Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day & Foliage Follow-Up June: Springtime Bountiful Blooms!

Welcome to my June Garden!

The arrival of summer is just a week away and the spring garden is full of bountiful blooms! Following a relatively cool and windy spring, the temperatures have now moderated into the upper 70's and low 80's, and with some nightly thunderstorms, the garden has come alive with color everywhere. From the red blooms of roses to the white blooms of Dogwood and Viburnum, nature has so much to offer. Come along with me for a tour of my Long Island, zone 7a garden!

Come Along on the Tour!

Peony 'Bartzella'

First, let's step back in time to just the beginning of the month when Itoh Peony 'Bartzella' was in full bloom. We could not let June go by without mentioning this amazing plant.

Peony 'Bartzella'

Different from other Peony, this hybrid is a cross between the standard form and a tree peony, so it does not need staking, even with its enormous blooms!

Knock Out Rose 'Radrazz'

Now...onto the rest of the tour. Planted along my patio garden years ago, this Knock Out Rose 'Radrazz' never ceases to amaze. Hardy in USDA zones 5-9 and with continuous blooms from the start of June and up until frost, this beauty gives me enjoyment all summer long.

Patio Garden

Continuing along the patio is a grafted Blue Globe Spruce with Hosta 'Golden Tiara', Daylily, Astilbe, Blue Star Juniper, Weeping Norway Spruce, Balloon Flower, Echinacea and Golden Hinoki Cypress 'Verdoni' on the far left end. A Crape Myrtle 'Sioux' is in  the distance on the back island bed.

The Welcoming Committee

The Welcoming Committee sits here in rain, snow and sunshine to greet visitors and always have a smile to share!

A Little Bit of Foliage

For a little bit of foliage, here is a combination of Heuchera 'Palace Purple' and Heuchera 'Caramel' beneath the shade of a Weeping Blue Atlas Cedar. I find these two cultivars of Coral Bells to be the most hardy and longest lasting.

Flowering Kousa Dogwood

June means flowering Dogwood are all the rage and this one never disappoints. This cultivar is Cornus Kousa 'Greensleeves', a hardier more disease resistant Dogwood with greenish-white blooms, hence the name.

Northern Perimeter Garden

Along with Kousa 'Greensleeves' are an assortment of Hosta, including 'Patriot'. 'Minuteman' and 'Frances Williams'.  Juniperus 'Gold Lace' and Pink Double Knock Out Rose are to the right, with 'Emerald Green' Arborvitae in the backdrop along the fence-line.

Kousa Dogwood Blooms!

Here are the blooms of the Dogwood up close.

Mugo Pine

Known for its slow-growing nature and evergreen foliage, Mugo Pine is lovely this time of year with its prominent purple seed cones that contrast nicely against blue-green foliage.

Summer Snowflake Viburnum

Here in the shade area of the garden are Viburnum 'Summer Snowflake' on each side of a Kwanzan Cherry. In the distance is a birdbath planter with shade loving plants.

Viburnum Blooms

Let's look at the Viburnum blooms up close. They resemble snowflakes and repeat bloom throughout most of the summer.

Shade Planter

This shade planter has an assortment of mini Hosta, Black Mondo Grass and Variegated Liriope.

Super Cool Sedum Blooms!

I planted this Sedum groundcover mix two years ago and it finally matured enough to produce these really cool yellow button-like blooms! I am loving them!

Pollinators on Salvia 'May Night'

The bumble bees have been enjoying this Salvia 'May Night'. They are around it all day long doing their thing! Behind it is the foliage of Peony 'Karl Rosenfeld'.

Driveway Border

In the driveway border is Nepeta 'Walkers Low' in full bloom. Oriental Golden Skyland's Spruce sits behind it. 

Spirea Double Play 'Big Bang'

Come along to the front island bed. A favorite bloomer is Spirea Double Play 'Big Bang' with its profusion of  neon pink blooms.

Front Island Bed Eastern Side

Weeping Norway Spruce, Mugo Pine, Hosta, Dwarf Japanese Andromeda and Anna's Magic Ball Arborvitae can also be seen here.

