Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day & Foliage Follow-Up March: Long Island Garden Signs of Spring!

Welcome!

Welcome! There are signs of spring everywhere as the temperatures warm into the mid to upper 50's to 60's after two inches of rain and sixty mile an hour winds just a few days ago. Look around and you will see colorful foliage and blooms emerging everywhere from their winters sleep and the garden changing day by day as we head towards spring. I can see a difference in the timing of blooms as they seem to be a couple of weeks earlier this year. Perhaps the groundhog was right, but as well all know, March is an unpredictable month. Join me for a tour of my Long Island garden!

Welcoming Committee

The Welcoming Committee is here to greet you and the first stop is the along patio border.

Purple Crocus & Hyacinths too

With the rain and warming temperatures, crocus started coming up everywhere and rather quickly. It was just a few days ago that it was just foliage emerging from the ground. Along the patio border is purple crocus with the foliage of Hyacinths behind it. There will be more blooms to follow as spring gets underway.

Hellebore 'Champion' (Lenten Rose)

In the pool border winter blooming Hellebore 'Champion' is now in full bloom as it thrives in the shade cast by a Weeping White Pine. I enjoy the yellowish-green color of  the bracts on this variety.

Hellebore 'Champion' (Lenten Rose)

Here are its amazing blooms closer up. You can get a view of the pinkish undersides which provide an additional touch of color.

More Purple Crocus!

As you may have guessed by now, I have an admiration for purple crocus! I love how the blooms symbolize spring and the shades of purple do vary a bit. This one seems to have a little more white in its veins compared to the others.

Hellebore 'Merlin' (Lenten Rose)

Along the back perimeter is Hellebore 'Merlin' in bloom with its pinkish bracts and central yellow flowers. 'Merlin' tends to start blooming in February and continues through March, providing months of interest.

Leucothoe 'Axillaris' Late Winter

In the back shade border Leucothoe 'Axillaris' is displaying a slightly reddish tint to its foliage this time of year...

'Nellie Stevens' Holly Berries Late Winter

and the berries of Nellie Stevens' Holly are at their best.

Japanese Skimmia

Also in the back shade garden is Japanese Skimmia forming its buds. Creamy white fragrant blooms will follow in mid-spring.

Blue Atlas Cedar and Juniper 'Gold Lace'

For some foliage, here is Blue Atlas Cedar and Juniper 'Gold Lace' on the northern front island bed. This is just another combination that supplies color and interest year round.

Hellebore 'Shooting Star' (Lenten Rose)

On the northern side of the property Hellebore 'Shooting Star' has been blooming since January...

Sedum 'Brilliant' Rosettes

and the rosettes of Sedum 'Brilliant' are now emerging in the southern part of the garden.

White Crocus

Some white blooming Crocus add a sense of purity to the garden...

Allium 'Globemaster'

as the foliage of Allium 'Globemaster' emerges. Giant lavender-purple blooms will appear on tall stalks during the month of June!

Spirea 'Candy Corn' Budding Out

I purchased this newer cultivar of dwarf Spirea named 'Candy Corn' last season and decided to put it into a planter by the back door. It stays more compact only growing two feet in height and width and has the most amazing foliage, colored like candy corn! I was surprised to see it getting buds before any of the other Spirea. 

Anna's Magic Ball Arborvitae'

For more foliage on the front eastern side island bed is 'Anna's Magic Ball' Arborvitae with its yellow hue which stays year round. Behind it to add some darker contrast is Dwarf Mugo Pine.

Pieris 'Cavatine' Buds

On the same island bed is Pieris 'Cavatine', a dwarf form of Japanese Andromeda. It's foliage is evergreen and soon its buds will open into little bell-shaped flowers.

Front Island Bed

I often get comments about the tree in the left backdrop. It is Coral Bark Maple 'Sango Kaku' and it is prized for its beautiful pinkish-red bark, which becomes even more vibrant as the temperatures cool. To the right of  the Coral Bark Maple is Skyland's Golden Oriental Spruce and in the direct center of the island bed is a Weeping Norway Spruce. Spirea 'Lemon Princess', Spirea 'Big Bang' and various perennials join the evergreens. Gardening Tip: Late winter/early spring is the time to prune back your Spirea to encourage fullness, new growth and to encourage blooms. 

