Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day & Foliage Follow-Up March: Long Island Garden Signs of Spring!

Welcome!

Welcome! There are signs of spring everywhere as the temperatures warm into the mid to upper 50's to 60's after two inches of rain and sixty mile an hour winds just a few days ago. Look around and you will see colorful foliage and blooms emerging everywhere from their winters sleep and the garden changing day by day as we head towards spring. I can see a difference in the timing of blooms as they seem to be a couple of weeks earlier this year. Perhaps the groundhog was right, but as well all know, March is an unpredictable month. Join me for a tour of my Long Island garden!

Welcoming Committee

The Welcoming Committee is here to greet you and the first stop is the along patio border.

Purple Crocus & Hyacinths too

With the rain and warming temperatures, crocus started coming up everywhere and rather quickly. It was just a few days ago that it was just foliage emerging from the ground. Along the patio border is purple crocus with the foliage of Hyacinths behind it. There will be more blooms to follow as spring gets underway.

Hellebore 'Champion' (Lenten Rose)

In the pool border winter blooming Hellebore 'Champion' is now in full bloom as it thrives in the shade cast by a Weeping White Pine. I enjoy the yellowish-green color of  the bracts on this variety.

Hellebore 'Champion' (Lenten Rose)

Here are its amazing blooms closer up. You can get a view of the pinkish undersides which provide an additional touch of color.

More Purple Crocus!

As you may have guessed by now, I have an admiration for purple crocus! I love how the blooms symbolize spring and the shades of purple do vary a bit. This one seems to have a little more white in its veins compared to the others.

Hellebore 'Merlin' (Lenten Rose)

Along the back perimeter is Hellebore 'Merlin' in bloom with its pinkish bracts and central yellow flowers. 'Merlin' tends to start blooming in February and continues through March, providing months of interest.

Leucothoe 'Axillaris' Late Winter

In the back shade border Leucothoe 'Axillaris' is displaying a slightly reddish tint to its foliage this time of year...

'Nellie Stevens' Holly Berries Late Winter

and the berries of Nellie Stevens' Holly are at their best.

Japanese Skimmia

Also in the back shade garden is Japanese Skimmia forming its buds. Creamy white fragrant blooms will follow in mid-spring.

Blue Atlas Cedar and Juniper 'Gold Lace'

For some foliage, here is Blue Atlas Cedar and Juniper 'Gold Lace' on the northern front island bed. This is just another combination that supplies color and interest year round.

Hellebore 'Shooting Star' (Lenten Rose)

On the northern side of the property Hellebore 'Shooting Star' has been blooming since January...

Sedum 'Brilliant' Rosettes

and the rosettes of Sedum 'Brilliant' are now emerging in the southern part of the garden.

White Crocus

Some white blooming Crocus add a sense of purity to the garden...

Allium 'Globemaster'

as the foliage of Allium 'Globemaster' emerges. Giant lavender-purple blooms will appear on tall stalks during the month of June!

Spirea 'Candy Corn' Budding Out

I purchased this newer cultivar of dwarf Spirea named 'Candy Corn' last season and decided to put it into a planter by the back door. It stays more compact only growing two feet in height and width and has the most amazing foliage, colored like candy corn! I was surprised to see it getting buds before any of the other Spirea. 

Anna's Magic Ball Arborvitae'

For more foliage on the front eastern side island bed is 'Anna's Magic Ball' Arborvitae with its yellow hue which stays year round. Behind it to add some darker contrast is Dwarf Mugo Pine.

Pieris 'Cavatine' Buds

On the same island bed is Pieris 'Cavatine', a dwarf form of Japanese Andromeda. It's foliage is evergreen and soon its buds will open into little bell-shaped flowers.

Front Island Bed

I often get comments about the tree in the left backdrop. It is Coral Bark Maple 'Sango Kaku' and it is prized for its beautiful pinkish-red bark, which becomes even more vibrant as the temperatures cool. To the right of  the Coral Bark Maple is Skyland's Golden Oriental Spruce and in the direct center of the island bed is a Weeping Norway Spruce. Spirea 'Lemon Princess', Spirea 'Big Bang' and various perennials join the evergreens. Gardening Tip: Late winter/early spring is the time to prune back your Spirea to encourage fullness, new growth and to encourage blooms. 

