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

Welcome to my Garden!

Welcome to my Long Island zone 7b garden! After two months of extreme heat and drought, the seasons have shifted into fall mode with cooler temperatures in the 70's and blue, cloudless skies. September is one of my favorite months of the year as the garden is starting to transition into an array of changing colors. While new blooms appear and some blooms keep their momentum going, join me for a tour of my garden, a place that brings me joy.

Spirea 'Candy Corn' & Echinacea Pow Wow 'Wild Berry'

One of the first signs of autumn each year are the fading blooms of Coneflower, creating a feast of seeds for birds. Here is Echinacea (Coneflower) Pow Wow 'Wild Berry' against the foliage of 'Candy Corn' Spirea.

Abelia 'Kaleidoscope'

While Abelia 'Kaleidoscope' displays variegated evergreen foliage throughout the year, an added bonus is its trumpet shaped white blooms in later summer and into fall.

Patio Border

Along the patio border Upright Japanese Maple 'Red Sentinel' is pushing out some new growth...

Lamb's Ear (Stachys)

while the white fuzzy foliage of Lamb's Ear (Stachys) against the candy corn-colored foliage of Spirea 'Candy Corn' provide the excellent fall look!

Sedum 'Brilliant' (Stonecrop)

Out of the many varieties of Sedum available, Sedum 'Brilliant' provides excellent late summer color on a more compact plant, which grows to just 18-24 inches tall.

Pool Border

Another variety of Sedum (Stonecrop) is this Sedum 'Thundercloud' with tight clusters of small white flowers, which stays at about 12 inches tall. The blooms do remind me of thunderclouds; hence the name!

Pool Waterfall

Along the pool waterfall the Weeping Norway Spruce that was planted in 2023 is finally feeling at home and pushing out an abundance of new growth, while Golden Pacific Juniper starts to trail gracefully over the rocks. An mix of Upright Variegated Boxwood and groundcover Sedum accompanies them.

Hydrangea 'Tardiva'

Join me on the northern side of the property. Here is a sight I look forward to every year. The panicle white blooms of Hydrangea 'Tardiva' appear much later in summer and last well into fall.

Hydrangea 'Tardiva'

Here is a view of the full tree along with Repandens Yew and Variegated Lilyturf.

Knock Out Rose 'Radrazz' Late Summer

A true winner in the garden is Knock Out Rose 'Radrazz' displaying blooms non-stop from spring  through fall with little interruption. I deadhead after each round of blooms and it just keeps on giving!

Daylily 'Stella D Oro' Late Summer

Stella D Oro' Daylily is another winner with a burst of new foliage and reblooms late summer into fall with a little bit of mid-summer rejuvenation.

A Welcomed Visitor!

It is late summer and Dwarf Butterfly Bush 'Pugster Blue' is blooming away and attracting the Monarchs. I was thrilled to get this photograph, as I was in the right place at the right time! Note:  This dwarf form of Buddleia is long blooming and non-invasive! 

Dwarf Butterfly Bush 'Pugster Blue'

Here is 'Pugster Blue' again along with the foliage of Dwarf Mugo Pine and Hinoki Cypress 'Compacta' in the backdrop.

Crape Myrtle 'Sioux'

Crape Myrtle 'Sioux' has been producing a nice bloom since it was behind a couple of weeks during the cooler than usual spring. It has also been exfoliating bark much more than I recall in past years. Note: An interesting tidbit is that exfoliation is a sign that there has been a lot of growth during a season and this process is the tree's way of making room.

Liriope (Lilyturf) 'Big Blue'

This has also been a good year for Liriope 'Big Blue'. I love the spikes of deep purple blooms it produces this time of year.

Rhode Island Red Japanese Maple Patio Border

For some more late summer color, here is some of the new growth on Rhode Island Red Japanese Maple along with the variegated evergreen foliage of Osmanthus 'Goshiki', blue foliage of Weeping Blue Atlas Cedar and backdrop of Emerald Green Arborvitae and Knock Out Roses.

Front Walkway Garden

Along the front walkway and driveway border is Weeping Eastern Redbud 'Lavender Twist', Weeping White Pine, Golden Oriental Spruce and Coral Bark Maple, which is starting to look a little bit fall-like!

Front Lawn

Along the front lawn is a 40 year old Weeping Japanese Maple...

Hydrangea Firelight 'Tidbit'

and by the back walkway entry (planted last year) are 2-year old Hydrangea Firelight 'Tidbit'!

Hydrangea Firelight 'Tidbit'

Their blooms have gone from pale green to pure white and now take on a rosy glow.

Patio Planter (All Season)

Last, but not least, is this reliable all-season planter on the front stoop. I created this combination of evergreen Juniper, Dwarf Alberta Spruce and dwarf variegated Osmanthus (False Holly), which thrive perfectly together!

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 enjoy 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, 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. 