Seasonal Planter

The seasonal planters always bring me joy whatever the season and this one which I have had for a few years now is thriving. This combo is Dwarf Alberta Spruce, 'Whipcord' Arborvitae, Boxwood and Dwarf Hinoki Cypress, which resides by the back gate entry. 

Seasonal Planter

The planter I created in late Fall has weathered the winter well and I have been getting much enjoyment from it. I did have to cover the plants when the temperatures dropped down into the teens for a few nights to protect the more delicate Cypress, but the combination of the yellow color from the Cupressus macrocarpa 'Goldcrest' (Lemon Cypress) along with the berries of the Gaultheria (wintergreen) was a win-win!

And Indoors!

As the spring season approaches, I am enjoying the African Violets blooming indoors and kitty is too, although I think it's all about the sunshine for her. Until we meet again, happy almost spring and I hope you get to have some quality time in the garden. "The glory of gardening: hands in the dirt, head in the sun, heart with nature. To nurture a garden is to feed not just the body, but the soul.”- Alfred Austin

Thank you for Visiting!

I hope you enjoyed your visit to my March 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-Read My Books! Click on the links for more info and to Purchase!

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

"As Always...Happy Gardening!" 

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

Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day & Foliage Follow-Up December: Into the Garden We Go!

Welcome!

Welcome to my December Long Island garden and I hope you are having a wonderful holiday season! As the months go by quickly, we saw our first silvery white flakes of snow falling from the sky on November 28th. It lasted about fifteen minutes, but was the first snow for the season (technically) and brought a smile to my face. Since then, the temperatures have been in the 40's and low 50's during the day and we have had several nights hitting the freezing mark. The Winter Solstice will be upon us in just less than a week, and the garden still has much to show. Join me for a stroll!

Back Raised Island Bed

Of course you have probably heard the latest news. Long Island is now hardiness zone 7b, up from 7a, as many areas in the U.S. have shifted approximately five degrees warmer. Not that it makes much of a difference as to which plants to buy, it does reflect the changes in seasons we have been experiencing over the past several years. I don't mind it a bit, as it seems that I have more time to play in the garden before it gets super cold. First stop are the hydrangeas in the raised island bed. Even though their blooms are well passed, I still enjoy the dried flower heads until they blow off during the winter.

Dwarf Maiden Grass Fall-Wintertime

Here in the pool border is Dwarf Maiden Grass 'Yaku Jima'. The dried plumes do give some interest to the fall-winter garden. Here is a tip: If you are going to cut back your grasses, do not cut them all the back as it can put the crown of the plant in jeopardy when the deep freezing temperatures come. Either leave them be, cut only part way or tie back with a bungee cord. As far as Lilyturf and Sedges, do not cut them back now as it can harm the plant! Wait until spring to tidy them up.

Dwarf Cryptomeria and Nandina 'Obsession'

An interesting plant that I added to the garden a few years back is this Nandina 'Obsession' It is a dwarf, variety that does not spread by seed or produce berries, and the pinkish-red color of its foliage is magnificent! Here it is along with Dwarf Cryptomeria

Weeping White Pine Seed Cones

Have you seen an abundance of pine cones this season? I have. Some say that it is the plant's way of preparing for a harsh winter...time will tell.

Montauk Daisy Fall Color

The fall and winter seasons do have their beauty. We just have to pass by these Montauk Daisy's, which are obviously done for the season, but I do enjoy the color of their leaves this time of year...

Montauk Daisy Seed Heads

and the seed heads are also good for the birds.

Azalea 'Girard's Fuschia' Fall Foliage

Here is Azalea Girard's Fuschia. It's foliage turns to this glorious purple hue in the fall and wintertime.

