Summertime at the Beautiful Old Westbury Gardens-Old Westbury, Long Island, NY

Old Westbury Gardens

After some time, I was able to re-visit one of my favorite garden places, Old Westbury Gardens, located in the town of Old Westbury on the north shore of Long Island. As you may have read in one of my earlier posts, the grounds were the former home of John S. Phipps along with his wife Margarita Grace Phipps and their four children. John Phipps (1874–1958) was an American lawyer and businessman and heir to the Phipps family fortune, along with being a shareholder of his father-in-law's Grace Shipping Lines. He was also director of the Hanover Bank, United States Steel Corporation and W. R. Grace & Company. Phipps had purchased the 160-acre Quaker farm on Long Island where he built a large mansion surrounded by breathtaking gardens. The daughter of John and Margarita Phipps re-opened the vast estate following the death of her parents and it is currently run as a non-profit organization open to the public.

Old Westbury Mansion

Since the beauty of these magnificent gardens goes beyond words, let me guide you through a pictorial tour with brief captions explaining each capture. The photographs to follow were taken of the gardens during the month of July. I hope you enjoy the virtual visit! 

Old Westbury Gardens Fern Planter on the back balcony.

Old Westbury Gardens Roman Style Reflecting Pool Behind Lake

Canadian Goose Resident

Pergola Covered Walkway Through to Rose Garden

This Thatched Cottage along the Way was the playhouse of the only Phipps daughter, Peggie, which was presented to her for her tenth birthday.

Continue along the walkway to Rose Garden.

Rose Garden Surrounded by Boxwood Hedge

Tea Roses in the Garden

The Walled Garden at Old Westbury Gardens during the month of July with a multitude of flowering plants, including Russian Sage and Various Lillies.

Central Fountain located in the Walled Garden Old Westbury Gardens

Walled Garden in July at Old Westbury Gardens. The area is surrounded by high brick walls entered into through decorative iron gates. Gardens are separated into rooms with an English style flair.

Along the garden wall is Hemerocallis Elegant Candy at the Old Westbury Gardens.

Hemerocallis Elegant Candy at Old Westbury Gardens

Echinacea Ruby Star at Old Westbury Gardens

Dahlia at Old Westbury Gardens

Gazebo at the Walled Garden at Old Westbury Gardens

Gazebo and Lake at Walled Garden Old Westbury Gardens

Water Lilies at Old Westbury Gardens

Water Lilies at Old Westbury Gardens

Statue at Old Westbury Gardens in the Allee

Old Westbury Gardens View of Back of Mansion from Allee

Swimming Pool Behind Westbury Mansion

Bridge to Temple of Love

View from Bridge

Local Wildlife-A Turtle Visitor

The Temple of Love at the Old Westbury Gardens. The masonry and wrought iron structure overlooks the lake behind the mansion.

“To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow.”― Audrey Hepburn. I think the Phipps had this in mind when they created this beautiful place. I hope you enjoyed the charming Old Westbury Gardens in July. For more information visit their website at Old Westbury Gardens.

As Always...Happy Gardening!

Author: Lee@A Guide to Northeastern Gardening, © Copyright 2018. All rights reserved 

Creating An Inviting Butterfly Garden: 15 Recommended Plants

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail and Painted Lady Butterflies with Nectar Flowers

Creating a butterfly garden can be fun and rewarding.  For starters, fragrance and color are the two factors that attract butterflies and basically two types of plants are needed; host plants, those that caterpillars feed on, and nectar plants, those that are a food source for adult butterflies.  For example, the host plants for the of the eastern black swallowtail caterpillar are members of the parsley family; especially dill, fennel and carrots while the Monarch caterpillar thrives on Milkweed.  Nectar plants on the other hand include a variety of plants for your garden that will supply a food source and inviting habitat for once the mature butterflies develop.   I have comprised a list of fifteen recommended nectar plants hardy in zones 3-9 with descriptions to guide you in building your own butterfly habitat!

Echinacea purpurea 'Kim's Knee High'(Purple Coneflower)

Hardiness: Zones 3-9 

Height & Width: 18-24"

Growing Conditions: Full Sun in Moist, Well-Drained Soil 

Bloom Time: June-September

Rudbeckia fulgida 'Goldstrum' (Black-eyed Susan)

Hardiness: Zones 4-9 

Height & Width: 24" Tall & Wide 

Growing Conditions: Full Sun to Partial Shade, Moist Well-Drained Soil 

Bloom Time: July-September

Buddleia Lo & Behold 'Blue Chip' (Dwarf Butterfly Bush)

 Hardiness: Zones 5-9 

Height & Width: 3' Tall and Wide 

Growing Conditions: Full Sun, Moist Well-Drained Soil 

Bloom Time: Late Summer - Fall (July-September) 

Gaillardia Goblin (Blanket Flower)

Hardiness: Zones 3-9

Height & Width: 12-18"

Growing Conditions: Full Sun, Medium-Dry Soil

Bloom Time: June-Frost 

 Aster 'Woods Purple' (Michaelmas Daisy)

