Monday, June 15, 2020

Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day & Foliage Follow-Up June 2020: Welcome to my Long Island Garden!

June Garden
Welcome to my June Long Island zone 7a garden! Although we are not yet able to visit botanical gardens during this worldwide pandemic, we can still enjoy one another's private gardens and communicate as gardeners do. We all speak the same language...that is...we share the love of all things green. As the month of June arrived, it almost seemed as if "Mother Nature" had thrown a switch transforming cooler temperatures in the 60's to a sudden jump into the 70's and low 80's. With the sudden surge in warmth and frequent thunderstorms, the garden has jumped into high gear. Although I am involved in some facet of horticulture throughout the year, I must admit that my favorite time to be in the garden is from the end of May and into mid-June. Join me and come along on the tour!
Perennial Border
The perennial border comes to life in May and peaks at the end of May and into the second week in June. The main focal point is the combination of Peony 'Bartzella' (hardy in USDA zones 4-8) with Salvia 'May Night' (hardy in USDA zones 4-9). 'Bartzella' is a hybrid variety with very strong stems that do not require staking. Giant yellow blooms are formed which contrast nicely with the deep purple blooms of Salvia. The perennial border gets southwestern exposure sun from early afternoon on. I am thrilled to announce that these very captures very chosen for the Fine Gardening Magazine Photo of the Day just this past Wednesday!
Itoh Peony 'Bartzella' June
Here is a closer view of the foliage and blooms of the peony. Even after the blooms are finished, the foliage of this plant acts as a medium-sized shrub through to fall.
Itoh Peony 'Bartzella'
Salvia 'May Night'
Here is Salvia 'May Night' as it combines with the foliage of Chamaecyparis 'Gold Mop'. We will also get a view of Peony 'Karl Rosenfeld', which lies just behind the purple Salvia and to the left of the Gold Mop Cypress.
Peony 'Karl Rosenfeld'
Along the fence line, Pink Double Knock Out Roses (hardy to USDA zone 5) are in full bloom from June until frost.
Pink Double Knock Out Rose
Roses are so nice to have in the yard and their mild fragrance can be detected when up close. Even though Knock Out Roses do not require deadheading to re-bloom, I still make it a practice of keeping the shrubs compact with regular trimming of extra long off-shoots. I also feed my roses monthly with a systemic food and fungal treatment, which keeps them robust and healthy.
Pink Double Knock Out Rose
Here is one of the individual roses up close for you to see.
Kousa Japanese Dogwood
In the back corner, Japanese Kousa Dogwood is in full bloom with Hosta 'Patriot' and 'Minuteman'. This variety of Kousa is known as 'Greensleeves'. It is a newer hybrid that produces more blooms and is more disease resistant.
Ilex Sky Pencil and Heuchera 'Caramel'
In the pool surround garden is Ilex 'Sky Pencil', which was introduced last year. Behind the Ilex is Heuchera 'Caramel' (Caramel Coral Bells) and in the backdrop the rhododendrons are blooming.
Southern Pool Garden
Let's venture around to the southern side of the property where a narrow lawn path leads to what I refer to as the "secret garden". Around the bend are Nepeta 'Walker's Low', Heuchera 'Palace Purple', Azalea 'Girard's Fuschia' (just finishing bloom), 'Goldmound' Spirea, rhododendron and 'Summer Snowflake' Viburnum.
Allium 'Globemaster'
Along the pool garden, Allium 'Globemaster' are on display with their voluminous lavender-purple blooms that rise above tall stalks.
Allium 'Globemaster' with 'Stella D Oro' Daylily
I plant my Allium bulbs so that they come up among the foliage of Stella D Oro Daylily. 'Limemound' Spirea is in the backdrop with a Weeping 'Red Select' Japanese Maple to the left and Star Magnolia to the right.
Viburnum 'Summer Snowflake'
Come see the 'Summer Snowflake' Viburnum (hardy in USDA zones 5-8). These beauties produce delicate white blooms from late spring into summer.
Viburnum 'Summer Snowflake'
Here is one of the blooms close up for you to see.
Secret Garden
Venturing from the "secret garden", we are now headed east towards the main part of the backyard. You may notice the Nepeta we passed on the way in, along with 'Goldmound' Spirea, 'Palace Purple' Coral Bells and Variegated Hosta. The whole perspective changes as one enters and leaves the garden.
Red Double Knock Out Rose
Along the northern border (southwestern exposure) are Double Red Knock Out Roses along a Western Arborvitae backdrop.
Red Double Knock Out Rose
Let's step back a little to get the full picture!
Magic Show 'Enchanted Indigo' Verbena