Seasonal Planter

The seasonal planters always bring me joy whatever the season and this one which I have had for a few years now is thriving. This combo is Dwarf Alberta Spruce, 'Whipcord' Arborvitae, Boxwood and Dwarf Hinoki Cypress, which resides by the back gate entry. 

Seasonal Planter

The planter I created in late Fall has weathered the winter well and I have been getting much enjoyment from it. I did have to cover the plants when the temperatures dropped down into the teens for a few nights to protect the more delicate Cypress, but the combination of the yellow color from the Cupressus macrocarpa 'Goldcrest' (Lemon Cypress) along with the berries of the Gaultheria (wintergreen) was a win-win!

And Indoors!

As the spring season approaches, I am enjoying the African Violets blooming indoors and kitty is too, although I think it's all about the sunshine for her. Until we meet again, happy almost spring and I hope you get to have some quality time in the garden. "The glory of gardening: hands in the dirt, head in the sun, heart with nature. To nurture a garden is to feed not just the body, but the soul.”- Alfred Austin

Thank you for Visiting!

I hope you enjoyed your visit to my March garden. I so appreciate you being here, look forward to your comments and look forward to seeing what you have growing in your area. 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. 

 Plan your Garden-Read My Books! Click on the links for more info and to Purchase!

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!" 

Author: Lee @A Guide to Northeastern Gardening, © Copyright 2010-2024. All rights reserved. 

Autumn at Bayard Cutting Arboretum State Park

Bayard Cutting Arboretum

Welcome to the Bayard Cutting Arboretum State Park, located in Great River, on the south shore of Long Island, New York. This 691 acre state park was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted for William Bayard Cutting in 1886, and offers a wide range of interest from the Great Lawn to the Conifer Garden, Holly Walk, Oak Park, Royce Rhododendron Garden, Four Season Garden, Old and New Pinetums, Breezy Island and the River Walk that winds along the Connetquot River waterway. The parks 13 distinct plant collections continue to grow as new gardens are donated annually.

Common Sage

The gardens hold their beauty all year long, and autumn is the perfect time to explore the grounds as nature puts on a bountiful show. As you enter the park by the mansion, the first plant that will catch your eye is the vibrancy of this common sage along with dried flower heads of Hydrangea and Allium, along with the evergreen foliage of Mugo Pine.

Arboretum Autumn View

Continue further for a stroll along the winding woodland trail for a spectacular view.

Salix babylonic (Weeping Willow)

This Weeping Willow with its changing foliage is almost magical as it grows along the wetland area of the arboretum. 

Pink Mushy Grass

Also along the woodland trail is this Pink Mushy Grass, which is always an eye catcher with its airy pinkish-red plumes! Muhlenbergia capillaris 'Lenca' (Pink Mushy Grass) is hardy in USDA zones 6-9 and thrives in either full to partial sun.

Woodland Garden Walk

Here is another view of the woodland trail with its winding bluestone path and seasonal color.

Callicarpa (American Beautyberry)

This beauty is Callicarpa or American Beautyberry, hardy in USDA zones 5-8. Callicarpa displays beautiful arching branches with lusters of pale lavender-pink flowers in summer, followed by masses of glossy amethyst berries in fall. Callicarpa refers full fun to partial shade and a moderately moist soil.

Ilex verticillata 'Winter Bounty'  (Winter Bounty Holly)

One of my favorite areas of the arboretum is the Holly Walk with more than 100 varieties of holly. This Winter Bounty Holly, hardy in USDA zones 6-8, produces an enormous display of dark red berries which make a spectacular show during late fall and winter. This shrub grows to a mature size of 14-20 feet high by 6-10 feet wide, and prefers a location with partial or dappled shade and a well-drained soil.

Ilex verticillata, (Winterberry)

Ilex verticillata, commonly known as winterberry, is a species of holly that is native to the northeast, that loses its leaves in autumn to display its bright red berries. Hardy in USDA zones 3-9, Winterberry prefers a location with partial sun.

