 |
| Welcome to my August Garden! |
Welcome to my Long Island garden for the month of August! With temperatures in the upper 80's and lower 90's, humidity and frequent thunderstorms, the "dog days of summer" have officially arrived. It has been an unusual August weather wise with almost daily torrential rains and flooding for the eastern seaboard, so I have to run out in between showers to tend to the garden. With all the rain the landscape is green and filled with abundant blooms, so please do come along for a visit. I hope you enjoy this months view!
 |
| Lillium Stargazer with Weeping Norway Spruce, Dwarf White Pine and Blue Globe Spruce |
The arrival of August is an exciting time for the poolside garden as it is filled with fragrant late summer blooms along with evergreens. Starting on the right is Weeping Norway Spruce with Stargazer Lily to the left, then dwarf white pine and blue spruce 'Montgomery' afterwards. The golden tree in the background (left) is dwarf golden Hinoki Cypress 'Nana'. The other golden tree to the far right is the new 'Skylands' Oriental Spruce, which I planted last spring.
 |
| Lillium Stargazer |
Lillium ‘Stargazer’ blooms are short-lived, but their aroma can be enjoyed from across the yard with the slightest breeze. I await their beautiful display with great anticipation as late summer approaches each year.
 |
| Pool Border Garden with Allium Seed Heads, Stella D Oro Daylily, Spirea and Weeping Norway Spruce |
Behind Lillium Stargazer are the seed heads from Allium 'Globemaster' rising above the fronds of Daylily 'Stella D Oro'. Spirea 'Limemound' is in the backdrop with small lacy pink blooms.
 |
| Daylily 'Stella D Oro' Still Blooming! |
With some rejuvenating, there are still several Daylily blooms to share.
Buddleia Lo & Behold 'Blue Chip'
My dwarf butterfly bush that I had for five years did not make it through the last winter, so I am trying something new. This new one which I just purchased is growing in a large planter which will be garaged over the winter. I am actually getting a lot more enjoyment from it now, as it is located right on the back patio and I can view the butterflies landing on it!
 |
| Buddleia Lo & Behold 'Blue Chip' |
Here are the lovely fragrant purple blooms up close.
 |
| Platycodon 'Komachi' Balloon Flower |
Platycodon 'Komachi' is in full bloom. I am intrigued by this plant every year, since the blooms on this particular variety do not open. Instead they form small air filled "balloons" that can be popped once they dry up.
 |
| Miniature Rudbeckia 'Little Goldstar' |
Another new favorite is this miniature Rudbeckia. It stays smaller and more compact than the traditional form, which tends to spread. I have been enjoying this new addition for the past two years.
 |
| Daylily 'Sammy Russell' |
Come along and view this Daylily 'Sammy Russell' with its vibrant color...
 |
| 'Pardon Me' Daylily and Echinacea Pow Wow 'Wild Berry' |
and here is 'Pardon Me' Daylily along with Echinacea Pow Wow 'Wild Berry' as we stroll around the back of the perennial border. Lamb's Ear and Astilbe blooms are right behind them, which is actually the front portion of the garden.
 |
| Echinacea Pow Wow 'Wild Berry' |
Here is Echinacea Pow Wow 'Wild Berry' up close as we view from the opposite side.
 |
| Astilbe 'Sprite' |
Astilbe 'Sprite' can be seen here in the pool border next to a Weeping White Pine. This is a later blooming cultivar of Astilbe, which is a plus in the late summer landscape. It's blooms are also much different in appearance and are quite interesting. The Sedum 'Dragon's Blood' is starting to bloom next to it.
 |
| Sedum 'Mr. Goodbud' (Stonecrop) |
Another late summer bloomer is Sedum 'Mr. Goodbud' with its neon pink blooms. This is a new addition from last summer.
 |
| Gazania (African Daisy) Annual |
This is Gazania, or African Daisy. I discovered this "deer resistant" annual while looking for plants for a client's garden. It prefers full sun and will tolerate dry conditions once established.
 |
| Bumble Bee Visitor |
It's nice to see that the pollinators are enjoying the blooms on these roses as a bumble bee performs his job.
 |
| Buddleia Pugster Blue |
Here is Buddleia 'Pugster Blue'. After purchasing a new Buddleia Lo & Behold 'Blue Chip', I could not resist also purchasing this shrub when I saw it at the nursery. It is a new dwarf hybrid with deep purple blooms the size of those on a regular butterfly bush. Needless to say...I'm in love!!!
 |
| Heuchera 'Caramel' and Skip Laurel Foliage |
For a little foliage, here is a combination of Heuchera 'Caramel' with Skip Laurel in the backdrop. Each of these plants possess an interesting texture and combine nicely together.
 |
| Buddleia Pugster Blue |
Before we move on, we just have to do another pass by the new 'Pugster Blue' butterfly bush! This time you get to see the Golden Tiara Hosta and Grafted Blue Globe Spruce in the backdrop.
 |
| Double Knock Out Roses |
Follow me around to the other side of the patio garden. The Double Knock Out Roses are still in bloom and just keep on giving...
 |
| Crape Myrtle 'Sioux' |
while Lagerstromeia (Crape Myrtle) 'Sioux' is blooming for August with its magnificent large pink flowers.
 |
| It's Sunflower Time! |
With the end of the summer months approaching, it's also sunflower season. It always brings a smile to my face when hubby comes home with a bouquet from the local farm stand!
 |
| Garden Wisdom |
As we come to the end of this month's tour, I will share a quote which I could not agree with more. "The lesson I have thoroughly learnt, and wish to pass on to others, is to know the enduring happiness that the love of a garden gives." ~ Gertrude Jekyll
 |
| August 2018 Garden |
I hope you enjoyed your garden visit. 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, Nature Notes at Rambling Woods, Dishing It & Digging It on Sunday with Angie the Freckled Rose and Image-in-ing weekly photo share every Tuesday with NC Sue.
~As Always...Happy Gardening!~
Author: Lee@A Guide to Northeastern Gardening,© Copyright 2018. All rights reserved.
