Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day & Foliage Follow-Up: Temperatures Soar & Blooms Galore!

Welcome to my Garden!

Welcome to A Guide to Northeastern Gardening and to my July Long Island garden! Remember the 1980's song "Feeling Hot, Hot, Hot!"? Well, that is how it has been in our zone 7b garden. With humid days in the upper 80's and 90's with a record breaking day of 100 degrees, and frequent thunderstorms, the garden is thriving. Join me for a tour!

Feeling Hot, hot hot!!!

Let us start with the pool garden with Echinacea 'Cheyenne Spirit' (Coneflower), a native to the northeast, in full bloom. Joining the blooms of Echinacea are the blooms of Sedum 'Angelina' (Stonecrop), a groundcover form of Sedum with spikes of yellow blooms in mid-summer.

Pool Border

Echinacea 'Cheyenne Spirit' is a hybrid produced from Echinacea which produces many different colors of blooms on the same plant. Along the pool border you can see yellow, pinkish-red and orange colored flowers all in the same clump of blooms. Echinacea is known for its long lasting blooms that attract bees, butterflies and songbirds.

Echinacea 'Cheyenne Spirit'

Here are the golden-yellow blooms up close, which I think are my favorite!

Echinacea 'Cheyenne Spirit' & Blue Globe Spruce

Behind the clump of Echinacea (Coneflower) is a Blue Globe Spruce to add some extra color.

Echinacea Pow Wow 'Wild Berry'

Here is another variety of Echinacea along the patio border. This one is Echinacea Pow Wow' Wild Berry' (Echinacea purpurea) and is one of the original Echinacea (Coneflower) native to the northeast.

Salvia 'Blue By You' & Japanese Red Pine

Along the patio border is Salvia 'Blue By You' along with Japanese Red Pine 'Low Glow' I am finding that this form of Salvia is producing earlier and much long lasting blooms. It's a keeper! 

Salvia 'Blue By You'

Here are the blooms up close. The bumblebees love it, but are a little shy about getting their picture taken!

Double Red Knock Out Rose

Double Red Knock Out Roses continue to bloom along the northern border (with southern exposure!) and will continue to bloom through fall. I do deadhead the spent blooms and the plants keeps producing new foliage and buds throughout the entire season.

 Twombly's Red Sentinel Red Japanese Maple & Spirea 'Candy Corn'

Twombly's Red Sentinel is doing nicely by the patio along with Spirea 'Candy Corn' If you remember, these were new additions two seasons ago as I renovated that section of the garden. It is much lower maintenance now with lots of color. 

Daylily 'Samuel Russell'

Here is the 'Samuel Russell' Daylily that I did save from the previous planting. I enjoy its bright orangey-red blooms with yellow centers.

Jacob's Ladder 'Golden Feathers'

With all the heat and rain, the Jacob's Ladder in the shade garden continues to push out new blooms...

A Little Garden Love!

and dwarf Hosta 'Blue Mouse Ears' is producing its blooms.

Golden Hosta

Venturing along to the front island bed, this giant golden Hosta now spans over two feet wide with white blooms.

Hydrangea 'Nikko Blue'

While the Rhododendrons had a very good season this year, Hydrangeas are not enjoying the heat, but are enjoying the frequent nightly thunderstorms and having a pretty good bloom this year as well. This one is old fashioned 'Nikko Blue', a Mophead form that blooms on old wood from the previous season. I have had it for many years.

Front Northeastern Garden

Along the front northeastern garden Coral Bells (Heuchera 'Caramel') are producing their spikes of delicate blooms along with Golden Hinoki Cypress... 

Veronica (Speedwell)

while Veronica Magic Show variety is producing its blooms along the front walkway.

Weeping Eastern Redbud 'Lavender Twist'

Here is Weeping Eastern Redbud 'Lavender Twist' with its large heart-shaped foliage that adds a bit of texture to the landscape. It is accompanied by Variegated Golden Boxwood and Blue Globe Spruce.

Visit and Read a Book!

Venturing along to the back gardens, you can perhaps stay a while and read a book...

