajamas', which stays smaller and more compact and displays deeper bluish-purple blooms. It also blooms throughout most of the summer and attracts pollinators too!

Hydrangea Patio Planters

Along the patio, I am enjoying my new matching planters with different varieties of dwarf hydrangea, which are in full bloom right now. Here is Hydrangea 'Magical Revolution' on the left and Tuff Stuff 'Top Fun' on the right!

Hydrangea 'Magical Revolution'

Hydrangea 'Magical Revolution' is hardy to USDA zones 5-9, and is admired for its long lasting blooms on both new and old wood, and it is a compact plant, growing to just one to two feet tall by wide. It is known to bloom up to five months and produces tones of pink or blue blooms (depending on soil pH) which deepen in color to purple, maroon and green as they age. I just got this beauty, so I am looking forward to enjoying the show!

Hydrangea Tuff Stuff 'Top Fun'

Hydrangea Tuff Stuff 'Top Fun' is a re-blooming mountain hydrangea with lace-cap blooms that form on both old and new wood. It is hardy in USDA zones 4-9, and grows to a height and width of two to three feet. I have been enjoying this beauty for three years now. Colors can range form pink to blue depending on soil acidity.

Shade Garden

Here in the back shade garden is a mature Weeping Norway Spruce with Upright Boxwood, Astilbe, Coral Bells 'Caramel', Jacob's Ladder and another mountain hydrangea.

Northern Border

Strolling around to the northern border, here is Kousa Dogwood 'Greensleeves', Endless Summer Hydrangea to the left, Black Eyed Susan, Hosta 'Patriot' and Gold Lace Juniper to the right.

Hydrangea 'Firelight Tidbit' Getting Ready!

Along the eastern side of the property, Hydrangea 'Firelight Tidbit' (hardy in USDA zones 3-8) is getting ready to bloom! This compact two to three foot panicle hydrangea blooms on new wood and will show off its creamy-white blooms that eventually fade to pink when approaching fall.

Weeping Eastern Redbud 'Lavender Twist' Foliage

We could not end the tour without visiting the Weeping Eastern Redbud 'Lavender Twist' along the front walkway. Even though it blooms in spring, I admire the foliage even more. It's large heart-shaped leaves seem to get bigger every year!

Driveway Border

Last, but not least is a visit to the driveway planting for some different forms of foliage and blooms too. In the backdrop is Golden Hinoki Cypress 'Verdoni' with the deep purple foliage of 'Spilled Wine' Weigela, deep green foliage of Mugo Pine, light green foliage of Dwarf Norway Spruce and blooms of Nepeta 'Walkers Low'. That is it for now, and it looks like we are in yet another heat wave! I guess I will be playing "Summer Breeze" in my mind once again!

Thanks for Visiting!

I hope you enjoyed your visit to my July 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, Weekly Photo Link-Up at My Corner of the World on Wednesdays 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!

Wednesday, July 1, 2026

7 Native Pollinator Perennials for Your Garden

With the decline of natural pollinators, interest in native and pollinator-friendly gardening has increased substantially, and for a good reason. If you are looking to create a beautiful garden that supports bees, butterflies, and other beneficial pollinators, planting native perennials is one of the best investments you can make. Native plants have evolved alongside local wildlife, making them excellent sources of nectar, pollen, and habitat while requiring less maintenance than many non-native ornamentals. In addition to native Milkweed, which is an essential host plant for Monarch butterfly caterpillars, here are seven additional native pollinator plants for the northeast.

Coreopsis (Tickseed): Coreopsis is one of the longest-blooming native perennials, producing cheerful yellow flowers from early summer into fall. Its bright blooms attract native bees, butterflies, and beneficial insects throughout the growing season.

● Full sun

● Well-drained soil

● Drought tolerant once established

● Deadheading spent flowers can encourage further blooming

Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea): A true garden favorite, purple coneflower is as tough as it is beautiful. Its large purple blooms are magnets for butterflies and native bees, while its seed heads become an important winter food source for goldfinches and other birds.

● Full sun

● Average, well-drained soil

● Highly drought tolerant

●Leave seed heads through winter for wildlife

Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta): Black-eyed Susan are iconic native wildflowers known for their golden petals surrounding dark centers. They bloom heavily throughout summer, attracting bees, butterflies, and beneficial insects while adding color to the landscape.

● Full sun

● Adaptable to most soil types

● Drought tolerant

Bee Balm (Monarda): Bee balm, also known as wild bergamot, is a standout native perennial with vibrant blooms in shades of red, pink, purple, or white. Its nectar-rich flowers are especially attractive to bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, and its aromatic foliage adds another layer of garden appeal.

● Full sun to partial shade

● Moist, well-drained soil

●Divide clumps every few years to keep plants vigorous.

Blazing Star (Liatris spicata): With its tall spikes of fluffy purple flowers, blazing star adds dramatic vertical interest while serving as one of the best nectar plants for butterflies, native bees, hummingbirds, and even hummingbird moths.

● Full sun

● Well-drained soil

● Moderate drought tolerance

● Plant in groups for the visual impact

Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis): Cardinal flower is a stunning native perennial with brilliant red blooms that are especially attractive to hummingbirds, butterflies, and native bees. Its tall flower spikes add bold color to garden spaces from midsummer into early fall and it is perfect for shadier, moist spots.

