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.

This Month in the Garden: 15 Perennials for Shade

15 Perennials for Shade

The shade garden can be the home to many varieties of perennials, displaying colorful foliage, blooms, or a combination of both. Here are 15 selections for shade, each chosen on the basis of interest, productivity and hardiness.

Heuchera 'Caramel' (Coral Bells)

Heuchera 'Caramel' is a newer hybrid introduction of Coral Bells with semi-evergreen caramel-colored foliage that lasts even through the winter months. Heuchera 'Caramel' is hardy in USDA zones 4-9 and produces stalks of creamy-pink blooms in late summer on a 12-18 inch high plant. Plant Heuchera 'Caramel' is a location with partial to full shade and a moist soil. Remove spent slower stalks in autumn and any winter-damaged foliage in early spring to allow for new growth.

Heuchera 'Palace Purple' (Coral Bells

I find Heuchera 'Palace Purple' to be the most hardy and longest lived of the Heuchera with beautiful burgundy foliage. The delicate white flowers produced on 12 inch stems in August to September that resemble baby's breath are just an added bonus. Heuchera can be grown in partial sun to shade and prefers a moderately moist organic soil. It is hardy in zones 4-8. 

Hosta 'Frances Williams' (Funkia or Plantation Lily)

There are 70 species of hosta with over 3000 varieties to choose from, ranging in color, shape and size. Once of the more popular varieties is ‘Francess Williams’, hardy in USDA zones 3-8, and known for its large 24-30 inch high by 3-5 foot wide chartreuse to yellow margined foliage and white blooms on 30-inch stems in mid-summer. 

Hosta 'Patriot'

Another variety of hosta, ‘Patriot’ is a hardy in USDA zones 4-8 and displays lavender flowers in mid-summer above 14-24 inch high by 2-4 foot wide white margined green foliage. The blooms of  hosta are excellent for pollinators and are an attraction to hummingbirds!

Carex (Golden Japanese Sedge)

Carex, hardy in USDA zines 5-10, Carex forms a semi-evergreen 12-18 inch tall by wide cascading mound of lime grass-like foliage that turns yellow-gold as it matures. Excellent for areas of partial shade and moderately moist conditions, Carex adds yearly interest tot the landscape.

Dicentra (Bleeding Heart)

Dicentra, also know as Bleeding Heart, is a wonderful addition for a moist, shady location. It is one of the most cultivated perennials in the spring garden, is hardy in USDA zones 3-9, and produces beautiful heart-shaped flowers in spring. It is an excellent addition to the woodland garden.

Astilbe 'Vision in Red'

There are numerous varieties of Astilbe, each known for their various sizes, color of blooms. One of my favorites is Astilbe ‘Vision in Red’. Hardy in USDA zones 4-9, ‘Vison in Red’ displays purple-red blooms in mid-summer on top of a 12-16 inch tall plant. As with most astilbe, ‘Vision in Red’ prefers a location with partial to full shade and a moderately moist soil.

Ajuga 'Burgundy Glow' (Bugleweed)

Ajuga is a perennial groundcover that is hardy in USDA zones 3-9. Purple blooms form in spring above a spreading mound of green leaves that are highlighted with tones of cream and smoky pink. Plants grow to 4-6 inches tall by 12-18 inches wide and foliage turns to tones of burgundy in autumn. Ajuga thrives best in a location with partial shade.

Lobelia 'Cardinal'

Lobelia is excellent perennial for moist shady conditions and is hardy in USDA zones 4-9. Upright stalks of bright red flowers appear on a 24 inch tall plant in mid to late summer.

Ligularia 'Rocket'

Ligularia is another selection that thrives best on moist, shady conditions. It is hardy in USDA zones 3-9 and produces tall stalks of yellow blooms in mid to late summer on a 3-4 foot tall plant.

Ophiopogon (Mondo Grass)

Mondo Grass, hardy in USDA zones 6-10 is actually not a grass, but rather a member of the genus Ophiopogon, a genus of evergreen perennial plants native to India, China, Japan and Vietnam. Mondo grass prefers an area of partial to full shade and a moderately moist soil. 