Hardiness:  Zones 3-8

Height & Width:  12" Tall & Wide

Growing Conditions:  Full Sun & Moist Well-Drained soil 

Bloom Time:  Fall (August -September)

Monarda 'Marshall's Delight' (Bee Balm)

 Hardiness: Zones 4-8 

Height & Width: 1-2' High By Wide 

Growing Conditions: Full Sun-Partial Shade, Medium-Moist Soil 

Bloom Time: July-August

Hyssopus officinalis (Hyssop)

Hardiness: Zones 4-10 

Height & Width: 5' Tall and 2' Wide 

Growing Conditions: Full Sun, Moist Well-Drained Soil 

Bloom Time: Late Summer (August-September)

Phlox paniculata (Tall Garden Phlox)

Hardiness: Zones 4-8 

Height & Width: 4' Tall,1' Wide

Growing Conditions: Full Sun, Well-Drained Soil 

Bloom Time: Mid-Summer (June-July)

Nepeta faassenii 'Walkers Low' (Catmint)

 Hardiness: Zones 4-8 

Height & Width: 2' High by 3' Wide

Growing Conditions: Full Sun-Part Shade, Medium Moist, Well-Drained Soil 

Bloom Time: April-September

Coreopsis 'Zagreb'

Hardiness: Zones 3-8 

Height & Width: 18-24 " 

Growing Conditions: Full Sun, Well-Drained Soil 

Bloom Time: All Summer (June-September)

Salvia nemorosa 'May Night' (Meadow Sage)

Hardiness: 4-9

Height & Width: 18-24"

Growing Conditions: Full Sun, Well-Drained Soil 

Bloom Time: End of May-July

Achillea 'Moonshine' (Yarrow)

Hardiness: Zones 3-9

Height & Width: 2-3' High by Wide 

Growing Conditions: Full Sun, Medium-Dry Soil 

Bloom Time: June-September

Perovskia atriplicifolia (Russian Sage)

Hardiness: Zones 5-9 

Height & Width: 3-5' High, 2-4 ' Wide 

Growing Conditions: Full Sun, Medium-Dry Soil 

Bloom Time: July-October

Liatris spicata (Gay Feather)

Hardiness: Zones 3-8 

Height & Width: 2-4' High, 1-2' Wide

Growing Conditions: Full Sun, Well-Drained Soil 

Bloom Time: July-August

Solidago (Goldenrod)

Hardiness: Zones 3-9 

Height & Width: 3' Tall by 3' Wide 

Growing Conditions: Full Sun, Sand/Loam Well-Drained Soil 

Bloom Time: Late Summer-Fall (August-October)

Monarch Butterfly on Buddleia (Photo: Richard Dressner)

All these plants have proven to be effective in luring butterflies to the garden and once your garden is established you will find that you have the same butterfly visitors on a daily basis. If you are looking to develop a full butterfly, wildflower or cottage style garden I would recommend choosing five to seven plants depending on the size of your space and combine both warm hues (reds, oranges, yellows, pinks) with cool hues (blues, purples, lavenders) as companion plants.  Group each of the same plant in masses for impact.  Another option is to choose a few varieties of nectar plants and place them in different locations throughout the garden.

Personally I have a combination of each.  In one section of the property I have several butterfly friendly plants in a cottage style perennial garden.  In other sections I have single focal point and mass groupings of dwarf butterfly bushes along with coreopsis, nepeta and salvia.  Depending on your location you may enjoy many species of beautiful butterfly visitors to your garden such as Swallowtail, Monarch and Painted Lady among others.   Your butterfly habitat can fit into any garden style you choose.  Simply select your favorite combination of host and nectar plants and the butterflies will be sure to come!

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My Books on Amazon:
A Guide to Northeastern Gardening: Journeys of a Garden Designer Zones 3-9 

Landscape Design Combinations

As Always...Happy Gardening!

Author: Lee@A Guide To Northeastern Gardening, Copyright 2014. All rights reserved.

The Fall Garden-Fall Blooming Perennials & Shrubs

Fall Garden

Autumn has arrived in the northeast and as daytime temperatures decline there are still a variety of fall blooms that can brighten and add longevity to your landscape.  As many of the summer blooms start to fade fall blooming perennials and shrubs such as Sedum, Aster, Liriope, Goldenrod, Butterfly Bush and dwarf grasses among others can add interest to your late summer-fall garden and bring you enjoyment late into the planting season.  The varieties of shrubs and perennials mentioned below have proven to be hardy and reliable in my zone 7 northeastern garden and will be sure to add delight to your outdoor space.

Variegated Liriope (Lillyturf)
Zones 6-11
Sun-Part Shade-Full Shade
Height 8-16", Width 8-12 "

Variegated Liriope or Lillyturf is a wonderful perennial for all summer long with interesting texture and grass-like variegated foliage followed by vibrant eye-catching spikes of purple blooms in late summer and fall.  It fits nicely into either a formal or informal landscape and lasts into winter.  At this time of year it is at its peak and is spectacular!