This is Magic Show 'Enchanted Indigo' Verbena, hardy in USDA zones 4-8. It impressed me from the start with its spikes of violet-blue blooms that last throughout summer with just a little bit of deadheading, and the pollinators love it! The compact size of just 16 to 18 inches makes its perfect for along my patio area. The original plant has doubled in size this past year.
Driveway Border
Along the driveway border, 'Magic Carpet' Spirea and Salvia 'Caradonna' are also in bloom for the month of June and will continue blooming throughout summer. I enjoy the height on the 'Caradonna'.
Azaleas Blooming Earlier in Month
As we come towards the end of our tour, here is a flash back from just two weeks ago when the Azalea were all in full bloom. The possibilities of a virtual garden tour are endless!
Mandevilla Vine
Back to today...the Mandevilla is blooming profusely! I had gotten hooked on having one of these planters by my back door ever since my husband brought one home for me years back. With the pandemic going on, it was a little more difficult this year trying to find one, but with persistence...I did! In the planter for this year is a combination of both red and white blooms.
June Garden-Thank you for Visiting!
I hope you enjoyed your visit to my June garden. As always, I thank you for being here and hope you experienced a smile along the way. 🙂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 FotosMacro 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 Rose, Image-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.

Looking for some gardening inspiration?-Visit my Author Page
Author: Lee@A Guide to Northeastern Gardening,© Copyright 2010-2020. All rights reserved.

42 comments:

  1. So many beautiful plants. What a lush garden. I am impressed by your viburnam. We have two and we're having a terrible time with aphids. Any ideas?

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    1. Thank you! A natural way to get rid of aphids is to spray cold water to dislodge them. Either that or insecticidal spray will help.

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  2. Such a gorgeous yard, I can tell you put a lot of time and energy into. I'm not a yard/flower person. I love a yard like yours but not the work. I enjoy mowing grass if that counts. haha That yellow peony! So so pretty
    Dawn aka Spatulas On Parade

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    1. Thank you Dawn. My garden is actually pretty low maintenance, except for some pruning once in a while to control the size of some of the plants. I do find it therapeutic to prune and weed though, and will sometimes be out in the garden for hours without even noticing the time!

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  3. What a beautiful garden. I can tell you love your garden. Thank you for sharing! Have a great week!

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    1. Thank you Cathy. You are correct...I do love my garden! Have a wonderful week!

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  4. We planted allium last fall and it bloomed this year for the first time. I was disappointed to see how short their season is. They're so pretty - just wish they'd last longer!
    Thanks for sharing at https://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2020/06/glowing.html

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    1. They do have a short bloom time but the dried seed heads are interesting in the garden throughout the summer. Some gardeners spray paint them purple like artwork. I have not tried that myself, but it does sound interesting!

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  5. Amazing gardens and beautiful photos too!

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    1. Thank you Karen! I enjoyed your sunset photo and I like the adorable squirrel capture too! Have a great weekend!

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  7. You have a beautiful manicured garden. Next to our condo we have a few natural areas and a large shopping center. Nature has taken over into thickets of tall grasses, flowers and bushes growing tall. In a way I enjoy the rustic look. The mall has opened partially, but must not be enough to pay for landscapers to return. - Margy

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    1. Thank you so much Margy. I loved your post reviewing all that you've done with your float cabin, and what a wonderful and amazing retreat you have created. Enjoy every moment!

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  8. Stunning garden!Fabulous...Such beauty and happiness!

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    1. Thank you Maristella! I always love seeing your beautiful tea sets each time I visit too!

