Saturday, July 15, 2017

Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day & Foliage Follow-Up July 2017: Welcome to My Summer Garden!

July Garden 2017
Welcome! It's time for another Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day and Foliage Follow-Up to view the garden once again and take in all that nature has to offer. The summer has moved along quickly, with July temperatures consistent in the 80's with some days in the 90's, sunny skies, and an occasional thunderstorm with rain to nurture the blooms. There is much to see everywhere, so come along with me on a stroll through my Long Island garden.
Astilbe Delft Lace
July is a great month for the many varieties of Astilbe, ranging in height from 12-18 inches up to 2-3 feet. Astilbe 'Delft Lace' is one of my favorites in the garden, displaying beautiful pinkish-purple blooms on 24" stalks. When blooming, it appears to be almost three feet tall!  'Delft Lace' is hardy in USDA zones 4-9 and prefers partial to full shade.
Astilbe 'Fanal'
Here in the northwestern side of my pool garden is Astilbe 'Fanal'. It displays brightly colored crimson blooms that last for several weeks, putting on quite a show! Astilbe 'Fanal' is hardy in USDA zones 4-9 and prefers partial to full shade. It grows to a height of about 18-24 inches tall.
Hydrangea 'Nikko Blue' and 'Twist & Shout'
After a couple of harsh winters, the hydrangea are doing much better this season. They are now glorious with large mophead and lacecap blooms. In this view is Endless Summer 'Twist & Shout' Hydrangea in the center, surrounded by two 'Nikko Blue'.
Hydrangea 'Nikko Blue'
'Nikko Blue' (hardy to zone 5) is a bit old fashioned with its voluminous deep blue mophead blooms that form on old wood. I have had these plants for many years in the garden along the south fence. Hydrangea do need some hours of sun to bloom, and these get the perfect mix of early sun along with afternoon partial shade.
Hydrangea Endless Summer (Hydrangea macrophylla 'Bailmer')
One the other side of the property, this Endless Summer Hydrangea has pretty pink blooms. Endless Summer Hydrangea are hardy in USDA zones 4-9 and bloom on both old wood and on the new wood of the season. Blooms appear blue in acidic soils and pink in alkaline soils.
Endless Summer Hydrangea 'Twist & Shout'
This variety is Endless Summer 'Twist & Shout'.  It displays delicate, more open looking lacecap blooms that are white with hints of pink and purple. 'Twist & Shout' also blooms on both old and new wood and is hardy to USDA zone 4. Colors can vary depending on the acidity of your soil.
Hydrangea Nikko Blue (Left) and Twist & Shout (Right)
Here is a view with mophead and lacecap hydrangea next to one another. It is wonderful to see these blooms again after two years of the plants trying to recuperate. 
Stella D Oro Daylily
As we stroll around to the pool area, Daylily 'Stella D Oro' is an old favorite along side Montgomery Blue Globe Spruce. Later on in the summer I will rejuvenate the daylilies so that they bloom into the fall.
South Garden
Here is the southwestern part of the garden with Salvia 'May Night' in front of 'Caramel' Coral Bells and Sedum 'Brilliant'. With some deadheading, this is the second purple bloom on the Saliva since May, and with the Coral Bells it's all about the foliage! The deep pink blooms of Sedum in the background will kick in later next month.
Bumble Bee in Flight
Bumble bees are a welcomed guest in the garden and love all the flowers. Here is one happy visitor!
Echinacea 'Pow Wow'
As we come around to the back perennial border, Echinacea 'Pow Wow' is now in full bloom and will continue to display its pretty berry-pink blooms until late in August. We'll encounter some 'Cheyenne Spirit' as we head towards the front.
Hemerocallis (Daylily) 'Pardon Me'
'Pardon Me' Daylily is also blooming for the month of July. I enjoy its deep cranberry-wine blooms with a touch of yellow with a green tinted throat. These 16-18 inch tall lilies are hardy in USDA zones 2-9 and prefer full sun.
Patio Garden
As we come around to the back of the patio area, here is another view of the walkway leading up through the gardens. A potted spearmint plant is alongside the step along with a potted Weeping Pussy Willow tree. On the right of the path is Weeping Norway Spruce, Blue Globe Spruce and various perennials.
Back Patio Garden
As we move along, Hosta 'Golden Tiara' can be seen beneath a grafted Montgomery Globe Blue Spruce. Heuchera 'Caramel' is in the distance behind the grouping of hosta, adding colorful foliage to a shady area.
Pool Perimeter
Here is the eastern side of the pool area with another view of Dayliliy 'Stella D Oro' and Spirea to the right of them. You may also notice the giant Globemaster Allium seed heads that remain from early spring.  I enjoy keeping them as part of the garden.
Skylands Oriental Spruce in Back Garden
Along the back portion of the pool is my new Skyland's Oriental Spruce, which seems to be adjusting nicely to its new home. I absolutely adore its beautiful golden evergreen foliage and purple cones that form in late summer.
Japanese Forest Grass Back Shade Garden
In the shadier portion of the back garden is Hakonechloa-macra (Japanese Forest Grass)...
Skip Laurel and Heuchera 'Caramel' South Bed
and here are the Skip Laurel along the back fence along with Heuchera 'Caramel'. These remarkable Heuchera are now reaching a diameter of two to three feet!
Echinacea 'Cheyenne Spirit' Front Driveway Planting
As we stroll around to the front of the property, Echinacea 'Cheyenne Spirit' displays its ever-changing colorful blooms in shades of gold, pink, and orange all one one plant! 'Cheyenne Spirit' prefers full sun and does well with this southern exposure. I love when it is just opening up and the petals haven't unraveled yet.
More 'Cheyenne Spirit' Echinacea
 I can never get enough of this amazing plant, and it will continue its bloom into the fall!
Lampost Planting
As we get nearer to the end of the tour, here is a fuller view of the lamp post garden alongside the driveway, with yellow Coreopis and blue Nepeta next to the burgundy foliage of Weigela 'Spilled Wine'. In the foreground is Japanese Garden Juniper with Golden Oriental 'Skylands' Spruce in the backdrop.

