Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day & Foliage Follow-Up July: Summer Blooms in the Garden

Welcome to My Garden!

Welcome to my zone 7b Long Island garden! With a record breaking heat of 97 degrees on the 3rd, (which felt like 102) followed by torrential rains on the 6th, believe it or not, we are still in a drought. On the hotter days as I sit under my the covered porch and as the lyrics to the song "Summer Breeze" go over and over again in my mind, I gaze out into the garden and daydream. On the cooler days, it is time to work in the garden deadheading perennials and performing some needed pruning. Whatever the temperature outside, the garden is always my happy place. Join me for a tour! 

Welcoming Committee

As we start the tour, here is a view of the patio garden. Trombly’s Red Sentinel Japanese Maple stands as a focal point, surrounded by Spirea ‘Candy Corn’, Echinacea, Lamb’s Ear, lilies and juniper. The welcoming committee is here to greet you along with a beverage of choice!

Patio Border

This is the view I see from the patio, where I sit and contemplate what is going to be the next chore to do in the garden, go over in my mind the course of the day, or to take a break after doing some maintenance. In view are the blooms of Echinacea Pow Wow 'Wild Berry', along with a closer view of Spirea 'Candy Corn', Juniper and mixed perennials.

Pool Border

Along the pool border is my favorite statue of a young girl with her kitty, along with Echinacea ‘Cheyenne Spirit’ and Golden Dwarf Hinoki Cypress. Astilbe ‘Sprite’ can be seen displaying its unusual feathery, star-like blooms in the backdrop. 

Weeping White Pine, Astilbe 'Sprite' & Sedum Groundcover

Here is a closer view of Astilbe 'Sprite'. This dwarf variety displays light pink wispy blooms beneath the cascading foliage of Weeping White Pine along the pool border. Groundcover sedum is going into bloom along the sunnier portion of the bed.

Echinacea 'Cheyenne Spirit' and Blue Globe Spruce

Here is the Echinacea ‘Cheyenne Spirit’ with its multitude of different color blooms on the same plant, along with Dwarf Blue Globe Spruce. 

Veronica spicata 'Royal Candles' (Speedwell)

Veronica 'Royal Candles' displays its long lasting spikes of colorful blooms along the walkway, while Hydrangea 'Nikko Blue' shows its attractive blue blooms each summer.

Shade Garden-Endless Summer Hydrangea 

'Nikko Blue' is a reliable old fashioned hydrangea that blooms on old wood. Pruning Tip: To ensure blooms each summer, only prune off only the dead flower heads just above the next node in late winter or early spring. We have had some cold Spring temperatures where the buds can be affected, but luckily the plant is sheltered where it is.

Hydrangea 'Nikko Blue'

Here are the blooms up close. I so look forward to enjoying them each year.

Daylily 'Sammy Russell'

Now that the month of July has set in, and the Stella D Oro Daylilies have been blooming for some time, the next round of blooms are here from Daylily ‘Sammy Russell’. The orangey-red blooms with yellow centers last for quite some time and brighten up the garden.

Miniature Blue Hosta 'Mouse Ears'

The blooms of Hosta also take notice starting in July, and the tubular flowers are an attraction for hummingbirds. Here are some of the first blooms from a miniature variety called Hosta ‘Mouse Ears’, which resides along the pool border. 

Nepeta 'Cat's Pajamas' (Catmint)

There are many new varieties of Nepeta (Catmint). This one is Nepeta 'Cat's Pajamas', which stays smaller and more compact and displays deeper bluish-purple blooms. It also blooms throughout most of the summer and attracts pollinators too!

Hydrangea Patio Planters

Along the patio, I am enjoying my new matching planters with different varieties of dwarf hydrangea, which are in full bloom right now. Here is Hydrangea 'Magical Revolution' on the left and Tuff Stuff 'Top Fun' on the right!

