This Month in the Garden: Autumn Interest

Welcome!

Welcome to This Month in the Garden! Autumn has arrived and the landscape is transiting into an array of color with each passing day. Starting with subtle hints, the garden becomes more of a work of art with color everywhere as the days grow shorter. In the words of Albert Camus, "Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower." I couldn't agree more as the garden always keeps me anticipating the next wonder. Here are a few selections to incorporate into the landscape for interest during the fall season.

Coral Bark Maple 'Sangu Kaku' Autumn Color

The first, Coral Bark Maple, provides striking color in autumn, which is difficult to beat. As the temperatures cool, light green foliage turns to yellow then orange before the leaves drop. Afterwards, the newer growth of branches glows a bright coral-red in winter. Coral Bark Maple grows to a height and width of 20 feet tall by 15 feet wide and prefers full sun to partial shade.

Dwarf Maiden Grass 'Yaku Jima' 

Next is Miscanthus 'Yaku Jima', a dwarf variety of Maiden Grass that maintains a more compact, upright habit, which is perfect for smaller spaces. Displaying attractive fall plumes, this variety grows to a height and width of 3-4 foot tall by wide and is hardy in USDA zones 5-9. A similar variety is Miscanthus 'Adagio'. Note: The clumping nature and more compact size of these varieties make them less likely to be invasive.  It is best to leave grasses in winter to protect the roots from cold and to cut back in early spring just before new growth appears.

Montauk Daisy October

Next, and hardy in USDA zones 5-9, the white blooms and yellow centers of Montauk Daisy welcome fall. Montauk Daisy grows to a mature height and width of 2-3 feet and prefers full sun and a well-drained soil. Maintenance Tip: To promote fullness and to keep the plant more compact, it is recommended to prune back foliage tips in June.

Callicarpa (American Beautyberry) Autumn

Known for its beautiful purple berries that cover the plant in fall, Callicarpa, also known as Beauty Bush or American Beautyberry, provides a food source for birds and deer. American Beautyberry is hardy in USDA zones 7-11 and grows 3-5 feet tall by wide. Grow in full sun to partial shade.

Nellie Stevens Holly Berries Autumn

For attractive deep green glossy leaves and bright red berries in autumn, Nellie Stevens Holly (Ilex Nellie Stevens) is a large growing broad-leaved evergreen, which reaches 15-20 feet tall by 8-15 feet wide. Note: While the berries are attractive to the eye, they are edible for birds, but not humans or pets. Nellie Stevens Holly is hardy in USDA zones 6-9 and prefers a location with full sun to partial shade and a well-drained soil.

Japanese Kousa Dogwood Fruit Autumn

Japanese Kousa Dogwood is a beautiful small specimen tree for smaller spaces, displaying lovely white blooms in springtime-early summer, followed by bright red edible fruit in the fall, which can be made into jelly. Hardy in USDA zones 5-8, Kousa Dogwood reaches a height and width of 15-25 feet and prefers a location with full sun to partial shade. Maintenance Tip: Prune after bloom to maintain a more compact shape.

Echinacea (Coneflower) Seed Heads

A familiar sight in fall are the seed heads of perennials. Echinacea displays colorful blooms late summer into fall and provides an important food source for birds once it goes to seed. The seed heads also add interest to the fall landscape.

 Sedum 'Brilliant'

This more dwarf version of Sedum does not flop over like the taller varieties. The flowers also provide late season attraction for pollinators. Sedum is known to grow in zones 3-11 and prefers full sun, but will also grow in some shade. A nice combination for autumn is that of Dwarf Maiden Grass and Sedum 'Brilliant'.

Variegated Liriope (Lilyturf)

Known for its brilliant purple blooms in fall is Liriope. Hardy in USDA zones 4-10. Liriope grows best in partial shade or full sun with afternoon shade and reaches a height and width of 10-18 inches. Maintenance Tip: For best results, allow the foliage to remain during winter and prune back in early spring.

Lamb's Ear (Stachys)

For all season interest, Lamb's Ear displays soft grayish-white foliage that serves nicely along a perennial border. Hardy in USDA zone 4-8, Stachys (Lamb's Ear) grows to 6-8 inches tall, prefers full sun and a well-drained soil. The foliage can last into winter as the plant can tolerate temperatures below freezing. Spikes of pink blooms rise above the foliage in mid-late summer.

