Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day & Foliage Follow-Up November: Autumn Views and Blooms!

Welcome!

Fall is a wonderful time of year as the landscape transitions into an array of changing color. It has been one of the warmest and driest Novembers I can remember here in the northeast with temperatures ranging in the 50's to low 60's and no significant rainfall for over a month. Finally, a very welcomed and needed rain came during the early hours of the morning on the 11th. The trees are dropping leaves rapidly like falling rain due to the lasting drought, but the colors are vibrant as ever and with the milder temperatures, there are still some blooms to be seen. Along with the first rain in over a month, there are colder temperatures in the forecast, so I am enjoying the views while I can! Join me for a tour of my Long Island garden! 

Front Lawn

The first stop is along the front lawn as the two Weeping Japanese Maples put on a colorful show. Japanese Maple 'Viridis', which is normally light green, now displays hues of orange, yellow and red all on the same tree. Next to it is a red variety of Weeping Japanese Maple, along with Blue Atlas Cedar and Gold Lace Juniper in the distance.

Back Pool Garden

As we move to the back pool border, Sky Pencil Holly is displaying its dark bluish-black berries against Leucothoe with Golden Sweet Flag in the foreground, which stays evergreen all year along with the other plantings. Nellie Stevens Holly in the backdrop displays its bright red berries this time of year.

Leucothoe 'Axillaris'

This variety of broad-leaved evergreen is Leucothoe 'Axillaris'. A highlight is its changing foliage this time of year with deep pinkish-red and golden highlights as the temperatures change.

A Visitor!

There is plenty of wildlife around these days and this visitor even stopped for a photo shoot!

Patio Vegetable/Herb Planter

Near the patio, the vegetable/herb planter is done for the season, but the parsley is still showing some greenery. The spearmint (in a separate planter) has not gone dormant either.  Gardening Tip: If you are growing mint, it spreads rapidly by underground rhizomes and will take over an area in no time. Always plant it in a confined area or in a planter!

Patio Border

Along the same patio area, Salvia 'Blue by You' continues to bloom, joined by Rhode Island Red Japanese Maple, and evergreens Osmanthus 'Goshiki' and Dwarf  Japanese Red Pine 'Low Glow'.

Back Perimeter Garden

In the back border, Kousa Dogwood 'Greensleeves' displays its changing foliage and red fruit.

Patio and Pool Gardens

Along with the blooms of Salvia, there are other blooms to be seen, as 'Stella D Oro' Daylily and Echinacea Pow Wow 'Wild Berry' continue to bloom along the back patio and pool.

'Stella D Oro' Daylily

Here are the bright yellow flowers of Daylily as it continues to push out autumn blooms...

Echinacea Pow Wow 'Wild Berry'

along with the blooms and seed heads of Echinacea.

Abelia 'Kaleidoscope'

Bordering the back walkway, Abelia 'Kaleidoscope' is still showing its tubular white blooms from later summer...

Dwarf Rudbeckia 'Little Goldstar'

and Dwarf Black Eyed Susan continues to push out some final blooms in the northwestern garden.

Weeping Japanese Maple 'Viridis'

As we venture back to the front portion of the property, here is another view of the foliage of Weeping Japanese Maple. Soon the interesting structure of the tree and trunk will be even more visible.

Front Island Bed

As Hosta and Sedum go dormant in the front island bed, evergreens Weeping Norway Spruce, Dwarf Cryptomeria and Osmanthus 'Goshiki' continue to supply interest for the fall and winter months as Coral Bark Maple (below) presents its autumn blaze of color.

Front Entrance Garden

Accompanying Coral Bark Maple 'Sango Kaku' are 'Skylands' Golden Oriental Spruce, Weeping Blue Atlas Cedar, Mugo Pine, Weeping White Pine, Japanese Garden and Blue Star Juniper and Variegated Liriope. Maintenance Tip: It is best to not cut back Liriope in the fall, but to leave it intact for winter interest and to protect the crown. Cut back in springtime after any threat of frost to allow for new growth.

