Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day & Foliage Follow-Up June: Welcome to my Long Island Garden!

Welcome!

Welcome to my zone 7b Long Island garden and I hope you enjoy your visit! The month of June has been the rainiest I can remember and the temperatures have been mostly in the upper 60's and low 70's, with the exception of a couple of days in the high 70's and just this week one day at 88 degrees, which felt like a heat wave! The foggy morning and evening skies and on and off showers have certainly delivered an abundance of moisture to the garden, hence all the plants have been thriving with lots of blooms. I find myself spending a lot of time in my own garden between working with clients, as being surrounded by plants brings on a feeling of peace and happiness. 

Itoh Peony 'Bartzella' in early June

As we start our stroll, let's take a moment to reflect back on just a week ago, with Itoh Peony 'Bartzella' along the patio border in full bloom. Their large yellow blooms are a sight to behold and last for only a short time, so I made sure to capture the moment. They are accompanied by Salvia 'May Night', which is still in full bloom.

Itoh Peony 'Bartzella'

Here is Peony 'Bartzella' up close. 'Bartzella' is a cross between a tree and herbaceous Peony, so its stems are sturdy and do not flop over with the weight of the flowers. I wish it would bloom longer than it does, but at least the foliage is attractive too!

Allium 'Globemaster'

Allium 'Globemaster' is in bloom poolside accompanied by Weeping Japanese Maple in the backdrop, and Spirea and Daylilies aside it.  This view is also from just a week ago before the blooms started to fade. 

Rhododendron 'Elegans'

The Rhododendrons had a wonderful season which I just had to share. This is a view from the end of May into the first week in June.

Patio Garden

Presently along the patio border is dwarf Spirea 'Candy Corn' now blooming, displaying its delicate rosy-pink clusters of flowers along with the spiked blooms of Lamb's Ear (Stachys). Balloon Flower (Platycodon 'Komachi') is starting to form buds and Echinacea 'Pow Wow' is starting to form its first flowers.

Patio Garden: Spirea Double Play 'Candy Corn' and Lamb's Ear (Stachys)

I am enjoying the 'Candy Corn' Spirea as it is a smaller, more compact variety of Spirea, only reaching a height of about two feet, and its branches and foliage are a fiery reddish-pink in early spring.

Perimeter Garden-Kousa Dogwood

Along the northern perimeter, Kousa Dogwood 'Greensleeves' is putting on quite a show for the month of June and will bloom for some time. I love the greenish-white flowers on this particular variety.

Perimeter Garden- Double Knock Out Roses!

It seems to be a good season for Double Knock Out Rose as well, despite all the rain. Also in view is Weeping Norway Spruce, and the foliage of Nandina 'Obsession' and Sedum 'Pure Joy'.

Patio Border

Salvia 'Blue By You', a taller and longer blooming variety of  Sage is accompanied by the variegated foliage of Osmanthus along the patio border. To the right is Weeping Blue Atlas Cedar and Heuchera 'Caramel' (Coral Bells). With a little deadheading, the blooms of 'Blue By You' will last into late summer.

Pool Border

Here is a present view of the pool border with Allium 'Globemaster', accompanied by Daylily 'Stella D Oro' and Spirea 'Limemound', which are now in bloom. Up on the waterfall, the Spruce, Variegated Boxwood and Juniper added three years ago are finally getting established and sending out a lot of new growth.

Spirea & Nepeta

With all the newer dwarf varieties of Nepeta (Catmint) on the market, I am enjoying Nepeta 'Little Trudy' in a planter by the back stoop along with Spirea 'Candy Corn' in a planter behind it. 'Little Trudy' stays at a more compact size of  just eight to ten inches high by twelve to sixteen inches wide.

Driveway Border West-Weeping Norway Spruce

As we move towards the driveway border, here is Spirea 'Magic Carpet' with Salvia 'Caradonna', Weeping Norway Spruce, Dwarf Norway Spruce and Japanese Garden Juniper.  Have I mentioned that I am a fan of Weeping Norway Spruce and dwarf conifers? You may have guessed that by now!

Driveway Border-Spirea 'Magic Carpet' and Salvia 'Caradonna'

Here is a closer view of the Spirea and Salvia 'Caradonna', along with Japanese Iris.

Japanese Iris Blooming!

This Japanese Iris is a clump that made its way outside the fence, branching off from the original iris patch that my mother planted back in the 1960's. It is a nice memory to still have a piece of it remaining after all these years.

Front Lawn

As we approach the front lawn, Heuchera 'Caramel' (Coral Bells) on the main island bed have certainly been enjoying all the rain, and Osmanthus 'Goshiki' is also pushing out some new growth, which has a pinkish hue to it. Weeping Norway Spruce, two Weeping Japanese Maples and Blue Atlas Cedar are in the backdrop.

Driveway Border East

I had replaced the coreopsis along the driveway border with these three Dwarf Norway Spruce, which have taken well to their home. They are accompanied by Golden 'Skylands' Oriental Spruce, Coral Bark Maple, Golden Hinoki Cypress 'Verdoni',  Weigela 'Spilled Wine' and Nepeta 'Walkers Low'.

Thank you for visiting!

I hope you enjoyed your visit to my June 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. 

IN THE NEWS! Our home was selected to be on the local garden tour, "A Little Garden Music and Art," for the third time! It was a rainy day, but visitors came from near and far to see our garden and it was an honor to be part of this amazing venue!

Also, sending out a big thank you to FeedSpot for including A Guide to Northeastern Gardening in their top 20 Best New York Gardening Blogs. It is an honor plus be sure to check out the other blogs that made the list!