Hydrangea 'Magical Revolution'

Hydrangea 'Magical Revolution' is hardy to USDA zones 5-9, and is admired for its long lasting blooms on both new and old wood, and it is a compact plant, growing to just one to two feet tall by wide. It is known to bloom up to five months and produces tones of pink or blue blooms (depending on soil pH) which deepen in color to purple, maroon and green as they age. I just got this beauty, so I am looking forward to enjoying the show!

 Hydrangea Tuff Stuff 'Top Fun'

Hydrangea Tuff Stuff  'Top Fun' is a re-blooming mountain hydrangea with lace-cap blooms that form on both old and new wood. It is hardy in USDA zones 4-9, and grows to a height and width of two to three feet. I have been enjoying this beauty for three years now. Colors can range form pink to blue depending on soil acidity.

Shade Garden

Here in the back shade garden is a mature Weeping Norway Spruce with Upright Boxwood, Astilbe, Coral Bells 'Caramel', Jacob's Ladder and another mountain hydrangea.

Northern Border

Strolling around to the northern border, here is Kousa Dogwood 'Greensleeves', Endless Summer Hydrangea to the left, Black Eyed Susan, Hosta 'Patriot' and Gold Lace Juniper to the right.

Hydrangea 'Firelight Tidbit' Getting Ready!

Along the eastern side of the property, Hydrangea 'Firelight Tidbit' (hardy in USDA zones 3-8) is getting ready to bloom! This compact two to three foot panicle hydrangea blooms on new wood and will show off its creamy-white blooms that eventually fade to pink when approaching fall.

Weeping Eastern Redbud 'Lavender Twist' Foliage

We could not end the tour without visiting the Weeping Eastern Redbud 'Lavender Twist' along the front walkway. Even though it blooms in spring, I admire the foliage even more. It's large heart-shaped leaves seem to get bigger every year!

Driveway Border

Last, but not least is a visit to the driveway planting for some different forms of foliage and blooms too. In the backdrop is Golden Hinoki Cypress 'Verdoni' with the deep purple foliage of 'Spilled Wine' Weigela, deep green foliage of Mugo Pine, light green foliage of Dwarf Norway Spruce and blooms of Nepeta 'Walkers Low'. That is it for now, and it looks like we are in yet another heat wave! I guess I will be playing "Summer Breeze" in my mind once again!

Thanks for Visiting!

I hope you enjoyed your visit to my July 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, Weekly Photo Link-Up at My Corner of the World on Wednesdays and Garden Affair at Jaipur Garden.

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Until we Meet Again...Happy Gardening!

Author: Lee @A Guide to Northeastern Gardening, © Copyright 2010-2026. All rights reserved. 

Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day & Foliage Follow-Up August 2019: Welcome Late Summer Blooms!

Welcome to My August 2019 Garden

Welcome to my August Long Island garden! I am glad you could join me, and do come by often. As the month of August has set in with temperatures in the 80's and 90's with humidity and occasional thunderstorms, the garden is going through its fourth round of blooms. For Bloom Day the temperatures have cooled into the lower 80's and it is very pleasant in the garden. Come along with me to see what is blooming for the later part of summer. The dragonflies are out and abundant. You may even get to see some!

Echinacea Pow Wow Wild Berry

As we start the tour, one of the most prominent of blooms during the month of August are those of Echinacea. Here is Echinacea Pow Wow 'Wild Berry' in the front garden along the street.

Rozanne Geranium (‎Cranesbill)

New to the front island bed this summer is perennial geranium, Geranium 'Rozanne' with its ongoing blooms from late spring into mid-fall. I always wanted some of this long-blooming perennial for my garden, and having to do some re-vamping of the front berm allotted me the needed space to put them. They seem to love the location with the perfect combination of morning shade and afternoon sun.

Backyard Island Bed

Now, moving along to the back garden, here is Hinoki Cypress 'Compacta', Mugo Pine, Palace Purple Coral Bells and a combination of annuals Amethyst Verbena and Raspberry Rush Petunia on the edge of the island berm. It's funny that I was never much of a fan of annuals, but Proven Winners has me hooked with this welcomed dash of color in late summer!