Hydrangea 'Tardivia'

For blooms later in the season, Hydrangea 'Tardivia' (hardy in USDA zone 3-8) produces massive fragrant panicle blooms in late summer which last in to fall. This 8-10 foot tree-sized shrub prefers an area of full sun to partial shade, as in an eastern exposure. 

Hydrangea 'Limelight Prime'

Another variety of late blooming hydrangea is 'Limelight Prime'. Hydrangea 'Limelight Prime' produces stunning greenish-white blooms that turn to pure white and then to a pinkish hue as they age in fall. This variety stays smaller than 'Limelight', growing to a maximum of 4-6 feet high by wide and is hardy in USDA zone 3-8.

St. John's Wort Berries 

Displaying interesting fruit after yellow blooms is St. John's Wort. Hardy in USDA zones 4-9, St. John's Wort grows 2-3 feet tall by wide, prefers full sun to partial shade and is known for its medicinal qualities. This plant provides several seasons of interest.

'Summer Snowflake' Viburnum Blooms in Autumn

Just when you think its blooms are done for the season, 'Summer Snowflake' Viburnum will shoot out a last round of interest. Hardy in USDA zones 5-8, 'Summer Snowflake' Viburnum reaches 5-6 feet high by wide, and prefers full sun to partial shade. The blooms resemble snowflakes, hence the name.

Monarch Butterfly Enjoying Fall Blooms

Autumn is also a time for Chrysanthemum and Dwarf Butterfly Bush blooms...

North Fork Sunflower Maze Autumn-Long Island

and of course sunflowers, as they bloom against the deep blue sky.

Thank You for Visiting!

I hope you enjoyed This Month in the Garden for the month of October. Be sure to stop by on the 1st. and 15th. of each month as I continue to share gardening tips, information and horticultural adventures! 

Also, Check out 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

and my newest addition,

Shade Gardening for the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic

This Month in the Garden: Seasonal Planters

Seasonal Planters

Welcome to This Month in the Garden! While traditional garden beds offer a more permanent option, seasonal garden planters have become increasingly popular due to their versatility, mobility, and ability to be altered with different displays throughout the growing season. Based on the time of year, plant choices can be combined for an ever evolving display of color and foliage, from robust blooms in springtime, to colorful foliage and autumn-like colors to bring in fall, and perhaps evergreens to carry on through wintertime. Seasonal planters play an important role in the garden and provide additional interest even beyond landscaping. 

Spring/Summer Planter Combination

We often hear the terms, "thriller", "filler" and "spiller" used in container gardening. A "thriller" is defined as the main central focal point in your planter (usually taller), surrounded by the medium-sized "fillers", which take up the majority of space in the planter, to the "spillers', which can create a dramatic effect by trailing over the sides of the container for added interest. For starters, this spring/summer arrangement consists of the variegated foliage of Canna Lily Indica Tropicana 'Mactro Gold' as the center "thriller", or focal point, four assorted Coleus and four New Wave Petunia as a second layer, or "fillers" and four Sweet Potato Vine (Purple and Gold) with four Tradescanthia Pistachio White, as "spillers", which will cascade over the rim of the planter as the season progresses.

Summer Planter Combination

Container options come in a variety of sizes, shapes and materials and can be aesthetically pleasing, adding interest to your arrangement. Several options are available, including cement, resin, ceramic, terracotta, or perhaps boxes or barrels constructed of wood. For areas of limited space and changing sunlight, portable planters give you the flexibility to rearrange your garden and create interest. When planning your arrangement, be sure to use a good lightweight all purpose potting soil mix containing a balanced blend of organic matter, such as compost, peat moss or coconut coir, drainage and aeration materials such as perlite or pumice, pH adjusters and a source of nutrients for healthy growth. A container with drainage holes is best, but if not possible, be sure to use a layer of  a course material, such as gravel or pebbles in the bottom of the planter to allow excess water to drain away from the plant's roots. This cement urn is the ideal candidate for a combination of two varieties of flowering New Wave Petunia and Sweet Potato Vine for all-summer interest. River rocks were placed in the bottom (more narrow) section of the urn for drainage purposes. 