Red Pine and Ajuga 'Black Scallop'

Ajuga 'Black Scallop' lasts throughout most of the winter as well with its deep purplish-black foliage.

Red Pine and Juniper 'Gold Strike'

Along the patio border is Red Pine 'Low Glow' and Juniper 'Gold Strike', and along with them is Garden Gal who has been repositioned in the revamped garden with her basket of trailing Creeping Jenny.

Osmanthus 'Goshiki' and Garden Gal!

I'm not sure if the Creeping Jenny is going to make it through the winter in this planter. It is an experiment in progress. If not, perhaps I will go back to the Black Mondo Grass, which did well for some time, or perhaps some annuals! 

Stachys (Lamb's Ear)

A perennial for all season interest is Stachys, or Lamb's Ear. I love its fluffy white foliage which persists throughout the majority of the winter!

Nellie Stevens Holly Berries

In the shade border, the bright red berries of Nellie Steven's Holly add some interest too!

Japanese Skimmia Fall-Winter

Also in the back shade border is Japanese Skimmia. Helpful Tip: Skimmia are dioecious, meaning there are both male and female plants, so both a male and female shrub must be present for the female to produce flowers and ornamental berries in fall. 

Wildlife Visitors

The birds are certainly enjoying the new feeder set up, as you can see it needs refilling again, and we have a photo moment! While the sparrows will often tolerate me getting close, the cardinals are more shy and rarely allow me to get close enough to photograph them. This one actually stayed long enough for a photo shoot! 

Leucothoe 'Axillaris' Fall-Winter

In the same garden is Leucothoe 'Axillaris'. The edges of its foliage displays a nice tinge of burgundy this time of year...

Tea time!

and in the newly revamped patio garden, here is the welcoming committee sharing some tea time.

Indoor Blooms: Moth Orchid and Thanksgiving Cactus

"While the weather outside is frightful (well almost) and inside it's so delightful", here is what is blooming indoors.

Seasonal Planter

Last, but not least is this new seasonal planter I just created for the front porch. It is a combination of  Dwarf Alberta Spruce, Cypress 'Moonlit', Cypress' Goldcrest' and Osmanthus 'Goskiki' in a whisky barrel planter of Acacia wood, with a little touch of Wintergreen for the holidays. 

Thanks for Visiting!

I hope you enjoyed your visit to my December garden. I so appreciate you being here, look forward to your comments and look forward to 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, 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 joyous, peaceful and healthy holiday season!

 Plan your Garden for Next Spring or Give the Perfect Holiday Gift:  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

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 February: Winter Snow & Upcoming Blooms!

February Garden

Welcome to my February Long Island, zone 7 garden! It has certainly been an interesting month, with the Blizzard of 2022 starting on the evening of the 28th and continuing all the way through evening of the next day with 22.4 inches of bountiful white! The temperatures finally started to rise, and the ground could finally be seen again after two weeks, but then on the 13th...Mother Nature gave us another go around with a layering of more snow! Since this is a virtual tour, you will get to see what the landscape looked like just two weeks ago, just three days ago and now. Come along and I hope you enjoy the views!

Front Entrance Garden After Blizzard of 2022

For two days, there was no getting out of the house. The snow had drifted three to four feet in some spots and had blocked the entry to the garage and back door. Here is a view of the front garden a few days after the crew had dug us out. The entire planting along the walkway had been buried, with just the taller trees in view. 

Welcoming Commitee!

The welcoming committee along the back patio garden had completely vanished in the snow, so it was nice to see their smiling faces once again!

Winter's Beauty-Ripples of Drifting Snow

The drifting snow caused by the high winds was pretty though, as the sun's shadow cast upon the covering of white.

Pool Surround

Along the pool surround, Green Giant Arborvitae can be viewed in the backdrop with an assortment of other evergreens along the edge. Thankfully, the temperatures were so frigid that the snow was light and fluffy, allowing it to easily blow off the branches of the trees.