Driveway Garden

On the western side of the driveway is  another Weeping Norway Spruce, accompanied by dwarf Norway Spruce 'Little Gem', Japanese Garden Juniper, 'Magic Carpet' Spirea and Salvia 'Caradonna' with its purple blooms in the backdrop. The Stella D' Oro Daylilies are in full bloom too!

Hemerocallis 'Stella D' Oro' (Daylily)

Last but not least, is the herb garden in pots that I planted for hubby, who loves to cook and use basal, parsley, and spearmint in his recipes!

Herb Garden

I hope you enjoyed your visit to my June garden and as always, I look forward to your comments 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. 

Thanks for Visiting!

 A GUIDE TO NORTHEASTERN GARDENING NEWS:

-The Long Island Master Gardeners tour of my property was a huge success and I was fortunate to meet so many wonderful like-minded people. As a result, I am now included on the Long Island Master Speakers List to do speaking engagements for community garden clubs.

-I continue to capture photos of shade loving plants for my newest book (to come out in 2023). Stay tuned and do check out my author page and books below. The gardening season is in full speed ahead and if you are looking for a little inspiration you've come to the right place!!

-To all my gardening friends, stay well and enjoy the beauty of the season until we meet again.🌳

 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.

This Month in the Garden: Urban Gardening-6 Creative Ways to Garden in the City

6 Creative Ways to Garden in the City

Who says urban dwellers can’t be green thumbs too? As a matter of fact, indoor gardening does not have to be challenging, and can be just as enjoyable and rewarding as outdoor gardening, especially when you know what, where, and how to plant. You’ll be surprised to find that so much of the best soil-grown plants can be cultivated indoors, from juicy tomatoes to pretty zinnias. For some clever indoor and urban gardening ideas, reference the list below and get prepped for some serious salads, all cultivated by you!

Figure 1: Growing Herbs (Photo Credit Shutterstock)

1. Plant an Herb Garden–One of the simplest ways to grow indoors is to start an herb garden. Herbs are perfect for growing on the windowsill or a sunny counter-top because they do very well in their own little pots. Stick them in a few well-draining containers somewhere they can soak up a ton of sun and watch as they sprout up beautiful, fragrant herbs and spices. Plant some rosemary, basil, parsley, cilantro, sage, mint, chives, oregano, thyme, and so much more. New to herb gardening? Follow The Herb Society of America’s herb garden guide.

2. Grow Container Tomatoes-Just like your favorite herbs, with a bit of love, tomatoes thrive indoors in the right containers. Make sure you select container tomatoes (varieties of tomatoes that are ideal for growing in small, contained spaces) and select the right pots in which to grow them. Tomatoes love to climb and cascade, so make sure you plant them in the appropriate containers, such as window boxes, pots, or tubs. These fruits are generally determinate, meaning they set their crop all at once or over a short period of time, but you’ll be surprised to find that many container grown tomatoes will yield impressively sized crops!

3. Use a Seed Starter–If you’re an indoor or urban gardener who will eventually be able to plant outdoors or in larger pots, then you may want to consider investing in a seed starter dome. These unique domes contain spongy, soil-less growing medium in a protected, climate-controlled environment. All you need to do is plant your seeds in the well-spaced planting cells, water, and cover. They’ll sprout up vibrant plant life in no time, growing big and strong without drying out or drowning. Once ready, you can transplant your seedlings to your outdoor garden or to larger pots. 

Figure 2: Planting Tomatoes (Photo Credit Shutterstock)

4. Grow a Vegetable Garden–Did you know you can grow more than just tomatoes indoors? With specialized products such as a seed starter unit and some grow lights, you can produce everything you need for a super-healthy salad and tons of other dishes. Some of the very best veggies to grow indoors include the following, all of which should be planted in well-draining containers:

  a. Carrots–Growing small carrots inside is surprisingly easy and solves the problem of trying to find stubborn, rocky soil in which to plant them. To care for your potted carrots, place them in a sunny area—somewhere with at least six hours of sunlight per day—and never let the soil dry out.

  b. Beets–For a delicious, summery salad addition year-round, grow beets! Plant your seeds in fertile, sandy, and pH-neutral soil in a long pot at least 17 inches deep. Make sure to give them lots of room to grow and don’t crowd them! Keep the soil uniformly damp (but don’t over water) and place your pots on a windowsill or near a window so they get plenty of sun. 

