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 Fridays, Macro 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!

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON GARDENING & DESIGN, VISIT MY BOOKS ON AMAZON:

A Guide to Northeastern Gardening: Journeys of a Garden Designer Zones 3-9

Landscape Design Combinations

As Always...Happy Gardening!

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