Monday, February 15, 2021

Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day & Foliage Follow-Up February: Walking in a Winter Wonderland

February Garden
Welcome to my Long Island garden! Over the last few weeks, the garden has been transformed into a winter wonderland through a series of snowfalls, followed by periods of thawing and more snow. The first significant snowfall of the year came on the 1st, lasted into the 2nd and dwindled off to flurries on the 3rd, bringing  a foot of snow to the island. Another storm came on the 7th (Super Bowl Sunday) bringing another 6-8 inches. There have been two more snowfalls, keeping the garden under a cloak of white, with more on the way. Come along on a tour of my February garden!
Garden Whimsy
The first glances of the garden are just before the first snowfall. When I knew it was coming for sure, I set outside with camera in hand to capture some before views, one of the perks of a virtual tour!
Evergreens in the Winter Garden
Since evergreens are such an important addition to the northeastern garden, I always like to highlight a few that are on the property and since horticultural photography is a second love of mine, I will venture out even on the coldest days to get some captures. This is a close up of a Colorado Montgomery Globe Blue Spruce taken with a telephoto lens.
Garden Leap Frog
Here is a little garden whimsy. This playful pair can be seen from right outside my window.
Evergreen Garden
Here is a view of the border of evergreens along the eastern side of the property with Globe 'Montgomery' Blue Spruce, Golden Hinoki Cypress 'Verdoni' and Boxwood. There is an iris garden which lies along the fenceline, giving the area a more cottagey look in the spring.
Crape Myrtle Bark in Winter
This is Crape Myrtle 'Sioux'. Its colorful, exfoliating bark is even more noticeable in wintertime. 
Garden Visitor
The feeder station has been very busy! This little guy is consuming some calories before the snow arrives.
Golden Sweet Flag
Golden Sweet Flag and Spreading Repandens Yew add some color and structure to the winter garden, and the birds love the foliage too!
Wintering Birds
                            Wintering birds are looking for some shelter as this visitor scouts out his turf...
Welcoming  Committee
while the welcoming committee below is chilling with some hot cocoa!
Under a Cloak of Snow
Overnight the snow arrived, transforming the garden into a winter wonderland.
Coral Bark Maple  and Skylands Oriental Spruce
The bark of the Coral Bark Maple in the driveway border is glowing against the white snow. Alongside the Coral Bark Maple is snow covered Golden Oriental Skylands Spruce.
Blue Skies Return
The snow is beautiful while it is falling, but I always love the following day as blue skies return and the sunlight lights up the snow covered landscape. Come along and see.
After the Snow
Here is a view of the pool garden with the patio area covered in a blanket of snow.
Snowy Scenes
I have lived here in the northeast all my life and am still mesmerized every time we get a snow covered landscape. There is something about the changing seasons with new scenery to look forward to in every month, along with some special surprises along the way.
Nellie Stevens Holly Winter Berries
There are discoveries around each corner, such as in the back garden where Nellie Stevens Holly is displaying its bright red berries and by the patio where Weeping Pussy Willow is producing its first catkins.
Weeping Pussy Willow Catkins Forming in February
There are signs of spring as buds on Star Magnolia become evident...
Magnolia Buds and Hopes of Spring
and the snow still covers the garden.
Winter Snowy Sunset
While the landscape is covered in a blanket of snow, the indoor 30 year old Jade plant shows off its blooms.
Indoors: A Jade Plant Blooms!
I couldn't resist laying a pair of garden crocs next to the boots just worn while walking the garden. My feelings are mixed. While the snow is beautiful, spring is not far away. Until then, I'll just have to enjoy the view!
Mixed Feelings
February Garden
Thank you for visiting my February garden. As always, I enjoy hearing from you and seeing what's growing in your neck of the woods! 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 WoodsImage-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 Weekly Photo Link-Up at My Corner of the World on Wednesdays and Garden Affair at Jaipur Garden

Monday, February 1, 2021

Book Launching-Introducing Gardening by Month

Book Launching!
While the world has been in disarray, I have been spending more time in the garden than ever and decided to put some of my energy into writing again. I had been working on a personal reference for some time, which took off by storm during the pandemic. I had done research trying to find a gardening book that listed plant interest by month, and after much searching, I could not find anything that would do just that. There are references that list plants in alphabetical order or by type, but the search came up short when looking for interesting features by month. This resulted in my fourth book. 
Book Announcement!

I am very excited to announce the publication of Gardening by Month: A Monthly Guide to Planning the Northeastern & Mid-Atlantic Garden. As a landscape designer for over 25 years, my focus always is to create a garden that has something of interest twelve months a year. I have added elements that focus on blooms, bark, berries or foliage to my own garden over the years to create something to look forward to during every season, and I now have a 12-month garden to enjoy. I have created this book so that you too can experience continuing interest in your space throughout every month of the year.


Book Description
Have you ever wondered if you could have interest in the garden twelve months a year? The answer is a definitive yes!  Through years of experience as a landscape designer, I have accumulated a list of plants which are hardy in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions that will provide ongoing interest for your outdoor space. Gardening by Month: A Monthly Guide to Planning the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic Garden will take you on a journey through each month of the year, while providing that perfect mix of gardening interest along the way. Colorful photographs are followed by descriptions of each plant according to bloom time, foliage color or other notable characteristics, so that you can enjoy your outdoor space during every season. Additionally, environmental needs, plant care and maintenance tips are provided for each selection with any other important information. Finally, gardening tips and a summary of gardening chores are provided for each month. Are you ready for a twelve-month interest garden? Then come along and plan away!
  • Organizes plant interest by month for easy reference. 
  • Plan with over 120 plant selections to choose from. 
  • Colorful photographs are supplied with plant descriptions and care requirements. 
  • Monthly gardening chores are suggested for each month.
  • Plant maintenance and care tips are recommended to help you maintain a healthy garden. 
  • Helpful pointers on soil types, characteristics and identification are given.
  • Achieve the 12 month all season garden you have been looking for. 
So, now it is official and the Look Inside features are up and running, so you can get an idea of the book’s layout. I was also honored to be a guest on the Better Lawns and Gardens Radio Talk Show to discuss this newest book, along with offering some landscape design tips! Follow the link to listen to the interview and learn about my gardening adventures, and afterwards, come by and check out the new book!😊 That’s it for This Month in the Garden. Be sure to visit on the 1st and 15th of each month for gardening news, tips and updates in the horticultural world!

For book details and purchase, visit My Author Page & Books and thank you for your support.

Anyone who thinks gardening begins in the spring and ends in the fall is missing the best part of the year; for gardening begins in January and ends with the dream.” ~Josephine Nuesse 

~As Always...Happy Gardening! ~

Author: Lee@ A Guide to Northeastern Gardening,© Copyright 2010-2021. All rights reserved.