2013 Gardening Year in Review and Happy New Year!

2013 January Garden

It's hard to believe that another year has come and gone by so quickly.  As we welcome the new year I reminisce of the gardening year past and have high hopes for the season upon us.  The year of 2013 was an eventful one both weather wise and plant wise for my zone 7 Long Island garden with lots of new events and additions. The month of January came in like a lamb with mild temperatures in the 40's and 50's which was a relief for the garden after the hurricane and frequent northeasters from last year...but that's just the beginning!

2013 February Garden

By the end of January the temperatures started to plummet and by February 8th and 9th we were blanketed under 19.8 inches of snow from Blizzard Nemo with up to 3 foot drifts in certain areas of the island.  I remember the island was pretty much shut down for those two days and it seemed like we wouldn't even get out of the house for a while.  Now I know for some of you that doesn't seem like a whole lot of snow but for us it was one of the larger storms we had had in some time.  Spring seemed far away.

2013 March Garden

In March 40 and 50 degree temperatures had arrived and the garden did start to show some signs of spring.   Catkins appeared on the Weeping Pussy Willow and opened into glorious white puffs and hyacinth bulbs were showing their crowns.  The garden started to get back on track after the disruption of the hurricane last year, but still seemed several weeks behind, since the blooms were much more frequent last year.

2013 April Garden

By April the temperatures had risen into the upper 50's to mid-60's with one day topping at a balmy 81 degrees!  The sudden rise in temperatures snapped the gardens right back on track with blooms of crocus, hyacinths and Start Magnolia and the fragrance of spring was everywhere.  Last fall I had finally added several clusters more of purple crocus around the yard and really enjoyed seeing them bloom this spring...purple...purple everywhere! 

2013 May Garden

In May temperatures in the 70's with spring rains brought along Ajuga, Spirea and Azalea with vibrant blooms.  Spirea Double Play 'Big Bang', my newest addition this year, has become a favorite in the garden with a different color foliage each month ranging from orange with pink tips to yellow and pink and then to a lime green, also displaying the largest and deepest pink blooms I have ever seen on a spirea.  Spring was definitely "bursting out all over"!

2013 June Garden

June came in like a lion with heavy rains and temperatures in the 70's which were the perfect conditions for the blooms to explode making the garden a summer wonderland.  Blooms of Spirea, Daylily 'Stella D Oro' and Salvia 'May Night' were the focal points during this month. Out of all the gardening months it is difficult to choose which is my favorite but June seems to rise above the rest.

2013 July Garden

After the abundant rain in June, July arrived with high temperatures topping in the 90's, causing the garden to flourish.  Coreopsis, Pardon Me Daylily, Hydrangea 'Endless Summer', Sedum 'Dragon's Blood' (in front of garden statue in photo) and Hosta were at their prime displaying magnificent blooms.

2013August Garden

Dragonflies were abundant in August lurking on the stalks of the Hosta while Knock Out Roses and Platycodon were in full bloom.  Crape Myrtle blooms kept on blooming from the month before and continued throughout fall.  August was a bit cooler than usual and many of the blooms seemed to have a longer lifespan.

2013 September Garden

Fall was wonderful this year with some of the mildest temperatures and bluest skies I can remember.  Crape Myrtles were in full bloom along with Hydrangea and Liriope and Mockingbirds enjoyed the blooms from up above.  I found some new birdbaths while on a ride out east that were added to the garden such as the one in the above photograph.

2013 October Garden

The mild temperatures in the 60's continued into October.  At this time of year Buddleia and Sedum were in full bloom while ornamental grasses formed their wispy plumes and cones were definitely noticeable on the branches of Blue Atlas Cedar.  The Dwarf Buddleia Lo & Behold 'Blue Chip' which is relatively new to the garden just completed its third season.  Since it has been doing so well I couldn't resist adding three more to the front revised berm this past summer.

2013 November Garden

By the time November rolled around the temperatures started to decline into the 50's and the garden starting showing signs of going to rest with the changing colors of fall.  Literally overnight the temperatures plummeted into the 30's with the first dusting of snow announcing that winter was on its way.

2013 December Garden

December brought in winter with temperatures declining into the 30's and 40's with an occasional dusting of snow and a more permanent chill in the air.  We ended the year with two additional snowfalls of 2-3 inches each...just enough to bring in the holidays!

To all of you out there I have enjoyed having you as virtual gardening colleagues and thank you for your interesting, informative and enlightening posts throughout the year. I appreciate your visits and comments and look forward to visiting all of you throughout 2014. May all your days be merry and bright and the new year be a time of good health and prosperity filled with many wonderful gardening experiences.

As Always...Happy Gardening and Happy New Year!

Linking with Mosaic Monday

Author: Lee@A Guide To Northeastern Gardening, Copyright 2013. All rights reserved.