My sixth book, The Houseplant Guide: How to Easily Select & Maintain Indoor Plants is celebrating five months since publication! If you are into houseplants, this may be the book for you! I cover over 120 plant selections with full color photographs of each one and detailed descriptions on care and maintenance.

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!

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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. 

Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day & Foliage Follow Up June 2019: Blooms, Blooms, Blooms!

Welcome to my June Garden!

Welcome to the month of June in my Long Island garden. It's a busy time of year, but I try to embrace as much time as possible in the garden. As daily temperatures rise up into the 70's, with frequent night time precipitation, there is something new to enjoy every day and as you know, the garden is what brings me joy. I am so glad you could stop by and visit. Come along and take a look!

Perennial Border June

The perennial border really comes to life in June with Peony 'Bartzella', Salvia 'May Night' and Lamb's Ear, followed in procession by Astilbe, Daylily and Coneflower. The Astilbe will start flowering any day now, as you can see a pink glow to the flower stalks which rise above the foliage.

Itoh Peony 'Bartzella'

A few years back I purchased Itoh Peony 'Bartzella', which is a cross between a herbaceous and tree form of Peony. It displays long-lasting large yellow blooms with a golden-orange center on sturdy stalks. It is by far one of the most enjoyable plants I have in my garden. While I love all my plants equally, this addition provides so much joy from the end of May into mid-June.

Itoh Peony 'Bartzella' Blooms

Here are the blooms closer up.

Japanese Kousa Dogwood 'Greensleeves'

Next is Japanese Kousa Dogwood 'Greensleeves'. This is a newer hybrid of Japanese Dogwood that I became familiar with just a few years back, and of course, I had to have one! It produces a profusion of lime-green blooms during the month of June.

Kousa Dogwood 'Greensleeves' Blooms

The dainty blooms resemble stars and remain on the tree for several weeks, so there is much to enjoy here.

Hosta 'Frances Williams'

This 'Frances Williams' Hosta is located just behind the Dogwood tree. I just realized that it has doubled in size over the past couple of years, probably due to all the rain we have been getting. It now measures two and a half feet in diameter!

Iris Garden

I have made mention of my mother's iris garden in the past and even wrote about it in my latest book, Dream, Garden, Grow! The iris garden exists on the eastern side of the property where my mom had planted it while I was a child. Over the years, some ferns have sneaked their way in, but the original iris still remain. I wouldn't part with it for the world and it is a constant reminder of my mom.

Spirea 'Magic Carpet'

Here is Spirea 'Magic Carpet'. It fits its name perfectly with its array of changing colors of foliage from spring to fall, accompanied by large shocking pink blooms. It puts on quite the show!

Knock Out Rose 'Radrazz'

June is a wonderful time for Knock Out Rose 'Radrazz' with its first fragrant blooms, which can be enjoyed from the moment I walk out onto the patio. I have always believed in the saying that one should always "take time to smell the roses", so I make it a regular routine to do just that. These blooms will repeat themselves all the way through fall.

Pool Surround Garden

The pool was opened just a couple of weeks ago and is ready for summer. I have been tending to the garden doing the routine pruning and weeding. Every year the Weeping Japanese Maple cascades its branches over the juniper below, so some minor trimming is on the to-do list! 

Rhododendron and Azalea

The Rhododendron and Azalea in the backdrop of the pool garden just got finished blooming, but I had to include a view of how they looked. 

Ilex 'Sky Pencil'

Newly added are the Sky Pencil Holly in the pool surround garden. The spirea took a hit with the extreme cold we experienced over the past winter, so it was time for something new. I am enjoying their narrow form, as they are perfect for viewing the foliage of Heuchera 'Caramel' behind them. Next, we need a little mulch refreshing!

Ilex 'Sky Pencil' June Blooms

I never realized that these narrow holly formed pretty little buttercup-like blooms that are inconspicuous until you approach the plant.

Allium 'Globemaster' June

Coming around to the front of the pool garden, Allium 'Globemaster' is making its statement with its large purple balls of star-like blooms, which last from May to July.

Viburnum 'Summer Snowflake'

Viburnum 'Summer Snowflake' is showing off its delicate flowers that resemble snowflakes. This shrub will produce on and off blooms throughout the summer.

Skylands Golden Oriental Spruce

Here is Skyland's Golden Oriental Spruce on the other side of the garden, joined by Azalea and Shadowland Hosta.

Double Red Knock Out Rose

The roses are blooming...the roses are blooming. Here are the Double Red Knock Outs on the northern fence (with southwestern exposure!)

Succulent Planter 2019

Before we end the tour, come check out my use of strawberry planters. Every year I enjoy making up succulent displays for the patio by combining the foliage of Sempervivum along with various species of Sedum. It's fun to just go to the nursery. select a bunch of plants and just play!  I usually produce two planters, one for each side of the patio.

Succulent Planter 2019

Here is the second planter with some other foliage combinations. Each species of Sedum will also produce blooms throughout the season. Each of these low maintenance planters require minimal watering and will provide interest all summer and into fall.

Thank you for Visiting!

I hope you enjoyed the tour of my June garden! Thank you for visiting! 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, Macro Monday 2, Mosaic Monday at Letting Go of the Bay Leaf, Nature Notes at Rambling Woods, Dishing It & Digging It on Sunday with Angie the Freckled Rose, 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 Homestead Blog Hop  and Weekly Photo Link-Up at My Corner of the World on Wednesdays.

For gardening and design inspiration along with personal musings...

Visit 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

As Always...Happy Gardening!

Author: Lee@A Guide to Northeastern Gardening,© Copyright 2010-2019. All rights reserved.