Back Island Bed

or wander over to the variegated foliage of Weigela 'My Monet' along with Hinoki Cypress 'Compacta' in the backdrop and blooms of Hydrangea 'Limelight Prime'. 

Pool Border

Here is Astilbe 'Sprite', a variety you do not see very often. I planted it years ago and it blooms after all the other Astilbe have finished and has a more delicate look about it with light pink flowers. Also is another view of groundcover Sedum 'Angelina'.

Back Island Bed Northern Side

As we approach the end of our tour, here is the shadier part of the garden beneath the Crape Myrtle tree in the backyard with 'Caramel' Coral Bells, Ajuga 'Burgundy Glow' and Dwarf Andromeda 'Cavatine'. Get ready to see the blooms of the Crape Myrtle 'Sioux' during your next garden visit!

Dwarf Butterfly Bush 'Pugster Blue'

And last, but not least are the blooms of Dwarf Butterfly Bush 'Pugster Blue', which bloomed just in time for our tour!

Thank you for Visiting!

I hope you enjoyed your visit to my July 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. 

Other Places to Find Me:

You can 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!

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 and receive monthly updates right into your inbox!

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Until we Meet Again...Happy Gardening!

Author: Lee @A Guide to Northeastern Gardening, © Copyright 2010-2025. All rights reserved.  

Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day & Foliage Follow-Up June: My Changing Long Island Garden!

Welcome Visitors!

Welcome to my garden! The official start of summer is just a few days away and the garden is alive and bursting with color. As we all know, a garden is always evolving and there have been some exciting renovations going on in my own garden this spring. After some unusually warm temperatures for the month of May, June brings temperatures mostly in the mid-70's, which are comfortable weather wise for planting. Join me for a tour of my Long Island garden to revisit some familiar sights and explore some new beginnings. 

Back Perimeter Garden

We begin at the back perimeter garden which faces south. These Double Red Knock Out Roses are a sincere delight year after year and bloom on and off throughout the summer and into fall. In the foreground is the new Weeping Norway Spruce, which was planted last spring.

Double Pink Knock Out Roses

Along that same garden bed are Double Pink Knock Out Roses, which also bring so much joy!

Kousa Dogwood 'Greensleeves'

Here is Kousa Dogwood 'Greensleeves', which is now in full bloom. This variety displays greenish-white blooms that last for several weeks, followed by large red edible fruit that appears near fall.

Weeping Blue Atlas Cedar

On the same south facing side, Weeping Blue Atlas Cedar joins the mix, surrounded by Heuchera 'Palace Purple'  (Purple Coral Bells).

Back Pool Garden Western View

On the western side of the property is the foliage of Sedum 'Brilliant', the bluish-purple blooms of Nepeta 'Walkers Low', Variegated Boxwood, Spirea Goldmound, Rhododendron 'Roseum Elegans' and the pure white blooms of Viburnum 'Summer Snowflake', accompanied by Kwanzan Cherry in the corner of the garden.

Viburnum Summer Snowflake Blooming!

A hidden birdbath lies in the distance behind the Kwanzan Cherry and Viburnum.

Hemerocallis Stella D' Oro (Daylily)

It is also Daylily season, and the Stella D' Oro Daylilies are blooming!

Patio Surround

Following along to the patio surround, Salvia 'May Night' is in full bloom along with Peony.  The Peony blooms are just about done now, but the Salvia will keep on going through July, until it needs to be deadheaded. Another round of blooms will follow into fall.

Back Pool Garden Southern Side

Spirea 'Goldmound' is blooming in the back pool garden, giving a show with its beautiful pink blooms and golden foliage.

New Pool Makeover with Weeping Norway Spruce

There has been a lot going on in the back pool waterfall area. I finally took the plunge and removed an old yew which had been losing its needles since the drought of last summer and the three days of 10 degree temperatures this past winter. I also had the crew rebuild the waterfall with extra moss rock to extend it from side to side and replanted the whole area. 