Sedum 'Brilliant'
Zones 4-8
Full Sun to Part Shade
Height 18-24", Width 18-24 "

Sedum 'Brilliant' is a more compact form of sedum which stays upright while other varieties such as 'Autumn Joy' tend to get top heavy and fall over.   'Brilliant' displays vibrant deep pink blooms that turn orange in fall on top of succulent-like clumping foliage.  Planted along with dwarf grasses it makes a nice fall statement.  I have plenty of these on my own property and they always add wonderful interest to the fall garden.

Aster Michaelmas Daisies (Pink)
Zones 5-9
Full Sun
Height 12-24", Width 12-18"

Asters are a known sign of autumn and are commonly seen in perennial borders or in container plantings.  They add an eye-catching display of color to the garden.

Aster Michaelmas Daisies (Purple)
Zones 5-9
Full Sun
Height 12-24", Width 12-18"

Asters come in a variety of colors including pink, purple, red, blue and white and serve nicely in a cut bouquet or as dried flowers.

Solidago sphacelata 'Golden Fleece'  (Goldenrod)
Zones 4-9
Full Sun - Part Shade
Height 18-24", Width 18-24"

Goldenrod is a bright fall perennial that displays golden-yellow flowers on arching branches and is popular in the New England cottage garden. Do not confuse it with Ragweed which blooms about the same time and is an allergen to many! Goldenrod comes in a number of varieties ranging in size from two to six feet. 'Golden Fleece' (above) stays at a more compact height of only two feet.

Hydrangea 'Tardivia'
Zones 3-8
Full Sun-Partial Shade
Height 3-6', Width 3-6'
 

Hydrangea 'Tardivia' is a beautiful long blooming variety of hydrangea that lasts well into fall with large elongated white blooms on dark green foliage. While other varieties of hydrangea have completed their bloom season 'Tardivia' steps up to the plate and lasts well into the first frost.   The gently fragrant blooms are an added wonderful delight as one passes by.

Dwarf Fountain Grass
Zones 4-9
Full Sun -Part Shade
Height 2-3', Width 2-3'

Dwarf fountain grasses are a popular addition to the garden due to their wispy silvery bottle brush plumes produced in fall.  Fountain grasses add interest and movement in the garden throughout the season and provide winter interest as well. The variety pictured above is 'Hameln' which stays as a compact 2-3 foot plant and serves well in just about any type of garden.

Echinacea purpurea 'Magnus' (Purple Coneflower)
Zones 4-9
Full Sun
Height 24-36",  Width18-24" Wide

Echinacea or Coneflower forms showy upright clumps of vibrant blooms from late summer into fall that are a feeding station to many species of butterfly. There are many varieties of this beautiful perennial ranging from pink to yellow to white and they serve beautifully in a perennial border, cottage or prairie garden.

Rudbeckia
Zones 3-9
Full Sun-Partial Shade
Height 2-3'. Width 18-24"

Rudbeckia or "Black Eyed Susan" is a popular perennial in cottage, woodland  and prairie gardens and blooms from late summer throughout fall into the first frost.  Bright golden-yellow petals surround a darker central portion that pop in the garden.  Rudbeckia spreads freely and serves nicely as a mass planting in sun or part shade.  Rudbeckia and Echinacea complement one another beautifully.

Knock Out Rose 'Radrazz'

Zones 5-10

Full Sun
Height 3-4, Width 3-4'

 

Knock Out Roses are an excellent addition to the garden since they produce continuous blooms from summer throughout fall.  The above variety 'Radrazz' puts on a show of vibrant pinkish-red fragrant blooms all the way until frost and is a favorite of garden enthusiasts.   This one is also a personal favorite of mine right along with Pink and Red Double Knock Outs. 

Perovskia atriplicifolia (Russian Sage)
Zones 4-9
Full Sun
Height 3-4', Width 2-3'

Russian sage produces bushy upright stalks of grayish leaves that are lacy and fragrant.  Spikes of violet-blue blooms appear in late summer and last well into fall.  The open informal habit of Perovskia makes it a great filler in the backdrop of a cottage style perennial garden or border.

Chelone lyonii 'Hot Lips' (Turtlehead)
Zones 3-8
 Sun-Part Shade-Full Shade

Height 24-30",  Width 18-24"

I recently discovered Chelone (Turtlehead) in a friend's garden this fall.  Turtlehead are native wildflowers that adapt easily to garden conditions.  Showy and long-lived they are a magnet to bumblebees and butterflies and bring nature to the garden.  They serve nicely in an informal perennial border. 

Chrysanthemum morifolium (Hardy Garden Mum)
Zones 5-9
Full Sun-Part Shade
Height 1-2', Width 2-3'

Last but not least is the traditional fall flower..the hardy Garden Mum.  Mums come in a vast variety of colors and last well into the first frost.  They are often planted in containers for a fall punch of color or can be placed in the garden for autumn blooms. 

The arrival of Autumn does not mean the end of the gardening season. By simply adding one or more of these selections to your landscape your garden blooms will be prolonged well into fall and bring extended enjoyment to your outdoor space.

What's blooming in your garden?

As Always...Happy Gardening!

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