Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day & Foliage Follow-Up November 2016: The Many Colors of Autumn

November 2016

Albert Camus once quoted, "Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower." His words recollect in my mind every fall as the landscape turns into a canvas of kaleidoscopic color. November has arrived and it is time for another Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day and Foliage Follow-Up, so come along with me as we explore my Long Island garden.

The Changing Colors of Autumn

As the temperatures dip into the 50's, there are so many changes going on in the landscape, as foliage that was once green turns to hues of orange and gold. As we start our walk we immediately come across some of nature's artwork. Sometimes something as simple as a lone leaf will appear like a well planned painting.

Hosta in Autumn

Structure becomes more of a prominent factor in the garden in November. Here is the exfoliating bark of Crape Myrtle 'Sioux'. The underlying trunk has a mixture of light and dark hues, which are more noticeable at this time of year as the top layer disappears.

Crape Myrtle Bark Autumn

Here is the back perennial border.  Astilbe and coneflowers have turned to seed heads, while Stachys (Lamb's Ear) still displays its soft white foliage, which will last well into the winter months.

Perennial Border November

These seed heads of Sedum 'Brilliant' make for nice interest in the fall garden and can even be brought inside as dried floral display, which I'll do on occassion.

Sedum 'Brilliant' Seed Head

The colors seem to be coming on much stronger this year, brought on by a prolonged period of drought followed by rainfall and cooler temperatures throughout this month and last. It's fascinating how the morning dew on this Spirea 'Limemound' is causing it to shimmer in the sunlight, resembling what looks like tiny pink crystals.

Morning Dew on Spirea

Here are the remains of Echinacea 'Pow Wow'. I leave the seed heads in the garden for a long time until they practically disintegrate. They add interest to the perennial border and supply seeds to the birds as well.

Echinacea Seed Heads

As we pass by the back northwest bed, we encounter one of the newest additions to the garden. The longtime wisteria that had thrived there for twenty years did not come back from the winter of 2016, so I replaced it with this 'Kousa' Dogwood.  I love this tree and the striking red fruit it produces in fall. Hopefully it will thrive in its new home.

Kousa Dogwood Autumn

Here is a closer look of the large fruit!

Kousa Dogwood Fruit

        The Weeping Japanese Maple on the front lawn has been there for over twenty years and is showing its wonderful fall foliage...a sight I look forward to every year.  

Weeping Japanese Maple

Perennial Border November

   Let's circle back around and pass by the perennial border another time. In this view is Blue Star Juniper on the right with astilbe seed heads...

Stachys (Lamb's Ear) November

and here is the Lamb's Ear much closer up.

Rudbeckia 'Little Goldstar' 

A true gardener never gives up thinking and adding new elements to the garden and I could not pass up these new hybrid Rudbeckia 'Little Goldstar', seen while at the nursery.  They are a dwarf growing form, only reaching a height of 14 inches tall.  Rudbeckia 'Little Goldstar' is hardy in USDA zones 4-9, prefers full sun to partial shade and blooms from September through fall. 

Weeping Norway Spruce

While many of the other plants in the garden go through seasonal changes, the true reliable evergreens continue to add interest all year long. I have several of these Weeping Norway Spruce throughout the property, for each one has its own unique form and character. This particular one resides along the perimeter of the back patio.

Weeping Blue Atlas Cedar, CoralBark Maple and Golden Oriental Spruce 'Skylands'

Other evergreens on the property include this Weeping Blue Atlas Cedar (front) and Golden Oriental Spruce (to the right). To the left of the spruce in the center is Coral Bark Maple Acer palmatum 'Sango kaku' and to the far left towering above is a White Ash.

May Night Salvia's Last Bloom

May Night Salvia is a favorite of mine in the garden and while they are only supposed to bloom throughout May until August, there is a trick in getting them to last all the way though November. Here are the last of the blooms.

Lady's Mantle

Lady's Mantle is known for its beautiful foliage, especially when graced by the morning dew. I have had this plant in my garden for many years and get lots of enjoyment from it.

Montauk Daisy

I have always had a fondness of Montauk Daisies over the years and they were also my mom's favorite flower. While at the nursery a couple of weeks ago I finally bought some. They bloom from late summer well into November, but do tend to take up a lot of space in the garden, so I planted them in a large planter on the patio. I am hoping to enjoy their beautiful blooms right from the window each fall, and think of mom each time I see them. 

