Showing posts with label Spirea Double Play. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Spirea Double Play. Show all posts

Monday, April 1, 2024

Feature Shrub Spirea Big Bang 'Candy Corn'

Feature Shrub Spirea Big Bang 'Candy Corn'

Welcome to This Month in the Garden! There is a new flowering shrub in town, and it is called Spirea Big Bang 'Candy Corn', scientific name Spirea japonica. While this shrub produces wonderful deep pinkish-lavender blooms in summer, in this designer's opinion it's all about the ever-changing medley of foliage! This new cultivar was developed by Dr. Tom Ranney of North Carolina State University and has become popular for several reasons, one of them being that it is considered sterile and non-invasive.

 Spirea Big Bang 'Candy Corn' Summer Foliage

Cold hardy to USDA zones 4-8, Double Play 'Candy Corn' thrives best in full sun and a well-drained soil and offers an ever-changing array of foliage color, from bright red to candy corn orange to yellow-green. Summer foliage color is determined by exposure. Leaves are darker in part shade, and a brighter yellow in sunny exposures. Pollinator friendly blooms offer another round of color in late spring and early summer. This dwarf form of Spirea stays compact and rounded at a height of 18-24 inches high by wide at maturity and is compact enough to grow in a container. I was also surprised to see this variety getting spring buds before any of the other Spirea.

Spirea Big Bang 'Candy Corn' Late Winter/Early Spring

This cultivar is adaptable to a wide range of soil conditions, including clay and is drought tolerant once established. With its small size, little to no pruning is required, making it perfect for low-maintenance gardens. This flowering shrub is also deer and  rabbit resistant.

Spirea Big Bang 'Candy Corn' Spring Foliage
I hope you enjoyed This Month in the Garden. Be sure to stop by on the 1st. and 15th. of each month as I continue to share gardening tips, information and horticultural adventures! Perhaps Spirea Big Bang 'Candy Corn' will go onto your wish list as a new garden addition!


"As Always...Happy Gardening!" 

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

Thursday, June 15, 2023

Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day & Foliage Follow-Up June: My Changing Long Island Garden!

Welcome Visitors!
Welcome to my garden! The official start of summer is just a few days away and the garden is alive and bursting with color. As we all know, a garden is always evolving and there have been some exciting renovations going on in my own garden this spring. After some unusually warm temperatures for the month of May, June brings temperatures mostly in the mid-70's, which are comfortable weather wise for planting. Join me for a tour of my Long Island garden to revisit some familiar sights and explore some new beginnings. 
Back Perimeter Garden
We begin at the back perimeter garden which faces south. These Double Red Knock Out Roses are a sincere delight year after year and bloom on and off throughout the summer and into fall. In the foreground is the new Weeping Norway Spruce, which was planted last spring.
Double Pink Knock Out Roses
Along that same garden bed are Double Pink Knock Out Roses, which also bring so much joy!
Kousa Dogwood 'Greensleeves'
Here is Kousa Dogwood 'Greensleeves', which is now in full bloom. This variety displays greenish-white blooms that last for several weeks, followed by large red edible fruit that appears near fall.
Weeping Blue Atlas Cedar