Other Places to Find Me 🌼

You can visit my Author Page to learn about and Purchase My Books, each one focusing on different aspects of gardening, including landscape ideas, design principles, gardening by month for all-season interest, gardening tips and maintenance, shade gardening, gardening inspiration and more. And also be sure to check out my newest publication, The Houseplant Guide, to guide you on your houseplant journey!

Check out my newsletter Northeastern Gardening News for monthly updates all to do with gardening! It's free to subscribe or you can pledge a donation to show support for my work and receive monthly updates right into your inbox!

Find me on Instagram at Northeastern Gardening and Facebook at A Guide to Northeastern Gardening Blog & Author Page.

Until we Meet Again...Happy Gardening!

Author: Lee @A Guide to Northeastern Gardening, © Copyright 2010-2025. All rights reserved.  

Feature Plant: Japanese Red Pine ‘Low Glow’-A Compact Evergreen for Year-Round Appeal

 Japanese Red Pine (Pinus densiflora ‘Low Glow’)

Welcome to This Month in the Garden! Today we feature a slow growing evergreen with an abundance of landscape appeal. If you’re looking for a compact, low-maintenance evergreen that adds year-round structure and rich green texture to the landscape, Japanese Red Pine Low Glow (Pinus densiflora ‘Low Glow’) is a standout choice! Pinus densiflora ‘Low Glow’ is native to North America and is cold hardy in USDA zones 3-7.

This dwarf cultivar of the North American native Red Pine offers all the beauty of its full-sized relative in a garden-friendly form that’s ideal for small spaces, rock gardens, and foundation plantings. The parent species, Red Pine (Pinus resinosa), is native to northern North America, stretching across the Great Lakes region into Canada and the northeastern United States. Known for its tall, straight growth and resilience in cold climates, Red Pine is often used in reforestation projects. ‘Low Glow’ is a dwarf selection, discovered and cultivated for its compact, mounded habit and adaptability to gardens and landscapes where full-sized Red Pines would be far too large.

Characteristics: Low Glow Red Pine is a small evergreen coniferous shrub displaying a compact, rounded habit and is slow growing. It typically reaches 2 to 3 feet tall by 3 to 4 feet wide after ten years, and in optimum conditions, a maximum of 6 feet wide at maturity. In springtime, clusters of vibrant yellow-green or chartreuse needles create a glowing effect against its dense, rounded form and prominent, white-pointed buds. Needles mature to a deeper green which remain vibrant throughout the year, while providing reliable winter color. Growth Rate is slow, adding only one to two inches of new growth per year, making it ideal for smaller spaces.

Care Requirements: Low Glow Red Pine is remarkably easy to grow with just a few key needs. Locate in full sun in a well-draining, sandy or loamy soil for best performance. Low Glow Red Pine tolerates partial shade but may lose its dense shape if it doesn’t receive enough light. Once established, it will tolerate poorer soils but does not thrive in heavy, wet, or clay conditions. Water regularly when young to establish strong roots. Once established, it is drought-tolerant and requires only occasional watering during extended dry spells. Generally, Low Glow Red Pine requires low to moderate feeding. If growth is slow or needles appear pale, apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer for evergreens in early spring.

Pruning and Maintenance: Minimal pruning required. Low Glow Red Pine maintains its natural rounded shape without much intervention. If shaping is desired, light pruning can be done in late spring by “candling” (pinching back the new growth on candles before they harden). Remove any dead or damaged branches as needed.

Landscape Uses: Because of its compact habit and adaptability, Low Glow Red Pine is especially popular among collectors of dwarf and unusual conifers. Use in rock gardens and alpine plantings, foundation or border accents, mixed conifer gardens, low-maintenance landscapes and small urban gardens where space is limited.

I hope you enjoyed This Month in the Garden and have found the information to be useful. Low Glow Red Pine is a dependable, attractive, and easy-to-grow evergreen that offers year round interest with the charm of  being a compact, landscape-friendly form. Whether you’re looking to add structure to a rock garden, year-round interest to a foundation planting, or just a hardy, low-care shrub to your landscape, this dwarf pine is an excellent choice.

Looking for some Garden Inspiration? Check Out 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

The Houseplant Guide: How to Easily Select & Maintain Indoor Plants

As Always...Happy Gardening!

Author: Lee @A Guide to Northeastern Gardening, © Copyright 2010-2025. All rights reserved.  

Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day & Foliage Follow-Up August: Late Summer Views & Blooms!

Welcome!

Welcome to A Guide to Northeastern Gardening and to my August Long Island zone 7b garden! With record breaking heat, this has been our hottest summer on record as June hit 101°F. July also ended up being more than 3°F warmer than average and nearly tied for as “hottest on record” along with five inches of rainfall on the 31st. Now that we are in the start of August, the first week brought much cooler temperatures in the low 80's, with another heat wave back again this week. The garden is in full bloom, so join me for a tour!