River Walk-Breezy Island

Following along the Connectquot River is a bridge which leads to Breezy Island, where marsh grasses and perhaps some island wildlife, such as osprey can be seen.

River Walk-Breezy Island

The view is quite scenic and relaxing.

Sarracenia (Pitchers Plant or Trumpet Pitchers)

This interesting Pitcher Plant is from the genus Sarracenia, which consists of 15 different varieties of native perennials scattered across North America. Most are hardy in zones 6-8 and thrive best in boggy conditions.

Bridge Crossing

The changing autumn leaves at this time of year are simply beautiful along the bridge leading from the woodland trail.

Mountain Hydrangea Autumn

This hydrangea is still showing off its blooms while the others have already dried out for the fall.

Oakleaf Hydrangea Autumn

Oakleaf  Hydrangea produces bountiful white blooms, but also puts on a wonderful show with its brilliant burgundy foliage before the leaves drop.

 Scotch Heather-Caluna vulgaris 'Boskoop'

Here is Scotch Heather. It is hardy in USDA zones 5-7, prefers full sun to partial shade and grows to a mature size of approximately 1.5 feet high by wide. It bears pale mauve flowers in mid-summer along with bronze-yellow foliage that deepens in autumn. 

Perennial Walk (Four Season Garden)

Another one of my favorite areas of the arboretum is the perennial walk, also known as the Four Season Garden. At this time of year, Asters and Chrysanthemum are the highlight. 

Ajania pacifica (Pacific Chrysanthemum)

I love this variety of  Chrysanthemum  (Ajania pacifica) with its variegated foliage and bright yellow blooms that last well into autumn. Ajania pacifica is hardy in USDA zones 5-9, grows to 1-2 feet, and prefers a location with full sun to part shade.

 Asters

These colorful Asters are a wonderful fall addition to the Four Season walk. These perennials are generally hardy in USDA zones 3-8 and prefer full sun to partial shade. I love the interest they supply while complemented by hydrangea, ornamental grasses, astilbe and  variegated yucca.

Betula Jacquemonti (White-barked Himalayan Birch)

Here is White-barked Himalayan Birch along the Woodland Trail. It is hardy in USDA zones 4-7 and known for its beautiful peeling bark. I especially enjoy its character in the fall.

Old Pinetum: Horse Chestnut

Along the Old Pinetum trail is this Horse Chestnut, which is an eye-catcher during the autumn months!

Dwarf Conifer Garden

Back around towards the Manor House is the Dwarf Conifer Garden, hosting an array of beautiful conifers from around the world, including numerous varieties of Chamaecyparis (Hinoki Cypress), Lawson’s Cypress, spruce, cedar, juniper and pine. Among the conifers are hydrangea, heather and various perennials mixed in, providing all season interest.

Pinetum Extension-American Sycamore

American Sycamore shows off its beautiful bark...

Native Woodland

while the fall season offers an array of color!

Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) Farm

An important aspect of the arboretum is this three acre Community Sponsored Agriculture Farm, which was established in 2012. A portion of the land to the right is now used for growing herbs and vegetables, which can be purchased by members. There are also egg-laying chickens, which are a hybrid cross between a White Rock female and a Rhode Island Red male.  

Cornell Cooperative Extension Farm 

This attractive trellis adds some character to the spot.

Manor House

Back around to the front entrance, this 68 room mansion was designed by architect Charles C. Haight, and built for William Bayard Cutting in 1886 as a country home. Mrs. Cutting specified that the arboretum should “serve as an oasis of beauty and quiet… a source of pleasure, rest, and refreshment.” I hope you found your visit to be just that.

Arboretum Map and Park Information

Bayard Cutting Arboretum, Long Island

I hope you enjoyed This Month in the Garden as we toured the Bayard Cutting Arboretum. Be sure to stop by on the 1st. and 15th. of each month as I continue to share gardening tips, information and horticultural adventures! (Linking up with: Floral Fridays, Macro Monday 2, Ruby Tuesday and Image-in-ing Weekly Photo Link-Up.)

For gardening information: 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

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.