On the same south facing side, Weeping Blue Atlas Cedar joins the mix, surrounded by Heuchera 'Palace Purple'  (Purple Coral Bells).
Back Pool Garden Western View
On the western side of the property is the foliage of Sedum 'Brilliant', the bluish-purple blooms of Nepeta 'Walkers Low', Variegated Boxwood, Spirea Goldmound, Rhododendron 'Roseum Elegans' and the pure white blooms of Viburnum 'Summer Snowflake', accompanied by Kwanzan Cherry in the corner of the garden.
Viburnum Summer Snowflake Blooming!
A hidden birdbath lies in the distance behind the Kwanzan Cherry and Viburnum.
Hemerocallis Stella D' Oro (Daylily)
It is also Daylily season, and the Stella D' Oro Daylilies are blooming!
Patio Surround
Following along to the patio surround, Salvia 'May Night' is in full bloom along with Peony.  The Peony blooms are just about done now, but the Salvia will keep on going through July, until it needs to be deadheaded. Another round of blooms will follow into fall.
Back Pool Garden Southern Side
Spirea 'Goldmound' is blooming in the back pool garden, giving a show with its beautiful pink blooms and golden foliage.
New Pool Makeover with Weeping Norway Spruce
There has been a lot going on in the back pool waterfall area. I finally took the plunge and removed an old yew which had been losing its needles since the drought of last summer and the three days of 10 degree temperatures this past winter. I also had the crew rebuild the waterfall with extra moss rock to extend it from side to side and replanted the whole area. 
Pool Makeover Northern View
We had to move the large Weeping Norway Spruce to the top of the waterfall with a skid steer with just two feet of space between the patio and pool. I held my breath until the tree was in place, then took a deep sigh of relief.  The mission had been accomplished.
Pool Makeover Southern View
I added some Variegated Upright Boxwood on each side of the main focal point and Cherry Laurel 'Otto Luyken' to the left. Some New Wave Petunias were added for color. Later this season or next season, I may add some perennials as well, but for now I am just enjoying the new look. I am also looking forward to when the Green Giant Arborvitae in the back drop push out some new foliage and the new plantings grow to fill in some of the gaps left by the gigantic Yew that had been there for so many years.
Pool Surround
In front of Rhododendron 'Roseum Elegans' and Coral Bells (Heuchera 'Caramel'), Sky Pencil Holly adds some dimension to the garden. I enjoy their upright stature.
Perennial Border
In the perennial border, Lamb's Ear is already starting to get its blooms, which is earlier than usual. Astilbe 'Fanal' joins in with its pink blooms, which will last into July.
Sedum Groundcover
The groundcover mix of Sedum also seems to be about two weeks ahead of schedule this year with blooms already forming. The main species in this mix is Sedum 'Angelina'.
Perennial Border
Back to the perennial border, the tall foliage of Balloon Flower (front left), will lead to large blue balloon-shaped blooms later in the summer around the end of July or beginning of August. The blooms of Echinacea will follow around the same time.
Spirea Double Play 'Big Bang'
Moving along to the front yard is Spirea Big Bang 'Double Play'. The Double Play series displays  vibrant pink blooms which are larger than those of other species of Spirea, and the foliage is nice too!
Spirea Double Play 'Big Bang' Bloom Up Close

Here are the blooms up close! I followed a bumble bee around trying to capture a photo shoot, but he was camera shy! The Spirea is a great pollinator magnet.
Driveway Border
The new addition along the driveway border are these Dwarf Norway Spruce, with replaced the coreopsis. It was time for a neater look and less maintenance.
Entrance Walkway 
Along the front walkway, the heart-shaped foliage of Weeping Eastern Redbud is a delight...
Front Island Bed
and the Hosta's are in full swing on the front island bed. Accompanying them are Sedum 'Pure Joy', which will bloom later in the summer.
Thanks for Visiting!
The month of June has certainly been a busy one, with so many changes going on in my Long Island garden. As I put it...A garden is a work of art, a thing of beauty that constantly changes, and can be enjoyed for a lifetime.
June Garden
I hope you enjoyed the stroll. I appreciate you being here, look forward to your comments and enjoy seeing what you have blooming where you live! 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 FotosFriday Bliss at Floral Passions, Macro Monday 2, Mosaic Monday at Letting Go of the Bay Leaf, Nature Notes at Rambling WoodsImage-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 spring with gardens that thrive!

Wednesday, June 15, 2022

Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day & Foliage Follow-Up June: Springtime Bountiful Blooms!

Welcome to my June Garden!

