Book Launching-Introducing Gardening by Month

Book Launching!

While the world has been in disarray, I have been spending more time in the garden than ever and decided to put some of my energy into writing again. I had been working on a personal reference for some time, which took off by storm during the pandemic. I had done research trying to find a gardening book that listed plant interest by month, and after much searching, I could not find anything that would do just that. There are references that list plants in alphabetical order or by type, but the search came up short when looking for interesting features by month. This resulted in my fourth book. 

Book Announcement!

I am very excited to announce the publication of Gardening by Month: A Monthly Guide to Planning the Northeastern & Mid-Atlantic Garden. As a landscape designer for over 25 years, my focus always is to create a garden that has something of interest twelve months a year. I have added elements that focus on blooms, bark, berries or foliage to my own garden over the years to create something to look forward to during every season, and I now have a 12-month garden to enjoy. I have created this book so that you too can experience continuing interest in your space throughout every month of the year.

Book Description: 

Have you ever wondered if you could have interest in the garden twelve months a year? The answer is a definitive yes!  Through years of experience as a landscape designer, I have accumulated a list of plants which are hardy in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions that will provide ongoing interest for your outdoor space. Gardening by Month: A Monthly Guide to Planning the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic Garden will take you on a journey through each month of the year, while providing that perfect mix of gardening interest along the way. Colorful photographs are followed by descriptions of each plant according to bloom time, foliage color or other notable characteristics, so that you can enjoy your outdoor space during every season. Additionally, environmental needs, plant care and maintenance tips are provided for each selection with any other important information. Finally, gardening tips and a summary of gardening chores are provided for each month. Are you ready for a twelve-month interest garden? Then come along and plan away!

• Organizes plant interest by month for easy reference. 
• Plan with over 120 plant selections to choose from. 
• Colorful photographs are supplied with plant descriptions and care requirements. 
• Monthly gardening chores are suggested for each month.
• Plant maintenance and care tips are recommended to help you maintain a healthy garden. 
• Helpful pointers on soil types, characteristics and identification are given.
• Achieve the 12 month all season garden you have been looking for. 
  

So, now it is official and the Look Inside features are up and running, so you can get an idea of the book’s layout. I was also honored to be a guest on the Better Lawns and Gardens Radio Talk Show to discuss this newest book, along with offering some landscape design tips! Follow the link to listen to the interview and learn about my gardening adventures, and afterwards, come by and check out the new book!😊 That’s it for This Month in the Garden. Be sure to visit on the 1st and 15th of each month for gardening news, tips and updates in the horticultural world!

For book details and purchase, visit My Author Page & Books and thank you for your support.

 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

“Anyone who thinks gardening begins in the spring and ends in the fall is missing the best part of the year; for gardening begins in January and ends with the dream.” ~Josephine Nuesse 

~As Always...Happy Gardening! ~

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

Book Launching: Introducing A Guide to Northeastern Gardening and the Story Behind It

A Guide to Northeastern Gardening

All my life I have been an avid gardener and my passion for everything green had led to me start up a landscape design business 20 years ago. The idea of writing a book came to me when I decided that I wanted to share my gardening experiences on a much grander scale and have a legacy to leave behind.

I had some extra time in my life starting in the winter of 2013, after retiring from a career as an educator for 32 years. The writing process started off with an online publishing program that offered writing templates and advice. After two years of composing the book, I finally decided it was time to publish and found that the e-book version was doable, but the production costs of the printed version were way higher than I had anticipated. I published the e-book on a website called Blurb and hired a computer technician to convert the manuscript for the amazon kindle, which published in 2015. My frustrations of not being able to produce the book in print continued to eat away at me, as I had already vested so much time into this endeavor. As time went on I would get numerous requests for a hard-copy form, but had to continuously apologize that it was just not doable, and continued to investigate.

Thanks to my stubbornness and determination, I proceeded to entirely re-write the manuscript in a word format which could be published in print at an affordable price. After numerous visits to the mailbox awaiting proofs, stomach dropping moments when I would find that one error, and after an uncountable number of revisions, I finally was able publish my book in print. After the long journey, I am thankful that I had the drive and willingness not to give up, and hope that my readers will find the book to be useful to them in their gardening endeavors.

A little bit about the book:

A Guide to Northeastern Gardening is a comprehensive guide of valuable information on plants hardy in a range of zones from 3-9, and gardening techniques backed up by my own personal experiences as a professional landscape designer, along with answers to frequently asked questions. Learn about landscape design principles, butterfly gardening, deer resistant plants, long blooming perennials, globe and weeping evergreens, flowering trees and shrubs, native plantings, shade gardening and more. Whether you are a novice or experienced gardener, A Guide to Northeastern Gardening will help you to create your own dream garden. Come along on my journey into the world of gardening!