  c. Lettuce–Lettuce is surprisingly easy to grow and is amazing for people who want to make garden-fresh salads, even in the middle of winter. Some of the top varieties of lettuce to grow indoors are baby oakleaf, garden babies, merlot, salad bowl, and red deer tongue. Plant your lettuce seeds about 4 to 6 inches apart, at a depth of about 8 inches. 

  d. Hot Peppers–Who wouldn’t want off-the-vine peppers to throw in salsas, sauces, and salads throughout the year? It’s totally possible—just remember that these tropical perennials love light and do best with at least 10 hours of it each day. Plant your peppers in pots that are at least 8 inches tall. 

5. Leverage the Windowsill–If you’re not especially interested in buying a bunch of new equipment, such as indoor grow lights or a seed starter system, remember that you probably have a bit of access to the outdoors in the form of your windowsill, patio, or fire escape. Just remember that if you do decide to use your fire escape as a sun platform for your plants, you’ll need to keep the pathway clear so that it can be used in the event of an emergency. Remember that you’ll probably need to bring your plants inside for part of the year, especially if it gets cold where you live.

6. Grow Flowers–With all this talk about fresh fruits, veggies, and herbs, we almost forgot about one the favorite things to grow inside—flowers! Some blooming varieties should be started indoors as seeds in the spring (such as zinnias and other annual blooms) and then transplanted outside when it’s warm out. Zinnias especially thrive in containers, so it is beneficial to select them as a top pick for indoor gardens. With these colorful flowers, you’ll have gorgeous bouquets, even in the middle of the winter!

Figure 3: Seed Starting Annuals (Photo Credit Shutterstock)

The Perfect Way to Grow Year-Round

One truth of gardening is that nobody lives in a place where they can grow everything year-round. But with modern advancements in indoor gardening, we can create healthy environments for a wide range of flora and fauna, turning our homes into fragrant, enjoyable green spaces that lift the mood! Happy planting!

  

Author Bio: Grace Quarer oversees Park Seed content development from Park’s headquarters in Greenwood, South Carolina. Before joining Park Seed, Grace managed garden content for a large national chain of home improvement stores. Grace grew up in a gardening family, but it was marrying into a farming family that introduced her to seed starting for home gardeners and professionals. Her hobby is teaching friends and her community how to sprout, grow and cook as a proud part of the “farm to table” movement.

I hope you enjoyed This Month in the Garden for April. Be sure to stop by on the 1st. of each month for This Month in the Garden. Learn gardening tips, information and come along on horticultural adventures! Linking with:  Floral Fridays, Macro Monday 2, Friday Photo Journal, Image-in-ing Weekly Photo Link-Up and Dishing It & Digging It.

~As Always...Happy Gardening! ~

Author: Lee@A Guide to Northeastern Gardening,© Copyright 2010-2020. All rights reserved.

This Month in the Garden: Indoor Gardening-8 Ways to Decorate with Houseplants

This Month in the Garden: 8 Ways to Decorate with Houseplants

Did you know that having a few houseplants in your living space can help improve concentration, enhance productivity, and boost your mood? Yep, and scientists believe the reason why is twofold: First, because plants help to freshen up the air and eliminate harmful toxins, thereby making you feel all-around healthier; second, because nature and greenery have long been proven to help us destress and unwind. In addition to helping you feel your best, houseplants also bring vibrant color, earthiness, and texture to your design scheme. So, if you’re in the market for some natural, serene décor that boosts your mood, then look to the succulents, herbs, ferns, and flowering houseplants!

1. Hang Them from the Ceiling–Macrame hangers, wicker baskets, and hooks are awesome for showcasing your very best houseplants, especially the ones that tend to cascade and climb (look for philodendron or hoya), spilling out over the sides of the pot and dancing in midair. This creates a mesmerizing look overhead and keeps your plants off the floor or furniture, as well as away from any pets or kids. Just make sure to hang them in a fairly sunny room and to always take them down to water.

