A Beautiful Day to Host a Garden Tour: Sayville Garden Tour: "A Little Garden Music...and Art"

Sayville Garden Tour June 16th, 2018: "A Little Garden Music...and Art"

Every other year, the Sayville Garden Club and BAFFA (Bay Area Friends of the Fine Arts) host the Sayville Garden Tour: "A Little Garden Music...and Art" for a beautiful day of self-guided tours of six private gardens. Participants receive directions and a tour guide describing the story behind each garden and are greeted by the garden owners themselves, all willing to answer any questions visitors may have. Garden artists and musicians are on site to add to the atmosphere of the tour as visitors explore each garden with its unique personality. After being one of the homes on the tour in 2010, my husband and I were honored to be one of the six homes participating in this years tour on the 16th of June. Come along and experience the day!

OUR STORY:

“A Garden of Dreams and Memories”

     Built in 1953, our home stands on what was once a gladiola farm. Our gardens originated from a vast lawn shadowed by maple and wild cherry trees along with an original iris garden planted by my mom, which still exists today. There is also an eastern red cedar that I planted with my dad, which was my first “real tree” ever dug into the soil. You see, I never left the home that I grew up in, so there are many memories here. 

     My husband and I, now both retired educators, took over the home in 1982 and the journey began when we decided to put in a pool in 1996. I had a deep passion of gardening within me since the age of five which continued into adulthood, as I designed the gardens of friends and neighbors. Through the encouragement of many, I furthered my education in horticulture and design and began a landscape design business, called Landscape Design by Lee. As the business grew I had an increasing desire to expand on our own property. With that thought, our grounds gradually transformed into a private sanctuary for us to enjoy, and the gardens have become a part of what brings joy into our lives.

Double Knock Out Rose 'Radrazz' Greets Guests

     Our surroundings consist of a combination of colorful evergreens, flowering shrubs, grasses and perennials that highlight each season of the year. The centerpiece of the back garden is a mountain lake pool with waterfall, accompanied by Western Arborvitae, Dogwood, Star Magnolia, Weeping Norway Spruce, Weeping Blue Atlas Cedar, Montgomery Globe Spruce, Weeping White Pine, Crepe Myrtle, Spirea, Daylily, Salvia and Coral Bells among other plantings. The front gardens are highlighted by specimens including Golden Oriental Spruce, Weeping Japanese Maples, Blue Atlas Cedar and Hinoki Cypress, with blooms of Nepeta, Coreopsis and Coneflower. My main goal was to create continuous interest.

    The journey continued in 2010, with the debut of my blog, A Guide to Northeastern Gardening. Today, I am also a published author of two books, A Guide to Northeastern Gardening (2015) and Landscape Design Combinations (2017), each where I share my passion of all things green. When not designing or writing, I can be found in my own gardens planning the next addition, a never-ending process. “A garden is an extension of its owner, a thing of beauty that constantly changes and can be enjoyed forever. It is also a place where dreams can come true.”  We hope you enjoy your visit.

Original Iris Garden Planted by my Mom

As guests entered the property they could view this iris garden that was planted by my mom while I was growing up, and still remains today. A couple of blooms held on just long enough for the day of the tour!

Salvia 'May Night', Heuchera 'Caramel' and Sedum 'Brilliant (Back to Front)

I am a huge fan of combining foliage with blooms. Here is a combination of purple perennial Salvia, 'Caramel' Heuchera and Sedum for all season interest. 

Visitors Sayville Garden Tour June 16th, 2018: "A Little Garden Music...and Art"

Once our visitors started to arrive, there was lots to see and talk about. Some faces were new, while many were past acquaintances. 

Visitors Sayville Garden Tour June 16th, 2018: "A Little Garden Music...and Art"

I enjoyed every moment of discussing plants and answering any questions that visitors may have had.

A little music from BAFFA (Bay Area Friends of the Fine Arts)

Thanks to BAFFA, the background music provided added a nice touch to the tour as visitors walked the gardens.

Some friends dropping by

Even some good friends stopped along to share the special day.

Sayville Garden Tour June 16th, 2018: "A Little Garden Music...and Art"

Here is a view of the northern border garden as seen from the pool. Arborvitae, Weeping Blue Atlas Cedar and Knock Out Roses can be seen in the backdrop, while Spirea, Weeping Norway Spruce and globe shaped Allium Globemaster rise above Daylilies in the foreground.