Ophiopogon planiscapus 'Nigrescens' (Black Mondo Grass)

Black Mondo Grass is considered a ground cover that grows to approximately ten inches tall and slowly spreads to about two feet in width. Foliage emerges as dark green in spring and matures to a deep purplish-black by summer. Black Mondo Grass is hardy in zones 6-10.

Acornus (Golden Sweet Flag) with Black Mondo Grass

To add that wanted interest and drama to the garden, combine Mondo Grass with other grass-like  plantings such as Variegated Liriope, Golden Japanese Sedge and Golden Variegated Sweet Flag (as pictured above). Sweet Flag is an evergreen perennial hardy in USDA zones 5-11, displaying golden variegated foliage that grows in clumps. It is best grown in a moist, partially shaded area and is great for naturalizing.

Chelone lyonni (Turtlehead)

Chelone lyonii is hardy in USDA zones 3-8, produces showy rosy-pink blooms resembling what looks like turtle heads. Blooms appear late summer into fall on a 24-30 tall plant. Chelone prefers a shady to semi-shady location with abundant moisture. Pinch foliage back in mid-spring to encourage fullness.

Liriope 'Variegata' (Lilyturf)

Liriope muscari 'Variegata' is popular for its grass-like, cream or yellow-margined leaves. Liriope can be grown in sun or shade and produces small purple blooms in August to September followed by round, dark purple berries. Liriope is very versatile as it can be planted just about anywhere in the garden as a complement to other plantings and is hardy in USDA zones 6-11. Liriope provides interest all season long as a lovely addition of texture to the garden and the late summer blooms just add an extra surprise! Cut back lilyturf in early spring to remove winter damaged foliage and to promote new growth.

15 Perennials for Shade

I hope you enjoyed This Month in the Garden: 15 Perennials for Shade. Be sure to stop by on the 1st. and 15th. of each month as I continue to share gardening tips, information and horticultural adventures! (Linking with: Floral Fridays, Macro Monday 2, Ruby Tuesday and Image-in-ing Weekly Photo Link-Up.

For gardening info and tips: Visit my Author Page/Purchase My Books  Be sure to check out my newest book: Gardening by Month for 12-months of interest in the landscape!😊

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~

Author: Lee @A Guide to Northeastern Gardening,© Copyright 2010-2021. All rights reserved. 

Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day & Foliage Follow-Up August: Blooms, Visitors & Adventures

Welcome to my August Garden!

Welcome to my August Garden! It has been an eventful month (to say the least) here in the Long Island northeastern garden. Tropical Storm Isaias arrived on a Tuesday afternoon on the 4th of August with high winds gusting to 60 miles per hour, followed by the power going out at 3 pm, and not returning until three days later. There were trees and branches down everywhere, and I cringed as I watched the garden with each gust of wind. Thankfully, the garden was spared. We are still in the process of cleaning up, but all is good.

Lillium 'Stargazer'

Before we visit what is currently blooming, here is a flashback from before the storm. A heat wave at the end of July sparked the Lillium 'Stargazer' to bloom a little earlier than usual. They were exceptionally beautiful this year, so I thought I would share.

Littlium 'Stargazer'

The plants were just loaded with fragrant blooms!

Ruby-Throated Hummingbird

After several years of putting out a variety of hummingbird feeders, we finally have a regular visitor! This Ruby-Throated Hummingbird has returned for a second season and has made our home his feeding station. He flies back and forth all day between the Magnolia tree in the back garden, taking a momentary stop at the Hosta blooms, and then to the feeder right by our patio. I can hear the humming of his wings and little tweeting noises he produces as he enjoys the nectar. Seeing his presence is so much fun and we get excited every time our visitor comes by!

Rudbeckia (Black Eyed Susan) 'Little Goldstar'

Here is Rudbeckia 'Little Goldstar', a dwarf form of Black Eyed Susan. It stays nice and compact (14-24 inches tall x 18 inches wide), blooms mid-late summer and stays where you plant it. In the foreground are  Hosta blooms, which are an attraction to hummingbirds and other pollinators.