Shade Foliage Planter Combination

For a shady location, try a combination of miniature Hosta, variegated liriope and Black Mondo Grass for a striking display of foliage. This birdbath, turned planter, is tucked away in the garden as a hidden surprise. Helpful Tip: Be sure to choose plantings which share similar lighting and water requirements to ensure success!

Shade Patio Planter Combination

Another shade combination for under a covered patio is a combination of Coleus and Sweet Potato Vine. Try combining Coleus varieties of different heights and colors to create a layered look and add the Sweet Potato Vine as a "spiller" to cascade over the edges of the planter. This is just one example and the possibilities are numerous. Maintenance Tip: Once the Coleus starts to flower, I keep the plant deadheaded to prevent it from going to seed, thus extending its season into fall.

Full Sun Succulent Planter

For an area with full sun, you can get adventurous and choose a selection of succulents which appeal to the senses. I enjoy using the terracotta strawberry planters for aesthetics and use combinations of groundcover such as Sedum 'Blue Spruce' (blue-green), 'Angelina' (yellow), Sedum 'Tricolor' (green and pink), and 'Dragon's Blood' (deep purple). There is an endless supply of interesting succulents, so just have fun!

Full Sun Succulent Planter

So what are you waiting for? Add some planters to your garden this season and enjoy exploring new selections, including annuals, tropical species, evergreens and succulents and create the perfect combination to suit your taste and style. Seasonal planters are the ideal addition to your space and bring charm, versatility, and adaptability to your garden throughout the seasons!

I hope you enjoyed This Month in the Garden for the month of July. Be sure to stop by on the 1st. and 15th. of each month as I continue to share gardening tips, information and horticultural adventures! Also, be sure to check out my author page and books for gardening information and helpful advice, all based on my 27 years of experience as a landscape designer and ongoing involvement in the horticultural field. Until we meet again...Happy Gardening!

 🎕 Check Out My Author Page/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

and my newest addition,

Shade Gardening for the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic

Author: Lee @A Guide to Northeastern Gardening, © Copyright 2010-2023. All rights reserved. 

Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day & Foliage Follow-Up September Late Summer Garden Interest

Welcome to my Long Island Garden!

Tree of Life

As the summer winds down and the seasons are changing, there are slight hints of autumn with more comfortable temperatures in the 70's to lower 80's and finally some rainfall after seven weeks of drought like conditions. It was one of the hottest and driest summers I can remember here growing up on Long Island.  As the garden is officially in late summer mode, there are blooms to look forward to keep the garden going through fall, with more surprises in store for the winter months. Come along with me for a tour of  my zone 7a garden!

Weeping Norway Spruce and Sedum 'Pure Joy' (Stonecrop)

The first stop along the way is this Weeping Norway Spruce with a surprise below, that of Sedum 'Pure Joy', a more compact 10-12 inch form of Stonecrop with light pink blooms that appear in August and September. I love this compact form, as it stays low to the ground and blooms profusely, displaying a mound of  beautiful late summer color. 

Knock Out Roses

This vibrant red Double Knock Out Rose continues to bloom throughout summer into fall, and will continue to until the first frost. No deadheading is necessary, bit I like to keep the shrubs compact by pinching off higher growth. This encourages more re-blooming too.

Sedum 'Thundercloud'

Another form of groundcover Sedum is that of Sedum 'Thundercloud', displaying flat white blooms that resemble clouds, hence the name. It is low growing to just 10-12 inches high by wide and is an attraction to butterflies!

Liriope 'Big Blue' (Lilyturf)

While I often show Variegated Lilyturf in my garden, here is a look at Liriope 'Big Blue', which is really striking this time of year with its purple blooms. It certainly adds some color to the shade border.

St. John's Wort Late Summer

The St. John's Wort in the back shade garden is pushing out a few more of its yellow flowers along with its pretty red fruits, and next is Pulmonaria showing off its wonderful blue-green speckled foliage. 

Pulmonaria & Heuchera 'Caramel'

The Pulmonaria (Lungwort) resides next to the caramel foliage of Heuchera 'Caramel' (Caramel Coral Bells). Blooms will appear on the Pulmonaria in springtime and the Coral Bells are now finishing up their spikes of delicate pinkish-white flowers.

