Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day & Foliage Follow-Up August: Late Summer Long Island Garden

Welcome to my August Garden!

The temperatures have finally moderated after several weeks of the "dog days" of August with rounds of temperatures in the 90's and one of the hottest summers I can remember here in the northeast. Thankfully, the heat has now broken and temperatures are back into the upper 70's and low 80's, and all we need now is some much needed rain. There are many blooms to be seen for the month of August, so do join me for a tour of my Long Island garden!

Mandevilla Vine

The first stop is by the back doorway entrance where Mandevilla is producing an abundance of its pink blooms. I make it a point of getting one of these each year and love how the blooms just keep on coming!

Perennial Border

Along the back walkway the Daylilies and Echinacea are finishing up their display. This view is from the start of the month, since the blooms came a couple of weeks earlier this August with the heat.

Patio Garden

As Crape Myrtle 'Sioux' is now blooming in the back island bed, and Platycodon (Balloon Flower) is in full bloom along the patio border. This variety 'Komachi' is unusual in that the balloon-like blue flowers do not burst open like in other varieties. Rather, they remain closed and can be popped like bubble wrap once they dry out!

Platycodon 'Komachi' (Balloon Flower)

Here is Platycodon 'Komachi' close up with the silvery-white foliage of Lamb's Ear in the backdrop.

Lilium 'Stargazer'

The Lilium 'Stargazer' in the pool surround bloomed much earlier this year and is now pretty much done, but I had to share a view from just two weeks ago. The blooms were magnificent this year! 

Hydrangea 'Limelight Prime'

In the back island bed, Hydrangea 'Limelight Prime' is blooming with its stunning greenish-white blooms that turn to pure white and then to a pinkish hue as they age. This variety stays smaller than 'Limelight', growing to a maximum of 4-6 feet high by wide and is hardy in USDA zone 3-8.

Back Island Berm<

As you know, I am a fan of foliage combinations! Here is Sedum 'Brilliant', Heuchera 'Caramel' and Ajuga 'Burgundy Glow'. The purplish foliage of the ajuga contrasts nicely with the caramel colored Heuchera and green foliage of Sedum in the backdrop, which will soon display pink blooms.

Patio Garden

Along the patio garden is another foliage combination with the chartreuse foliage of  Dwarf Cryptomeria and the blue needles of 'Blue Star' Juniper. I have strived over the years to incorporate as many colorful evergreens as possible throughout the garden to provide all season interest.

Back Island Berm-Crape Myrtle & Hydrangea

Evergreens Hinoki Cypress 'Compacta' and Mugo Pine reside along the island bed with Crape Myrtle  Hydrangea and Coral Bells 'Palace Purple'.

Crape Myrtle Exfoliating Bark

One of the features of Crape Myrtle is its interesting exfoliating bark, which sheds this time of year...

Crape Myrtle 'Sioux' Blooms!

and of course, the blooms are spectacular!

Rudbeckia 'Little Goldstar'

Dwarf Rudbeckia 'Little Goldstar' is all in bloom. This variety stays well-behaved in its space and tends to be more compact compared to the traditional form.

Groundcover Sedum Mix

This Sedum groundcover mix, featuring Sedum 'Angelina' and 'Dragon's Blood' adds interest all summer long to the pool surround...

Future & Past Blooms-Sedum and Astilbe

while this combination of Sedum 'Brilliant' and Astilbe 'Visions' adds foliage and blooms, with Astilbe blooming in July and Sedum due to bloom in August.

Dwarf Maiden Grass 'Yaku Jima' & Sedum 'Brilliant'

Behind the Sedum is a backdrop of a single Dwarf Maiden Grass 'Yaku Jima', which will soon be forming its plumes.

Hemerocallis (Daylily) 'Stella D Oro'

Along the pool perimeter and patio garden, Daylily 'Stella D Oro' is producing some new blooms after I rejuvenated it back in July...

Echibeckia

while Echibeckia (a hybrid formed from combining Echinacea and Rudbeckia) is blooming in the perennial border. I find this cultivar does best in full sun (6 hours or more) with moderate watering.

Knock Out Rose Pink

Double Knock Out Rose just keeps on giving with its bold red and pink blooms that continue throughout summer and into fall until the first frost.

Knock Out Rose Red

Besides the continuous blooms, their fragrance is nice too!

Hydrangea Let's Dance 'Big Band'

In a container planter on the back patio is Hydrangea Let's Dance 'Big Band'. This is its second season in a planter and it is doing very well, providing blooms throughout the entire summer. I have this one in a partially shaded location with late day sun and I keep it well watered. Hardy in USDA zones 5-9, this compact hydrangea grows to just 2-3 feet tall by wide.

Sedum 'Kamtschaticum' (Stonecrop)

For some late summer color, here is Sedum 'Kamtschaticum' with its bright yellow blooms, while staying low as a groundcover.

Front Island Bed-Sedum 'Pure Joy'

In the front island bed, Sedum 'Pure Joy' is starting to bloom with its light pink flowers on a small, one foot tall plant. Hosta, Weeping Norway Spruce and Dwarf Cryptomeria are in the backdrop.