A little bit about the author:

Lee Miller is a professional landscape/garden designer involved in the horticultural industry since 1996. Having started a gardening blog in 2010, she is the author of over 150 articles on general gardening, landscape design principles, gardening tips, planting, pruning, garden maintenance, feature plants and more. Her published book, A Guide to Northeastern Gardening, is an accumulation of information touching on a wide variety of gardening topics, all backed up by her own personal experiences.

A preview of my book is now online at Amazon and it is FINALLY available in printed format as well as kindle edition. I hope you'll take a look and share this with anyone you know who may be interested in this publication. My heartfelt thanks go out to you for your support! Now..I feel published!

A Guide to Northeastern Gardening: Journeys of a Garden Designer on Amazon 

All the best and As Always…Happy Gardening!

Author: Lee@A Guide to Northeastern Gardening,© Copyright 2016. All rights reserved

Garden Bloggers Bloom Day & Foliage Follow Up December 2015-Winter Garden Interest

December Garden

It's just one week away from the official start of winter and the daytime temperatures have been mild in the mid to upper-50's, and even a few days in the 60's, after a relatively dry summer and mild fall.  The garden is gradually going to sleep, as it should this time of year; however, there are many reminders of past blooms with some new blooms waiting to make their winter debut. As an avid gardener I always strive to seek the inner beauty of a garden, past the blooms, for there are elements that can be even more prominent and appreciated during the winter months. Welcome to my December garden.  Come take a stroll!

December Garden Greetings

As the temperatures cool and leaves have gently fallen to the ground the garden has an inner beauty to reveal.  Colorful evergreens, berry producing shrubs and deciduous trees with structural aspects add interest at this time of year.  I for one have a need to enjoy my gardens throughout every season so I incorporate many of these types of plants into the master plan or grand scheme of things.

Blue Globe Spruce

This blue spruce is a favorite for it displays its bright blue foliage throughout the entire year. The Nandina below exhibits bamboo-looking foliage and remains evergreen with berries appearing from fall and throughout winter.

Nandina domestica Berries

I have also obtained a deeper appreciation for wild life as I get wiser in my years and now enjoy leaving some seed heads to over winter the birds.   The dried blooms and seed heads also add some nice interest to the garden.

Nikko Blue Hydrangea Flower December 

Japanese Iris Seed Head

One always thinks of azalea for their colorful blooms but the foliage of these in the back informal bed turn from green to a bright pinkish red in the cooler temperatures.  It provides a nice display of color when blooms are absent.

Azalea Gerard's Crimson

The Weeping Blue Atlas Cedar at the front driveway entrance is adding a little more blue to the scenery along with variegated liriope, mugo pine and juniper. I have always had an appreciation for evergreens and get even more enjoyment from them during the winter months.

Weeping Blue Atlas Cedar

Weeping White Pine

Weeping White pine is showing its pine cones next to the crimson leaves of azalea...

Endless Summer Twist & Shout Hydrangea December

and lace cap hydrangea is showing delicate dried petals even though its flowers have faded.

Lacecap Hydrangea Flower Petals

Sedum 'Brilliant' December Dried Flowers

Sedum is always a pleasure in the garden.  While 'Brilliant' is showing its interesting dried flower heads, 'Aurea' remains evergreen in December.

Sedum Aurea Groundcover

Backyard  View with Evergreens and Deciduous Trees/Shrubs

In the backyard is a combination of evergreens and deciduous shrubs that highlight the season after the perennials have become dormant. The Magnolia in the back garden is already forming its buds for early next spring...

Magnolia 'Royal Star' Bud December (Close Up)

and Spirea 'Lemon Princess' had sprouted new growth at the end of November. I am hoping that when the colder temperatures do arrive that it is not too suddenly, since some of the plants seem a little confused right now with the unusually mild temperatures. Forecasters are predicting an El Nino winter for the northeast with milder than usual temperatures and less snow.

Spirea 'Lemon Princess' December

Could it be the opposite of last winter?...time will certainly tell.

Hellebore 'Shooting Star' Winter Bud

Around to the north garden...I added this Hellebore 'Shooting Star' last year in an effort to gain more winter blooms.  It is developing flower buds already which are such fun to watch. The buds will burst open when everything else is dormant and add extra joy to the winter garden.

Heuchera 'Caramel' December

The 'Caramel' Heuchera is another favorite for it is more winter hardy and retains its caramel colored foliage while the other varieties of Heuchera usually die back in December. The leaves can turn a bit more bronze-like in colder temperatures but the foliage has remained in the past, even when snow has piled up on them.