Skyland's Oriental Spruce and Coral Bark Maple

Autumn certainly is a wonderful time of year with color, color everywhere. Here is another view of Skyland's Oriental Spruce and Coral Bark Maple.

St. John's Wort Autumn

As we get closer to the end of the tour, St. John's Wort displays its dried seed heads with a bit of artistic flair...

Pool Surround

and the changing foliage of Spirea and Weeping Japanese Maple complement one another.

All-Season Planter

This all-season planter with evergreens will provide some interest throughout the winter months... 

Knock Out Rose 'Radrazz'

and Knock Out Rose will continue its glorious blooms until the first hard freeze.

Indoors: Thanksgiving Cactus

As the outdoor garden goes into dormancy for the winter months, focus shifts even more towards tending to the indoor garden, which includes Thanksgiving Cactus and African Violet as they continue to bloom. 

Thanksgiving Cactus and African Violet

Thank you for visiting and whatever the season, enjoy all the beauty that nature has to offer. Be sure to stop by on the 1st. and 15th. of each month as I continue to share gardening tips, information and horticultural adventures! In the meantime, check out my newsletter and also my books, which can make great gifts for the gardener in your life!  Until we meet again...best wishes to you and yours for a safe and Happy Thanksgiving! 

Thanks for Visiting!

I hope you enjoyed your visit to my November 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. See you next month!

Purchase 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

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. 

This Month in the Garden: The Beauty of Autumn

Welcome!

Welcome to This Month in the Garden! The words of Albert Camus ~"Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower", repeats through ones mind this time of year as the landscape transitions into an array of changing color. Today's post is not about a feature plant, garden chores that need to be completed or a botanical garden visited, but simply the works of nature to be appreciated. Sometimes one needs to step back from the stresses of everyday life and simply "stop and smell the roses." I hope you enjoy the views!

Weeping Eastern Redbud 'Lavender Twist'

Weeping Japanese Maple 'Viridis', Weeping Norway Spruce (center), Dwarf Cryptomeria (left) and Hosta (right) 

Coral Bark Maple, Skyland's Oriental Spruce (back center), and Weeping Blue Atlas Cedar along with Blue Star Juniper and Variegated Liriope (front)

Coral Bark Maple 'Sango Kaku' (center stage) and Boxwood with Hinoki Cypress (to the left)

Weeping Japanese Maple 'Viridis', Blue Atlas Cedar (backdrop) and Dwarf Cryptomeria (left)

Sedum 'Brilliant' Flower Heads and Foliage

Crape Myrtle 'Sioux' (center) with Gold Lace Juniper and Blue Globe Spruce (foreground)

Another View of Weeping Japanese Maple 'Viridis', Weeping Norway Spruce and Hosta

Autumn Views-Gazing Through the Trees

The Local Pond-Wildlife and Views

The Transitioning Landscape

Natural Beauty

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! Catch up on posts and other news with my newsletter, Northeastern Gardening News. Subscribe for free to receive monthly updates.

IN THE NEWS: I have recently been quoted in two online garden publications, Homes & Gardens where we discuss annuals for shade and Parade Home & Garden , an article that warns about possible poisonous plants in your garden, plus I had fun speaking to the Paumanacke Garden Club here on Long Island as I presented Gardening Through the Seasons. It is always fun chatting and teaching others about gardening! Speaking of chatting and teaching about gardening, check out My Author Page & Books!

"As Always...Happy Gardening!" 

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

This Month in the Garden: To Rake or Not to Rake: The Great Debate on Fall Leaf Removal

This Month in the Garden

As the autumn landscape becomes covered with an array of vibrant color, the temptation to tidy up your property and remove fallen leaves becomes almost instinctive. Leaving fall leaves in your garden can offer several benefits to both your landscape and the environment, but while the practice of leaving fall leaves has its advantages, it’s essential to strike a balance. Let’s explore the facts to help you make an informed decision. 

