Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day & Foliage Follow-Up July: Welcome: "It's Into the Garden I Go!"

Welcome to my July Garden!

There is a wonderful saying which describes me to a tee. "It's into the garden I go to lose my mind and find my soul." July is a perfect time for a stroll in the garden to find peace and tranquility during the heat of the summer. After a very cool June and the first spring like conditions we have experienced in a long time, July is here with an onset of higher more summer like temperatures in the 80's and low 90's. The garden is my refuge and brings me joy. I hope it brings you joy too!

Welcome!

We start our stroll as we enter the backyard along the patio. This is a place where I spend much of my time sitting under the overhang and gazing out into the garden, that is until I see a branch out of place, a weed to be pulled, or some other item that needs tending to, which will get me out there into my happy place. There is something about a garden that allows one to clear the mind, and simply be happy.

Patio Perennial Border

Let's get onto a tour of my Long Island garden. We start with a greeting party of two frogs hanging out with a cup of tea, surrounded by the developing blooms of Hosta. It is the view I have each morning from my patio and find it to be quite entertaining.

Back Northern Perimeter!

Looking out to the north perimeter of the property is a combination of Emerald Green and Green Giant 'Virescens' Arborvitae, along with Gold Lace Juniper, Weeping Blue Atlas Cedar, Double Knock Out Roses and a Kousa 'Greensleeves' Dogwood, which was filled with greenish-white blooms in spring. Soon its bright red fruit will form, which is a treat for the birds.

Knock Out Rose

The Double Knock Out Roses are in full bloom. Here is a closer view!

Pool Garden

If you visited last month, I had just completed the pool waterfall/planting renovation along the back of the property. The Weeping Norway Spruce, Upright Variegated Boxwood, and other plantings are adjusting nicely to their new home, and there is New Wave Petunia adding some color for now, with perhaps some long blooming perennials to be be added in the future. It is still a work in progress.

Allium 'Globemaster' Dried Flowers

Here are the dried seed heads of Allium 'Globemaster' which bloomed during  late spring. Every time visitors come to the garden they are intrigued by the dried remains, so I leave the stalks as a conversation piece until they are at the point which they can be pulled easily out of the ground.

Shade Garden

In the shadier side of the garden, the spotted foliage of Pulmonaria can be seen along with Heuchera 'Caramel' Coral Bells, which are now producing their dainty flowers rising above the plant.

Sunny Pool Border!

On the sunnier side of the pool border is a combination of Sedum 'Angelina', 'Dragon's Blood', 'Coral Carpet' and 'Blue Spruce, with Encore Azalea in the backdrop.

Sedum Groundcover Mix

I enjoy the various blooms of the Sedum and it just keeps on giving!

Pool Border Western Side

Towards the western side of the property is this combination of Sky Pencil Holly with Rhododendron and Coral Bells and a semi hidden statue of children playing in the background, which can seen through the Coral Bells as passers go by.

'Low Glow' Red Pine

Around to the back patio area is a view of the light green foliage of 'Low Glow' Red Pine against the darker green foliage of Peony. This variety of red pine got its name from its beautiful "candles", which almost glow in the sunlight.

Echinacea (Coneflower) 'Cheyenne Spirit'

Along the pool border is a personal favorite of mine,  Echinacea 'Cheyenne Spirit', a form of Coneflower which displays multiple colors of blooms on the same plant. Here is a close up of some of its golden colored blooms...

Echinacea 'Cheyenne Spirit'

and two colors right next to each other on the same plant!

Perennial Border

Along the perennial border is the new addition of Abelia 'Kaleidoscope' with its multi-colored foliage and white blooms, which are now appearing.

Abelia 'Kaleidoscope' Bloom

The blooms will continue throughout summer into fall, adding interest to the perennial/patio border.

Perennial Border: Echibeckia

Also in the perennial/patio border is Echibeckia, a combination hybrid between Echinacea and Rudbeckia, which I found at the local farm stand three years ago. It has become a favorite, producing blooms throughout summer, while supplying a bounty of color.