Back Pool Garden with Weeping White Pine and Astilbe

The Weeping White Pine in the back pool garden gets more majestic with each passing year and Astilbe 'Sprite' blooms beneath it during late summertime.

Backyard Pool Garden with Stargazer Lilly and Weeping Norway Spruce

During early August, the Asiatic Lilies are in bloom! This one is the well-known 'Stargazer' Lily with its combination of vibrant colors and deep fragrance. You can get a detection of its perfumed aroma with the slightest breeze. Their blooms arrived a little earlier this summer and are finished now, but since the tour is virtual, they certainly needed to be seen!

Perennial Border August

Watching the perennial border change throughout the seasons is a favorite pastime. There is quite a bit blooming during August, including the blooms of Stachys (Lamb's Ear), Echinacea (Coneflower) and Hemerocallis (Daylily).

Patio Surround Perennial Border

Follow me around to the patio side where you can get a long-view of the garden. 

Playtcodon (Balloon Flower) along patio garden

Here is the infamous Platycodon grandiflorus 'komachi' Balloon Flower. This variety does not open up like the others, but remains as a true balloon. As you may have read in previous years, guests love to pop the blooms once they dry out. It's makes a similar sound as popping bubble wrap, which you may have done as a child, or adult!

Driveway Border with Coreopsis, Nepeta and Echinacea Blooming

Now that we've passed by the Balloon Flowers, lets take a quick detour to the front to the driveway border. Here are Weigela 'Spilled Wine', Coreopsis 'Zagreb', Nepeta 'Walkers Low' and more Echinacea, this time being 'Cheyenne Spirit'. The low lying evergreen is Japanese Garden Juniper.

Echinacea Cheyenne Spirit

The Echinacea 'Cheyenne Spirit' changes a little bit each year. This summer the brighter oranges and pinks seem to be more prominent.

Skylands Oriental Spruce in Back Border

Back around to the western portion of the property is the newest Skylands Oriental Spruce, which has grown several feet since last year. It seems to like its new home.

Endless Summer Hydrangea Twist & Shout

The Hydrangeas are having a good year as well. Here is a lacecap form of Endless Summer Hydrangea known as 'Twist & Shout', with a combination of blue and pink blooms.

Rudbeckia (Dwarf Variety)

Here is Rudbeckia, 'Little Goldstar', a dwarf variety of Black Eyed Susan, which is more compact and clump forming. It resides in the back border beneath the Kousa Dogwood, which you saw blooming back in the spring.

Sedum Sunsparkler Lime Twister

New to the poolside border is Sedum Sunsparkler Lime Twister. I love the foliage on it and it also gets pink flowers late summer into early fall. I am looking forward to seeing the blooms!

Stargazer Asiatic Lillium

I wait all summer for these Stargazer Lilies to bloom, so we need to take in another view, this time up close! I cannot get enough of them! Let's venture to the back of the pool area. Oh my...a visitor!

Dragonfly Visitor

I have always had a fascination with dragonflies and even dedicated an entire chapter to them in my latest book, Dream, Garden, Grow! They are so prehistoric looking and yet so beautiful. They are known throughout garden folklore and hold various meanings to different cultures.

Dragonfly Visitor

This one loves to hang out by the Rhododendron and will stay for several minutes.

Dried Allium Flower

A garden possesses much beauty and sometimes it can be as simple as a dried Allium flower once it has expired. I leave them as interest until they can no longer stand up in the wind. I like to think they add a certain artistic touch.

Variegated Boxwood in Shade Garden

As we come to the end of the tour, here is a perfectly rounded Variegated Boxwood that my husband brought attention to just the other day. I never do anything to maintain it and just take its presence for granted. I now have a new appreciation for the big Boxwood ball, seeing it through my husband's eyes!

Variegated Boxwood Another View

Here it is from another view! You can get an idea of its size.

(Lagerstroemia) Crape Myrtle 'Sioux'

It wouldn't be August without the blooms of Crape Myrtle 'Sioux', so here they are. The blooms started at the end of July and go through September, one of the many joys of late summer in the garden.