Succulent Planter Autumn Blooms

Do you remember the other succulent planter I have with the Hens and Chicks, which bloomed last July? I had made up another planter with a mix of sedum varieties, and it is now also blooming. It started in late September and has been going on for some time now.

Mill Pond Autumn Glory

Well that's it for the garden, but the tour just wouldn't be complete unless I took you for a stroll down the street to the local pond. This is the sight we are graced with every year, ever since I was growing up in my small town. The beauty never ceases to amaze me, so I thought I would share it with you.

Mill Pond: The Changing Colors of Autumn

Autumn has arrived...

Autumn at Mill Pond

with a silent stillness...

Mill Pond Autumn Reflections

as the trees cast reflections in the water.

In A Vase on Monday

As the tour for November comes to an end, here are some Knock Out Roses I just collected from the garden...which...yes...are still blooming. Soon, delicate white flakes of snow will be upon them and they will be done for the season, so I enjoy them for as long as I can.

November Memories

I  hope you enjoyed your stroll through my November garden. Special thanks go out to our hostesses 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 and Pam at Digging for hosting Foliage Follow-Up.  I am also linking with some other wonderful hosts and hostesses at Today's Flowers, Floral Fridays, I Heart Macro, Macro Monday 2, and Nature Notes at Rambling Woods. Also check out What's Blooming This Week Garden Update, In a Vase on Monday at Rambling in the Garden, Garden Bloggers' Foliage Day and Saturday's Critters.

Planning your garden for next spring and need some winter reading? Have you read my book, A Guide to Northeastern Gardening: Journeys of a Garden Designer (Gardening in Zones 3-9)? It covers a wide range of information on garden design, tips, maintenance and more! If you have read my book and found it to be helpful, please consider leaving a short review on Amazon. Reviews are vital in getting a book noticed and your help would be very much appreciated!

As Always...Happy Gardening!

Author: Lee@A Guide to Northeastern Gardening, © Copyright 2016. All rights reserved

Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day & Foliage Follow-Up: June 2016 Long Island Garden

June 2016 Garden

June brings sunshine and abundant blooms to my Long Island garden and this year is no exception. After the cold snaps we experienced over the past couple of winters, the perennials seem to be bigger and brighter than usual and this gardener is enjoying the view.  The landscape has burst into a colorful display as the temperatures rise up into the mid to upper 70's with some recent days in the 80's. Another month has passed, which means a stroll in the June garden is in order. Since the blooms are waiting, come join with me in a walk through my June Long Island garden!

Itoh Peony 'Bartella'

First stop is one of the latest editions, hybrid Peony 'Bartella' which is going on its second season in the garden. I positioned these right in line with our patio window so I can start each day by taking in these giant sized breathtaking blooms before I go to work on client's gardens.  They bloom for only a few short weeks, but the flowers are worth it, and makes the wait for them even more worth looking forward to!

Perennial Border June

The perennial border along the patio is in bloom for June with Salvia 'May Night', Weeping Salix (Pussy Willow), Gold Mop' Cypress in the backdrop and Peony 'Bartella' in the foreground.  Also, the purple foliage of 'Palace Purple' Heuchera (Coral Bells), and white-bordered foliage of hosta are included for additional interest.

Itoh Peony 'Bartella' Close Up!

As we approach the Peony 'Bartella', let's get a close up view of its voluminous yellow, plate-sized blooms with deep yellow centers.

Peony Karl 'Rosenfeld' and Salvia 'May Night'

In the same border is Salvia 'May Night' in front of Peony 'Karl Rosenfeld'.  Blooming simultaneously, they create a combination of shocking pink and purple in the garden.

Salvia 'May Night'

I am happy to see all the pollinators out and about, as they are very much attracted to the Salvia 'May Night'.

Allium 'Globemaster'

Around to the pool garden, Allium 'Globemaster' is in bloom among Daylily 'Stella D Oro', which is just starting to come into bloom now. A secret is that the foliage of the daylilies hides the fading foliage of the allium (one of the tips from my book!) and Spirea 'Limemound' adds some extra color in the backdrop.

Knock Out Rose 'Raz Daz'

There is nothing like the color and smell of roses right by the back door.  Here is Knock Out Rose 'Raz Daz' in full bloom. It will go on like this all summer with new buds forming constantly.

Japanese Iris

These Japanese Iris were planted by my mom when I was just a child and they continue to grow along the fence border in the backyard.  I remember them from while I was growing up and they are a reminder of her each time I look at them.