Garden Artist Jeanne Salucci from Jeanne Salucci Art

Garden artist Jeanne Salucci amazed us as she so beautifully captured the above view in an oil painting of our garden! Without me knowing, my husband had purchased the painting and surprised me with it after the artist had left! It will be such a wonderful memory of our garden and a perfect day.

Come around to the back southern side of the secret garden.

Come along and take in some other views that visitors experienced in the gardens.

Sayville Garden Tour June 16th, 2018: "A Little Garden Music...and Art"

Northern Garden with Japanese Kousa Dogwood and Roses in Bloom

Sayville Garden Tour June 16th, 2018: "A Little Garden Music...and Art"

A visitor gazes out towards the pool and gardens on the western side of the property.

Sayville Garden Tour June 16th, 2018: "A Little Garden Music...and Art"

This is Joan, the lady next door and avid gardener who is like a second mom to me and who taught me an appreciation for all things green. I dedicated my second book to her!

Eastern Side of Pool Border

Sayville Garden Tour June 16th, 2018: "A Little Garden Music...and Art"

Perennial Border with Lamb's Ear and Astilbe Starting to Bloom

Blooms of Astilbe and Lamb's Ear have started to appear in the perennial border for the day of the tour...

Back Southern Side Secret Garden

while the back northern garden is in full bloom for June with Spirea, Nepeta and Heuchera.

Back Northern Side Secret Shade Garden

I refer to this area as my secret garden. A bluestone path leads through a shade garden with a surprise bird bath at the end.

Back Shade Garden

Sayville Garden Tour June 16th, 2018: "A Little Garden Music...and Art" Garden Greeters!

These wonderful ladies did a great job of greeting all the guests as they entered the property.

Sayville Garden Tour June 16th, 2018: "A Little Garden Music...and Art"

The weather was perfect, the garden tour was a wonderful success and we got to meet so many wonderful people who visited our property. Much thanks to the Sayville Garden Club and BAFFA for inviting us to participate once again in this fabulous event. It's another wonderful memory to add to the list!

~As Always...Happy Gardening!~

Author: Lee@A Guide to Northeastern Gardening, © Copyright 2018. All rights reserved.

Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day & Foliage Follow-Up June 2018: Blooms Galore!

June 2018 Garden

Welcome to my June garden! It's so nice that you stopped by for a visit. The month of June has been glorious with clear skies for the most part, temperatures in the 70's and lots of blooms everywhere. Tomorrow, my gardens will be on the local garden tour as one of six private gardens on display to be visited by the public. I am so very excited and have been prepping away getting ready! Come along on a tour of my spring garden. There will be a posting about tomorrow's event to follow.

Welcome to my Garden!

This is the welcome sign that was given to me as a gift the last time my garden was on the tour, back eight years ago. I treasure it and keep it inside on a wall in our home. It was painted by one of our local artists.

Perennial Border

Let's start at the perennial border, which is in full swing this time of year. There are Itoh Bartzella Peony, Salvia 'May Night' and Lamb's Ear along with hosta, astilbe and lillies. You can view a close up of the white soft foliage of the Stachys (Lamb's Ear) and start of the buds for pink blooms to follow. The Peony and purple Salvia 'May NIght' are also at their height.

Peony Itoh Bartzella

The blooms of Peony 'Bartzella' span five to six inches in diameter. I only wish they would stay around longer, as I cannot get enough of their magnificent beauty.

Patio Area and Garden

Walk through the path from the perennial border to the patio area. From here you can get a glimpse of the Double Red Knock Out Roses and Nepeta 'Walkers Low' in the north garden bed.

Knock Out Rose 'Radrazz'

On the other side of the patio is Knock Out Rose 'Radrazz' displaying its blooms. I find 'Radrazz to be one of the best performing roses I have.

Peony 'Karl Rosenfeld' and Salvia 'May Night'

In the western perennial border is Peony 'Karl Rosenfeld' and Salvia 'May Night' in bloom. Gold Mop Cypress can be seen to the right. 

Pink Double Knock Out Rose 

Here is a glimpse of the Pink Double Knock Out Roses as we stroll around to the left of the patio area.

