Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day & Foliage Follow-Up April: "It's Into the Garden We Go!"

Welcome!

Welcome! There is a well known quote, "It's into the garden I go to lose my mind and find my soul." ~ John Muir, which I live by. It is springtime and the garden is a place where I find peace and refuge, while enjoying new the foliage and blooms surrounding me. With spring-like temperatures in the upper 50's to low 60’s and a day last week reaching a high of 72 degrees, this gardener is in her glory. Join me for a tour of my Long Island April garden! 

Back Pool Surround

The first stop is to give you a fuller view of the pool surround in the backyard. This is just one section but it will give you an idea of just how passionate I am about conifers in the landscape. I am always looking for new cultivars to add and enjoy mixing and matching various foliage textures and color. Here is a combination of Skyland's Golden Oriental Spruce, Green Giant Arborvitae, Boxwood, Euonymus, Weeping Norway Spruce, Dwarf White Pine, Sky Pencil Holly and Blue Globe Spruce.

Hello Peony!

One thing I enjoy about spring is the emergence of foliage. Along the patio garden Peony 'Bartzella' is displaying its new vibrant pinkish-red foliage against the new green foliage of Daylily.

Hellebore 'Merlin'

Besides foliage of course are blooms. In the shadier section of the garden are the long lasting blooms of Hellebore 'Merlin' accompanied by the blooms of Hellebore 'Dark and Handsome' and 'Champion'.

Hellebore Dark and Handsome

Hellebore 'Dark and Handsome' is one of the later blooming varieties, bringing blooms to the garden in early spring. I await the amazing color of the blooms every year.

Hellebore Dark and Handsome

To me the blooms look like they are out of a painting.

Hellebore 'Champion'

Hellebore 'Champion' has been blooming since February and just keeps on giving! As you may have seen me mention before, the flowers are not flowers at all, but actually colorful bracts. That is why they last for so long. Maintenance Tip: At this time of year I remove any faded or damaged foliage from winter to allow for new growth.  I also perform this task in winter when the plant is budding.

Pieris 'Cavatine' (Dwarf Japanese Andromeda)

Here is Dwarf Andromeda 'Cavatine'. It's beautiful clusters of bell-shaped white blooms are a joy to see in springtime. They are long lasting and slightly fragrant too! Following the blooms, new scarlet foliage emerges.

Pulmonaria

In the back shade garden is Pulmonaria with its fabulous polka dot foliage and purplish-blue blooms which last for several weeks.

Weeping White Pine and Krauter Vesuvius Flowering Plum

A typical sign of spring and that April has arrived are the blooms of Flowering Plum. This variety, 'Krauter Vesuvius' stays a little smaller and is more upright compared to other cultivars and its dark purple-black foliage is striking. The blooms are just an added bonus! Here it is (to the left) shown mixed in with evergreens and perennials.

Krauter Vesuvius Flowering Plum

Here is a closer view of  the delicate pinkish-lavender blooms of the flowering Plum.

Vinca Minor (Periwinkle)

Along the pool border are the blooms of Vinca minor, otherwise known as Periwinkle, which is perfect for filling in and adding a touch of color to the crevice between the waterfall and pavers.

Nepeta 'Walkers Low' New Foliage

In the sunny portion of the garden, Nepeta 'Walkers Low' is sporting its new foliage. Bluish-purple blooms will follow, which last throughout summer. Note: Nepeta will adapt to partial shade as well.

Backyard Perimeter Garden

Along the northern side of the property is Weeping Blue Atlas Cedar with Coral bells and the variegated foliage of Osmanthus 'Goshiki'. The Coral Bells are just starting to sprout some new growth.

Springtime is for Robins!

We have more varieties of birds this spring and there has been an abundance of Robins. Here is one up close...well close enough to get a view anyway. They are shy about close encounters!

Mugo Pine Seed Cones Springtime

The seed cones of Mugo Pine are especially attractive during fall and spring, so I am sharing a close-up view.

Spirea Big Bang 'Candy Corn'

For some outstanding foliage is Spirea Big Bang 'Candy Corn'. It's foliage was bright red last month and now has transitioned to bright orange. The color will change again as summer approaches to a light green, followed by blooms.

Front Island Berm

Another winner for foliage is Anna's Magic Ball Arborvitae. It's chartruese color exists all year with a slight bronzing effect in winter. This dwarf only grows to 2-3 feet tall at maturity.

Weeping Eastern Redbud 'Lavender Twist'

April is certainly a time for awakening in the garden. As the temperatures warm, colorful buds appear on Eastern Redbud 'Lavender Twist' that will soon open up to flowers before foliage emerges. Large attractive heart shaped leaves will follow.

Allium 'Globemaster'

As each day passes the buds on Allium 'Globemaster' become a little more visible and larger. They will open up to glorious blooms by early June.

Fragrant Hyacinths

Where there are blooms there can also be a treat for the senses. The sweet fragrance of Hyacinths can sometimes be detected with the gentlest breeze.

Time to Relax!

Now that the tour is complete, it is time to relax with a cup of tea (or whatever beverage you like) and take in what Mother Nature has to offer. Until we meet again, happy gardening. You may also enjoy my new monthly newsletter Northeastern Gardening News where I share garden views, news and tips. Subscribe for free to receive monthly updates. Also, as you probably know, besides digging in the dirt, I am an author too. Check out my books, all to do with gardening!

Thanks for Visiting!

I hope you enjoyed your visit to my April garden. I so appreciate you being here, look forward to your comments and look forward to seeing what you have growing in your area. 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, Nature Notes at Rambling Woods, Image-in-ing weekly photo share every Tuesday, Weekly Photo Link-Up at My Corner of the World on Wednesdays and Garden Affair at Jaipur Garden. 

 Plan your Garden with 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

Shade Gardening for the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic

Author: Lee @A Guide to Northeastern Gardening, © Copyright 2010-2024. All rights reserved.