Friday, December 15, 2017

Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day & Foliage Follow Up December 2017: Snowflakes on Roses

December 2017 Garden
Welcome to Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day and Foliage Follow-Up for the month of December. After a relatively mild November, winter has arrived in the northeast with temperatures in the 30's-40's by day and 20's-30's by night, with a layer of snow covering our Long Island garden. The first snowfall arrived on the 9th with just enough covering to transform the landscape into a winter wonderland, with a refreshing on the 14th. At this time of year, it's all about colorful evergreens, texture and structure. Join me for a stroll to take in the view! 
Snowflakes on Roses
With the milder than usual temperatures, the rose bushes had still been pushing out new foliage, which is now covered with crystals of snow. Many of the deciduous trees and shrubs had just recently lost their leaves within the past couple of weeks, with some still not ready to fall. The seasonal changes have been noticeably behind by about three weeks until just recently.
White Covered Branches of Gold Lace Juniper
Evergreens are in the spotlight during December. Here is Juniperus 'Gold Lace' with its graceful golden branches all covered in snow.
Ice Crystals on Montgomery Blue Globe Spruce

Montgomery Blue Globe Spruce never ceases to amaze me with its vibrant blue foliage, that seems even more prominent during the late fall and into the winter months. The ice crystals make the shrub "glow" even more in the sunlight.
Pool Area December 2017
In the pool garden is Weeping Norway Spruce (Picea abies 'Pendula'). Behind it on top of the rock waterfall are spreading yew and to the left are Hinoki Cypress 'Nana', which reach a height of only about three feet tall at maturity.
Sedum Winter Interest
I often leave the dried seed heads of Sedum 'Brilliant' a little longer so that birds can enjoy them. They also look nice when snow covered, which adds interest to the garden.
Nandina domestica
Towards the northern area of the property is Nandina domestica, also known as Heavenly or False Bamboo. It is a clumping variety (non-invasive in our area) and the interesting looking foliage remains semi-evergreen over the winter. I have read recently from studies that the berries may be harmful to wildlife if eaten in large quantities. While I have never seen any sign of birds going near the Nandina, I still remove the berries as food supply becomes scarce and continue to enjoy the  lovely foliage.
Holly 'Nellie Stevens' Berries
Another berry producing plant in the garden is Holly 'Nellie Stevens'. The berries are a beautiful bright red against dark green shiny leaves and make an excellent food source for birds for a good portion of the year.
Weeping White Pine Reproductive Cones
Weeping White Pine is showing off its large seed cones. I really enjoy nature's artwork as the cones are in varying shades of brown with white accents.
Driveway Entry Garden (Photo taken in Between Two Snowfalls)
In the driveway entry garden, Coral Bark Maple and Weigela 'Spilled Wine' have lost their foliage, leaving evergreens to take on the role of supplying color. Here are Skyland's Oriental Spruce (to the left), Hinoki Cypress and Boxwood (to the right) and Blue Atlas Cedar (in the distance-center).
Skyland's Oriental Spruce
The female seed bearing cones of Skyland's Spruce start off purple in spring and mature to a deeper brown by winter.
Coral Bark Maple (Acer palmatum 'Sango-kaku) Bark in December
Coral Bark Maple 'Sango Kaku' is starting to show its glowing coral-red bark as the temperatures fall. Generally, the lower the temperatures, the more brilliant  the tree.
Hellebore Shooting Star Buds (Lenten Rose)
In the northern garden, Hellebore 'Shooting Star' is developing buds that will open in a month of so. Recently added is Hellebore 'Dark and Handsome', which was planted just this past summer. The goal is to add more interest to the winter garden and have more to look forward to. I am not sure about getting blooms this season, so I'll have to wait and see if it produces any buds.
Patio Garden
Along the patio (left to right) is Colorado Blue Globe Spruce, Weeping Norway Spruce, Blue Star Juniper and Dwarf Fountain Grass, the later being done for the season.
Snowflakes on Hydrangea
Along the fence are the snow tipped remains of hydrangea blooms. The flower heads will eventually disintegrate over the winter, but add interest for now.
Front Walkway Liriope and Juniper
Here is a snowy view of along the front walkway with Variegated Liriope and Japanese Garden Juniper, topped with a tinge of white frosting!
Baby...It's Cold Outside!
At this time of year, even gardening boy and girl look cold with piles of snow upon their heads!
Welcome!
I love the garden throughout all the seasons, each month of the year bringing something new to look forward to. No matter what the time of year, whether spring, summer winter or fall, the garden is my sanctuary...a place of thoughts, dreams and sweet memories.  
There's No Place Like Home!
Being that this is the last Bloom Day and Foliage Follow-Up post for the year of 2017, I would like to extend a sincere thank you to you, for being here throughout the year, with best wishes for a beautiful and peaceful holiday season. There's more to come with 'This Month in the Garden" on the 1st to bring in the new year, and a 2017 Gardening Year in Review on the 7th!
December 2017 Garden

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, Wednesday Around the WorldDishing It & Digging It and Image-in-ing weekly photo share every Tuesday. 
Sharing My Passion and New Video Trailer:

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~Enjoy the beauty of the season...and As Always...Happy Gardening!~



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

30 comments:

  1. Beautiful photos! I keep scrolling back up for another look at the Coral Bark Maple - lovely!
    Happy Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day!
    and
    Merry Christmas!

