One Lovely Blog Award: Thank You!

I have so much enjoyed garden blogging over the past few years and have met so many wonderful bloggers who have a passion of gardening like myself.  I am honored to have been nominated for the "One Lovely Blog" Award by Astrid at Astrid's Garden Design.    Astrid is located in  Ontario, Canada and has a true passion for gardening.  I have followed Astrid's blog for sometime now and it is  informative,  fun to read and absolutely lovely, so bookmark it for you will surely enjoy visiting time and time again.   As a fellow garden blogger I have strived over the years to make my writings both informative and a source for gardeners to gather information, so it is nice to know that my efforts have been appreciated.  Thank you Astrid for this honorable award!   I would also like to recognize and nominate some other blogs that I follow which are certainly deserving of this honor.

The rules for the One Lovely Blog award are:

a) Thank the nominator and link to his/her site.

b) Share 7 things about yourself.

c) Nominate up to 10 other bloggers for the award.

Here are 7 things you never knew about me:

1. My birthday zodiac sign is Leo.

2. Besides being an avid gardener I am also entering into my 32nd. year as an educator.

3. I love to travel and my favorite travel place is Aruba.

4. I have grown up and lived in the same house all my life.
5. I have enjoyed gardening since the age of five when I planted my first tree.
6. The pictures for my blog are taken using a Canon Rebel camera.

7. My favorite dessert is Chocolate Moose!


I have been following a number of LOVELY blogs over the years that I have enjoyed immensely.

I nominate the following blogs for the One Lovely Blog Award:

Carol at http://www.maydreamsgardens.com/

Pam at http://pamsenglishcottagegarden.blogspot.com/

Scott at http://www.rhonestreetgardens.com/

Greggo at http://greggosgarden.blogspot.com/

Donna at http://gardenwalkgardentalk.com/

Amy at http://goawayimgardening.blogspot.com/

John at http://www.obsessiveneuroticgardener.com/

Cat at http://www.thewhimsicalgardener.com/

 

Thank you for visiting and there you have it...seven things you never knew about me and a whole new list of LOVELY blogs to start following!

As Always...Happy Gardening!

Author: Lee@A Guide To Northeastern Gardening, Copyright 2012. All rights reserved

Garden Blogger's Bloom Day July 2012

It is July in my northeast Long Island garden and the landscape is full of color and life!  We are located in zone 7 on the south shore of Long Island near the Long Island Sound and there has been an abundance of blooms.  The gardens are very much ahead of schedule due to the unusually mild winter...or rather lack of winter this past year.  Come walk with me to explore my July garden...

Monarch Butterfly

My new miniature butterfly Bush has given me more enjoyment that I could have imagined.  It is constantly the haven for butterflies of all types and the Monarchs have been such a joy to watch and admire.  Everyday the butterflies visit from morning until dusk and they are not at all camera shy! I think this little fellow might actually be posing.

Lantana

This is a close up of the beautiful blooms of Lantana on my new patio tree. This was a surprise present from my husband and I love it.   It will have to come in for the winter in this zone 7 garden and I am hoping I will have it for years to come...so pretty and fragrant too!

Lantana Patio Tree

Lillium 'Stargazer'

The 'Stargazer' Lillies are several weeks earlier this year...

Lillium 'Cassablanca'

and so are the 'Cassablanca'.  The sweet fragrance of the 'Stargazer' and 'Cassablanca' is fabulous and can be sensed all around the yard.

Local Visitor

The neighborhood ducks from the local pond have been paying quite a few visits to the garden this year.  He will just walk along with us.

Perennial Gardem with Salvia 'May Night', Hemerocallis 'Grape Velvet' and Stachys

The perennial garden is now in full bloom with Salvia 'May Night', Hemerocallis 'Grape Velvet' and Stachys byzantina (Lamb's Ear).  It will continue to bloom throughout July and August. 

Hosta 'Fire & Ice' -20"diameter, flowers in July-August

Here is the newest member in my hosta collection, 'Fire &Ice'...

Astilbe 'Visions' (Purple)

and the newest Astilbe addition, Astilbe 'Visions' in purple. Both are welcome additions to the shadier part of the garden.

Hydrangea 'Nikko Blue' - blooms on old wood

The hydrangea are all in bloom with vivid blues.....

Hydrangea Endless Summer 'Twist & Shout'-blooms on new and old wood

and delicate pinks.  The above lace cap hydrangea planted last summer is really producing some nice blooms.

Perennial Garden (Full Sun)

Here is the full sun area of the garden.  In the backdrop is a Weeping White Pine (left) and Yaku Jima Maiden Grass (right).   In the foreground is Astilbe 'Sprite' (left) with its light pink blooms and Sedum ' Dragon Blood' (right). Don't let the name get you-the blooms are a vibrant fushia and last for throughout the summer.   My Astilbe 'Sprite' does just fine in full sun with irrigation.  This one gets just a little bit of afternoon shading from the Weeping Pine above it.  The sedum takes full intense sun and drought and is very hardy.

Evergreen & Perennial Garden

Here is another view of the garden showing the Golden Hinoki Cypress, Montgomery Globe Blue Spruce and Daylily 'Stella D Oro'.  To the right is Sedum 'Brilliant' which will bloom next month.

Nepeta 'Walkers Low' and Knock Out Rose 'Double Red'

It wouldn't be July in the garden without Nepeta and Roses...  I love this combination.

Here is his mate.  I knew she couldn't be far behind.  These two feathered friends feel very comfortable walking around the gardens and are quite adorable to watch.  Two years ago they nested under a tree and we had baby ducklings...so cute!

Garden Gal

 So another month has come and gone and another Garden Blogger's Bloom Day has arrived.  Our Long Island garden is alive with color, fragrance and visitors galore and nestled under a tree...Garden Gal is still smiling!  Thank you for visiting and I hope you enjoyed the tour. For more July gardens from around the world be sure to visit our Garden Blogger's Bloom Day hostess Carol at May Dreams Gardens.  Thank you Carol for making every month of the year a gardener's paradise!

"Dirty hands, iced tea, garden fragrances thick in the air and a blanket of color before me,
who could ask for more?"- Bev Adams, Mountain Gardening

As Always...Happy Garden Blogger's Bloom Day and Happy Gardening!

Author: Lee@A Guide To Northeastern Gardening, Copyright 2012. All rights reserved.

Planting Fields Arboretum: A visit in July

I loved Planting Fields Arboretum so much when visiting last August that I took another trip to explore it in July.  My plan is to eventually visit every month between May and September.  Every time it is a whole new show and all so beautiful!  Planting Fields is located on the north shore of Long Island, New York in the town of Oyster Bay. The grounds are the former home of William Robertson Coe and his wife Mary (Mai) Huttleston Coe in 1913. Planting Fields retains its original historic buildings and landscapes and can be visited year round.

  

  

Hope you enjoyed the visit!

As Always...Happy Gardening!

Author: Lee@A Guide To Northeastern Gardening, Copyright 2012.  All rights reserved.