Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day & Foliage Follow-Up December: Into the Garden We Go!

Welcome!

Welcome to my December Long Island garden and I hope you are having a wonderful holiday season! As the months go by quickly, we saw our first silvery white flakes of snow falling from the sky on November 28th. It lasted about fifteen minutes, but was the first snow for the season (technically) and brought a smile to my face. Since then, the temperatures have been in the 40's and low 50's during the day and we have had several nights hitting the freezing mark. The Winter Solstice will be upon us in just less than a week, and the garden still has much to show. Join me for a stroll!

Back Raised Island Bed

Of course you have probably heard the latest news. Long Island is now hardiness zone 7b, up from 7a, as many areas in the U.S. have shifted approximately five degrees warmer. Not that it makes much of a difference as to which plants to buy, it does reflect the changes in seasons we have been experiencing over the past several years. I don't mind it a bit, as it seems that I have more time to play in the garden before it gets super cold. First stop are the hydrangeas in the raised island bed. Even though their blooms are well passed, I still enjoy the dried flower heads until they blow off during the winter.

Dwarf Maiden Grass Fall-Wintertime

Here in the pool border is Dwarf Maiden Grass 'Yaku Jima'. The dried plumes do give some interest to the fall-winter garden. Here is a tip: If you are going to cut back your grasses, do not cut them all the back as it can put the crown of the plant in jeopardy when the deep freezing temperatures come. Either leave them be, cut only part way or tie back with a bungee cord. As far as Lilyturf and Sedges, do not cut them back now as it can harm the plant! Wait until spring to tidy them up.

Dwarf Cryptomeria and Nandina 'Obsession'

An interesting plant that I added to the garden a few years back is this Nandina 'Obsession' It is a dwarf, variety that does not spread by seed or produce berries, and the pinkish-red color of its foliage is magnificent! Here it is along with Dwarf Cryptomeria

Weeping White Pine Seed Cones

Have you seen an abundance of pine cones this season? I have. Some say that it is the plant's way of preparing for a harsh winter...time will tell.

Montauk Daisy Fall Color

The fall and winter seasons do have their beauty. We just have to pass by these Montauk Daisy's, which are obviously done for the season, but I do enjoy the color of their leaves this time of year...

Montauk Daisy Seed Heads

and the seed heads are also good for the birds.

Azalea 'Girard's Fuschia' Fall Foliage

Here is Azalea Girard's Fuschia. It's foliage turns to this glorious purple hue in the fall and wintertime.

Red Pine and Ajuga 'Black Scallop'

Ajuga 'Black Scallop' lasts throughout most of the winter as well with its deep purplish-black foliage.

Red Pine and Juniper 'Gold Strike'

Along the patio border is Red Pine 'Low Glow' and Juniper 'Gold Strike', and along with them is Garden Gal who has been repositioned in the revamped garden with her basket of trailing Creeping Jenny.

Osmanthus 'Goshiki' and Garden Gal!

I'm not sure if the Creeping Jenny is going to make it through the winter in this planter. It is an experiment in progress. If not, perhaps I will go back to the Black Mondo Grass, which did well for some time, or perhaps some annuals! 

Stachys (Lamb's Ear)

A perennial for all season interest is Stachys, or Lamb's Ear. I love its fluffy white foliage which persists throughout the majority of the winter!

Nellie Stevens Holly Berries

In the shade border, the bright red berries of Nellie Steven's Holly add some interest too!

Japanese Skimmia Fall-Winter

Also in the back shade border is Japanese Skimmia. Helpful Tip: Skimmia are dioecious, meaning there are both male and female plants, so both a male and female shrub must be present for the female to produce flowers and ornamental berries in fall. 

Wildlife Visitors

The birds are certainly enjoying the new feeder set up, as you can see it needs refilling again, and we have a photo moment! While the sparrows will often tolerate me getting close, the cardinals are more shy and rarely allow me to get close enough to photograph them. This one actually stayed long enough for a photo shoot! 

Leucothoe 'Axillaris' Fall-Winter

In the same garden is Leucothoe 'Axillaris'. The edges of its foliage displays a nice tinge of burgundy this time of year...

Tea time!

and in the newly revamped patio garden, here is the welcoming committee sharing some tea time.

Indoor Blooms: Moth Orchid and Thanksgiving Cactus

"While the weather outside is frightful (well almost) and inside it's so delightful", here is what is blooming indoors.

Seasonal Planter

Last, but not least is this new seasonal planter I just created for the front porch. It is a combination of  Dwarf Alberta Spruce, Cypress 'Moonlit', Cypress' Goldcrest' and Osmanthus 'Goskiki' in a whisky barrel planter of Acacia wood, with a little touch of Wintergreen for the holidays. 

Thanks for Visiting!

I hope you enjoyed your visit to my December garden. I so appreciate you being here, look forward to your comments and look forward to seeing what you have growing in your garden. 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 a joyous, peaceful and healthy holiday season!

 Plan your Garden for Next Spring or Give the Perfect Holiday Gift:  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.