Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day & Foliage Follow-Up March: What a Difference a Month Makes!

Welcome!

Welcome to my March garden and as the title states...what a difference a month makes! From temperatures below freezing for weeks, to a record breaking blizzard with 29.1 inches of snow on the 22nd-23rd of February to temperatures reaching into in the balmy 60's in the beginning of March, it has been a rollercoaster ride of a winter. After three days of a spring tease, temperatures have settled more into the norm for March, but there are signs of spring if you look closely. Join me for a tour of my Long Island zone 7b garden!

Back Patio Border

As we start by the back patio border, Nandina 'Obsession' is looking unusually bright as we near the end of winter, with its orangey-red foliage that contrasts nicely against the deep green needles of the Weeping Norway Spruce, which stands beside it.

Sedum 'Pure Joy'

In the same bed there are signs of spring as rosettes of Sedum emerge from their winter's sleep. 

Back Island Bed

In the back island bed, Crape Myrtle 'Sioux' displays its branches proudly against the golden foliage of Gold Lace Juniper. Weeping White Pine, Mugo Pine and Dwarf Blue Globe Spruce can also be seen in the background.

Backyard Shade Garden

I especially enjoy the foliage of Leucothoe 'Axillaris' this time of year as it displays different hues of burgundy and orangey-red. Fact: Did you know that the red coloring is actually from pigments called anthocyanins, a natural protection against cold and intense sun? The plant develops its own natural sunscreen when photosynthesis slows during wintertime.

Backyard Shade Garden

In the same bed, the perfectly rounded, compact shape of Variegated Boxwood can be seen along with the broader cascading foliage of the Leucothoe. Berries from Nellie Steven's Holly continue to shine red in the distance.

Pool Waterfall

Now that the heavy snow has vanished from the plants along the back waterfall, I can finally see the upright Variegated Boxwood that were hidden by the branches of Green Giant Arborvitae. Everything seems to be finally getting back to normal, and thankfully unharmed.

Back Eastern Perimeter

Golden Hinoki Cypress 'Verdoni' along the back gate entry seems to have faired the winter well and the Boxwood have too, with only a few noted browning leaves. Once spring temperatures arrive, I will look forward to a flush of new growth.

Hellebore (Lenten Rose) 'Shooting Star'

I am so happy to be able to share with you the blooms of Hellebore 'Shooting Star' as they have been buried beneath a blanket of snow all winter long. It is a little late to see them, since they formed buds back in January, but I say better late than never, and it was worth the wait to see their amazing blooms!

Hellebore (Lenten Rose) 'Merlin'

Also budding out now is Hellebore 'Merlin' with its pink blooms, and Hellebore 'Champion' will follow by the end of this month, so stay tuned!

Front Foundation

Here is Hinoki Cypress 'Verdoni' with Juniper 'Blue Star' and Golden Japanese Sedge along the front entrance garden...

Red Twig Dogwood

and here is a new addition which I planted along the front street median from our house. I always love seeing the vibrant red branches of Red Twig Dogwood during wintertime, so I can now admire them right from my front door. 

Spruce Seed Pods

There are other signs of spring, as the bright yellow-orange seed pods of Norway Spruce become more noticeable...and the first signs of crocus appear, as they make their way above the surface!

First Sign of Crocus!

Along with crocus, the Hyacinths can be seen once again, and I saw my first Robin today! 

Hyacinths are Back!

Temperatures Are Rising-Short But Sweet!

The temperatures dropped again and we had another light dusting of snow just two days ago, but I am feeling optimistic as the landscape slowly comes back to life. For now, happy spring in just four more days, and I think I will try to get some gardening done on the not-so-cold days of March!

Thanks for Visiting!

I hope you enjoyed your visit to my March 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.

Connect With Me 🌼

As spring approaches, it's time to plant your garden! 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!

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, or upgrade to receive extra perks monthly right into your inbox!

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Until we Meet Again...Happy Gardening!

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

This Month in the Garden-The Blizzard of 2026: When Winter Rewrote the Record Books!