Rudbeckia ‘Little Goldstar' (Artistic View)
Last, but not least is one of the newer additions to the garden from last year, dwarf Rudbeckia  'Little Goldstar', and this year's succulent planter. As you can see, I had a little fun with doing an artistic rendition of the Rudbeckia before our stroll!
Succulent Planter
I hope you enjoyed this month's tour through my garden. Special thanks go out to our hostesses 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 and Pam at Digging for hosting Foliage Follow-Up. I am also linking with some other wonderful hosts and hostesses at Floral FridaysMacro Monday 2, and Nature Notes at Rambling Woods.  Also check out Garden Bloggers' Foliage Day at Creating my own garden of the Hesperides and Wednesday Around the World.
July Garden 2017
Wishing you much gardening happiness. Thank you for visiting!

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As Always...Happy Gardening!

Author: Lee@A Guide to Northeastern Gardening, © Copyright 2017. All rights reserved

Friday, July 7, 2017

This Month's Color in the Garden July: Red, White & Blue Blooms for your Garden!

Welcome to This Month's Color in the Garden!  For the month of July we are celebrating with the colors red, white and blue and their meaning in the garden. Red has always been considered a strong color in the garden, radiating warmth and excitement to a space. Throughout the centuries, red has been known as the color of love, romance, courage, respect, constancy and admiration, while lighter shades of pink speak of gentleness, happiness and love.  White blooms in the garden symbolize purity, innocence, reverence and humility and are also a sign of sympathy and bereavement, while blue brings a cool and calming feel. Blue is also a symbol for peace, hope, inspiration, serenity and openness.  For the month of July, let's look at some of the possibilities for red, white and blue in your summer garden.
Double Red Knock Out Rose
Knock Out Roses come in a variety of colors and exhibit a generous bloom cycle every 5-6 weeks that will continue until the first hard frost. This family of roses are the most disease resistant on the market and for the most part self-cleaning. Knock Out Roses winter hardy to USDA Zone 5, prefer full sun and a well-drained soil, and are heat tolerant throughout the entire U.S. 
Endless Summer Hydrangea Blushing Bride

Endless Summer Blushing Bride Hydrangea is hardy to USDA zone 5 and grows to a moderate 5-6 feet in height and width. Pure white blooms gradually mature to a beautiful pink blush. Foliage is disease and mildew-resistant and an attractive dark green against the large white mop-head blooms. Strong stems and branches keep the plant upright in the garden, making the blooms perfect for cuttings. Blushing Bride Hydrangea prefers to be grown in partial shade.
Endless Summer Hydrangea 'Bailmar'
Endless Summer Hydrangea 'Bailmar' is hardy to USDA zone 4 and grows to 4-5 feet tall by wide.  The Endless Summer Collection has the unique ability to bloom consistently on both old and new wood. Large mop-head blooms grow up to 8" in diameter, displaying pink blooms in alkaline soils and blue blooms in acidic soil. Grow Endless Summer Hydrangea in part shade in a moderately moist soil. 

