Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day & Foliage Follow-Up September: Late Summer Foliage & Blooms

Welcome to my Garden!

It is mid-September and the garden is starting to slowly transition into fall mode with a stillness in the air and colors changing throughout the landscape. While we had some of the highest temperatures of the summer just a week ago in the mid-90's, with a heat index of 105 one day,  the seasons are now changing with more comfortable days bringing 70 degree temperatures to move ahead. It is a time of reflection and appreciation for all that nature has to offer. Join me for a tour of my Long Island garden.

My Garden-A Place of Solitude and Peace

As the caption says, my garden is a place of solitude and peace. At this time of year I can easily get lost in the garden for hours at a time, as it is truly my happy place. There is always time for reflection, evaluation and planning for the next possible addition!

Back Island Bed: Crape Myrtle 'Sioux'

A sight I enjoy every late summer is Crape Myrtle. This cultivar is 'Sioux' with deep pink blooms that last for several months, starting at the end of July/early August and continuing throughout September. Along the walkway is Abelia 'Kaleidoscope', just planted this season, with its delicate white blooms, along with the remaining blue blooms of Platycodon 'Komachi' (Balloon Flower).

Back Island Bed-Dwarf Butterfly Bush, Sedum and Heuchera

In the back island bed are Dwarf Butterfly Bush 'Pugster Blue', Sedum 'Brilliant' and Heuchera 'Caramel' (Coral Bells). The 'Pugster Blue' and Sedum are pollinator magnets this time of year!

Dwarf Butterfly Bush 'Pugster Blue'

Here are the vibrant and fragrant purple blooms of 'Pugster Blue' up close.

Back Island Bed-Weigela and Hydrangea

On the opposite side of the island bed is Dwarf Mugo Pine, Variegated Weigela 'My Monet' and Hydrangea 'Limelight Prime', with its panicle-shaped blooms changing from white to pink as fall approaches. 

Echinacea 'Cheyenne Spirit'

In the pool surround, Echinacea 'Cheyenne Spirit' is still producing blooms of various colors on the same plant, while the seed heads are enjoyed by birds.

Back Shade Border

Liriope (Lilyturf) 'Big Blue' is displaying its vibrant purple blooms for late summer along with the foliage of Variegated Boxwood and Leucothoe 'Axillaris'.

Liriope 'Big Blue' (Lilyturf)

I always enjoy the pop of color as I round the corner to the shade garden this time of year.

Back Northern Pool Border

There have been some additional changes going on in the garden. The large Magnolia tree which stood in this spot had been suffering for some time and sadly had to be removed. It did give me the opportunity to revamp the area with these three 'Sky Pencil' Holly, which are the perfect fit for adding some height and dimension, while separating the pool area from the back "secret garden".

Back Northern Perimeter

Along the northern border, Hosta 'Patriot' goes into fall mode with its changing colors and Japanese Dogwood starts to form its red berries...

Endless Summer Hydrangea

while the Endless Summer Hydrangea continues to display its blooms, which are fading but still worth the view!

Pool Border Late Summer Blooms

Alongside Spirea 'Limemound', Sedum 'Thundercloud' are blooming...

Dwarf Maiden Grass 'Yaku Jima' and Sedum

and Sedum 'Brilliant' are blooming alongside Dwarf Maiden Grass 'Yaku Jima', with its wispy plumes.

Pink Double Knock Out Rose Late Summer

Along the fence line, Double Pink Knock Out Rose continues to produce its blooms and will do so until the first frost.

Patio & Pool Surround

For some foliage, here is Osmanthus 'Goshiki' with its changing variegated leaves along with Golden Variegated Sedge. In the distance is a view of the pool area and summer renovation of the waterfall and planting.

Red Double Knock Out Rose Late Summer

Following around the bend are more roses to be seen, this time Double Red Knock Outs still blooming away!

Patio Border-Weeping Norway Spruce & Sedum 'Pure Joy'

Sedum 'Pure Joy', a smaller dwarf version of Sedum is blooming alongside Weeping Norway Spruce...

Patio Perennial Garden

and along the perennial border these are still the remaining blooms of Salvia 'May Night', Echibeckia and Balloon Flower along with the white foliage of Lamb's Ear.

Pinus densiflora 'Low Glow' (Japanese Red Pine)

Here is Japanese Red Pine 'Low Glow'. I have been enjoying this newer addition for the past three years with its pretty foliage along the patio border. It is considered a miniature conifer and will get 3-4 foot tall by wide in 10 years, but can get up to 6 feet in maturity, so I trim the candles in springtime.

Driveway Border

Weeping Blue Atlas Cedar adds a touch of color along the driveway with Coral Bark Maple and Skyland's Oriental Spruce in the backdrop.

Lirope Variegata (Variegated Lilyturf)

Venturing to the front yard, here is Variegated Lilyturf along the front walkway displaying its vibrant purple blooms. I enjoy this perennial all season long for its foliage alone, but the blooms are just fabulous late summer into fall! Care Tip:  To protect Liriope from winter damage, leave the foliage of this perennial over winter and prune it back in early spring as new growth emerges.

Hydrangea 'Tardivia'

For later blooms than most hydrangea, Hydrangea 'Tardivia' blooms late summer with highly scented large while panicle flowers that last into fall. The flowers also look nice in a vase to bring inside.

Front Lawn Weeping Japanese Maple 'Viridis'

On the front lawn, Weeping Japanese Maple 'Viridis' is already displaying more fall-like colors...

Front Walkway Entry

and here along the front walkway is a closer view of 'Skylands' Oriental Spruce, Weeping Blue Atlas Cedar and Mugo Pine, with Coral Bark Maple to the far left.

Front Island Bed & Lawn

The front island bed is starting to look a little bit like fall as well, with the changing colors of foliage. The garden continues to change.

Thank you for Visiting!

I hope you enjoyed your visit to my September garden. I so appreciate you being here, look forward to your comments and look forward to seeing what you have blooming 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 had hosted Foliage Follow-Up, a meme I will continue to honor. I am also linking with some other wonderful hosts and hostesses at Floral Friday Fotos, Friday Bliss at Floral Passions, Macro Monday 2, Mosaic Monday at Letting Go of the Bay Leaf, Nature Notes at Rambling Woods, 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 Weekly Photo Link-Up at My Corner of the World on Wednesdays and Garden Affair at Jaipur Garden. Wishing all with gardens that thrive!

🎕  My Author Page & Purchase My 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

and my newest addition,

Shade Gardening for the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic

"As Always...Happy Gardening!" 

Author: Lee @A Guide to Northeastern Gardening, © Copyright 2010-2023. All rights reserved.