A GUIDE TO NORTHEASTERN GARDENING: fall garden design

Showing posts with label fall garden design. Show all posts

Saturday, November 15, 2025

Garden Bloggers' Blooms Day & Foliage Follow-Up November: The Garden Transitions!

Welcome!

Welcome to my zone 7b Long Island garden! The month of November started off with mild temperatures, then an artic blast brought the very first snow showers of the season on the 11th as the morning temperatures dipped into the low 30's with an afternoon high of 42 degrees. The evening brought strong wind gusts, giving a feeling like winter had arrived. Now there are more normal seasonal temperatures in the 50's, bringing a sigh of relief that the much colder temperatures hopefully are on hold for a while. There are still blooms to be seen and lots of foliage, so join me for a stroll of the garden.

Weeping Japanese Maple 'Red Select' and Spirea 'Limemound'

The first stop is poolside as the changing foliage of Japanese Maple 'Red Select' and Spirea 'Limemound' contract nicely against one another. Soon only the framework of these plantings will remain as they conserve energy for next spring.

Leucothoe 'Axillaris'

The evergreen foliage of Leucothoe 'Axillaris' puts on a show as it transitions in color from spring to summer, fall and eventually to winter. As the temperatures cool, pinkish-red highlights on the leaves become more prominent against a green background.

Nellie Stevens Holly Berries

The berries of Nellie Stevens Holly are at their peak as they ripen to a bright fiery red. The berries are toxic to humans and pets, but serve as a vital food source for several species of birds, including mockingbirds, robins and cedar waxwings.

Dwarf Butterfly Bush November

Here is the fall foliage of Dwarf Butterfly Bush. I enjoy how the newer leaves turn to a bright white as the temperatures cool.

Butterfly Bush and Golden Hinoki Cypress

Here is the same Butterfly Bush with a backdrop of Golden Hinoki Cypress, which contrast nicely this time of year.

Abelia 'Kaleidoscope'

The foliage of Abelia 'Kaleidoscope' along the patio border is becoming more vibrant with highlights of orange and pink, and is still showing some of its white trumpet-shaped blooms.

Abelia 'Kaleidoscope'

Here is another view. Depending on where you look, the foliage of the Abelia can range from orange and pink to a much deeper pinkish-red. I so enjoy watching the changing colors with each season!

Knock Out Rose

Although we have had a couple of nights with temperatures dropping below freezing, Double Knock Out Rose continues to bloom, and even has remaining buds, and Salvia 'Blue By You' is blooming in mid-November!

Salvia 'Blue by You'

Salvia 'Blue By You' is the longest blooming perennial Salvia that I have ever encountered, blooming from early spring through fall, and with only with one deadheading.

Echinacea Seed Heads

In the patio border, the seed heads of Echinacea have been pretty picked clean by the birds, but still do add a fall touch to the garden. Here they can be seen in front of the remaining foliage of Spirea 'Candy Corn'.

Hydrangea 'Firelight Tidbit'

The dried blooms and yellowing foliage of Hydrangea 'Firelight Tidbit' adds some interest to the fall garden too!

Driveway Border

Moving along to the front driveway border, Coral Bark Maple is displaying its fall foliage along with evergreens Skyland's Spruce and Weeping Norway Spruce. Spirea 'Magic Carpet' next to the lamp post joins in with its colorful foliage as it transitions.

Weeping White Pine Pine Cone

There has been an over abundance of pine cones this fall. Some possible explanations is that this could be due to the previous drought we had, and is a defense mechanism to produce more seeds. Also, some species of pine trees go through a two year cycle, producing more seeds every other year.

Front Lawn

And last, but not least, Weeping Japanese Maple 'Viridis' is in fall mode as its foliage has turned to a fiery red and the tree goes dormant for winter. At this time of year its twisted trunk is much more visible.

Indoor Garden

Now that fall is underway and winter approaching, I take even more refuge in my indoor garden. It brings me great joy and is also good for the soul, especially in wintertime. Even kitty enjoys sitting among the plants and knows which ones are safe for her!

Indoor Garden

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.

Other Places to Find Me 🌼

You can visit my Author Page 👈to learn about and purchase my books, each one focusing on different aspects of gardening, including landscape ideas, design principles, gardening by month for all-season interest, gardening tips and maintenance, shade gardening, gardening inspiration and more. And also be sure to check out my newest publication, The Houseplant Guide, to guide you on your houseplant journey! If you have read any of my books and have found them to be useful, reviews are very much appreciated! Books make great gifts too!

Also, check out my newsletter Northeastern Gardening News for monthly updates all to do with gardening! It's free to subscribe or you can pledge a donation to show support for my work and receive monthly updates right into your inbox!

Find me on Instagram at Northeastern Gardening and Facebook at A Guide to Northeastern Gardening Blog & Author Page.

Until we Meet Again...Happy Gardening!

Wednesday, October 15, 2025

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

Welcome to my October Garden!

Sunflowers Warm the Heart!

