Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day & Foliage Follow-Up May 2014: The Garden in all Its Glory!

It is May at last and the gardens are alive with color. Over the past few days the temperatures have elevated into the 70's and even hit 82 degrees one afternoon, allowing buds to burst into wonderful blooms.  I am in my glory especially during the months of May and June when there is so much to be enjoyed in the garden.  I am known to be found with shovel in hand, covered from head to foot in mud, sporting a grin...a state of true happiness and satisfaction.  It is time for another Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day and Foliage Follow-Up.  Come walk along with me and take a look at what is happening in my May Long Island garden.

Thundercloud Plum

The Thundercloud Plum in now in its third season and is finally coming into its element with the best blooms yet this spring.  The dainty pink blooms are short lived but enjoyed nonetheless and are followed by beautiful deep burgundy foliage that lasts throughout the summer.

Tulips

Detour!  I came across these gorgeous tulips in my travels.  They were just too beautiful to pass by without a photo opportunity. The color on these is so vibrant!

Viburnum Carlcephalum

Back to my gardens....the Viburnum is all in bloom and the flowers are very large this year with large white fragrant blooms.  

Ajuga 'Bronze Beauty'

The Ajuga and Azalea are blooming at the same time...

Azalea 'Girard's Fuchsia'

displaying purple and fuchsia blooms.

Azalea 'Girard's Crimson'

Another Azalea is playing backdrop to the dwarf cypress in front of it and low spreading Sedum 'Dragons Blood' in the foreground.

Heuchera 'Caramel'

The 'Caramel' Coral Bells are getting all their new growth and are very vibrant in color.  I am still very impressed with this plant.  This particular variety takes both sun and shade and winters very well here on Long Island.

Acer palmatum dissectum 'Viridis'

The Japanese Maple in the front yard has really reached maturity and the trunk gets more and more twisted with time.  It never ceases to fascinate me so take a look under the canopy of the tree and you will see what I am referring to.

Picea pungens 'Glauca Globusa'

Now lets talk foliage.  The evergreens are getting a lot of new growth...

Halenkolea (Japanese Forest Grass)

and the Japanese Forest Grass is looking very full.  

Alchemilla Mollis (Lady's Mantle) 

I finally added some Lady's Mantle this spring and am enjoying its large umbrella like leaves.  When it rains the leaves capture raindrops that sparkle in the sun.  There are some flower buds forming on this one and I anticipate the arrival of blooms.

Juniperus 'Gold Lace' and Heuchera

Around into the front gardens there are two forms of Heuchera, 'Palace Purple' and 'Caramel' next to the golden foliage of Juniperus 'Gold Lace'.

Hosta 'Patriot'

The 'Patriot' Hosta are unraveling their white and green foliage.

Nepeta 'Walker's Low'

The perennials are still slightly behind due to the long cold winter and cooler than usual spring but the Nepeta 'Walkers Low' and Salvia 'May Night' are now forming their flower buds.  The blooms are not far behind!

Salvia 'May Night'

Here is the the front island bed with Skyland's Golden Oriental Spruce, Coral Bark Maple, Barberry 'Royal Burgundy', Nepeta 'Walker's Low' and Juniperus 'Old Gold'.  The Coreopsis and Dwarf Fountain Grasses are also starting to make their appearance.

Front Island Bed with 'Skyland's' Oriental Spruce

Here is the last of the Grape Hyacinths...

Grape Hyacinth

and the Spirea Double Play 'Big Bang' made it through its first winter in the garden and is starting its show all over again.  It started off with vibrant orange foliage that has now turned to gold and huge pink blooms will follow throughout the summer months.  This new addition has certainly become a favorite of mine!

Spirea Double Play 'Big Bang'

I hope you enjoyed the tour of my gardens.  Please visit our hostesses Carol at May Dreams Gardens for Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day and Pam at Digging for Foliage Follow-Up.   I am also linking up to Creative Country Mom's new Home Sweet Garden Party. Thank you for the visit and if you leave a note I will know you dropped by to say hello and I will be sure to visit you as well!  

As Always...Happy Gardening!

Author: Lee@A Guide To Northeastern Gardening, Copyright 2014. All rights reserved

Spring Flowering Trees: Pretty in Pink and White

Spring Flowering Trees

As spring approaches it is time to access the garden and plan for the upcoming season. Do you have any spring flowering landscape plants? Spring blooming trees are a welcome and desired sight in the landscape, and there are many varieties that can add lasting beauty, while starting the season off right in your garden. In this article I will discuss some of the landscape trees that I have found to be most successful and that will add early blooms and in some cases fragrance to your space.

