2021 Long Island Garden: Year in Review

2021 Long Island Garden Year in Review

As you read this, it is a new year...that of 2022! It is a time for reflection, memories of times past and new adventures to look forward to. As I look back, I am a thankful for the support of family and friends and also for the relationships I have built over the years with you...my colleagues. As with many, the garden has become an even more important necessity of life, bringing purpose, tranquility and peace. Here is a quick look back of the year past in my zone 7 Long Island garden with hopes and dreams for the future. For full posts, click on the individual links under each photo. I hope you enjoy your visit.

January

The new gardening year came in like a lamb with some of the mildest temperatures I can remember for January. While the structure of evergreens and deciduous trees, berries and seed heads added interest to the landscape, blooms of Hellebore 'Shooting Star' were already underway to get the gardening season to a start. It appeared like it was going to be a mild winter.

February

Like flipping a light switch, the mild temperatures of January turned to cold in February, and the garden 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. 

March

What a difference a month makes! While the month of February was one snow storm after another, the month of March came in like a lamb on the 1st. The announcement of the "windy month" here in the northeast was made on the 2nd and 3rd as winds gusted up to 50 mph, reminding us that March is an unpredictable month weather wise. The remainder of the month brought back thoughts of winter, followed by temperatures in the upper 50's to low 60's by the end of  the month, and the Hellebores kept right on blooming, while Pussy Willow catkins started to appear!

April

The month of April started of cooler than usual, bringing welcomed sunny skies and temperatures in the upper 50's, reaching into the lower 60's by the end of the month. Blooms of Crocus, Hyacinths, Daffodils, Magnolia, Flowering Plum and Forsythia graced the garden along with the remaining blooms of Hellebores. Despite the cooler temperatures, Spring had arrived!

May

The long awaited month of May brought the garden to life with blooms and color everywhere. After a cold and snowy winter and cool spring, May brought temperatures in the mid-60's to low 70's, which is ideal for working outdoors and spending time in the garden. The horticultural industry also came to life, bringing long hours, so the perfect way to start or end the day would be to take a stroll in the garden to take in the blooms of  Kwanzan Cherry, Azalea, Eastern Redbud, Viburnum, and Salvia. One could say...life was good.

June

As June rolled around, daytime temperatures settled into the mid to upper 70's to mid-80's, and the garden was alive with blooms everywhere! It was a time for Flowering Dogwood, Irises, Knock Out Roses, Viburnum, Rhododendron, Weigela, Peony, Spirea, Daylilies, Veronica and Allium to be in their element. It was one of the most plentiful spring gardens I can remember, which continued right into autumn. The garden continued to thrive and bring so much joy.

July

The garden continued to thrive as the month of July added the blooms of Hydrangea, Hosta, Rudbeckia, Echibeckia, Sammy Russell Daylily and Stargazer Lily, along with continuing blooms of Knock Out Roses, Coreopsis, Salvia and Nepeta. Temperatures continued to be comfortable for the most part, remaining in the mid-80's with a few days here and there in the 90's. 

August

By August the "dog days" of summer had arrived, with temperatures in the 80's to 90's accompanied by lots of humidity. The gardens did love it though, because the conditions were optimal for keeping the blooms coming. It was time for Crape Myrtle, panicle Hydrangea 'Tardiva', Platycodon and Sedum to join in. 

September

By September, the temperatures had started moderating into a comfortable mid to upper 70's, with a slight feeling of autumn in the air. While some of the mid-summer blooms continued their display, the next set of seasonal interest was underway. Sedum, Liriope and panicle hydrangea now took center stage while Dogwood had produced its bright red fruit and St. John's Wort its colorful berries. Montauk Daisy had set its buds for blooms the following month. 

October

Autumn had arrived and the October garden had started to change as temperatures moderated into the upper 60's to low 70's, with a true feeling of fall in the air. As blooms of Knock Out Rose, Platycodon, Salvia, Echinacea and Liriope continued to hang on, Montauk Daisies had started their display and ornamental grasses showed their plumes. The surrounding foliage displayed shades of golden and orange accents. 

November

Autumn is a wonderful time of year, as the daytime temperatures in November had moderated into the 50's and 60's. With a few rainfalls and morning frosts, the landscape had transitioned into an array of autumn colors. Blooms still continued in the garden since it had been unusually mild for this time of year.

December

It's been a long time since I remember a December which had been so mild, but that doesn't mean that nature can't throw us some surprises! The month of December brought unusually warm temperatures in the 50's all the way up until just a week before Christmas and then on Christmas Eve morning, we woke up to a coating of glistening white snow covering the landscape. I had the whole month for venturing out into the garden without a winter coat, which I treasure, and now it's starting to look like winter. Now that it got colder, the walks will be much shorter, but I will continue to venture outwards until spring comes. On that note...here's to new beginnings and to a very happy and healthy 2022 to you and your family! 

(Linking with: Floral Fridays, Macro Monday 2, Our World Tuesday, Travel Tuesday, Pictorial Tuesday, My Corner of the World, Friday Photo Journal,  Image-in-ing Weekly Photo Link-Up and Jaipur Garden.)

Visit My Author Page and Books 

A Guide to Northeastern Gardening: Journeys of a Garden Designer Zones 3-9

Landscape Design Combinations 

Dream, Garden, Grow!-Musings of a Lifetime Gardener

Gardening by Month: A Monthly Guide to Planning the Northeastern & Mid-Atlantic Garden. 

Be well and As Always...Happy Gardening!😊

Author: Lee @A Guide to Northeastern Gardening,© Copyright 2010-2022. All rights reserved.