Salvia 'May Night'

Perfect for pollinators, Salvia 'May Night' draws a lot of activity during the summer months and continues to do so every year.  I deadhead it to keep the blooms coming for the bumble bees. 

Hosta 'Golden Tiara' Blooms

The pollinators also enjoy the tubular blooms of Hosta 'Golden Tiara', and I am hoping the hummingbirds find them too, as they have visited in the past!

Perennial Border: Lamb's Ear and Coneflower

For a little bit of pinkish-white blooms above white foliage, here is Lamb's Ear along with Echinacea Pow Wow 'Wild Berry' in the perennial border...

St. John's Wort 'Magical Universe'

while St. John's Wort 'Magical Universe' displays deep green to burgundy foliage, bright yellow blooms and ornamental red berries in the back garden.

Hydrangea 'Tokyo Delight'

Winding down the tour, it just wouldn't be the same without some blooms of Hydrangea. These are both varieties of old fashioned hydrangea that I have had in the garden for as long as I can remember. Above is Hydrangea 'Tokyo Delight', a lace cap variety and below is 'Nikko Blue'. 

Hydrangea 'Nikko Blue'

Even though this old fashioned Mophead Hydrangea blooms on old wood, I think I am partial to the richness of it's deep blue blooms!

Front Walkway

As our stroll comes to an end, along the front walkway is the large heart-shaped foliage of Weeping Eastern Redbud 'Lavender Twist', with Weeping White Pine in the backdrop and a mix of Variegated Liriope and Juniper...

Thank you for Visiting!

and a little garden whimsy to bid farewell...unit we meet again.

Thank you for Visiting!

I hope you enjoyed the stroll through my July garden. I so appreciate you being here, look forward to your comments and look forward to seeing what you have blooming in your neck of the woods! 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 wonderful summer with gardens that thrive!

🎕  My Author Page & Purchase My Books!

A Guide to Northeastern Gardening: Journeys of a Garden Designer Zones 3-9

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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. 

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

Welcome to my July Garden!

Welcome! The summer has flown by and the July garden brings temperatures in the mid to upper 80's, with and lots of blooms! Things are busy in the horticultural world but the rest of my time is spent in the garden doing some deadheading and enjoying those summer blooms. Every moment is precious, as the summer flies by way too fast. Come along with me for a tour of my July Long Island garden!

Patio Garden

In the patio garden is a mixture of evergreens and perennials, including Blue Globe Spruce, Weeping Norway Spruce, Blue Star Juniper, Echinacea Pow Wow, Astilbe, Platycodon (Balloon Flower) and Hosta 'Golden Tiara', which are  now in bloom. The  pollinators just love going from flower to flower.

Mandevilla Vine

In a planter by the back door is Mandevilla in full bloom and it will continue to bloom throughout the summer and into fall. It just keeps on giving!

Tea Time!

The welcoming committee is sitting among the Hosta and greeting  those who enter the garden...

Hydrangea Let's Dance 'Big Band'

and this Hydrangea Let's Dance 'Big Band' is thriving in a planter on the patio with just the right amount of light. This newer cultivar is hardy in USDA zones 5-9, is reblooming and only reaches a height and width of approximately 2 1/2 feet. Give it morning sun and afternoon shade for its best performance.

Endless Summer Hydrangea

Endless Summer Hydrangea is blooming too along the back fence line.

Patio Garden: Echinacea Pow Wow 'Wild Berry'

Here is a close up view  of the Echinacea Pow Wow 'Wild Berry' with its vibrant deep pink blooms throughout July and into August. I enjoy the blooms...

Happy Pollinators!

and the pollinators do too!

Hemerocallis 'Sammy Russell'

'Sammy Russell' Daylily is blooming in the perennial border along with Echinacea, Astilbe, Lamb's Ear, Echibeckia and Salvia.

Echibeckia

The Echibeckia is doing well in its third season. It is a hybrid cross created between Rudbeckia (Black Eyed Susan) and Echinacea. The key is it likes full sun, moderate watering and good drainage. The upright pinkish-white blooms of Lamb's Ear are along the front of the border and contrast nicely with the orangey-yellow blooms of the Echibeckia behind it.