Yaku Jima Maiden Grasses in Afternoon Light

As the seasons change so does the lighting.  These Maiden Grasses take on a whole new light (no pun intended) in the later day and are fun to photograph as well.  The plumes here remind me of an underwater scene as they all gracefully flow downward.

Maiden Grass Winter Plume

Weeping Japanese Maple December

As the days get shorter the framework of the Weeping Japanese Maple in the front yard becomes more pronounced as the leaves no longer mask it and the artwork of the trunk becomes more noticeable with its twisting nature.   

Crape Myrtle Bark in Sunset

The interesting peeling bark of the Crape Myrtle takes on a new look as well as the sun slowly sets behind it and another day is done.

Garden Bear with Winter Greetings!

I hope you enjoyed your walk through my December garden and all its changing views. Thank you so much for visiting and if you leave a note I will know you dropped by to say hello and I will be sure to visit you as well.  Also...wishing everyone peace, joy and a very happy holiday season no matter what you celebrate. 

And As Always...Happy Gardening!

Thank you to our hostesses Carol at May Dreams Gardens, who makes it is 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 Today's Flowers, Floral Fridays, Mosaic Monday at Lavender Cottage, I Heart Macro, Macro Monday 2, and Nature Notes at Rambling Woods.  Also check out What's Blooming This Week Garden Update.

Author: Lee@A Guide to Northeastern Gardening, © Copyright 2015. All rights reserved

Garden Blogger's Bloom Day: August 2013

August 2013 Garden

Welcome to my August northeastern garden.  It's hard to believe that the summer has passed by so quickly and that it is time for another Garden Blogger's Bloom Day.  This year has been a whirlwind of unexpected changes starting with a season that was two to three weeks behind schedule to the present time where we are ahead of the norm in many respects.   A cool spring was followed by instant summer with 90 degree temperatures and much rain which caused the gardens to rapidly progress.  Come take a walk with me to see what is blooming in August.

Crape Myrtle 'Sioux'

 The Crape Myrtles are in full bloom and I have been practicing with my newest Nikon camera zoom lens to get this close up.  It took several tries adjusting the lens until I got this one!

Crape Myrtle 'Sioux' Bark

 While photographing I noticed the bark rapidly peeling off my Crape Myrtle.  This is a sign that the tree has finally reached its full maturity.  It sheds its outer darker bark and displays the beautiful coloration you see here...one of the attributes of the tree.

Dragonfly

 Here is one of the resident dragonflies.  I am convinced that it is the same one that lands on the top of this lily stem several times a day and poses for me!   They are welcome guests in the garden.

Dwarf Butterfly Bush and Heuchera 'Caramel'

 Around the bend is my dwarf butterfly bush Low & Behold 'Blue Chip' displaying its purple blooms next to Coral Bells (Heuchera 'Caramel') ...

Butterfly Visitor

and the resident Monarch Butterfly is enjoying the nectar of the flower.  While there was an abundance of Monarchs and Swallowtails last season they seem to be lacking this summer so it took some patience to get this photograph.  This welcome visitor came just in time for Bloom Day!

Coreopsis 'Zagreb'

 By the driveway entry Coreopsis 'Zagreb' is now in full bloom.  The bright yellow daisy-like flowers put on quite a display and usually last from July well into the fall.

Oriental Lilly 'Stargazer'

Technically these 'Stargazers' ended up blooming two weeks earlier this year falling right between the two Bloom Days so I included them here. I just love them too much to leave them out!  Their fragrance fills the yard every summer.

Dwarf Fountain Grass Plume

I have numerous fountain grasses on the property and they are starting to display their late summer plumes.  This one is called 'Hameln'.

'Nikko Blue' Hydrangea Bloom

 The hydrangea are nearing the end of their season so perhaps it is time to bring in some dried seed heads for decoration...

Knock Out Rose (Double Pink)

 while the Double Knock Out Roses just keep on blooming which is what I love about them.   

Platycodon (Balloon Flower)

By the patio is an interesting conversation piece called Platycodon or "Balloon Flower".  The blooms look like tiny balloons (hence the name) that you can pop once they turn brown.  It reminds me of the plastic bubble wrap that comes with packaging and my guests enjoy popping the spent flowers..such fun!

Daylily 'Sammy Russell'

 By the pool the 'Sammy Russell' Daylily are getting towards the end of their bloom...

Sedum 'Brilliant'

while the Sedum are getting ready to produce their vibrant pink flowers that should be here in about two weeks heading the garden into September.

