Saturday, January 1, 2022

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! 

16 comments:

  1. Seeing blossoms in the dead of winter warms my heart. Thanks for this colorful review! Happy 2022 to you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am so happy you enjoyed the blooms. Happy New Year to you and yours!

      Delete
  2. Wow, your garden is one for all the seasons!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you and a Happy New Year to you! Thank you for stopping by.

      Delete
  3. What a beautiful year you had! Your garden(s) are stunning!
    Thank you for sharing at https://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2021/12/celebrate-season-with-stollen.html

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for hosting Sue. I enjoyed your post and am glad you enjoyed the views of my 2021 garden. Happy New Year!!!

      Delete
  4. I love how your garden is pretty 12 months out of the year!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much Carol for your kind words. That means a lot as it was my goal. Happy New Year to you and yours!

      Delete
  5. Oh so lovely! This post really brightened my day. Thanks for sharing the highlights of your garden in the past year. Best wishes for 2022!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Aww…that makes me so happy! Wishing you and yours a very Happy New Year!

      Delete
  6. Dear Lee, thanks for showing us your garden season by season. I love it much. I wish you many happy days in your garden, more books and health in New year.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Nadezda and a very Happy New Year to you and yours. Looking forward to seeing your garden during 2022!

      Delete
  7. Your post was like a joyful journey , it helped me to almost forget the pain pandemic brought in the year 2021 . Happy New year 2022 , May this year bring peace and happiness in your life.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Aww...that makes me smile too! I am so happy the journey helped to brighten your day and get your mind off things for a bit. Here's to a happier and brighter 2022!

      Delete

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!