Crape Myrtle 'Sioux'

Here's a close up of its voluminous deep pink blooms!

Hydrangea 'Tardivia'

Another late summer joy are the blooms of 'Tardivia' Hydrangea. Fragrant elongated while panicle flowers cover this large shrub in early to late August.

2019 August Long Island Garden

Thank you for visiting and I hope you enjoyed the tour of my August 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, Macro Monday 2, Mosaic Monday at Letting Go of the Bay Leaf, Nature Notes at Rambling Woods, Dishing It & Digging It on Sunday with Angie the Freckled Rose, 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.

For more gardening tips and design inspiration along with horticultural musings, you may be interested in my books. You can click on the author page or visit each book individually to find out more about each one.😊

Visit my Amazon Author Page 

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 2010-2019. All rights reserved.

Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day & Foliage Follow-Up July 2017: Welcome to My Summer Garden!

July Garden 2017

Welcome! It's time for another Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day and Foliage Follow-Up to view the garden once again and take in all that nature has to offer. The summer has moved along quickly, with July temperatures consistent in the 80's with some days in the 90's, sunny skies, and an occasional thunderstorm with rain to nurture the blooms. There is much to see everywhere, so come along with me on a stroll through my Long Island garden.

Astilbe Delft Lace

July is a great month for the many varieties of Astilbe, ranging in height from 12-18 inches up to 2-3 feet. Astilbe 'Delft Lace' is one of my favorites in the garden, displaying beautiful pinkish-purple blooms on 24" stalks. When blooming, it appears to be almost three feet tall!  'Delft Lace' is hardy in USDA zones 4-9 and prefers partial to full shade.

Astilbe 'Fanal'

Here in the northwestern side of my pool garden is Astilbe 'Fanal'. It displays brightly colored crimson blooms that last for several weeks, putting on quite a show! Astilbe 'Fanal' is hardy in USDA zones 4-9 and prefers partial to full shade. It grows to a height of about 18-24 inches tall.

Hydrangea 'Nikko Blue' and 'Twist & Shout'

After a couple of harsh winters, the hydrangea are doing much better this season. They are now glorious with large mophead and lacecap blooms. In this view is Endless Summer 'Twist & Shout' Hydrangea in the center, surrounded by two 'Nikko Blue'.

Hydrangea 'Nikko Blue'

'Nikko Blue' (hardy to zone 5) is a bit old fashioned with its voluminous deep blue mophead blooms that form on old wood. I have had these plants for many years in the garden along the south fence. Hydrangea do need some hours of sun to bloom, and these get the perfect mix of early sun along with afternoon partial shade.

Hydrangea Endless Summer (Hydrangea macrophylla 'Bailmer')

One the other side of the property, this Endless Summer Hydrangea has pretty pink blooms. Endless Summer Hydrangea are hardy in USDA zones 4-9 and bloom on both old wood and on the new wood of the season. Blooms appear blue in acidic soils and pink in alkaline soils.

Endless Summer Hydrangea 'Twist & Shout'

This variety is Endless Summer 'Twist & Shout'.  It displays delicate, more open looking lacecap blooms that are white with hints of pink and purple. 'Twist & Shout' also blooms on both old and new wood and is hardy to USDA zone 4. Colors can vary depending on the acidity of your soil.

Hydrangea Nikko Blue (Left) and Twist & Shout (Right)

Here is a view with mophead and lacecap hydrangea next to one another. It is wonderful to see these blooms again after two years of the plants trying to recuperate. 

Stella D Oro Daylily

As we stroll around to the pool area, Daylily 'Stella D Oro' is an old favorite along side Montgomery Blue Globe Spruce. Later on in the summer I will rejuvenate the daylilies so that they bloom into the fall.

South Garden

Here is the southwestern part of the garden with Salvia 'May Night' in front of 'Caramel' Coral Bells and Sedum 'Brilliant'. With some deadheading, this is the second purple bloom on the Saliva since May, and with the Coral Bells it's all about the foliage! The deep pink blooms of Sedum in the background will kick in later next month.