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    1. Thank you Lea. I enjoyed seeing your little wildflower peeking up from a sheltered place. The Helebores are fun to look forward to at this time of year and it’s nice to see new growth in the cold of winter. Keep warm!

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  2. As always I love all your conifers, Lee. Even covered with snow they look amazing, especially Blue Globe Spruce. Your garden rejoice snow, the plants need the season turns. My garden is under the thin snowy layer as well.
    Happy GBBD!

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    1. Hi Nadezda! I loved your pretty collages of beautiful flowers. The roses are a gorgeous site on this cold, snowy day. Happy Bloom Day!

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  3. Your garden is stunning in every season and the frosting of snow makes everything look even more beautiful.

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    1. Thank you for your kind words Peter. I enjoyed seeing your garden still going at this time of year and especially enjoyed the Viburmun and Mahonia blooms. Your Brugmansia are gorgeous too! Wishing you all the best for a wonderful holiday season!

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  4. My garden is buried under the snow so thanks for sharing.

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    1. Hi Denise! We just got another snow today, making three snowfalls in one week! Keep warm!

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  5. Lovely images of a LI Fall! - especially the berries, the snow-capped sedum, and the light snow on Arborvitae or hemlock, which hold it so well! Out here in mid-Suffolk we too have had three modest snow falls, and I am glad I have not yet trimmed all the shrubs and perennials back to winter levels. Snow on the rose bushes - it has been remarkably mild until the past week! Blessings on your winter - Your evergreens look great. I especially like the dwarf weeping Norway spruce!

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    1. Thank you for visiting and for your kind words. It's always nice to hear from a Long Island neighbor. Happy holidays to you and yours!

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  6. Your garden is beautiful at all seasons. Even in the snow.

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  7. Snow provides such a pretty accent, although never having lived with it, I'm not sure I could view temperatures in the 30s and 40s as mild! I've wondered why the branches of so many of the coral bark maples I see on-line are more striking than those my tree features but, if cold is a factor, that explains it!

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    1. Your gardens are beautiful Kris and remind me of summertime here in the northeast. I so enjoyed the visit! Happy holidays to you and yours!

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  8. C'è molta neve anche qui che sicuramente rimarrà a terra tutto l'inverno. Complimenti per quella bellissima picea orientale :)

    Un saluto :)

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    1. The picea is one of my favorites...thank you! We had quite a bit of snow on the ground that is almost melted now-due to 50 degree temperatures in December! The weather is so unpredictable the last couple of years.

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  9. I have often admired your wonderful evergreens, and a dusting of snow highlights their beauty even more. I especially like your photo of the ice crystals on the Montgomery Blue Globe Spruce. Your garden is colorful and so full of interest, even in winter. We are like minded in our enjoyment of gardening throughout the year!

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    1. Thank you Deb! Your snow covered gardens look like a winter wonderland and your photographs are absolutely gorgeous! Happy December and enjoy the holiday season!

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  10. The snow is so lovely in your garden! I miss having a white Christmas like I did growing up in the midwest. Happy holidays!

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    1. Hi Leslie. Thanks for visiting. I enjoyed seeing your blooms in December, even if virtually! Happy holidays to you and yours!

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  11. How wonderful. Beautiful photos. I’m glad to have found your blog.

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    1. Thank you for visiting Karen. I just checked out your blog and your photography is amazing!

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  12. You have hellebore buds already -- I'm jealous! You have so much color in your December garden. Every year I say that I must plant more for winter interest. Merry Christmas, Lee. P. x

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    1. Merry Christmas Pam, and thank you for sharing your beautiful views of Longwood Gardens. Someday I hope to get there!

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  13. Lovely to see your garden again, haven't been here for a while - and your evergreen collection is so amazing, especially with a dusting of snow. Have you got less snow this year than usual?
    Happy Christmas to you and yours!

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    1. It’s so good to see you Helene and your video was perfect! Sending best wishes to you and your family for a very merry Christmas and a happy and healthy new year. P.S. There will be more snow...it’s early yet!

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  14. I know it's a nuisance for those of you who live where it snows often, but seeing snow through your photos makes it looks so nice.

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    1. Thank you Marti. I do love the look of everything under a blanket of snow, as long as its not too dangerous to go out in. The winters first covering is always so beautiful.

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  15. You’ve done an excellent job of providing winter interest in your garden, it’s still gorgeous even under snow. I can always tell the amateurs in my neighborhood who load their property with annuals in summer, leaving it barren in winter. If only they’d ask for my advice! LOL

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    1. Thank you for your kind words...much appreciated. Wishing you and yours a happy 2018!

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Thank you for visiting. I love reading your comments and knowing you have been here, and will try to reciprocate on your blog. If you have any questions I will try my very best to answer them. As always...HAPPY GARDENING!