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  9. Lee, Thanks for the tour of your garden. I loved seeing the yellow peony! With the pandemic I am envious of those who have a yard/garden they can visit safely. Have a great week. Sylvia D.

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    1. Thank you for visiting Sylvia and I am glad you enjoyed the blooms. Your artwork is really beautiful! I am glad you stopped by by blog so that I could meet you!

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  10. Beautiful! Beautiful! Beautiful!
    Love the Bartzella Peony
    Happy Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day!

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    1. Thank you so much Lea! I loved all your photos, especially those of the birds and the Green Anole. Nature is so wonderful and you have captured it beautifully!

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  11. Your garden looks incredible, Lee! I love all those big blousey blooms. Seeing your 'Bartzella' in bloom has me considering an investment in another Itoh peony even though my 'Keiko", planted in 2013, has yet to bloom in my back garden. Hope springs eternal!

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    1. Thank you so much Kris. That means a lot coming from you! Your photos and views are amazing and you have created an amazing paradise! Enjoy the cooler southern California temperatures while they last.

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  12. So fascinating! Such wonderful blooms in your garden.

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    1. Thank you! Your bird photography is always so amazing. I am so glad you are able to go out and photograph again. Each and every capture is like artwork!

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  13. Lee - not surprisingly, your garden is way ahead of mine, but it is exciting to see what lies ahead. And I mean, not only for this spring, but in the years to come as my garden continues to develop. Thanks so much for sharing your oasis and labor of love with everyone at Mosaic Monday!

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    1. Thank you for hosting Angie and for your kind words. A garden is continuous and grows along with its owner as they mature together. Enjoy every moment!

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  14. Lovely blooms , Those plethora of knock out roses are stunning .I have never seen that Magic show variety of verbena before that is marvelous .Happy blooms day.

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    1. I am glad you enjoyed the tour Arun! I love all your tropical blooms and those tomatoes look delicious! I always enjoy visiting your garden!

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  15. Your garden looks great! I noticed how wide your hostas have spread and I like it. I have often divided mine but now that I have seen yours, the larger spread looks better - no more transplanting for me. I'm going to let mine spread like yours.
    Thanks for the inspiration.
    Jeannie@GetMeToTheCountry

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    1. You are welcome and I am happy that I just saved you some work! For me, I love the statement a larger hosta makes, as long as it has the room to grow. Your daylilies are all so lovely and I love the assortment of varieties you have. The photos of the Bluebirds feeding their babies are so sweet too!

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  16. I DID smile along the way and tried to learn a few more flower names too! No wonder your garden has been chosen for a magazine's photo of the day! WOW! It is gorgeous! A lot of work but look at the results! Enjoy your afternoon!

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    1. Thank you and you just made me smile! I enjoyed each and every one of your amazing photos and I do like how the focus makes them look like artwork. Thank you for sharing your captures!

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  17. I needed this visit to your beautiful garden this morning, Lee, following my reading two sad blog postings. That sunny yellow peony is very uplifting. It is new to me and now I have to have one. Congratulations on the 'Photo of the Day' piece -- I loved reading it. Happy GBBD! P. x

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    1. Thank you Pam and I am so glad I could give you a smile. Everything is looking so beautiful in your garden and I love your roses and the story behind the Lichfield angel. Your garden always brings a smile to my face!

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  18. This virtual tour in your garden Lee is wonderful! I love June as well and try to have more blooming plants in this time of the year. Your rose Knock out are in bloom and I'd like to have them too. Are they re-blooming ones?
    Thanks for sharing!

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    1. I am glad you enjoyed the virtual tour Nadezda! The Double Knock Out Roses do bloom all summer and into the first frost. I pinch them back during the growing season to encourage even more blooms.

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  19. You've got great color combinations blooming together. That's something I have not yet mastered.
    -Ray

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    1. Thank you! I am especially enjoying the hydrangea and coneflower blooms since we have about another week or so before they open their buds here. I really like the Hydrangea 'Incrediball'-fabulous!

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  20. Love your June Garden Collection - especially those perfect rose blooms. They are so lovely.

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    1. I am so glad you enjoyed your visit James. Enjoy the lovely weekend!

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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!