Prunus subhirtella 'Pendula' (Weeping Cherry)
Height 20-30', Width 15-20'  
Cold Hardy to Zone 4
Full Sun

The first is Prunus subhirtella 'Pendula', otherwise known as Weeping Cherry.  Weeping Cherry is sure to be a favorite in the landscape with its open graceful weeping habit and soft pink flowers to be welcomed in spring.  This tree grows to be moderately wide (15-20 feet) so be sure to give adequate space. I would recommend this tree as a stand alone piece with understory plantings. It looks beautiful as a focal point on a raised berm area and is a show stopper when displayed at the entrance of a property.

Prunus serrulata 'Kwanzan' (Kwanzan Cherry)
Height and Width 20-30 '
Cold Hardy to Zone 5
Full Sun

Kwanzan Cherry Blossom

Next is the well known 'Kwanzan' Cherry. 'Kwanzan' Cherry are magnificent trees producing large double-pink flowers in early spring. The dense vase shaped branch structure of the tree along with its deep mahogany-colored bark makes it majestic.  Plant this tree as a single specimen or in a grouping for a more dramatic effect. 'Kwanzan' Cherry is adaptable to seashore conditions and is somewhat 'drought tolerant'.  It is definitely a favorite of many a gardener. Give this beauty plenty of space to grow!

Prunus subhirtella 'Snofozam' (Weeping Snow Fountain Cherry)
Height 6-12', Width 6-8'
Cold Hardy to Zone 4
Full Sun

'Snofozam' Cherry is a popular spring flowering tree used in residential landscapes.  This smaller variety of Weeping Cherry makes it perfect for smaller spaces. It displays delicate white flowers on cascading branches in early spring. Its compact form and height of 6-12 feet makes it excellent addition as an anchor plant in a foundation planting. I would definitely recommend this tree as a welcomed addition to your landscape.

Prunus cerasifera 'Thundercloud' (Thundercloud Plum)
Height and Width 15-25'
Cold Hardy to Zone 4
Full Sun 

Prunus cerasifera 'Thundercloud' (Thundercloud Plum) Spring Blossom

An extremely versatile tree, 'Thundercloud' Plum displays mildly fragrant light pink flowers in spring followed by deep burgundy foliage that lasts well into fall.  This tree has attributes that continue throughout the entire season. Display Thundercloud Plum as a single anchor specimen in a foundation planting or in a group planting such as on a raised island bed.  It will be sure to add years of enjoyment to your landscape. Another variety is 'Krater Vesuvius' with even more pronounced burgundy foliage.

Magnolia stellata 'Royal Star' (Star Magnolia)
Height and Width 12-20'
Cold Hardy to Zone 4
Full Sun

'Star' Magnolia displays fragrant white star-like flowers in early spring followed by green foliage. Magnolia 'Royal Star' grows as wide as it is tall and can be regularly pruned to keep a compact shape. This tree fits in very nicely as as addition to a poolscape garden as seen here and will welcome spring with its wonderful fragrance. Magnolia forms catkin-looking buds in late winter which are an additional attribute. 

Magnolia stellata 'Royal Star' (Star Magnolia) Spring Blossom

Magnolia liliflora 'Jane' (Lily Magnolia)
Height 20-25', Width 15-20'
Cold Hardy to Zone 5
Full Sun

This beautiful more upright form of Magnolia displays fragrant purple and white tulip-shaped flowers in May followed by deep green foliage and on a rounded branch structure. It serves nicely as a stand alone piece or in a woodland garden setting. Its delicate and beautiful blooms make it a conversation piece in the garden.

Pyrus calleryana 'Cleveland Select' (Ornamental Pear)
Height 25-40', Width 15-20'
Cold Hardy to Zone 5
Full Sun

Pyrus calleryana 'Cleveland Select' (Ornamental Pear) Spring Blossom

Ornamental Pear has become a popular landscape plant in both commercial and residential areas over the past several years. 'Traditionally Bradford Pear' was the species widely planted but has been found to notorious for overweight branches that break in high winds.  An improved variety known as 'Cleveland Select' displays a more narrow upright form that is superior for flower production and better structure. The tree is covered in pure white blossoms in early spring followed by green foliage throughout the rest of the season. Ornamental Pear display nicely as a single specimen planting or planted in groupings for maximum impact.

Cornus 'Kousa' (Japanese Dogwood)

Height and Width 15-25'

Cold Hardy to Zone 5

Full Sun to Partial Shade

Japanese Dogwood is a beautiful late spring-early summer flowering tree that can be used in a variety of landscape settings. The tree has a characteristic rounded appearance at maturity and displays long lasting flat white flowers that give way to rounded strawberry-like fruit in fall, which is enjoyed by wildlife. 'Kousa' Dogwood has proven to be more disease resistant than the pink variety and is the perfect size to be used as an anchor tree in a foundation planting and also serves nicely as part of a natural woodland planting. It is sure to fit into a variety of landscapes and supply years of enjoyment.

To welcome spring with early blooms and fragrance try adding one or more of these beautiful trees to your outdoor space. They will be sure to supply years of enjoyment and be a welcomed sight when the warm weather arrives.

Visit my Author Page & 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

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.