Shade Garden

Also in the back shade garden is a combination of Hakonechloa (Japanese Forest Grass) with Leucothoe 'Axillaris'. Have I mentioned I love combining foliage?!

Maiden Grass 'Yaku Jima' and Sedum 'Brilliant'

On the sunnier side of the property along the pool is Dwarf Maiden Grass 'Yaku Jima' with its late summer plumes, along with Sedum 'Brilliant', which is a compact, medium sized form of Stonecrop.

Spider Hosta Blooms!

Spider Hosta is always interesting to look at, especially when it is pushing out its deep purple blooms in late summer...

Pollinator!

and it's nice to see some pollinators enjoying the garden.

Daylily 'Stella D Oro' Late Summer

'Stella D Oro' Daylily is generating some new blooms after I rejuvenated it back in July. I love seeing the yellow blooms continue this time of year!

Sedum Groundcover Mix

The Sedum groundcover mix poolside has finished blooming, but the foliage is always interesting to look at. I will leave the dried seed heads for now, just for show and for the birds to enjoy too!

Back Island Bed

During this time of year, Hydrangea 'Limelight Prime' is still beautiful with its white blooms that fade to pink at the summer progresses. The Hydrangea is accompanied by Hinoki Cypress 'Compacta', Mugo Pine, Coral Bells 'Palace Purple' and Crape Myrtle.

Hydrangea 'Limelight Prime'

Here are the voluminous blooms up close!

Evergreen Garden

Behind the Boxwoods along the fence resides my mother's iris garden, which is done now for the season, but  evergreens such as Hinoki Cypress 'Verdoni' and Blue Globe 'Montgomery' Spruce keep the garden going through the fall and winter months.

Mandevilla Vine Late Summer

The Mandevilla Vine by the back entry is still going strong, and Hydrangea Let's Dance 'Big Band' is doing beautifully in the 20 inch planter I have it in from last year.

Hydrangea Let's Dance 'Big Band'

I am enjoying having this colorful and compact hydrangea right on the patio where all can see!

Thank you for Visiting!

I hope you enjoyed your visit to my September garden and as always, I look forward to your comments and visiting your garden too! 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, Friday Bliss at Floral Passions, 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.  

A Guide to Northeastern Gardening In the News:

-It has been another busy season in the horticultural world and I am looking forward to retuning to virtual conferences in the fall and meeting up with like minded individuals. 

-My newest book on Shade Gardening is coming along and now undergoing the editing process...more news to come for 2023!

-In the reading world, a friend introduced me to a wonderful read for youngsters, called Garden Gruesome by Nelson R. Elliott. It touches on a different aspect of gardening through the eyes of a child as the author takes the reader through a day in the life of Gruesome Gus, as he explores his first time in the garden. There is a lesson to be learned, there are critters that lurk beneath the blooms! I enjoyed this adorable and educational book as an adult, so I think any child would enjoy it too! (Available on Amazon)

Looking for some gardening help and inspiration? Check out my Author Page & 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!" 

 Lee @A Guide to Northeastern Gardening,© Copyright 2010-2022. All rights reserved.

Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day & Foliage Follow-Up September: Late Summer Garden

Welcome to my Garden!

It's September 15th and time for another walk in the garden for Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day. As the temperatures start to moderate into the mid to upper 70's, there is a slight feeling of autumn in the air. While some of the mid-summer blooms continue their display, the next set of seasonal interest is underway. Come along with me for a tour of my Long Island zone 7 garden.

Thanks for Visiting!

Let's start the tour with the newest welcome sign that I found on a trip out east this past week. I saw it and could not resist, for as most of you may know, I have a love of sunflowers. The sign was purchased on the way back from visiting the North Fork sunflower maze here on the island in Mattituck, a favorite on my go to list each summer.

Double Knock Out Rose 

While the sunflowers are blooming out east, my Double Red Knock Out Roses continue to thrive and push out blooms along the back patio garden. The blooms are continuous through fall.

Yaku Jima Maiden Grass & Sedum 'Brilliant'

Along the pool garden, September brings Sedum blooms. I have several varieties and this one is Sedum 'Brilliant'. It lies against a backdrop of  'Yaku Jima' Dwarf Maiden Grass, which stays upright and compact, reaching a height of about 4 feet tall with its plumes. This particular Sedum stays at a compact size of just 12-18 inches tall.

