Friday, November 15, 2019

Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day & Foliage Follow-Up November 2019: The Beauty of Autumn

November 2019 Garden
"Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower."~Albert Camus
Welcome!
I love the above quote, try to live by its words, and do my best to appreciate the beauty of the garden in every season. It's time for another Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day and Foliage Follow-Up. While few blooms are hanging on and most becoming scarce, foliage takes center stage at this time of year. Come along and take in all the colors of fall with some lingering blooms. Welcome to my November Long Island garden!
Perennial Border West Side
The month of November started off with normal enough temperatures in the mid-50's, but took a turn in the past week as the daytime temperatures dropped into the 40's with a downward plummet to 22 degrees Fahrenheit just a few nights ago. The garden has transitioned into an array of autumn colors, starting off in the perennial border, with hues of golds and oranges complementing the soft white foliage of Lamb's Ear and contrasting against the bronzed foliage of Astilbe.
Back Patio Walkway
While some Hosta are completely done for the season, others are turning to shades of yellow and brown, and coneflowers are displaying the last of their seed heads. The evergreens along the walkway will keep the garden going during the winter.
Autumn Pollinator
In a planter by the back patio, this bumble bee is cherishing the nectar of a remaining bloom. Autumn does have its moments! 
Another Patio Garden View
Here is another view of the patio garden from the opposite direction headed north...
Perennial Border East Side
and a glance at the perennial border from another perspective. In this view you can see evergreen 'Blue Star' Juniper in the foreground.
Garden Whimsy
This statue of a young girl and her kitten will be visible right from the patio window throughout the colder months as I dream of spring. Sometimes I'll just sit and gaze upon her and allow my mind to wander.
Fall Leaves
As we move along, here is a single leaf sitting in a birdbath. Sometimes something as simple as a faded autumn leaf can become a part of nature's artwork. 
Coral Bark Maple Autumn Foliage
Here is Coral Bark Maple (Acer palmatum Sango-Kaku) in the driveway border garden. It is spectacular at this time of year with its vivid foliage. Once the tree defoliates and freezing temperatures set in, the bark of the tree will turn a bright coral-red; hence, the name. Coral Bark Japanese Maple is hardy in USDA zones 5-9 and grows to approximately 15-25 feet in height, staying pretty compact.
Weeping Blue Atlas Cedar Southeastern Driveway Garden
Come closer for another view with Weeping Blue Atlas Cedar in the foreground. This capture actually made it as the "Photo of the Day" for Fine Gardening Magazine!
Southwestern Driveway Garden
In the southwestern driveway garden is Weeping Norway Spruce with the changing foliage of Spirea 'Magic Carpet'. Structure becomes more prominent at this time of year.
Hellebores Getting Ready!
In the back garden bed, Hellebores have pushed out some new foliage during the warmer days, preparing for their bloom time in winter. I will look forward to their blooms, which should be sometime in February or March. Having discovered Hellebores back a few years ago, they give so much to look forward to in the midst of the colder months.
Sedum Thundercloud Autumn
Around by the pool garden are Sedum 'Thundercloud'. New this summer, their interesting spiky foliage is just as amazing as the blooms. The blooms are now dried but the greenery is still hanging on!
Rose Hips Knock Out Rose
Knock Out 'Radrazz' has produced some interesting looking rose hips...
Knock Out Rose 'Radrazz'
and aren't ready to give up blooming just yet! They just keep on going!
Rosemary
To my astonishment, Rosemary in the herb garden pushed out these lovely blooms just recently. As you can see they are still looking good even after the frost...
'Stella D Oro' Daylily bud in November!
and there are buds on the Stella D Oro Daylily in mid-November. I'm not sure if anything will come of it, but it sure is a nice surprise!
Zygo Cactus (Schlumbergera truncata)
As the temperatures decline outside, Zygo Cactus, otherwise known as Thanksgiving cactus or false Christmas cactus is blooming in the indoor garden. Through the south facing window, you can get another glance of the driveway garden.
Mill Pond
Autumn wouldn't be the same without a trip to Mill Pond to observe the autumn foliage. These views are from the end of October, but I had to share when the color was at its peak. See...there are advantages to a virtual garden tour!
Mill Pond
Here is another look at the pond from the eastern side. I can never get enough of this view.
Back to the Garden-Stroll Down Front Walkway
Now we're back to the garden to take in just another glimpse at the Coral Bark Maple in all its glory. With much colder temperatures on their way, and the first wintry mix and freezing nighttime temperatures just a few days ago, I am enjoying the changing seasons and all that the garden has to offer. Thank you for coming along and happy autumn!
Thank you for Visiting!
Thank you for visiting and I hope you enjoyed your tour of my November 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, Mosaic Monday at Letting Go of the Bay Leaf, Nature Notes at Rambling WoodsDishing It & Digging It on Sunday with Angie the Freckled RoseImage-in-ing weekly photo share every Tuesday with NC Sue and Gardens Galore Link Up Party every other Monday with Everyday Living. I am also happy to join the Homestead Blog Hop  and Weekly Photo Link-Up at My Corner of the World on Wednesdays.

For winter planning and perhaps some thoughtful gifts for the gardener in your life-Visit my Author Page & Check Out My Books!

