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 |
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!
"As Always...Happy Gardening!"
Author: Lee @A Guide to Northeastern Gardening, © Copyright 2010-2023. All rights reserved.
Your plants are beautiful inside and out, Lee! You have so much colorful foliage too. My Magnolia tree is dropping cones like crazy - maybe the reason is similar to your pine cone drop.
ReplyDeleteThank you Kris! Your garden is amazing as always. I think my favorite this month is the Camellia sasanqua, but I do love it all. Hopefully it's not too bad of a winter...we will see if the tree cone theory is correct!
DeleteI've been wondering if the Binghamton, New York area is going to be upgraded to zone 6a. At first it was so unusual not to have snow on the ground for most of November and December but now it seems when we get serious snow we get two or three feet at a time. Right now I'm sitting outside (in a coat) and it's 53 degrees and (wow) sunny. I always enjoy your garden because there is so much variety. I'm voting for annuals in the young farmer's bushel basket planter. Your male cardinal is showing some courage; more than mine do. Right now I have Black Capped Chickadees and a male Downy woodpecker visiting our feeders and not playing me much attention. Happy Holidays and Happy GBBD to you.
ReplyDeleteI am loving the milder weather as well and you are right about the snow all at once. The same thing has been happening here. I enjoyed seeing your Hellebore buds, which are actually a little ahead of mine here in zone 7b! Annuals it may be in the planter for next season!
DeleteLee, your garden truly is a "garden for all seasons." I love the way you combine evergreens with grasses and dried foliage for such a scenic display! Also your garden statues. That seasonal planter is lovely!
ReplyDeleteThank you! That is my goal! I love your collection of houseplants and your Streptocarpus is especially beautiful. Your African Violets and foliage plants are lovely as well. I have also been on the look out for a "real" Christmas Cactus. Good luck to you!
DeleteYour garden is so beautiful in all seasons! Both your landscaping and your planters are impressive. Thanks for sharing. While most folks around the country have been shifting zones for many years, this is the first time (even way back before I was born) the garden zone in my location has changed--from 5a to 5b. I have noticed some changes in recent years, so I'm not totally surprised. Anyway, lovely post and lovely garden!
ReplyDeleteThank you Beth! I love your arrangement. It is so pretty and vibrant and perfect for the holiday season. I love the combination of foliage and berries and that you saved the lone bloom! Happy holidays to you and yours!
DeleteDried seed heads are as pretty as colorful blooms, I think. Nice you have such color in the houseplants.
ReplyDeleteThey are enjoyed by the birds as well. I enjoyed your shadow captures. I think my favorites are the fence and gate and the leaves!
DeleteI love seeing your winter garden, Lee! Some of the subtleties would go unnoticed by many, but I'm so glad you took the time to point out the beauty winter brings if plants are selected for year-round interest. We are officially zone 7a now, but I've assumed that for a while, given our location. Your porch planter looks terrific. I've already got plants on order for spring shipment, anxious to get back out there! Merry Christmas to you!
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas Rita! Your garden is looking amazing and I love how you have combined evergreens, flowering shrubs and blooms for all season interest. The pansies and planters along the walkway are pretty too and the sign is adorable! There is so much love that goes into your gardening...it is easily seen!
DeleteI'm not a gardener at all, (my wife is a certified master gardener.) But I've come to appreciate the dried blooms and seed heads of winter gardens. Our local paper printed out the revised growing zone map foer the US yesterday. I don't Tulsa changed but the whole map inched northward a couple counties it seemed.
ReplyDeleteI have always made a point of appreciating all that nature has to offer and try to incorporate as much interest as possible for each of the seasons. Thank you for noticing!
DeleteDear Lee,
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas!
I wish you all the best, health and a lot of joy on this day.
May the new year 2024 be successful for you.
Merry Christmas to you and yours Nadezda, and a very happy new year! May your gardens thrive!
DeleteYour December garden is truly enchanting, with its seasonal colors and textures. It's wonderful to witness the beauty that endures even as winter approaches. The careful planning and attention to detail are evident in every corner. Wishing you continued joy and inspiration in your garden endeavors. Visit Melody Jacob blog.
ReplyDeleteThank you for stopping by my blog and for your kind words. Today was the perfect day just to unwind after all the holiday rush and visiting. Happy holidays to you and all the best for a happy and healthy new year.
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