Simply Purr...fect!!

On the other side of the patio is this garden statue that my mom had bought for me many years ago. I love it, as it reminds me of  her and the smile she had the moment she saw it.

Sedum 'Brilliant'

Here is another look at Sedum 'Brilliant' up close. The blooms are exceptionally vivid this year.

Daylily Still Blooming in September!

What is this...Stella D' Oro Daylily still blooming? After a total rejuvenation (one which I perform every year), it has formed new foliage and blooms to bring the garden through fall. This one resides along the back patio.

Back Shade Garden

In the back shade garden, Liriope muscari 'Big Blue' is blooming with its spikes of vibrant purple flowers.

Liriope muscari 'Big Blue' (Lilyturf)

Its blooms are also very vibrant this year. We have been getting a lot of rain and this plant thrives on that.

Back Shade Area-Secret Garden

To the right of the liriope is a path which is somewhat hidden until you come up to it. At the end of the path is a miniature bird bath with two sparrows and the saying "Look at the Sparrow as he holds tomorrow". This part of the garden has been known as the "secret garden" when visitors come to visit.

Back Shade Garden

Here is another view of the shade garden with Leucothoe 'Axillaris', Variegated Boxwood and Hakonechloa (Japanese Forest Grass).

St. John's Wort Late Summer

On the opposite side of the path is Hypericum (St. John's Wort). It produces yellow blooms in summer, but I think I am more fascinated with these berries it produces late summer into fall. 

Echibeckia Summerina 'Blazing Fire'

Echibeckia is still blooming for the third month in a row. Love this new plant!

A Little Garden Whimsy

Come along to the opposite side of the pool garden. If you take a peak behind the Sky Pencil Holly, a stature of a girl and boy playing becomes visible among a planting of Heuchera (Coral Bells) 'Caramel'.

Kousa Dogwood Fruit Late Summer

Kousa Dogwood 'Greensleeves' is producing its bright red fruit for late summer into fall...

Sedum 'Thundercloud'

and Sedum 'Thundercloud' is displaying its soft pinkish-white blooms that resemble fluffy clouds in the late summer sky.

Mandevilla Still Blooming!

Along the patio, Mandevilla continues its non-stop blooms into fall. This has been the best season I have ever seen with this tropical vine, which I wish would survive all year in our climate!

Front Entrance Garden

As we get towards the end of the tour of my September garden, let's stroll along the front of the property to see what blooms we can find.

Front Walkway-Evergreen Walk

The Variegated Liriope is now in its bloom season, producing spikes of purple flowers against its variegated green and white foliage.

Liriope 'Variegata'

Here is a closer look!

Foliage Combination Front Garden

A foliage combination I often use is that of Heuchera (Coral Bells) 'Palace Purple' with the blue foliage of Blue Star Juniper, golden foliage of Hinoki Cypress 'Verdoni' and the variegated foliage of the liriope.

Blue Atlas Cedar & Hydrangea 'Tardivia'

Here are the late summer blooms of Hydrangea 'Tardivia' against the blue foliage of Blue Atlas Cedar in the backdrop. 

September Long Island Garden

Thank you for visiting my September garden. I hope you enjoyed your visit and as always, I look forward to 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. 

A GUIDE TO NORTHEASTERN GARDENING NEWS:

I recently had the pleasure of joining Kathy Jentz from Washington Gardener Magazine on her GardenDC Podcast and it was like talking with an old friend. We discussed the low maintenance garden and every thing else to do with gardening, including an into to my newest book. Thank you Kathy for having me! If you would like to listen to her podcast, visit here at GardenDC Podcast.

If you haven't already done so, and would like to stay informed of new posts, there is a new follow.it subscription service at the top right side of this page to replace the feedburner app which will no longer send e-mail notifications in the future. You may have already received an e-mail to confirm your subscription to continue receiving posts. 

If you are a gardener or wanting to learn more about garden design and maintenance, you may enjoy my books. To learn more, visit My Author Page. I have written four books to pass along my knowledge and experiences as a landscape designer and gardener, which I have been all my life! They are 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 my latest Gardening by Month: A Monthly Guide to Planning the Northeastern & Mid-Atlantic Garden. 

Be well and As Always...Happy Gardening! 😊

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