Back Side Garden

Now, around to the back side gardens. In the far left corner, Viburnum 'Summer Snowflake' is blooming along with Rhododendron 'Elegans' (back right) and Nepeta 'Walkers Low' (front right). Also seen here are 'Spirea 'Goldmound', Heuchera 'Palace Purple' and 'Caramel' (to the left along the fence). 

Viburnum 'Summer Snowflake' Close Up Bloom

Here is the Viburnum 'Summer Snowflake' close up with its flattened bright white blooms that somewhat resemble the flowers of Dogwood.

Rhododendron Elegans

Rhodendron 'Elegans' is a stable in the garden with its voluminous lavender blooms that signal spring.

Center Island Garden Backyard

As we walk back towards the house, the backyard island bed is visible with Hinoki Cypress 'Compacta', Salvia 'May Night' and Sedum 'Brilliant' along with Coral Bells 'Palace Purple' and 'Caramel'...

Montgomery Globe Blue Spruce

and of course we couldn't leave out the bright blue foliage of 'Montgomery' Globe Blue Spruce, which we pass along the way!

Front Foundation Gardens

Come on along to the front yard.  From where you're standing you can get a long view of the front beds with Blue Atlas Cedar in the backdrop and two Weeping Japanese Maples, one of the red variety and the other green.

Weeping Japanese Cutleaf Maple (Green)

Here are the maples close up. The green one rises over my head (about six feet) and spans to about fifteen feet wide at this point, after many years of being established.

Weeping Japanese Cutleaf Maple (Red)

The red variety is approximately five and a half feet tall by ten feet in width. Its twisted trunk is starting to come into its element like that of the green tree.

Spirea japonica Double Play 'Big Bang'

Here is the queen of the front island bed, Spirea Double Play 'Big Bang' with its large pink blooms for June and throughout the summer.

Spirea japonica Double Play 'Big Bang' Bloom

The foliage changes color, which adds an extra highlight.

Double Knock Out Rose (Pink)

The Knock Out Roses are a long-time favorite of mine with their semi-fragrant pink blooms, which appear throughout the entire summer and into fall.

Lampost Garden Right Re-vamped June 2016 (East Bed)

As we approach the end of the garden tour for June, here are some of the latest re-vamps done to the garden just one week ago.  The fountain grasses in both the east and west beds had reached their expiration time and were replaced with some flowering shrubs.  In the east bed there is Weigela 'Wine & Roses' as the new addition...

Weigela 'Wine & Roses' 

and in the west bed are Spirea 'Magic Carpet', known for their changing foliage and blooms. They should starting filling in now that they are in the ground!

Lampost Garden Left Re-vamped June 2016 

The very mature Wisteria tree that I had started from just a vine over thirty years ago didn't make it through the last winter, so the new addition is  Kousa Dogwood 'Greensleeves'.

New Kousa Dogwood June 2016

I am hoping it thrives in its new home and has a good long life.

Perfect Patio Planter 2016 (Year IV):  Coleus and Sweet Potato Vine Combination

Back around to the patio area, here its this years version of the Coleus and Potato Vine Planter that will mature over the summer. It's all about the foliage!!!

Garden Visitor

Last, but not least, we have a couple of garden visitors this year and hopefully they will stick to eating only the grass and stay away from the blooms...so far so good. They are cute little fellows so I am hoping we can co-exist peacefully.

Roses in Vase from my Garden

As the tour comes to an end here are some roses from the garden to enjoy on the kitchen windowsill.

June 2016 Garden

I  hope you enjoyed the stroll through my June garden. Special thanks go out to our hostesses 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 and Pam at Digging for hosting Foliage Follow-Up.  I am also linking with some other wonderful hosts and hostesses at Today's Flowers, Floral Fridays, Mosaic Monday at Lavender Cottage, I Heart Macro, Macro Monday 2, and Nature Notes at Rambling Woods.  Also check out What's Blooming This Week Garden Update and In a Vase on Monday at Rambling in the Garden.

For more gardening information, you may be interested in my newly published book, A Guide to Northeastern Gardening: Journeys of a Garden Designer (Gardening in Zones 3-9). You can see a preview here on Amazon. 

As Always...Happy Gardening!

Author: Lee@A Guide to Northeastern Gardening, © Copyright 2016. All rights reserved