Crape Myrtle 'Tuscarora'

On the other side of the property is my other Crape Myrtle...'Tuscarora' that has a deeper pink bloom.  Both Crape Myrtles will bloom up to 120 days and I look forward to their display in late summer.

Hydrangea 'Tardivia'

Along the side of the house is my Hydrangea 'Tardivia' tree that I purchased years ago and is now approximately eight feet tall and is covered in fragrant white blooms.

Knock Out Rose (Double Red)

and here is Red Double Knock Out Rose still blooming away.

Thank you for visiting my Long Island August garden.  Please visit our Bloom Day hostess Carol at May Dreams Gardens to see what is blooming in other gardens around the world.  If you like leave a note to let me know you stopped by and I will be sure to visit you as well.

Happy Garden Blogger's Bloom Day and...As Always...Happy Gardening!

 

Author: Lee@A Guide To Northeastern Gardening, Copyright 2013. All rights reserved

Garden Blogger's Bloom Day August 2012: A Little Bit of Color and Whimsy

It is 84 degrees with a steady breeze coming off the ocean and there is a feel of autumn in the air despite the warm temperatures. I sit enjoying an afternoon tea and gaze into the garden as the month of August and summer swiftly breeze by. Thanks to Carol at May Dreams Gardens another Garden Blogger's Day has arrived and it is time to take a walk in my zone 7 Long Island garden to see what is blooming.  At this time of year it also a nice time to focus on structure in the garden so you will also be experiencing some whimsical moments!  Come long...let's take a look!

Crape Myrtle 'Tuscarora'
First stop is the Crape Myrtle that is in full bloom on this lovely day in August.  Just as many of the other blooms start to fade I wait in anticipation every August as the vibrant pink blooms of this tree start to spike and burst into magnificent flowers that last well into Fall. 

As we walk around the bend there is a little bit of whimsy...a playful statue of children playing leap frog recently given to me by dear friends as a new addition to the garden.

Buddleia Dwarf Low & Behold 'Blue Chip'

The dwarf butterfly bush that I planted last spring is supplying me with a second season of wonderful purple blooms that attract may varieties of butterflies to the garden. It blooms for several months from July into the Fall and brings so much enjoyment.

Hydrangea 'Nikko Blue'

The hydrangea are all in bloom as well at this time of year.   Here are two of the many varieties, 'Nikko Blue' and from the Endless Summer Collection Hydrangea 'Twist & Shout', a lace cap variety.   

Endless Summer Hydrangea 'Twist & Shout'

Beyond the Hydrangea and around the next bend is Garden Boy watching over the shadier part of the yard.

Garden Boy

There is nothing like roses in the garden. These Double Knock Out Roses bloom all summer long and bring continuous color to the garden even in August. They have been such a joy since I planted them a couple of years back and they put a smile on my face every time I look at them.

Double Red Knock Out Rose

Double Pink Knock Out Rose

Sitting in the Garden

And around the next corner...a place to stop and sit.

Hydrangea 'Tardivia'

This Hydrangea 'Tardivia' started off as a medium sized shrub and has become a magnificent tree.  Large fragrant panicle blooms cover it completely throughout August and September.

Dwarf Fountain Grasses, Coreopsis and Japanese Garden Juniper
Above the grasses are going into Fall mode producing their feathery plumes. Below is the one and only Lythrum plant in the garden and it blooms beautiful fuchsia spikes at the end of the summer when many of the other plants are fading out.

Lythrum (Purple Loosestrife)

Playtcodon (Balloon Flower)

Platycodon (Balloon Flower) is so much fun in the August garden and a bit whimsical with its blue balloon-like flowers. Once they dry out they are also fun to pop like the plastic wrap you loved to pop when you were a youngster...or adult!

Texture in the Garden

Different textures in the shade garden.  Here is a mix of Hakonechloa (Japanese Forest Grass), Variegated Boxwood, Leucothoe and Nellie Stevens Holly.  I enjoy using different textures of foliage to add interest to the garden.

Sedum 'Brilliant'

The Sedum 'Brilliant' is almost ready to bloom!

'Stella D Oro' Daylily

The 'Stella D Oro' Daylily are still blooming!

Viburnum 'Summer Snowflake' flower

The Viburnum is in all its glory.

August Garden 2012

Thank you for visiting and be sure to visit Carol at May Dreams Gardens for more gardens around the world in the month of August.

 In my garden there is a large place for sentiment. My garden of flowers is also my garden of thoughts and dreams. The thoughts grow as freely as the flowers, and the dreams are as beautiful. ~ Abram L. Urban

Happy Garden Blogger's Bloom Day and As Always....Happy Gardening!


Author: Lee@A Guide To Northeastern Gardening, Copyright 2012. All rights reserved