Lampost Garden-Coreopsis 'Zagreb'

Last, but not least is Coreopsis 'Zagreb' blooming along the driveway border...

Driveway Border-Echinacea 'Cheyenne Spirit'

with Echinacea 'Cheyenne Spirit', which is not at all happy with the extreme heat. Maybe it will get another round of blooms now that the temperatures have gotten cooler.

Hydrangea 'Tardivia'

To end the tour, here is Hydrangea 'Tardivia' tree hydrangea on the northern facing side of the property with its magnificent fragrant white panicle flowers, and one of my favorite late summer bloomers!

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.

Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day & Foliage Follow-Up January: Let the Gardening Season Begin!

Welcome to my January Garden!

Welcome to 2021 and the beginning of a new gardening year! As we left off from the previous Bloom Day, snow had graced the landscape on the 16th of December, creating a winter wonderland that lasted well into the final week of the month, until it melted away on the evening of the 24th. The winter temperatures have now settled into the upper 30's to low 40's, but I continue to venture out for some brisk walks in the garden. Put on something warm and come along on a tour of my January, Long Island garden to see what it has to offer!

Hellebore 'Shooting Star'

January starts of the gardening season with Hellebore 'Shooting Star', one of the earlier blooming varieties of Helleborous x hybridus. Large pink buds open into pinkish white blooms with green highlights as the  flowers mature. 

Hellebore 'Shooting Star'

Here is a closer look at one of the buds opening. The blooms will last for months.

Crape Myrtle Winter Bark

Crape Myrtle has its own interest in January. Here is a look at its multi-colored exfoliating bark.

Nellie Stevens Holly Winter Berries!

These bright red berries can be seen from across the property on Nellie Steven's Holly. I am a true believer in finding something of interest for every month of the year. (Shameless plug: That is what my newest book, Gardening by Month is all about!)

Winter Structure-Weeping Japanese Maple

Here is Weeping Japanese Maple, which I love just as much in winter as I do in summer due to its beautiful structure!

Weeping Norway Spruce

In the driveway border, Weeping Norway Spruce gracefully displays is evergreen foliage...

Dwarf Golden Hinoki Cypress 'Nana' and Blue 'Montgomery' Globe Spruce

while dwarf Golden Hinoki Cypress and Blue Globe Montgomery Spruce add color to the landscape with their vibrant hues of gold and blue.

Skip Laurel and Evergreen Golden Sedge

Tucked away under Skip Laurel are these dwarf Golden Sedge, which were added last summer. I am getting more and more focused on winter interest as the years go by.

Dwarf Conifer Container Garden

Container gardening with dwarf evergreens is fun in every season, and I still get to enjoy these outdoor in wintertime. Left to right are Hinoki Cypress 'Nana, Juniperus 'Compressa' and Variegated Boxwood.

Secret Shade Garden

Let's venture out to the back shade garden. It is rather peaceful this time of year.

Rosemary in January!

In the herb garden, this Rosemary is a nice element to have, as my husband frequency uses sprigs for cooking.

Welcoming Party!

While various plantings bring interest to the winter garden, wildlife visitors are always welcomed. This little guy visits everyday and enjoys the seed that the birds throw down from the feeder. Today he came right up to the patio to visit!

Garden Visitor!

As we await spring, the indoor garden continues to bring joy on those super cold days. 

Indoor Blooms-Orchid

I can admire blooms of orchid and Thanksgiving Cactus, which just keep on giving!

Thanksgiving Cactus Still Blooming!

Here is one of the mature Jade Plants on the plant room window sill, accompanied by more Thanksgiving Cactus, newly propagated Jade and Aloe.

Indoor Garden Room

Friends tell me that I have no more room for plants....but I reply, "There's always room for something new!"

January Garden-Thank you for Visiting!

Thank you for visiting my January garden. As always, I enjoy hearing from you 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. 

There's a New Book in Town: Book Launching-Published January 3rd! 😊

Have you ever wondered if you could have interest in the garden twelve months a year? The answer is a definitive yes! I am proud to share the launching of my fourth book, Gardening by Month: A Monthly Guide to Planning the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic Garden . It takes you on a journey through each month of the year, while providing that perfect mix of gardening interest along the way, whether it be berries, bark, blooms or foliage. Colorful photographs are accompanied by care tips for each selection with suggested monthly maintenance tips. Gardening by Month is now up and live on Amazon! More details to follow!📚 

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...and 

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 September: Late Summer Blooms

Welcome to my September Garden!

As the years pass by, the month of September has become one of my favorite times in the garden as temperatures moderate into the upper 70's, blue skies are frequent and humid days turn into less humid ones. There is a slight crispness as the cooler breezes rush in during the mornings and evenings and the landscape transitions from summer into Fall. Join me to see what is blooming in my late summer Long Island garden.

September Garden

Grab a beverage and come along!