Lobelia Cardinalis (Cardinal Flower)
Lobelia, also known as Cardinal Flower is hardy to USDA zone 4 and grows 24-48 inches tall by 18-24 inches wide and can be grown in full sun to partial shade. Cardinal Flower adapts well to many conditions and thrives in the moist areas beside ponds or water features. Tall spikes of scarlet red flowers opening from bottom to top form on stalks in mid to late summer and stay in bloom for several weeks. Lobelia is also known to be an attraction to both hummingbirds and butterflies.
Pee Gee Hydrangea Tree
Pee Gee Hydrangea is a fast growing deciduous flowering shrub hardy to USDA zone 3 that prefers full sun to partial shade.  Voluminous pure white elongated panicle-shaped blooms emerge in late summer and last for several weeks on graceful arching branches due to the weight on the blooms. Pee Gee Hydrangea blooms on new wood and can be pruned in early spring before new growth emerges. Pee Gee Hydrangea tolerates more sun than other varieties of hydrangea and needs a few hours of good sunlight to flower well.
Platycodon  grandiflorus' komachi' (Balloon Flower)
Platycodon, or Balloon Flower  gets its name from its display of puffy rounded blooms that look like inflated balloons. and open to star-like flowers. Hardy to USDA zone 3, Balloon Flower grows 8-10 inches tall by 10-12 inches wide and blooms in late summer. Platycodon prefers to be grown in full sun to part shade and will bloom in your garden for several weeks, approximately late July though August, depending on your zone. While most Platycodon buds open, this particular variety is known as Platycodon grandiflorus' komachi', in which the flowers remain closed.
Hemerocallis  (Daylily) Pardon Me
Hardy to zone 9, Hemerocallis 'Pardon Me' displays fragrant cranberry red blooms with a yellow center and bright green throat. Petals have ruffled edges and blooms appear on strong 16-18 tall stems that rise above tall grassy foliage. 'Pardon Me' prefers to be grown in full sun to partial shade, and even though blooms last for only one day, flowers are abundant and continuous for several weeks. This perennial blooms from mid-summer to fall.
Lillium Casablanca
Oriental Lilies such as this  Lillium 'Casa Blanca' are hardy to USDA zone 4 and prefer full sun. Cultivars vary from 18" to 6' tall with either large white, pink, rose, or red blooms with intense fragrance. Lillium are one of the most popular cut flowers for flower arrangements. Blooms appear in late summer and last for approximately three weeks.
Cranesbill Perennial Geranium Rozanne
Cranesbill is hardy to USDA zone 4 and comes in a variety of colors. This particular variety, known as Rozanne, displays blue-violet cup shaped blooms on a low lying 15-24 inch plant, that blooms from early to late summer. Perennial Geranium (Cranesbill) is tolerant of a variety of conditions, but prefers to be grown in full sun to partial shade in a well-drained soil.  It is a welcomed old favorite in the garden.
That's it for "This Month's Color in the Garden". Enjoy this month of patriotism in celebrating America's independence and please share how you may use the colors red, white and blue in your garden. See you again on the 15th for Garden Blogger's Bloom Day and Foliage Follow-Up and at the end of the month for Color Our World Round-Up.

Are you an experienced gardener or just wanting to learn? If so, be sure to check out my two published books on Amazon. The first book, A Guide to Northeastern Gardening, is loaded with ideas for different types of gardens and what plants to buy, along with gardening tips and advice on how to maintain your garden once implemented. The second book, Landscape Design Combinationsis geared towards the hands on "DIY" gardener who is looking for a little guidance, along with a dash of inspiration! This latest publication builds on the first and is full of successful landscape designs that can be used as is or as a guide. The book also teaches design principles using evergreens, flowering trees, shrubs and perennials. To preview each book, simply click on the links below!


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