Sedum

Along the northern border with southern exposure is Golden Creeping Sedum, which stays low at just four to six inches in height by twelve-fifteen inches wide and produces these wonderful bright yellow blooms that will last for several weeks.

Poolside Garden

Along the pool garden, miniature Hosta are blooming in the foreground with Sky Pencil Holly and Caramel Coral Bells in the backdrop.

Hosta 'Blue Mouse Ears' Bloom

Here are the blooms of Hosta 'Blue Mouse Ears' up close!

Pool Garden

While most Astilbe bloom earlier in the summer, this cultivar, Astilbe 'Sprite' produces delicate light pink blooms that appear  later in the summer from July through August. In the foreground are Daylily 'Stella D Oro'.

Hemerocallis 'Stella D Oro'

Gardening Tip: Once the Daylily are done blooming, I rejuvenate them by removing dead stalks and pulling out all the expired foliage. They will re-sprout new foliage and produce more blooms for yet  another round!

Back Island Berm Conifer Garden

Come around to the south side of the garden. The back island berm consists mostly of  a variety of evergreens, including Hinoki Cypress 'Compacta', Mugo Pine, Juniperus Gold Lace and Dwarf Japanese Andromeda along with flowering shrubs Crape Myrtle, Dwarf Variegated Weigela and Dwarf Hydrangea with perennials Ajuga, Coral Bells and Sedum mixed in. 

Heuchera 'Palace Purple' (Coral Bells)

This is Heuchera 'Palace Purple', which is blooming this time of year, but I enjoy it mostly for its burgundy foliage, which lasts well into winter.

Dwarf Rudeckia 'Little Goldstar'

If you are seeking a Black Eyed Susan which stays more compact and stays in its place, here is Rudbeckia 'Little Goldstar'. It stays at a height and width of  14-16 inches, is hardy in USDA zones 4-8, and thrives in partial shade. This one is going on its fifth year in the garden.

Weeping Japanese Maple 'Red Select'

Along the pool patio is Weeping Japanese Maple 'Red Select', a more compact form of Acer which is ideal for smaller spaces...

St. John's Wort

and in the back shade garden is St. John's Wort with its delicate yellow blooms and red berries.

Heuchera 'Caramel' and Skip Laurel

The Skip Laurel are bouncing back after a terrible winter two years back and finally pushing out enough new growth to fill back in. Hopefully Mother Nature won't be too harsh for the winter of 2023!

Front Walkway

To finish out the tour, let's venture around to the front entrance and driveway border gardens. Along the front walkway is Weeping Eastern Redbud 'Lavender Twist', which is all about the foliage in summertime and fall. The bright lavender blooms are gorgeous in springtime and put on quite the show, but it is the luxurious heart-shaped foliage that I adore! Weeping White Pine, Weeping Blue Atlas Cedar and Coral Bark Maple can be seen in the background to the left.

Echinacea 'Cheyenne Spirit' (Coneflower)

Last, but not least, is a wonderful Coneflower called 'Cheyenne Spirit' that produces multiple color blooms on the same plant ranging from pink to orange, yellow and cream... 

Driveway Border

and a combination of Coreopsis 'Zagreb' and Nepeta 'Walkers Low'. These two perennials are personal favorites for all summer blooms. In the backdrop of this planting is Skyland's Golden Oriental Spruce and the burgundy foliage of Weigela 'Spilled Wine'. In the distance is Weeping Japanese Maple 'Viridis'.

Thank you for Visiting!

I hope you enjoyed your visit and as always, I look forward to your comments and seeing what's happening 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 has hosted Foliage Follow-Up for all these years, a meme I will still 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.  Are you looking for some gardening inspiration? If so, visit my author page and books! 

My Author Page: Come Visit! 

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. 

"As Always...Happy Gardening!" 

 Lee @A Guide to Northeastern Gardening,© Copyright 2010-2022. All rights reserved.