Natural Mulch:

Allowing fallen leaves to remain on the ground acts as a natural mulch, providing insulation for the soil. This layer helps to regulate soil temperature, preventing extreme fluctuations that can be harmful to the roots of plants and trees. As the leaves decompose, they release valuable organic matter and essential nutrients back into the soil, which will in turn help to promote plant growth. On the other side of the discussion, too many compacted leaves can block sunlight and trap excess moisture against your lawn, leading to possible snow mold growth and possible lawn damage come spring. Maintaining a leaf cover of no more than twenty to thirty percent of lawn area is recommended to allow enough light and air to reach the turf while providing the benefits of mulching. According to the USDA, the best solution is to finely chop newly fallen leaves with a mulching mower or a leaf shredder, then return them to garden beds to ensure the health of your plantings. It is important to perform this activity before leaves are on the ground for any length of time to avoid any harm to wildlife. Another option is if you have an out of the way area in your garden, such as behind a barrier of trees, leaves can be relocated to that space to allow nature to take its course.

Moisture Conservation:  

It is a known fact that besides providing insulation, a layer of leaves can act as a protective barrier, helping to retain moisture of the soil. This can be especially beneficial during the winter months in wooded or mulched areas, under shrubs and around dormant perennials when the ground is prone to both freezing and drying out from winter winds. Keep in mind that while the leaves help to retain moisture, it is best to not have leaves built up around fall or winter blooming perennials, as it could cause lack of sunlight to the plants and encourage disease. Also, removing the browned or mushy foliage of dormant perennials such as Hosta and Peony in fall will help to prevent fungal issues. Note: Such perennials containing seed heads, for example Echinacea and Rudbeckia, can be beneficial for birds to feed on and can be left for winter before cutting back.

Wildlife Habitat:

Fallen leaves create a haven for a variety of small creatures such as insects, spiders, and other invertebrates that seek refuge in the leaf litter.  Butterflies and moths often lay their eggs on the leaves of specific plants, and leaving the leaves untouched can support the life cycle of these pollinators. A layer of fallen leaves in garden beds also fosters biodiversity. By preserving this natural layer, you create a microhabitat for different organisms, such as fungi and helpful bacteria, which can contribute to the overall health of the soil and, consequently, the health of your entire garden. If you have a compost pile, shredding the leaves can help to speed up the decomposition process, allowing for better aeration and faster breakdown, while providing a habitat and food source for wildlife. 

Saving Time & Effort: 

Removing leaves can be both time consuming and physically demanding. Leaving the leaves and allowing nature to take its course eliminates the need for this labor-intensive chore. This frees up your time to enjoy the beauty of the season, assess the garden and plan away for next spring!

In conclusion, while many prefer the "clean" look of traditional mulches, embracing the idea of leaving fall leaves in your garden offers a wide range of benefits, including moisture conservation, temperature moderation, and addition of nutrients for improved soil health, all while supporting wildlife. Striking a balance by incorporating responsible leaf management practices allows the best of both worlds-a thriving landscape and a sustainable, biodiverse ecosystem.

I hope you enjoyed This Month in the Garden for the month of December. Be sure to stop by on the 1st. and 15th. of each month as I continue to share gardening tips, information and horticultural adventures! 

Also, Check out 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 November: The Changing Views of Autumn

Welcome!

We are in the midst of autumn here on Long Island and the landscape is a changing array of color. I must say that besides Spring, this is one of my favorite times of the year. There is a chill in the air, but not too cold to wander out into the garden to observe what nature has to offer, and there is a sense of energy and a willingness to explore. We all know a garden is constantly changing with something new to experience awaiting around each corner. Join me for a stroll in my November zone 7 garden!

Front Lawn

The first view is of the front lawn where two types of Japanese Maple exist. The first is Japanese Maple 'Viridis', which reaches a height and width of about 6-10 feet. I have had this one for about thirty years or so and it has reached its mature height.

Front Lawn

The second variety is Weeping Japanese Maple, Acer palmatum 'Tamukeyama', which reaches a mature height and width of 6-8 feet tall by 12 feet wide. This one is about 25 years of age. To the far left of the Maples is Blue Atlas Cedar (Cedrus atlantica). This one came to the garden at just five feet tall back about 27 years ago.