Patio Garden-Buddleia 'Pugster Blue'

August is Butterfly Bush time and this Buddleia 'Pugster Blue' is showing off its fragrant deep purple-blue blooms. It is literally a butterfly magnet! Butterflies of various types are attracted to and visit the plant constantly. We even got a visit (for the second year in a row) from the hummingbird moth.

Swallowtail Butterfly on Buddleia

Here is a Swallowtail Butterfly visitor. He frequents the blooms several times a day and cannot get enough!

Pollinator!

Bumblebees are hard at work too!

Agastache 'Rosie Posie' Hyssop

New to the garden this year is Agastache (Hyssop) 'Rosie Posie'. Hardy in USDA zones 6-9, this is one of the longest blooming varieties of Hyssop and grows to a height of about 22 inches. I am hoping it does well and will become as a longtime member of the garden.

Platycodon (Balloon Flower)

Here is Platycodon (Balloon Flower) blooming in the August garden. This perennial never ceases to amaze me with its interesting "balloon-shaped" blue blooms. It is always a conversation piece for visitors too.

Waterfall Extension

What does one do during a pandemic and heat wave? An obsessive gardener like myself would go to the nursery with the pick-up truck and load it with hundreds of pounds of moss rock boulders. After too many complaints from hubby about soil getting into the pool, I did a renovation of the two sides of the pool waterfall using the moss rock to extend it on both sides. After ripping out a very stubborn and overgrown ground-cover shrub that had served its time, I placed the rock to prevent erosion from the slope. Mission accomplished and hubby is happy!

Astilbe 'Sprite'

Back to the tour! If you are looking for a variety of Astilbe that blooms much later after all the others, here is Astilbe 'Sprite'.  It displays delicate foliage and light pink blooms, that last for several weeks.

Crape Myrtle 'Sioux'

It's Crape Myrtle season! Here is Lagersstroemia indica 'Sioux' with its deep pink blooms. 'Sioux' is one of the larger forms of Crape Mytle and reaches about twenty to twenty-five in height. I have had this tree for many years and was so worried about it during the storm. It had lost some major branches two years ago during a severe winter and has been recovering nicely, so I was concerned.

Crape Myrtle 'Sioux'

Here is a view of the full tree. I have allowed the trunks to multiply, as I love the massiveness of the tree.

Crape Myrtle 'Sioux' Peeling Bark

Crape Myrtles are also known for their exfoliating bark, exposing various colors as it peels away to uncover a new layer.

Sedum 'Brilliant' Almost Blooming!

As we stroll around to the southern garden, here is Sedum 'Brilliant' getting ready to bloom. It's a lovely plant for its foliage, even when it's not blooming. Watch for it in next month's garden tour!

Echibeckia Summerina 'Blazing Fire'

Here is another new addition to the perennial border for this year. Echibeckia is a new cultivar combining the features of Echinacea and Rudbeckia all into one! Echibeckia Summerina 'Blazing Fire' grows to a height and width of 16-24 inches high by 18-24 inches wide and prefers full sun. It blooms early summer to autumn. I hope this one does well in the garden!

Daylily 'Stella D Oro'

Last but not least is Stella D' Oro Daylily, still blooming with just a little deadheading! I love how this variety just keeps on giving!

Long Island August Sunset

With summer storms also come summer sunsets, and this one was one of the most beautiful views I have seen in a long time. 

August Sunset in the Garden

Nature certainly has its moments!

Thank you for visiting!

I hope you enjoyed your visit to my August garden. As always, I thank you for being here and enjoy hearing from you. 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 Homestead Blog Hop and Weekly Photo Link-Up at My Corner of the World on Wednesdays. 

~Sharing my knowledge and passion of gardening~

My Author Page and 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

As Always...Happy Gardening! 😊

Author: Lee@A Guide to Northeastern Gardening,© Copyright 2010-2020. All rights reserved.