Lilium 'Stargazer'

Our first stop is along the pool border where Lilium 'Stargazer', with its fragrant blooms. It had an earlier bloom time compared to previous years, so here is a view from two weeks ago.

Dwarf Butterfly Bush 'Pugster Blue'

Today in the garden, Dwarf Butterfly Bush 'Pugster Blue' is in full bloom along with the start of flowers on Sedum 'Brilliant'.

Sedum ' Pure Joy'

Sedum 'Pure Joy' is starting to display its more compact pale pink blooms. This cultivar grows to a smaller size of just 10-12 inches tall and is excellent for smaller spaces.

Backyard Island Bed

In the back raised island bed Weigela 'My Monet' is showing off its lovely variegated foliage and is accompanied by the blooms of Hydrangea 'Limelight Prime'.

Hydrangea 'Limelight Prime'

The blooms of Hydrangea 'Limelight Prime' start off as a pale green, mature to pure white, then fade to  a pinkish hue, giving all season interest.

Rudbeckia 'Little Goldstar' (Black Eyed Susan)

Along the back border Rudbeckia 'Little Goldstar' is making its presence known with an abundance of golden-yellow blooms with black centers...

Echinacea Pow Wow 'Wild Berry'

and Echinacea Pow Wow 'Wild Berry' continues to display its long lasting blooms. I have found that a little deadheading after the first round of blooms encourages even more blooms and a longer bloom time, while leaving seed heads for the birds to munch on later in the season!

Platycodon 'Komachi'

Here is Balloon Flower, Platycodon 'Komachi' with its interesting blooms which do not open up like other species of Balloon Flower, but rather stay closed like balloons! I found this variety many years ago and I have been on a mission ever since to find it again!

Abelia 'Kaliedoscope'

Now going on its third season, Abelia 'Kaliedoscope' continues to please with its colorful variegated foliage and white trumpet-shaped blooms in later summer...

Spirea 'Candy Corn'

while upright Japanese Maple 'Twombly's Red Sentinel' and Spirea 'Candy Corn' add some colorful foliage for interest throughout the entire summer.

Allium 'Millenium'

Here is Allium 'Millenium', which I planted along the southern pool border a few years back. It is showing off its wonderful blooms! This has become a favorite in the late summer garden!

Salvia 'Blue By You'

Salvia 'Blue By You' continues to bloom along the patio border with just one deadheading back in early July. The newer cultivar of perennial Salvia is hardy in USDA zones 4-9 and has the longest bloom time I have experienced out of all the Salvia.

Double Red Knock Out Rose

Old reliable Double Knock Out Rose continues to push out blooms and will continue to do so throughout the rest of the summer and into fall...

Groundcover Sedum

and the assortment of varieties of groundcover Sedum continue to supply interest along the pool border.

Viburnum 'Summer Snowflake'

Viburnum 'Summer Snowflake' is pushing out another round of late summer blooms. I love how this more compact form of Viburnum can have several bloom periods throughout the season.

Daylily 'Stella D'Oro'

Stella D' Oro joins in the mix as well with a second round of blooms after a late summer rejuvenation.

Crape Myrle 'Sioux'

As we approach the end of our tour, Crape Myrtle is starting to display its amazing deep pink blooms.

Crape Myrle 'Sioux'

Here is a close up view! If you look closely, you can see that the tree is also in the process exfoliating its older bark. This is a normal process, especially in more mature trees, and soon the newer more colorful bark will be exposed.

Tree Hydrangea 'Tardiva'

Along the northern side of the property, Hydrangea 'Tardiva', a later blooming variety of hydrangea, is displaying its fragrant panicle-shaped white blooms... 

Hydrangea 'Firelight Tidbit'

and Hydrangea 'Firelight Tidbit' is also in full bloom.  It is now showing hints of a pinkish hue on the more mature flowers. I am so enjoying this new addition for its second year.

Thank you for Visiting!

I hope you enjoyed your visit to my August garden. I so appreciate you being here, look forward to your comments and enjoy 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, 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. 

Other Places to Find Me:

You can visit my Author Page to learn about and Purchase My Books, each one focusing on different aspects of gardening, including landscape ideas, design principles, gardening by month for all-season interest, gardening tips and maintenance, shade gardening, gardening inspiration and more. And also be sure to check out my newest publication, The Houseplant Guide, to guide you on your houseplant journey!

Check out my newsletter Northeastern Gardening News for monthly updates all to do with gardening! It's free to subscribe or you can pledge a donation to show support for my work and receive monthly updates right into your inbox!

Find me on Instagram at Northeastern Gardening and Facebook at A Guide to Northeastern Gardening Blog & Author Page.

Until we Meet Again...Happy Gardening!

Author: Lee @A Guide to Northeastern Gardening, © Copyright 2010-2025. All rights reserved.