This Month in the Garden

Welcome to This Month in the Garden! During the days before, the temperatures had finally started to rise after several weeks. The snow had almost completely melted from the previous storm and signs of spring were evident, as the lawn was once again visible and hyacinths could be seen emerging from their winter's sleep. There was a possible light coating of snow in the forecast, but nothing to worry about, and it would melt by the next day. Suddenly, forecasts of a major storm started escalating. Words like historic, paralyzing, and record-breaking began circulating across every news channel. During the afternoon of February 22, 2026, the snow gently started to come down over the landscape. 

Blizzard of 2026

Overnight, the storm advanced. Snow bands stalled and strengthened, feeding on Atlantic moisture and cold Arctic air locked in place. Winds escalated and the snow got heavier with accumulations of up to 2-4 inches  per hour.  As it intensified, the storm was officially upgraded to what is referred to as a "Bomb Cyclone", with  bands of heavy snow and wind gusts exceeding 50 mph overnight. Along our far east coastal shorelines here on Long Island, winds reached upwards of 70–80 mph. 

Blizzard of 2026

Meteorologists described this event as among the most intense winter storms in years, as I could hear the winds throughout the night, and even experienced the first "thunder snow" as lighting shot across the sky in the early hours of the morning. Non-essential travel was banned across New York and neighboring states during the worst of the storm due to dangerous blizzard conditions, and power outages affected hundreds of thousands of homes and businesses across the region. Fortunately, we were sparred.  

Blizzard of 2026

By the morning of February 23rd, neighborhoods across the northeastern United States were buried. Roads disappeared, cars became rounded mounds and masses of snow hung from the rooftop. In places like Long Island and across much of New York and New England, the final measurement stunned even veteran meteorologists, with a record 29.1 inches of snow. It surpassed totals from the legendary Blizzard of 1978 and the massive 2013 storm that many had assumed would remain the benchmark for a generation.

Blizzard of 2026

For longtime residents, the Blizzard of 1978 had been remembered for its ferocious winds and immobilized highways. I remember it well, as my parents had bought me a car for my college graduation, which was due to pick up the day after that storm. My parents drove me there and my dad drove the car home until we got a couple of blocks away, then safely let me drive the rest of the way. The 2013 storm was known for breathtaking totals and coastal flooding. After a decade, the Blizzard of 2026 has made weather history.

Blizzard of 2026

By late afternoon on the 23rd, the storm finally began to loosen its grip. Snow tapered to flurries, the winds softened and there was a strange beauty among the landscape. Streets were impassable, but untouched. The world felt paused, cocooned. Evergreens that typically stand proud in winter were bent to the ground. Garden beds disappeared beneath sculpted drifts that reshaped entire yards. For gardeners across the region, especially those already dreaming of spring planting plans, it was a humbling reminder that "mother nature' is the one who sets the schedule. With that, the sound of plows were heard in the distance. 

Blizzard of 2026

On the morning of the 24th, the sky emerged in brilliant, uninterrupted blue, the kind that only appears after a major winter storm and light struck the fresh snow, showing shadows. Icicles hanging from the roof sparked like glass in the sunlight. The storm, so dominant just hours before, suddenly seemed distant. Neighbors stepped outside cautiously, boots crunching through nearly two and a half feet of a wet, dense snow. The labor began, shoveling out to resume life. For many, they had not seen anything like this before.

Blizzard of 2026

The morning following blue skies, the snow had arrived once again for just a short time, gracing the landscape with 3.1 additional inches of snowfall. Gazing through the window, a feeling of peace and silence came upon me, as I could see the sun gently making its way through the clouds. Records had been made. Airports and businesses have been reopened, and delivery trucks have reappeared. Life resumes, although carefully. Beneath those 29.1 inches plus of snowfall, gardens rest.

I hope you enjoyed This Month in the Garden! How did you weather the storm? I would love to hear from you!

IN THE NEWS: Check out my newsletter, Northeastern Gardening News. Subscribe to receive monthly recaps of the garden, garden design and maintenance tips, and everything horticultural!

👉 Think Spring! 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

The Houseplant Guide: How to Easily Select & Maintain Indoor Plants

For now, keep warm and as always... happy gardening!

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

Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day & Foliage Follow-Up March: Long Island Late Winter Garden

Welcome to my March Long Island Garden!