Bumble Bee in Flight

Bumble bees are a welcomed guest in the garden and love all the flowers. Here is one happy visitor!

Echinacea 'Pow Wow'

As we come around to the back perennial border, Echinacea 'Pow Wow' is now in full bloom and will continue to display its pretty berry-pink blooms until late in August. We'll encounter some 'Cheyenne Spirit' as we head towards the front.

Hemerocallis (Daylily) 'Pardon Me'

'Pardon Me' Daylily is also blooming for the month of July. I enjoy its deep cranberry-wine blooms with a touch of yellow with a green tinted throat. These 16-18 inch tall lilies are hardy in USDA zones 2-9 and prefer full sun.

Patio Garden

As we come around to the back of the patio area, here is another view of the walkway leading up through the gardens. A potted spearmint plant is alongside the step along with a potted Weeping Pussy Willow tree. On the right of the path is Weeping Norway Spruce, Blue Globe Spruce and various perennials.

Back Patio Garden

As we move along, Hosta 'Golden Tiara' can be seen beneath a grafted Montgomery Globe Blue Spruce. Heuchera 'Caramel' is in the distance behind the grouping of hosta, adding colorful foliage to a shady area.

Pool Perimeter

Here is the eastern side of the pool area with another view of Dayliliy 'Stella D Oro' and Spirea to the right of them. You may also notice the giant Globemaster Allium seed heads that remain from early spring.  I enjoy keeping them as part of the garden.

Skylands Oriental Spruce in Back Garden

Along the back portion of the pool is my new Skyland's Oriental Spruce, which seems to be adjusting nicely to its new home. I absolutely adore its beautiful golden evergreen foliage and purple cones that form in late summer.

Japanese Forest Grass Back Shade Garden

In the shadier portion of the back garden is Hakonechloa-macra (Japanese Forest Grass)...

Skip Laurel and Heuchera 'Caramel' South Bed

and here are the Skip Laurel along the back fence along with Heuchera 'Caramel'. These remarkable Heuchera are now reaching a diameter of two to three feet!

Echinacea 'Cheyenne Spirit' Front Driveway Planting

As we stroll around to the front of the property, Echinacea 'Cheyenne Spirit' displays its ever-changing colorful blooms in shades of gold, pink, and orange all one one plant! 'Cheyenne Spirit' prefers full sun and does well with this southern exposure. I love when it is just opening up and the petals haven't unraveled yet.

More 'Cheyenne Spirit' Echinacea

 I can never get enough of this amazing plant, and it will continue its bloom into the fall!

Lampost Planting

As we get nearer to the end of the tour, here is a fuller view of the lamp post garden alongside the driveway, with yellow Coreopis and blue Nepeta next to the burgundy foliage of Weigela 'Spilled Wine'. In the foreground is Japanese Garden Juniper with Golden Oriental 'Skylands' Spruce in the backdrop.

Rudbeckia ‘Little Goldstar' (Artistic View)

Last, but not least is one of the newer additions to the garden from last year, dwarf Rudbeckia  'Little Goldstar', and this year's succulent planter. As you can see, I had a little fun with doing an artistic rendition of the Rudbeckia before our stroll!

Succulent Planter

I hope you enjoyed this month's tour through my garden. Special thanks go out to our hostesses 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 and Pam at Digging for hosting Foliage Follow-Up. I am also linking with some other wonderful hosts and hostesses at Floral Fridays, Macro Monday 2, and Nature Notes at Rambling Woods.  Also check out Garden Bloggers' Foliage Day at Creating my own garden of the Hesperides and Wednesday Around the World.

July Garden 2017

Wishing you much gardening happiness. Thank you for visiting!

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON GARDENING & DESIGN, VISIT MY BOOKS ON AMAZON:

A Guide to Northeastern Gardening: Journeys of a Garden Designer Zones 3-9

Landscape Design Combinations

As Always...Happy Gardening!

Author: Lee@A Guide to Northeastern Gardening, © Copyright 2017. All rights reserved