Author: Lee@A Guide to Northeastern Gardening,© Copyright 2010-2019. All rights reserved.

Friday, November 1, 2019

This Month in the Garden: Autumn at Avalon Park & Preserve, Stony Brook, Long Island

Avalon Park And Preserve, Harbor Rd, Stony Brook, NY 11790, USA
Welcome to This Month in the Garden for November! The autumnal season here on Long Island brings forth comfortable walking temperatures and an opportunity to visit the local parks and preserves that are available to the public. One of these parks is Avalon Park & Preserve, a private park located on the north shore of Long Island, across from the Grist Mill on Harbor Road in the town of Stony Brook.
Avalon Park And Preserve-Paul Simons Foundation
The park and preserve was created to celebrate the life of Paul Simons, a native Long Islander, avid hiker and cyclist, who always had a deep appreciation for the outdoors. After his life was prematurely taken away in 1996, the Paul Simons Foundation was formed, and an abandoned 7.5 acres of residential land was purchased to become the future site of Avalon Park. The goal was to celebrate the life of Paul Simon's and his love of nature by creating a natural habitat for future generations to appreciate and enjoy. While the park is managed privately, it is available to the public.
Avalon Park And Preserve, Harbor Rd, Stony Brook, NY 
Avalon Park And Preserve Map
Here is a brief history of how the park came to be. In 1997, an ecologically oriented landscape group, Andropogon Associates, proposed to transform the neglected property into an array of woodland gardens and hiking paths with focus on the native flora and fauna of Long Island. As the project commenced, several invasive species such as multiflora rose, oriental bittersweet vine and Russian olive shrubs were cleared and Avalon Park started to materialize with the addition of thousands of native trees, shrubs and perennials. A labyrinth was constructed and hiking paths added to allow access to the different sections of the park. The property continues to evolve with future plans for more trails and better access to the harbor, while it continues to serve as an outdoor classroom and learning experience for students and adults alike.
Park Wildlife-Swan
Avalon Park and Preserve is the home to numerous forms of wildlife including swans, ducks, squirrels, rabbits, red fox, box turtle, toads and many species of birds.
Crossing the Bridge
Woodland forests include several native plants including oaks, red maple, hickory, dogwoods, Sassafrass, American Birch, Black Birch, American Chestnut and American spicebush.
Mallard Enjoying the Pond
Cranberry Viburnum
The under-story is comprised of species of native ferns, shrubs and wildflowers including purple coneflower and butterfly weed, each an attraction to pollinators and an important food source for birds. Along the way are a series of blue-stone and boardwalk paths, stone steps and hiking trails, all making for a comfortable stroll through the natural habitat.
Path Leading to Labyrinth
One of the main focal points on the property is this slate labyrinth. Based on the Chartres design, the labyrinth is approximately 50 feet in diameter with a sculptural feature highlighting the overlooking rock. It conveys a feeling of tranquility and peace to its visitors.
Labyrinth Avalon Park & Preserve
The paths of the labyrinth lead to a central circle, symbolizing wholeness and eternity, no beginning or end. 
Labyrinth Avalon Park & Preserve
The sculpture at the top of the labyrinth speaks much symbolism. One interpretation of the missing pieces of the climber could be a life torn apart, while there could be various meanings left to the imagination.
Along the Walking Path
Leaving the labyrinth and further along the path is one of the ponds on the property.
Around to the other side of the Pond
The autumn scenery is beautiful.
Signs of Autumn
A Glance of the Bridge in the Distance
In the distance is a bridge that crosses over the main pond, while one can encounter smaller pond areas along the way. 
A Visit to the Toad Pond
Cartas Al Cielo-Letters to Heaven
Following the "red path" to the preserve on the other side of Rhododendron Road is Cartas Al Cielo, a stainless steel sculpture by artist Alicia Frami, which was introduced into the preserve in 2015. Next to a description of the sculpture are note cards and pencils for visitors to write letters.
Cartas Al Cielo-Letters to Heaven
The idea behind the giant sculpture is that visitors can insert letters containing their deepest thoughts into the mail slit on the front of the ball. The phrase Cartas Al Cielo is roughly translated as letters to the sky. There is something about this place that relays a feeling of tranquility and peace and encourages the imagination to wander.
Leaving Cartas Al Cielo
Friendly Swan
This Long Island visit ends as the trail meanders back to the beginning of the park by the Stony Brook Grist Mill. Long Island has a wealth of beautiful places and Avalon Park & Preserve is one to put onto your list. I hope you enjoyed the visit!
Avalon Park And Preserve, Harbor Rd, Stony Brook, NY 11790, USA
I hope you enjoyed This Month in the Garden for November. Be sure to stop by on the 1st. of each month for This Month in the Garden, as I share gardening tips, information and horticultural adventures! (Linking with: Floral FridaysMacro Monday 2Friday Photo JournalImage-in-ing Weekly Photo Link-Up and Dishing It & Digging It.)

For more information visit Avalon Park & Preserve.

For more gardening information and tips...Visit My Author Page and See My Books:

~As Always...Happy Gardening! ~

Author: Lee@A Guide to Northeastern Gardening,© Copyright 2010-2019. All rights reserved.