Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day & Foliage Follow Up August 2015: Late Summer Blooms

August 2015 Garden

Welcome to my Long Island garden. As the summer moves along, record high temperatures in the 90’s, with virtually no rain scorched the landscape during the second half of July through first week in August. The temperatures finally broke as severe storms moved into the area, lowering temperatures into the 80's which is more normal for this time of year.  Now there are many familiar sights in the late summer garden such as the vibrant pink blooms of Crape Myrtle and fragrant purple blooms of Butterfly Bush, each welcoming butterflies to the landscape. There are also signs of summer coming to an end with plumes of fountain grasses dancing in the wind and Sedum 'Brilliant' getting ready to bloom.  Come take a walk with me in my August garden.

Swallowtail Butterfly on Dwarf Butterfly Bush Lo & Behold Blue Chip

  Butterfly visitors frequent Lo & Behold Butterfly bush as it goes into full bloom.  The butterfly population has been slight, but after the decline last year they are a very welcomed sight in the garden.

Crape Myrtle 'Sioux'

Here, Crape Myrtle starts blooming at the end of July, and will continue throughout August and even into September.  The display is so worth the wait, and just as the summer winds down, the blooms bring new life to the landscape.

Crape Myrtle Sioux August 2015

I cannot get enough of their color and enjoy looking at them several times a day.

Platycodon (Balloon Flower)

These Platycodon (Balloon Flower) are such a conversation piece and have been for years.  They are located in the garden bed leading to the back entry and visitors always want to know their identity. This particular variety is unusual in that the "balloons" never open. They stay closed and filled with air so you can pop them like bubble wrap once they turn brown...such fun!

Hydrangea 'Endless Summer'

The hydrangea are in flower and doing well after not blooming last season due to the harsh winter.  Here are Hydrangea  'Endless Summer' with its voluminous bluish-purple blooms...

Hydrangea 'Tardivia'

and 'Tardivia' with its large white fragrant panicles that last for several weeks.

Daylily 'Stella D Oro'

 Daylily 'Stella D Oro' is still blooming for a second round after rejuvenating them in July... 

Echinacea 'Pow Wow' Wild Berry

and Echinacea 'Pow Pow' Wild Berry is still putting on a show...

Echinacea 'Pow Wow' Wild Berry

And now for the close up!

Saliva 'May Night'

Salvia 'May Night' is a favorite perennial of mine for its vibrant color.  It will get several blooms throughout the summer with regular deadheading.  This is bloom cycle number three, which will bring color into the end of August.

Mockingbird in Golden Oriental Spruce

Above is one of the Mockingbirds on the property. They appear to be very territorial and every year the population seems to increase. They sing a melody of tunes consisting of several calls in sequence throughout the day and seem to have a need to serenade whoever is outside at the time...which is alright by me!

Weeping Blue Atlas Cedar

In the front yard is Weeping Blue Atlas Cedar, Japanese Garden Juniper, Liriope and Heuchera (Coral Bells) 'Caramel'...

Coreopsis 'Zagreb' and Dwarf Fountain Grass 'Hameln'

along with dwarf fountain grass plumes behind Coreopsis, which is still in bloom from June.

Backyard Color Combinations

As we move along to the back here are a few long shots of the raised garden with dwarf butterfly bush in bloom...

Back Side Garden

the side gardens with Nepeta and Coral Bells...

Perennial Border August

and back perennial border along the patio with Lamb's Ear, Astilbe and Echinacea.

Sedum and Mugo Pine

For some foliage combinations, Mugo Pine serves as a backdrop to Sedum 'Brilliant', which will start blooming within the next week and continue into fall.

Sedum with Palace Purple Heuchera (Coral Bells)

Here is another combination consisting of Sedum 'Brilliant' with Heuchera 'Palace Purple' for some color contrast.

Double Pink Knock Out Rose

Still blooming are Double Knock Out Rose.  They bloom from June until frost and require little maintenance.  I just clip them once in a while to keep them full and compact.  The blooms just keep repeating for months!

Fountain Grasses August

Summer is winding down and a sure sign are the plumes on fountain grasses at the driveway's end.  One of the elements of gardening I enjoy most is the way the garden changes from month to month.  There is always something new to look forward to.

Lillium 'Stargazer' July - August

This tour would not be complete without seeing the 'Stargazer' Lilies in bloom.  Their sweet fragrance and spectacular blooms grace the property from the end of July into August. I look forward to their beautiful display every year.