Lagerstroemia (Crape Myrtle) 'Sioux'

The end of July through September is Crape Myrtle season and this Lagerstroemia 'Siox' is showing off its bountiful blooms. Crape Myrtle are cold hardy to USDA zone 6, and growers keep working on developing stronger and more cold tolerant cultivars so they can be grown here in our zone 7a climate. I planted this tree at just a few feet tall in a large patio container some twenty-something years ago until it was transferred to this island bed. It now towers at over 20 feet tall and its deep pink blooms never cease to amaze me.

Crape Myrtle 'Sioux'

Standing from the patio and looking out, you can see a long view of the island bed with Juniperus 'Gold Lace' to the left, Hydrangea and Skip Laurel in the backdrop and Blue Globe Spruce in the foreground. 

Dwarf Butterfly Bush (Buddleia) 'Pugster Blue'

Another favorite in the garden for September is dwarf Butterfly Bush 'Pugster Blue'. With its fragrant blooms, this shrub is a pollinator magnet for a variety of butterflies and bumblebees, and sometimes I even get to experience a hummingbird moth hovering around it!

Dwarf Maiden Grass Plumes 

At this time of the year, dwarf Maiden Grass 'Yaki Jima' is showing its interesting plumes in the back pool garden. Beneath Dwarf Maiden Grass 'Yaku Jima' is Sedum 'Brilliant' with its attractive light green foliage and deep pink blooms.

Stachys (Lamb's Ear) and Astilbe Late Summer

The Lamb's Ear bordering the perennial garden seems to look much brighter this time of year against the foliage of Astilbe, which is going into autumn mode.

Long Time Resident Tree

I had to show a view of this very mature Ash that was planted on our corner almost 40 years ago when it was just 10 feet high. It was planted by our neighbor down the street who has always had a love of horticulture like myself. He recently moved to South Carolina, but leaves his legacy behind!

Weeping Blue Atlas Cedar

With the Ash in the background, you can now get a view of the Weeping Blue Atlas Cedar (foreground), Skyland's Oriental Spruce (right) and Coral Bark Maple (center). You may notice how the back (southern) portion of the Maple is already changing color. That is from the salty air that blew in with Tropical Storm Isaias in August. You can see this happening all over Long Island, as we are southern bordered by the Great South Bay. 

Sedum 'Pure Joy' and Dwarf Japanese Cedar 

Follow me along to the front! This is Sedum 'Pure Joy' in front of Dwarf Japanese Cedar (Cryptomeria Globusa Nana) on the front island bed. Sedum 'Pure Joy' is hardy in USDA zones 3-9 and grows to just 12 inches high. Cryptomeria Globusa Nana is hardy in USDA zones 5-7 and grows to a compact height and width of approximately 2-3 feet.

Variegated Liriope (Lillyturf)

Here is another compact evergreen, Pinus mugo 'Slowmound' bordering the walkway along with Variegated Liriope. This combination is perfect for a narrow or small space.

Sedum 'Brilliant' and Mugo Pine

Here is another view of  Sedum 'Brilliant' in the front garden bed. This cultivar is smaller and more compact than 'Autumn Joy', standing at a height of 12-18 inches high.

Sedum 'Brilliant'

Pollinators love the Sedum this time of year!

Sedum (Stonecrop) Thundercloud

Here is another cultivar of Stonecrop, Sedum 'Thundercloud', in its second year in my garden. This variety grows in a low mound to just 12 inches tall by wide and displays jagged gray-green foliage and white blooms that resemble clouds. It is hardy in USDA zones 4-8 and blooms mid-late summer.

Hemerocallis (Daylily) 'Stella D Oro'

Here is 'Stella D Oro' Daylily sporting its last round of blooms. I love how this plant just keeps on giving! A little deadheading-rejuvenation is all it takes.

Hydrangea 'Tardivia' Tree Form

As we venture over to the northeastern side of the property, here is Hydrangea 'Tardivia' (hardy in USDA zones 3-8) with its fragrant panicle blooms that start in August and last through fall. It's lacy white flowers develop a pink hue as the season progresses. 

Hydrangea 'Tardivia' Blooms

I enjoy the beauty of the flowers and they are also excellent for putting into a vase to bring inside.

Coreposis 'Zagreb'

Here is a perennial that just keeps on giving from June until Fall. Coreopsis 'Zagreb' (hardy in USDA zones 3-9) is still blooming in the driveway border! 

Pollinators Love Coreposis 'Zagreb'

While the season is winding down, the pollinators are very happy!

Double Knock Out Roses in September

Double Knock Out Rose is still blooming! I absolutely love this plant as it blooms June through frost and can be seen right outside my window.

Double Knock Out Rose

Getting up close and personal to take in its mild fragrance is nice too!

Long Island Life

As our tour comes to an end, I'll leave you with a little Long Island life. The Great South Bay is just a couple of miles down the road south of us and I will often stop at the pier after working to take in the cool breezes off the bay and visit the seagulls that perch there. It's a wonderful way to top off a day and appreciate all that nature as to offer.

September Garden-Thank you for Visiting!

I hope you enjoyed your visit to my September 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 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.