Welcome to my October Long Island garden! Here in the northeast zone 7b, a very warm start of the month with temperatures in the 70's and 80's has suddenly cooled with a dip in temperatures moderating into the lower to upper 60's and our first nor'easter of the season bringing an abundance of rain and wind on the 12th through the 13th. The garden could use the rain though and is starting to show signs of autumn with its changing foliage. With the changing scenery and as many blooms continue, the garden is an inviting place to visit this time of year. Join me on the journey!

Platycodon 'Komachi' (Balloon Flower)

The first stop is along the patio border with Platycodon 'Kamachi' (Balloon Flower) still holding onto its blooms well in to fall. The golden colored foliage in the backdrop is that of 'Candy Corn' Spirea.

Patio Border

Along the patio border, Twombly's 'Red Sentinel' Upright Japanese Maple is pushing out new growth after some warm days while the older foliage is going into "fall mode", while the seed heads of Coneflower are a delight for the birds. Even the mini petunia hanging basket is trying to hang in there with its remaining bright yellow blooms!

Montauk Daisies

October is definitely Montauk Daisy season as these bloom alongside the patio. Montauk Daisy is also refereed to as Nippon or Japanese Chrysanthemum, but is recognized as Montauk Daisy in the northeast as it was first naturalized and gained popularity here in the Montauk area of New York. I do cut mine back in June to create a bushier, fuller plant and it really helps the health of the plant. After the blooms fade and foliage browns it will get cut back for fall.

Patio Border North

Another view along the patio border shows Weeping Norway Spruce and the fading blooms of Sedum 'Pure Joy', a more compact form of Stonecrop. The dried seed heads do add some interest to the fall garden.

'Stella D Oro' Daylily Still Blooming!

My reliable 'Stella D Oro' Daylily continues to push out new blooms. They normally finish blooming sometime around July, but I have a way of rejuvenating them!!! (By the way...I reveal the method in my first book, A Guide to Northeastern Gardening in Chapter 14 along with some other helpful tips!)

Pool Border South

As we stroll around to the south side of the property, one of my new favorite perennials is along the pool border. These are the seed heads of the later blooming Allium 'Millenium', which start blooming in late summer (around July and August) and provide interest through fall. In the backdrop is Spirea 'Goldflame'.

Abelia 'Kaleidoscope'

The Abelia 'Kaleidoscope' which I planted three years ago is blooming away with its white trumpet-shaped flowers that did attract some of the last migrating hummingbirds! I tried to get a picture but they are just too fast, unless they are making a pit stop at the feeder! The blooms seemed to have arrived a little later this year.

Pool Surround

In the last Bloom Day post I had a request to see the whole pool perimeter. The pool cover is now on for the winter months, but here is a partial view of the left side. I will try to get some better views during the spring.

Patio Border West

Here is a different perspective of the view along the patio border from the main yard. The Lamb's Ear is still doing quite well for October! You can also see the Spirea 'Candy Corn' and Abelia in the backdrop.

Salvia 'Blue By You' Still Blooming!

After some deadheading and removal of browned stalks in September, my Salvia 'Blue By You' continues to bloom and the bumblebees are loving it! I have found this cultivar of perennial Salvia to far surpass the others as far as length of bloom time.

Knock Out Roses Fall Blooms

It is October and the Knock Out Roses are still blooming. I gave them a slight pruning around a month ago and they will continue blooming all the way through the first or second frost.

Echinacea (Coneflower) Seed Heads

Here is a close up view of the dried seeds heads of Echinacea (Coneflower). I do enjoy how they look in the fall against the blue foliage of Blue Globe Spruce.

Sky Pencil Holly Fall Berries

Another point of interest this time of year are the small inconspicuous burgundy colored berries that form on 'Sky Pencil' Holly. It is one of those things that you need to stop and take a closer look to see.

Nellie Stevens Holly Fall Berries

Also forming berries are Nellie Stevens Holly. The orange berries will mature to a bright red as the season progresses.

More Knock Out Rose Blooms!

One cannot get enough Knock Out Roses blooms in October. Here is the pink variety!

Driveway Border

As we near the end of the tour, we must stop and take a look at the changing foliage of the Coral Bark Maple along the driveway. I love how the foliage changes on this tree from spring to summer to fall, followed by deep coral-red branches on the new growth of the season, which seem to glow in the wintertime, especially against the snow.

A Little Seasonal Decor

Last, but not least is a little holiday fun on the front porch! Autumn is one of my favorite times of year in the garden as it slowly transitions. As Alfred Camus put it, "Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower."

Thank you for Visiting!

I hope you enjoyed your visit to my October 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.

Other Places to Find Me 🌼

Find me on Instagram at Northeastern Gardening and Facebook at A Guide to Northeastern Gardening Blog & Author Page.

Until we Meet Again...Happy Gardening!

Friday, November 15, 2024

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!

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!

Welcome!

Welcome to A Guide to Northeastern Gardening. I am a landscape/garden designer, consultant, speaker and book author from the south shore of Long Island. Involved in the horticultural field since 1996, I started this blog so that I could share my love of gardening with others. Join me for over 350 articles on general gardening, landscape design principles, gardening tips, planting, pruning, garden maintenance, feature plants and more. I look forward to and welcome your comments and will try my best to answer any questions that you may have. Thank you for visiting and do come back often! Happy Gardening! ~ Lee (A Guide to Northeastern Gardening)