August 2015 Garden

I hope you enjoyed your walk through my August garden. 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 Tuesday Garden Party, 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.

That's it for this month's tour!

As Always...Happy Gardening!

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

A Gardener's Bliss-Day of a Long Island Gardener

Being a true gardener I always take time to admire and sometimes photograph the beauty of nature I come across in my daily travels.  In my opinion the well known saying "Live, Love, Laugh" should also have the word "garden" in it for a garden can make just about anyone smile and lift ones spirits.   Follow along with me during a typical day and experience some of the gardens of Long Island.

The months of June and July are the height of the gardening season here on Long Island and there is beauty everywhere.  This photo is of a little garden on the south side of Main Street in the town of Sayville.   There are Stella D Oro Daylily and red Asiatic Lilly against the backdrop of vibrant pink Knock Out Roses. 

These giant Allium seed heads in the same garden are just wonderful...

and so are these pink Asiatic Lilies.   Believe it or not this close up photograph and all the others were taken with my cell phone. 

Now onto the next stop...In a customer's garden a bumble bee merrily enjoys the nectar of this Laceap hydrangea flower...

and this Endless Summer Hydrangea is bursting with colorful blooms. 

  The Tiger Lilies are also bursting with color.

At the end of the day and back home again I stopped off at my own garden to take in the Lamb's Ear, Salvia, Daylily, Astilbe, Coreopsis and Nepeta all in full bloom...and another day is done. 

  I must say I truly love my job and seeing all these blooms is a gardener's bliss.  I am always keeping an eye out for a photo opportunity and this day was full of them. So on that note "Live, Love, Laugh and Garden", and enjoy the beauty of nature whenever you can.   It will be sure to make you smile!

 

As Always...Happy Gardening!

 

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

  

My Favorite Gardening Photographs from 2012

During this last week of 2012 I have been doing some reminiscing and going through photographs of my most favorable gardening moments throughout this past year.  Inspired by Les from A Tidewater Gardener who started a great photography meme sharing his favorite yearly images,  I decided I would follow in his footsteps and choose my favorites...not an easy task.    I was able to narrow it down to twelve. 

  The top photo is of a butterfly that landed on a coneflower right in front of me while visiting a local memorial garden in the town of Sayville, Long Island where I live.  The garden is special to me and it was a nice way to remember it with this photo.  This peony photograph is from my own garden.  It was a lucky shot with just the right lighting conditions to capture the true essence of the flower. 

 

I could not resist getting this photo of our local visitor who we call "Donald".  I followed him around our backyard this past spring until I was able to get this picture.  As you can see he is camera shy so this was not an easy task but I finally got it!

 

This water lily is from the reflecting pond at Old Westbury Gardens on Long Island which we visited this past summer.  It is now on my favorite places and I can spend hours looking at the beautiful gardens.

 

I was shocked to be able to get this photo.  I was at the house of a client, looked down and saw this praying mantis.  I have not seen one of these rare fascinating creatures in years and there he was...ready for the camera.    I had just enough time to get the photograph before he scattered off...

 

This was taken from my own backyard one evening during the fall when the sun was just going down.  This beautiful sunset was a rare treat.

  This 'Stargazer' Lillium is from my garden this past summer. 

I saw this Lilly at Planting Fields Arboretum, Long Island this past summer during one of our two trips there.  It has become a favorite place and a fun place for photography.

 This cottage house is from Old Westbury Gardens, Long Island.  It reminds me of a fairy tale..so whimsical and almost magical...definitely one of my most favorite moments.

I photographed this Coneflower at the local memorial garden.  I loved its vivid color. 

Here is another magical scene from Old Westbury Gardens on Long Island.  This is the reflecting pond within the rose garden on the estate grounds.

 

Inspired by many of the garden photographers whose blogs I visit, I have been trying to practice some of my macro photography.   Here is a closer look of a 'Casablanca' Lillium in my backyard garden from this past summer. 

 

So there we have it..my most enjoyable gardening photographs captured for 2012.  For the last post of the year here are some encouraging words from a favorite writer...

"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

 

As Always...Happy Gardening!
 