Growing Tips:

● Partial shade

● Moist, rich soil

● Keep soil consistently damp

● Great for rain gardens, pond edges, and woodland borders

New England Aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae): When most summer flowers begin to fade, New England aster steals the show. Its vibrant purple flowers bloom from late summer into fall, providing critical nectar for migrating monarch butterflies and late-season pollinators.

● Full sun

● Moist, well-drained soil

● Pinch stems in early summer for bushier growth

● Excellent for naturalized landscapes

By incorporating these native plants into your landscape, you can enjoy months of colorful blooms while creating a valuable habitat for pollinators. Together, Coreopsis, Echinacea, Black Eyed Susan, Bee Balm, Liatris, Cardinal Flower and New England Aster provide nectar and pollen from early summer through fall, helping sustain bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and other beneficial wildlife.

Whether you are planting a dedicated pollinator garden or simply adding a few native perennials to existing beds, every flower makes a difference. Your garden won’t just look beautiful, it will become part of a healthier, more resilient ecosystem.

Monday, June 15, 2026

Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day & Foliage Follow-Up June: The Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

Welcome to My June Garden!

Welcome to my Long Island zone 7b garden. Located on the south shore of the island, the weather for June has been a bit of a rollercoaster ride with days ranging from the comfortable mid-70s', followed by days in the mid-upper 90's with high humidity, making time spent outside limited. The late afternoons and evenings do bring cooler temperatures, a time for me to venture out into the garden and collect my thoughts, since the garden is my happy place.

Welcoming Committee

To begin the tour, the infamous welcoming committee is here to greet you. Today's beverage of choice is iced tea, or perhaps some lemonade, since the temperatures are a bit warm! We are going to start the tour with some views from a couple of weeks ago, because we just could not pass them up!

Rhododendron in Southern "Secret" Garden

This was the best year I have ever seen for the Rhododendron in the back secret garden. It is something I see when I wander around the back corner and caught it just in time for some photos, as it was bursting with an abundance of blooms. Since the blooms are not long-lived, I got a quick capture to share with you.

Allium 'Globemaster' Pool Perimeter

The Allium was blooming at the same time, so we had to catch them at their best as well. The blooms are now starting to fade, but they are still amazing, and the Daylilies are starting to chime in, which we will visit later.

Patio Border

It has also been an amazing year for Peony 'Bartzella'. It's blooms have been more enormous than ever! It is accompanied by Salvia 'May Night', Mugo Pine 'Slowmound', Spirea 'Candy Corn', Rhode Island Red Japanese Maple and Lamb's Ear.

Itoh Peony 'Bartzella'

Here is a single bloom up close! 'Bartzella is a hybrid cross between a shrub and tree form of Peony.

Kousa Dogwood 'Greensleeves'

Kousa Dogwood 'Greensleeves' is also abundant with greenish-white blooms this year. Juniperus 'Gold Lace' resides next to it.

Driveway Border

Following along to the driveway border and joining Weeping Norway Spruce, Spirea 'Magic Carpet' is blooming along with Salvia 'Caradonna' and Japanese Iris. The Japanese Iris are from the original Iris patch that my mom planted when I was just a child.

Front Lawn

Along the front lawn are island beds with a mixture of evergreens, flowering shrubs and perennials, including Weeping Japanese Maple, Blue Atlas Cedar, Mugo Pine, Japanese Andromeda, Anna's Magic Ball Arborvitae and Hosta.

Knock Out Rose 'Radrazz'

Back around to the patio and pool area, Knock Out Rose 'Radrazz' is blooming away...

Hen's & Chicks Succulent Grouping

and the Hen's & Chicks with Sedum 'Angelina' (Stonecrop) are doing well.

Allium 'Globemaster' and Daylily 'Stella D Oro'

It is June, so Daylily 'Stella D Oro' is now blooming at the base of Allium 'Globemaster' in the pool border. Even though the blooms of the Allium are fading a bit, I still enjoy the structure they provide throughout the entire summer.

Daylily 'Stella D Oro'

Here are the Daylily blooms up close, and also the bright deep pink blooms of Spirea 'Candy Corn'!

Spirea Blooms!

I love this newer cultivar of Spirea, as it is more compact, has wonderful foliage and blooms, and the new spring growth pushes out fiery red twisted stems.

Patio Planters

Along the patio the hydrangea in planters are getting ready to bloom, with the garden in the distance...

A Friendly Visitor!

and this little Song Sparrow visitor is not shy at all. He baths playfully in the water on the patio after I water the Hydrangeas each day.

Patio Planters

As we approach the end of the tour, here are more patio planters with a mix of evergreens, flowering shrubs and succulents, which are cold hardy enough to stay out and be enjoyed all year.

Herb/Vegetable Garden

Last, but not least is my husband's herb and vegetable garden which he uses for cooking. I taught him how to set it up and he planted it himself this year with great pride! I have made a gardener out of him after all these years!

Thanks for Visiting!

I hope you enjoyed your visit to my June 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, Weekly Photo Link-Up at My Corner of the World on Wednesdays 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)