Back Patio Garden

There have been some major changes in the garden over the past several months. It seems that once an idea gets into this gardener's head and the first tree that has lived out its lifespan is replaced, that it starts an ongoing domino effect. Once the Weeping Pussy Willow was removed from the patio garden and replaced with a Rhode Island Red Japanese Maple (last month's post), all that had to happen was for my dear husband to mention that perhaps the enormous grafted Blue Globe Spruce further down the patio should to be replaced. The crew returned two days later and planted this Acer palmatum 'Twombly's Red Sentinel'. I had admired it at the nursery and it is a newer hybrid of Japanese Maple which tends to stay more on the narrow side. It was perfect solution for the space.

Perennial Border

There are still some things the same. Behind the maple in the perennial border is a combination of Lamb's Ear and the dried seed heads of Astilbe in fall mode. The orangey color of the Astilbe against the pure white color of the Lamb's Ear always  seems to "pop" in the garden this time of year.

Abelia 'Kaleidoscope' Autumn

Along the walkway, the newly added Abelia 'Kaleidoscope' displays its colorful foliage and is still flowering throughout autumn...

Nellie Steven's Holly Berries Autumn

while along the pool border, a mature Nellie Stevens Holly is showing off its orange berries.

Welcome Visitors!

With the removal of the Magnolia tree this past spring, the bird feeder has a new home and there has been a lot of activity at it. I think they are enjoying the new setup!

Echibeckia Seeds

There are the interesting seed heads which can be found around the garden in autumn. This one comes from the perennial Echibeckia, a combination of  Echinacea and Rudbeckia, and very much resembles a pine cone.

Sedum 'Pure Joy' Autumn

Here is Sedum 'Pure Joy', a dwarf form of Sedum, which can turn a brilliant deep pink in the fall, adding interest to the garden...

Hydrangea Faded Blooms

while the faded blooms of Hydrangea add a touch of color as well.

Daylily Still Going!

There are also the blooms that just do not want to quit! This 'Stella D Oro' Daylily has been pushing out new buds and blooms since I cut it back at the end of summer...

Knock Out Rose 'Radrazz'

and Knock Out Rose 'Radrazz' keeps on blooming throughout autumn depending on the temperatures. 'Radrazz' is the original cultivar of Knock Out Rose and always aims to please. 

Dwarf Cryptomeria and Nandina 'Obsession'

For some foliage, here is the lime green hue of Dwarf Cryptomeria against the reddish-orange hues of  Nandina 'Obsession'... 

Sedum 'Brilliant'

and the foliage and seed heads of  Sedum 'Brilliant' for some added interest.

Fall Decor

Along the back entry is a collection of dwarf evergreens accompanied by this tree ring covered pumpkin, which I purchased years ago at the local nursery. It is starting to show some ware, so I hope it continues to survive the elements. It was such a unique find.

Spirea 'Candy Corn'

Last, but not least, is this Spirea 'Candy Corn', a newer miniature form of Spirea which only grows to 1.5-2.5 feet tall by wide and sports this "candy corn" colored foliage throughout the season and pink blooms in summer. It is going to live in a planter for now, so that I can enjoy it by the back patio.

Driveway Border

As we come to the end of our stroll, here is a view of the driveway border with Coral Bark Maple (on the right) and Skyland's Oriental Spruce (on the left) with Hinkoi Cypress 'Compacta' in the center. I await the glowing red bark of the Coral Bark Maple once the leaves fall, a bark which appears even more colorful against a backdrop of snow...

Driveway Border

and here is another view with Weeping Blue Atlas Cedar standing in the foreground along the walkway.

Back Around to the Front Lawn

There is a well known quote from author Albert Camus which suits the season well..."Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower."  I could not agree more.

Thank you for Visiting!

I hope you enjoyed your visit to my November garden. I so appreciate you being here, look forward to your comments and look forward to seeing what you have blooming 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 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 with gardens that thrive!

 Plan your Garden for Next Spring: Purchase 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.