Hanging Houseplants (Photo Credit: Shutterstock)

   2. Stagger Them on a Ladder–Many of our favorite houseplant decorating ideas involve repurposing or reusing old, discarded items, and why not? It’s an affordable, eco-friendly way to showcase all your gorgeous specimens. The idea of repurposing an old ladder as a plant stand, creating a tower of greenery that extends all the way to the ceiling is an exciting one. Just make sure it’s sturdy (you may have to add boards for stability) so it doesn’t waver when you move things around or water.

       3. Place Them on an Old Ironing Board–Much like the old ladder, the antique ironing board serves as a budget-friendly option for lining your plants up next to the window. Often available at estate sales, flea markets, and antiques stores, old wooden ironing boards provide ample surface area with more sunlight than your typical side table or desk. Keep your eyes out for colorful houseplants for sale to counter the rustic, antique wood. If you can’t find an old ironing board, stack up a few old fruit crates or transform drawers into cool vintage planters for the same antique effect.

3     4. Use Them to Flank the Front Door–If you’ve got a little room to spare, why not invest in a few large houseplants in floor pots? Some of the more popular large indoor plants include yucca, ficus, jade (they can get surprisingly huge), and all sorts of palms and pines. Planting two indoor trees in sturdy, matching pots and using them to flank the entryway, creates a bold threshold that totally sets the stage for the rest of your décor.

Floor Plants (Photo Credit: Shutterstock)

 5. Use Them as an Enduring Centerpiece–While fresh floral centerpieces are so beautiful; unfortunately, they are short-lived, and those brightly colored blooms barely last a week before they start to wilt. On the other hand, a live centerpiece endures year-round (as long as it gets enough sunlight on the dining room table) and keeps everything looking fresh and lively from one season to the next. Elaborate succulent gardens, terrariums, and cactus vases are a few great potted centerpiece ideas.

 6. Let Them Pepper in Some Color–Green is the name of the game when it comes to houseplants, and the idea of turning a sun-room, den, or office into a veritable jungle is pleasing to the senses, but color can be fun too! Look for easy-care flowering houseplants in hues that complement your home décor. Annual geraniums, impatiens, begonias, and calla are wonderful for growing indoors and are can be transplanted outside when it gets warm. Orchids are a very popular flowering indoor plant, offering relatively easy care, especially when using the ice watering method. Orchids should stay inside throughout the year, though.

  7. Set Them on the Windowsill–The windowsill is the locale of choice for your small, sun-loving indoor plants, especially herbs, succulents, and cacti. You can turn your windowsill display into a miniature herb garden and grow all your favorite flavor-adders, like rosemary, mint, cilantro, parsley, oregano, and basil. This is always ideal in the wintertime when fresh herbs are out of season and expensive to buy from the supermarket. Just make sure they’re planted in well-draining pots, preferably by a window in the kitchen for easy access while cooking

Windowsill Plants (Photo Credit: Shutterstock)

    8. Easy, Adaptable, Affordable Décor-There are few home-décor items out there that are quite as adaptable, cheerful, and versatile as the houseplant. By adding a few ferns to the foyer, you can soak up a ton of distinct benefits, from enjoying the natural beauty of nature to purifying the air and creating a sense of peace. And, once you get the hang of keeping them alive, it isn’t as hard as you think…you’ll be hooked.

Author Bio: Grace Quarer oversees Park Seed content development from Park’s headquarters in Greenwood, South Carolina. Before joining Park Seed, Grace managed garden content for a large national chain of home improvement stores. Grace grew up in a gardening family, but it was marrying into a farming family that introduced her to seed starting for home gardeners and professionals. Her hobby is teaching friends and her community how to sprout, grow and cook as a proud part of the “farm to table” movement.

I hope you enjoyed This Month in the Garden for February. Be sure to stop by on the 1st. of each month for This Month in the Garden, as I share gardening tips, information and horticultural adventures! Linking with:  Floral Fridays, Macro Monday 2, Friday Photo Journal, Image-in-ing Weekly Photo Link-Up and Dishing It & Digging It.

~As Always...Happy Gardening! ~

Author: Lee@A Guide to Northeastern Gardening,© Copyright 2010-2020. All rights reserved.