Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day & Foliage Follow-Up November 2017: The Changing Colors of Fall

November 2017 Garden

Welcome to my Long Island garden. It's time for another Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day and Foliage Follow-Up for the month of November. Autumn is a wonderful time of year as the garden slowly transitions into an array of bountiful color with seasonal changes everywhere. The temperatures are moderating to produce 50 degree days with cool autumn evenings in the 30's and 40's, with a couple of nights dropping into the 20's, signaling that winter is just around the corner. There is a wonderful crispness in the air at this time of year, which is quite refreshing. Come stroll with me to see all the changes and colors that fall has to offer.

Sedum Brilliant

As the garden transitions into a palette of changing color, the foliage of Sedum 'Brilliant' turns from deep green to lime-yellow, while dried flower clusters deepen from pink to a rusty brown. The contrast is much more noticeable in front of the deep green foliage of Weeping Norway Spruce at this time of year, and creates a striking combination.

Nandina domestica

Nandina domestica (also known as Heavenly or False Bamboo) forms its fall/winter berries against evergreen foliage that changes from light green to blue-green during the fall months here in the northeast. Known mostly for its foliage, Nandina domestica is hardy in zones 6-9 and is non-invasive here in zone 7. If you are located in a warmer climate, check your local Cooperative Extension for details.

Skylands Golden Oriental Spruce

Along the driveway entry is Skyland's Oriental Spruce. This tree is always a pleasure with its golden-yellow foliage which can be seen as soon as you enter the property. It has been on a bit of a growing spurt over the past season and now reaches to a height of about twenty feet and width of 5-6 feet.

Hydrangea Tardivia

Some flowering shrubs continue to provide interest even after the blooms are spent. Hydrangea Tardivia is one of them on the north side of the property, with its elongated spikes consisting of multiple miniature flowers, all in one package! 

Spirea and Stella D Oro Daylily

As we venture to the pool gardens, there is a sight to behold. Believe it or not, 'Stella D Oro' Daylily is still blooming! It's been such a mild fall that the plant just isn't ready to quit. Fall clean-up is going to be delayed this year!

Golden Variegated Sedge (Carex oshimensis 'Everoro')

Here is one of my new favorites for designing. It is an evergreen, grass-like variegated golden sedge called 'Everoro', that is virtually maintenance free. 'Everoro' Sedge is considered a perennial and is hardy to USDA zone 5. It reaches 18-24 inches wide by 12-15 inches high, approximately the size of a hosta, and is prized for its outstanding foliage and all year round beauty.

Succulent Planter

As we approach the patio gardens, the succulent planter is still showing off its interesting foliage of Sedum Aurea and Hens & Chicks (Sempervivum). Talk about low maintenance...all you have to do is give these plants a location with full sun and water as needed. Soon I will be bringing the ceramic planter inside to overwinter.

Astilbe and Lamb's Ear

The Lamb's Ear looks exceptionally well at this time of year along the patio garden. I think it prefers the cooler temperatures for developing new sprouts and the silvery-white foliage always looks more pronounced against the orange glow of the dried Astilbe blooms behind it.

Double Red Knock Out Rose

Double Red Knock Out Rose continues to bloom throughout November, extending the gardening season well into fall. It is literally a three season plant here in the northeast.

Weeping Norway Spruce

As we pass by the patio garden once again, here is a long view of how the garden wraps around to the main sitting area. You can see the Astilbe and Lamb's Ear to the left with Blue Star Juniper and Weeping Norway Spruce to the right. The tall purplish looking perennial in behind the Norway Spruce is Platycodon (Balloon Flower).

Platycodon  grandiflorus' komachi' Balloon Flower

 I didn't have the heart to cut it back because it still has one lone bloom remaining on it.

Hellebore Shooting Star

It certainly has been an unusual autumn temperature wise. This Hellebore is pushing out some blooms way ahead of time. We did get a couple of nights in the upper 40's, then warmer days to follow, which must have confused the plant. Hellebore 'Shooting Star' is my winter blooming plant, which should be blooming in January!

Fall Pumpkin

It's November, so it's and pumpkin and Chrysanthemum season! The Chrysanthemums just barely held in there for Bloom Day. 

Weeping White Pine-Pine Cones

One of my favorite evergreens, Weeping White Pine, is producing its wonderful pine cones that reach their full size during the fall. The cones have such an interesting look to them with their varying shades of brown that are accented with white edging. 

Foliage, foliage, foliage!!!

Here the dark green foliage of Skip Laurel acts as a backdrop against 'Caramel' Coral Bells and Japanese Golden Variegated Sedge. At this time of year it's all about the foliage, and if you are familiar with what I do, you'll know that one of my passions is finding the perfect combination of color and texture! I especially enjoy this combination when the color of the Coral Bells turns to a deeper caramel color against the gold of the sedge.

Autumn Colors

As we come towards the end of the tour, the autumn foliage of the maple tree along the median of our street is turning to hues of fiery-orange. Speaking of autumn foliage...each year I take a drive with telephoto lens in hand to the local pond in my little town of Sayville. I have fond memories of the beautiful transitioning trees along the pond as a child, and gain a deeper appreciation of the view each passing year as I get older. Let's take a short ride to the pond and I'll share the view with you.

Mill Pond Sayville, Long Island, NY~Autumn Reflections

Mill Pond Sayville, Long Island, NY~Swan Song

Mill Pond Sayville, Long Island, NY~Tranquility

Mill Pond Sayville, Long Island, NY~Beautiful View

Mill Pond Sayville, Long Island, NY Autumn 

 The Colors of Autumn

The Beauty of Autumn 

Nature's Artwork

Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower. ~Albert Camus

November 2017

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, Wednesday Around the World, Dishing It & Digging It and Image-in-ing weekly photo share every Tuesday. Fall is a time for dreaming and planning, so if you are getting ready to plan your garden for next year, be sure to check out my two books.

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

Landscape Design Combinations

Enjoy the beauty of the changing seasons.

As Always...Happy Gardening!