Wednesday, August 15, 2018

Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day & Foliage Follow-Up August 2018-Late Summer Blooms

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 'KomachiBalloon 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 WoodsDishing It & Digging It on Sunday with Angie the Freckled Rose and Image-in-ing weekly photo share every Tuesday with NC Sue.

It's always a good time for a new gardening book! Check out my two publications online!


~As Always...Happy Gardening!~


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

Wednesday, August 1, 2018

This Month in the Garden: Summer Gardening Tip-Rejuvenation of Hemerocallis (Daylily)

Rejuvenating Daylily
Daylilies are a popular addition to the garden for lasting color and will bloom for a very long time if cared for properly. Most daylilies prefer a humus, well-drained soil in full sun but will tolerate partial shade, allowing for some flexibility when planting. There are over 80,000 cultivars of daylily with a broad range of cold hardiness from USDA zones 1-11, making them one of the most adaptable landscape plants. Out of all the daylilies, my favorite for longest bloom time is Hemerocallis 'Stella D Oro'. It is known to have one of the longest bloom times lasting from late spring through fall with little maintenance. Blooms can be extended through October with pruning to remove spent foliage. 
Hemerocallis Stella D Oro' Daylily

PARTIAL REJUVENATION: In mid-summer, when your daylilies are completing their first major bloom and producing seeds, remove faded flowers and seed stalks so that the plant's energy goes back into producing new blooms. Clean up the appearance of the plant by removing any browned foliage, which usually can be seen around the base of the plant. 
Hemerocallis Stella D Oro' Daylily

FULL REJUVENATION: When your daylilies are at the end of their bloom in late summer and foliage is starting to turn a yellow-brown, cut them back half way to the ground and remove any additional yellowed-browned foliage. Another option is to put on a pair of gardening gloves and remove all spent foliage that comes out easily. This practice will totally clean up the plant, leaving any new growth remaining. This will rejuvenate the plant giving you new lush green foliage and even more blooms throughout September and into October. (Works best with Stella D Oro Daylily).
Hemerocallis 'Sammy Russell'
FALL DIVISION: Division of daylily is also best in early fall for the health of your plants. Simply dig deeply around the perimeter of the plant and gently lift the entire clump out of the ground. Use a sharp spade to divide the plant into parts and plant each section into a hole twice the size of the root ball. Be sure to get at least three or more strong shoots and a good root ball around the plant. Cut the foliage back halfway and back fill with soil around the plant. It is recommended to add mulch around the base of the plant to protect the roots. Water thoroughly and keep the plant well watered until the roots become established. At the end of the season once the fronds have turned completely brown remove all foliage to the ground to prevent fungal disease over the winter. Other plants that benefit from fall division are salvia, iris, peony, hosta, goldenrod, monardia (beebalm), nepeta, coreopsis and sedum. 
Hemerocallis 'Rosy Returns'

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~As Always...Happy Gardening!~

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