Welcome to my zone 7a northeastern garden. What a difference a month makes! While the month of February was one snow storm after another, the month of March came in like a lamb on the 1st. The announcement of the "windy month" here in the northeast was made on the 2nd and 3rd as winds gusted up to 50 mph, reminding us that March is an unpredictable month weather wise. The remainder of the week brought days that brought back thoughts of winter, followed by temperatures in the upper 50's to low 60's, signaling that spring is on the way! Today for Bloom Day, the cold winds have returned once again, but spring is just five days away, and the blooms are here to stay!

Hellebore (Lenten Rose) 'Shooting Star'

In the late winter garden, Hellebores continue to bloom from January and are doing well after being covered in snow. This evergreen perennial is quite resilient and holds up well in our cold winters.

Hellebore (Lenten Rose) 'Shooting Star'

Hellebore 'Shooting Star' is one of my favorite varieties of Lenten Rose and is also one of the longest blooming, from winter right into spring.

Hyacinth Foliage

There is spring in the air! In the perennial border, Hyacinth are pushing their foliage up through the ground a little more each passing day.

Golden Skylands Oriental Spruce

As spring blooming bulbs start to show their foliage, the vibrant pinkish-red stems of the Coral Bark Maple in the Front bed continues to "glow" against the golden foliage of Oriental Spruce.

Skylands Spruce Seed Cones Late Winter

Here are the older seed cones of the Skylands Spruce up close. Newer cones form in spring and take on a purplish hue. 

Weeping Pussy Willow Catkins

Pussy Willow catkins are a definite sign of spring. Every March, I look forward to the brown buds which open to expose fluffy white centers that last for weeks, before bursting open to expose their yellow pollen covered anthers later in the month and into April.

Evergreens in the Back Pool Garden (Oriental Spruce, Rhododendron and Azalea)

Gerards' Crimson Azalea

In the back pool garden, Azalea Girard's Crimson is showing off its deep burgundy foliage, which is most evident in late winter going into spring. Soon, buds which are now appearing, will lead to bountiful blooms.

Garden Whimsy

There are more Azalea behind this statue in the eastern side of the pool garden. Watch for their vibrant purple blooms in the upcoming months!

Nellie Stevens Holly Berries Late Winter

Ilex 'Nellie Stevens' holds down the fort during the winter months with its brilliant red berries, which continue into spring. The berries are also an important source of food for the birds.

Back Shade Garden

There is always something evergreen in the back shade garden. The foliage of Leucothoe 'Axillaris' is showing some burgundy highlights this time of year.

Leucothoe 'Axillaris- Late Winter

Besides the interesting foliage, Leucothoe will flower in later months.

Front Walkway Garden

Come along to the front eastern side of the property. Here is a view of the front gardens with Weeping White Pine as a prominent feature in this view. Golden Skylands Spruce and Coal Bark Maple can be seen in the backdrop along the driveway border. Beneath the Weeping White Pine are Golden Variegated Sedge.

Front Weeping Japanese Maple Late Winter

In the front is Weeping Japanese Maple 'Viridis'. If you look closely, you can see evidence of the sap  rising into the stems, giving a slight glow of green. With the warmer temperatures, it shouldn't be long until it leaves out.

Front Raised Island Bed Southeastern Side

In the front island bed, Osmanthus 'Goshiki' is showing some newer growth. Behind the variegated foliage of Osmanthus is Weeping Norway Spruce and the Weeping Japanese Maple we just saw up close.

Sedum 'Brilliant' rosettes

Sedum 'Brilliant' is showing signs of life, and Magnolia 'Royal Star' is showing its buds, which get bigger by the day!

Magnolia 'Royal Star' Buds

 Helleborus orientalis 'Merlin'

This variety of Lenten Rose, 'Merlin', is in the back border.  It starts blooming in February, after 'Shooting Star', has deeper pink blooms and lasts throughout April.

Winter Garden Bear

Helleborus orientalis 'Champion'

Hellebore 'Champion' has buds now in March, which will start opening very soon. Having the various varieties of Lenten Rose allows the gardening season to begin in January.

Thanks for Visiting!

Thank you for visiting my March garden. As always, I enjoy hearing from you 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. 

Visit 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...and 

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.