The arrival of summer is just a week away and the spring garden is full of bountiful blooms! Following a relatively cool and windy spring, the temperatures have now moderated into the upper 70's and low 80's, and with some nightly thunderstorms, the garden has come alive with color everywhere. From the red blooms of roses to the white blooms of Dogwood and Viburnum, nature has so much to offer. Come along with me for a tour of my Long Island, zone 7a garden!
Come Along on the Tour!
Peony 'Bartzella'
First, let's step back in time to just the beginning of the month when Itoh Peony 'Bartzella' was in full bloom. We could not let June go by without mentioning this amazing plant.
Peony 'Bartzella'
Different from other Peony, this hybrid is a cross between the standard form and a tree peony, so it does not need staking, even with its enormous blooms!
Knock Out Rose 'Radrazz'
Now...onto the rest of the tour. Planted along my patio garden years ago, this Knock Out Rose 'Radrazz' never ceases to amaze. Hardy in USDA zones 5-9 and with continuous blooms from the start of June and up until frost, this beauty gives me enjoyment all summer long.
Patio Garden
Continuing along the patio is a grafted Blue Globe Spruce with Hosta 'Golden Tiara', Daylily, Astilbe, Blue Star Juniper, Weeping Norway Spruce, Balloon Flower, Echinacea and Golden Hinoki Cypress 'Verdoni' on the far left end. A Crape Myrtle 'Sioux' is in  the distance on the back island bed.
The Welcoming Committee
The Welcoming Committee sits here in rain, snow and sunshine to greet visitors and always have a smile to share!
A Little Bit of Foliage
For a little bit of foliage, here is a combination of Heuchera 'Palace Purple' and Heuchera 'Caramel' beneath the shade of a Weeping Blue Atlas Cedar. I find these two cultivars of Coral Bells to be the most hardy and longest lasting.
Flowering Kousa Dogwood
June means flowering Dogwood are all the rage and this one never disappoints. This cultivar is Cornus Kousa 'Greensleeves', a hardier more disease resistant Dogwood with greenish-white blooms, hence the name.
Northern Perimeter Garden
Along with Kousa 'Greensleeves' are an assortment of Hosta, including 'Patriot'. 'Minuteman' and 'Frances Williams'.  Juniperus 'Gold Lace' and Pink Double Knock Out Rose are to the right, with 'Emerald Green' Arborvitae in the backdrop along the fence-line.
Kousa Dogwood Blooms!
Here are the blooms of the Dogwood up close.
Mugo Pine
Known for its slow-growing nature and evergreen foliage, Mugo Pine is lovely this time of year with its prominent purple seed cones that contrast nicely against blue-green foliage.
Summer Snowflake Viburnum
Here in the shade area of the garden are Viburnum 'Summer Snowflake' on each side of a Kwanzan Cherry. In the distance is a birdbath planter with shade loving plants.
Viburnum Blooms
Let's look at the Viburnum blooms up close. They resemble snowflakes and repeat bloom throughout most of the summer.
Shade Planter
This shade planter has an assortment of mini Hosta, Black Mondo Grass and Variegated Liriope.
Super Cool Sedum Blooms!
I planted this Sedum groundcover mix two years ago and it finally matured enough to produce these really cool yellow button-like blooms! I am loving them!
Pollinators on Salvia 'May Night'
The bumble bees have been enjoying this Salvia 'May Night'. They are around it all day long doing their thing! Behind it is the foliage of Peony 'Karl Rosenfeld'.
Driveway Border
In the driveway border is Nepeta 'Walkers Low' in full bloom. Oriental Golden Skyland's Spruce sits behind it. 
Spirea Double Play 'Big Bang'
Come along to the front island bed. A favorite bloomer is Spirea Double Play 'Big Bang' with its profusion of  neon pink blooms.
Front Island Bed Eastern Side
Weeping Norway Spruce, Mugo Pine, Hosta, Dwarf Japanese Andromeda and Anna's Magic Ball Arborvitae can also be seen here.
Driveway Garden
On the western side of the driveway is  another Weeping Norway Spruce, accompanied by dwarf Norway Spruce 'Little Gem', Japanese Garden Juniper, 'Magic Carpet' Spirea and Salvia 'Caradonna' with its purple blooms in the backdrop. The Stella D' Oro Daylilies are in full bloom too!
Hemerocallis 'Stella D' Oro' (Daylily)
Last but not least, is the herb garden in pots that I planted for hubby, who loves to cook and use basal, parsley, and spearmint in his recipes!
Herb Garden
I hope you enjoyed your visit to my June 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 FotosMacro Monday 2, Mosaic Monday at Letting Go of the Bay Leaf, Nature Notes at Rambling WoodsImage-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
Thanks for Visiting!

 A GUIDE TO NORTHEASTERN GARDENING NEWS:

-The Long Island Master Gardeners tour of my property was a huge success and I was fortunate to meet so many wonderful like-minded people. As a result, I am now included on the Long Island Master Speakers List to do speaking engagements for community garden clubs.

-I continue to capture photos of shade loving plants for my newest book (to come out in 2023). Stay tuned and do check out my author page and books below. The gardening season is in full speed ahead and if you are looking for a little inspiration you've come to the right place!!

-To all my gardening friends, stay well and enjoy the beauty of the season until we meet again.🌳


"As Always...Happy Gardening!" 

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