Back Island Bed

There is something to be said about a winter's snow being magical. Here, looking from the back patio is the left side of the island bed with Crape Myrtle and Gold Lace Juniper, with Weeping Norway Spruce and Blue Globe Spruce in the foreground. The layer of snow changes the perspective of the garden, making the two beds look connected.

Sculpture in Snow

In the back garden, is this statue of a young girl and her kitten...

Driveway Entry

and the driveway entry garden still layered in white.

A Welcomed Visitor

At last, just three days before Bloom Day, only remnants of snow had remained along the landscape and the wintering birds started out once again to make their appearance. 

Front Walkway Garden

As the snow slowly melted, the garden had appeared again from under the cloak of white. There was a huge difference from just two weeks ago.

Southwestern Garden

There were still some gentle reminders of the blizzard of 2022, but the grass was visible once again and there even blooms to be seen along the way!

Holly Berries

In the back shade area, the berries of  Nellie Stevens Holly, are all bright and cheerful. They make a nice addition to the winter landscape. 

After the Storm & Getting Back to Normal

Along the northern perimeter is Weeping Blue Atlas Cedar and grass! I never thought it could be so exciting to see the green lawn again!

Hellebores Northern Garden

Even in the midst of winter, there can be blooms! Here is Hellebore 'Shooting Star', one of the first of the Hellebores to bloom. It is a little delayed this year, but should be in full bloom soon.

Helleborous 'Shooting Star'

Here are the beautiful pinkish buds up close and getting ready to open.

Mondo Grass and Osmanthus

Foliage is important, especially in the wintertime garden. Here is a view from the back patio with a foliage combination of Black Mondo Grass and Osmanthus 'Goskiki' in the backdrop. The Mondo Grass is a little beat up right now from the snow, but does well in the planter under the shade of the nearby Weeping Pussy Willow tree.

Skyland's Spruce and Coral Bark Maple

Here along the driveway border is Skyland's Golden Oriental Spruce with Coral Bark Maple in the backdrop. I enjoy how the bark of the maple glows a vibrant coral-red this time of year.

Skyland's Spruce Seed Cones

Here we can see Skyland's Spruce seed cones. They look so pronounced against the golden foliage of the tree and the blue sky.

Skimmia japonica Flower Buds

Last, but not least is Skimmia japonica. This is such an interesting shade plant with flower buds now forming, that will lead to blooms in early spring...

Thanksgiving Cactus

and indoors...Thanksgiving cactus started blooming in November and is still going!!!

Here we go again!

But wait!!! Just when the snow had disappeared, Mother Nature wanted to let us know that she is far from through...

February Patio Surround Garden

so it's just a good time to appreciate nature and gaze upon the snow...

Winter Snow on Weeping Japanese Maple

and dream of spring until we meet again. Happy Bloom Day!😊

Winter's Greetings

Thank you for Visiting!

I hope you enjoyed your visit to my February garden and as always, I look forward to your comments and seeing what's growing 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 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, 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. 

A GUIDE TO NORTHEASTERN GARDENING NEWS:

We have been continuing our regular zoom meetings with GardenComm. It's a wonderful way to get together with colleagues and share gardening adventures! Now we meet two times a month, once for the northeast regional meeting and again for a "Better Together", where gardeners from all over can connect at once.

Plant-O-Rama went virtual this year and it was wonderful, with guest speakers, chat rooms and a virtual trade show. It was a very enjoyable experience and I got to make some new friends!

More news!!!🎕 I am in the process of working on a new book for the northeast and Mid-Atlantic garden! Organized in a similar fashion as my last book, Gardening By Month, this one will be a reference of plants for a specific type of garden. I have been writing a couple of hours each day, will need to take some high resolution photos in springtime, then hopefully will have it ready to publish in 2023! There's a long way to go, so details will follow.

Purchase Here

Looking for some winter reading?: Visit My Author Page

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

Landscape Design Combinations

Dream, Garden, Grow!-Musings of a Lifetime Gardener and

Gardening by Month: A Monthly Guide to Planning the Northeastern & Mid-Atlantic Garden. 

"As Always...Be Well and Happy Gardening”! 

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