Pool Garden

One of my favorite spring blooming bulbs is Allium 'Globemaster'. I was always in awe every time I saw these blooms advertised with a small child standing next them to emphasize their size. Of course,I had to get some for myself, which I did three years ago. As we head towards the pool garden, you can see them immediately. They are planted among Daylilies.

Pool Garden Side View

Here is the pool area close up with Weeping Japanese Maple in the right cut out.

Allium Globemaster

Did you think we would go on without a close up of the Allium? The original three bulbs have matured to fourteen all together, and I say the more...the merrier!

Back Evergreen and Perennial Garden

Come along as we continue. Here is the southern side of the pool area with a more casual feel. The Nepeta 'Walkers Low' with its bluish-purple blooms thrives here. On the left is Heuchera 'Caramel', which does well with the partial shade cast by the fence. In the corner is my new Kwanzan Cherry tree, which you saw blooming during last month's Bloom Day.

Back Foliage Combo

One of my favorite foliage combinations is that of Sedum 'Brilliant' (front) and Heuchera 'Caramel' (center). Back those up with the blooms of Salvia 'May Night', and you get the perfect trio!

Playtime

Here is the newest addition to the garden. On a ride one Sunday afternoon, my husband and I saw this sweet statue at a garden center and I had to have it! It is such a wonderful reminder of childhood and innocence.

Back South Pool Garden

In the south pool area is a garden helper, tucked away among spirea and coral bells. You can get a glimpse of him just as you come around the corner.

Back North Garden

As we circle back around to the northwestern area of the property, Cornus Kousa 'Greensleeves' (Japanese Dogwood) is in bloom for the month of June. Surrounding the Dogwood are 'Patriot' Hosta.

Japanese Dogwood Cornus Kousa 'Greensleeves'

Here are the blooms of the 'Greensleeves' Dogwood up close. I like how this variety has a slightly greenish tinge to its flowers. It also has a long bloom period of about a month and produces abundant red fruits during the autumn months.

Front Driveway Entrance Garden East Side

Now that you have seen the back of the property, let's venture up to the front. At the foot of the driveway is the Golden Oriental 'Skylands' Spruce, which I planted in memory of my mom back in 2008. The once six foot tree has matured to approximately fifteen feet with a striking contrast of newer bright yellow foliage against the mature green undersides. Pinkish-purple seed cones form later in the summer for additional interest.

Front Driveway Garden West Side

On the other side of the driveway is Weeping Norway Spruce, Heuchera 'Palace Purple', Japanese Garden Juniper, Spirea 'Magic Carpet', Salvia 'Caradonna' and Variegated Iris.

Foliage Combination West Driveway

Here is the combination of the juniper, spirea and salvia close up.

Front Entrance Garden

Along the front of the property is an assortment of Japanese Garden Juniper, Heuchera (Coral Bells) 'Caramel' and Sweet Flag along with Gold Spot Euonymus, Weeping Blue Atlas Cedar, Weeping White Pine and Weeping 'Youngii' Birch. 

Front Walkway Garden

Let's walk along this way. You can view the Weeping Blue Atlas Cedar straight ahead.

Front Lawn Area

On the front lawn are upright Blue Atlas Cedar (left) and Weeping Japanese Maple (right).

Front Northern Garden Island

As we stroll around the island bed, you can get a glimpse of the Blue Atlas Cedar close up with its under-planting of Gold Lace Juniper and Heuchera ('Palace Purple' and 'Caramel') To get some perspective, in the distance is the garden area we just passed towards the front southern side of the property with the golden 'Skylands' Spruce in the distance.

Peony 'Bartzella' Last Glance

Back around to the perennial garden, here is one last view of the Itoh Peony 'Bartzella'.

June 2018 Garden

Thank you for visiting and I hope you enjoyed my June garden. Special thanks go out to our hostess 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. Also, special thanks to Pam Penick at Digging who has hosted Foliage Follow-Up for all these years, a meme I will still continue to honor. I am also linking with some other wonderful hosts and hostesses at Floral Friday Fotos, 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.

In the news: I am honored to now be in the Top 100 Websites for Gardeners in 2018 and will be a participant on the Sayville Garden Tour on June 16th (tomorrow!) More to follow!

Sharing my lifetime passion with my two books: (Available 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 2018. All rights reserved.