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

Landscaping with Daylilies

Lillium Oriental 'Stargazer'

Lilies are a long-blooming welcomed addition to any landscape. They fit beautifully into just about any type of garden whether it is formal, cottage style or traditional. The true lilies or Asiatic lilies are bulb-forming perennials that belong to the family Lillaceae.

Daylily or Hemerocallis belong to the family Hemerocallis that stemmed from the family Lillaceae. The botanical name for daylily means "beautiful for a day". Daylilies grow forming clumps with continuous blooms throughout the summer and into fall. They can be grown in zones 3-9 ideally in a rich most, slightly acidic soil in full sun. Whether you choose true Lillium or Hemerocallis either can be a welcome addition to your garden.

Lillium 'Stargazer' is known for its beautiful coloration and very fragrant blooms. 'Stargazer' grows in clumps that are 12-16 inches in width and reaches a height of 36 inches and blooms from July-August. It is hardy in zones 4 to 10 and prefers to be grown in full sun in a slightly acidic and rich, well-drained soil. 'Stargazer' can be easily divided by digging up bulbs and re-planting (best done in fall). 'Stargazer' is a prolific bloomer that thrives in the garden and is an excellent addition to any landscape. 

Lillium Oriental  'Casablanca'

Lilium 'Casablanca' exhibits beautiful pure white flowers on stalks 24-36 " high. Fragrant blooms emerge in July-August against dark green foliage. This lily is as magnificent as the 'Stargazer' and is a perfect addition to a moon garden. It's striking white flowers and bright red stamens contrast against a deep green background.

Pink Oriental Lily

Pink Oriental Lily displays delicate pink spotted blooms on 24 -36 inch stalks in mid to late June. Grow this perennial in full sun in a slightly acidic and rich, well-drained soil in USDA zones 4-9. 

Hemerocallis 'Stella D Oro'

The next group of lilies belongs to the family Hemerocallis. Daylily 'Stella D Oro' is a compact clumping perennial producing fragrant golden yellow flowers on 18-20" stalks. 'Stella D Oro' prefers a humus, well-drained soil in full sun but will tolerate partial shade giving some flexibility when planting.  Out of all the daylilies it has one of the longest bloom times from late May through fall with little maintenance. Blooms can be extended through October with a late summer pruning to remove spent foliage. 'Stella D Oro' adds long-lasting color to any formal or informal landscape and it a popular favorite in the garden.

Hemerocallis 'Prairie Blue Eyes'

Hemerocallis 'Prairie Blue Eyes' is a knock-out in the landscape displaying lavender-blue flowers with green throats that bloom on 26-28" stalks mid-season in zones 4-10.  'Prairie Blue Eyes' can be grown in full sun to partial shade and will also tolerate a variety of soil types.

Hemerocallis 'Grape Velvet'

Hemerocallis 'Grape Velvet' shows off deep grape purple flowers with yellow throat on 18-24 inch stalks against deep green foliage.  'Grape Velvet' grows in zones 3-9 and blooms July-August.  It prefers to be grown in full sun and tolerates a range of soil types from slightly acidic to slightly alkaline.

Hemerocallis 'Sammy Russell'

Hemerocallis 'Sammy Russell' displays brick-red star shaped blooms with yellow-apricot throats on 24-26" stems. This outstanding hardy perennial blooms from mid-summer through fall highlighting the summer garden in zones 3-9. This perennial prefers to be grown in full sun to partial shade and can tolerate a variety of soils.

 Hemerocallis  'Pardon Me'

Hemerocallis 'Pardon Me' produces ruffled, fragrant cranberry-red petals with a yellow throats. 'Pardon Me' develops new buds over a long-blooming period from July to October and is hardy in zones 4-9.  It is a compact grower reaching only a height of 18 " which makes it easy to plan in the garden border and works well in small spaces.

Hemerocallis 'Joan Senior'

Hemerocallis 'Joan Senior' produces creamy-white blooms with a yellow throat and slightly ruffled petals. This perennial goes through two bloom cycles from early to mid-summer and grows to a height of 24-26" in zones 5-10.

Lilies are a beautiful and versatile plant and are easy to grow. Their hardiness in several zones make them a popular and widely used perennial in landscaping.   Lilies  adapt well to a variety of soil types and conditions and exhibit a long bloom time.  They add color and texture to the cottage garden, formal landscape or perennial border and can be enjoyed for years to come.

Author: Lee@A Guide To Northeastern Gardening Copyright 2011. All Rights Reserved.