Pool Makeover Northern View

We had to move the large Weeping Norway Spruce to the top of the waterfall with a skid steer with just two feet of space between the patio and pool. I held my breath until the tree was in place, then took a deep sigh of relief.  The mission had been accomplished.

Pool Makeover Southern View

I added some Variegated Upright Boxwood on each side of the main focal point and Cherry Laurel 'Otto Luyken' to the left. Some New Wave Petunias were added for color. Later this season or next season, I may add some perennials as well, but for now I am just enjoying the new look. I am also looking forward to when the Green Giant Arborvitae in the back drop push out some new foliage and the new plantings grow to fill in some of the gaps left by the gigantic Yew that had been there for so many years.

Pool Surround

In front of Rhododendron 'Roseum Elegans' and Coral Bells (Heuchera 'Caramel'), Sky Pencil Holly adds some dimension to the garden. I enjoy their upright stature.

Perennial Border

In the perennial border, Lamb's Ear is already starting to get its blooms, which is earlier than usual. Astilbe 'Fanal' joins in with its pink blooms, which will last into July.

Sedum Groundcover

The groundcover mix of Sedum also seems to be about two weeks ahead of schedule this year with blooms already forming. The main species in this mix is Sedum 'Angelina'.

Perennial Border

Back to the perennial border, the tall foliage of Balloon Flower (front left), will lead to large blue balloon-shaped blooms later in the summer around the end of July or beginning of August. The blooms of Echinacea will follow around the same time.

Spirea Double Play 'Big Bang'

Moving along to the front yard is Spirea Big Bang 'Double Play'. The Double Play series displays  vibrant pink blooms which are larger than those of other species of Spirea, and the foliage is nice too!

Spirea Double Play 'Big Bang' Bloom Up Close

Here are the blooms up close! I followed a bumble bee around trying to capture a photo shoot, but he was camera shy! The Spirea is a great pollinator magnet.

Driveway Border

The new addition along the driveway border are these Dwarf Norway Spruce, with replaced the coreopsis. It was time for a neater look and less maintenance.

Entrance Walkway 

Along the front walkway, the heart-shaped foliage of Weeping Eastern Redbud is a delight...

Front Island Bed

and the Hosta's are in full swing on the front island bed. Accompanying them are Sedum 'Pure Joy', which will bloom later in the summer.

Thanks for Visiting!

The month of June has certainly been a busy one, with so many changes going on in my Long Island garden. As I put it...A garden is a work of art, a thing of beauty that constantly changes, and can be enjoyed for a lifetime.

June Garden

I hope you enjoyed the stroll. I appreciate you being here, look forward to your comments and enjoy seeing what you have blooming where you live! 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, 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. Wishing all a wonderful spring with gardens that thrive!

🎕 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

"As Always...Happy Gardening!" 

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

Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day & Foliage Follow-Up May: Long Island Garden in Springtime!

Welcome to my Garden!

It's the month of May, a time in the garden when more blooms are appearing everyday. With temperatures now moderating into the 70's and low 80's and with some nighttime rains, the garden is coming alive with color. Join me for a stroll in my zone 7a Long Island garden!

Allium 'Globemaster' Making its Appearance!

The first stop along the way is the pool garden, where Allium 'Globemaster' is blooming among the foliage of Daylily 'Stella D Oro', which will bloom in June. A mature weeping Norway Spruce is in the backdrop.

Allium 'Globemaster'

The blooms of this Allium are magnificent and will reach up to four to five inches in diameter when fully open.

Pulmonaria and Heuchera 'Caramel'

In the back shade area, Pulmonaria has been blooming for months and is now joined by the newly formed vibrant foliage of Heuchera 'Caramel'.

Pulmonaria

Here are the Pulmonaria blooms up close.

Perennial Border

The Perennial Border also comes alive this time of year with blooms of Salvia, accompanied by Lamb's Ear, Astilbe, Coneflower and Echibeckia blooms to follow as the season progresses. 

Salvia 'May Night'

The blooms of Salvia 'May Night' are a vibrant deep purple in springtime.

Weeping Norway Spruce, Spirea 'Limemound' and Allium 'Globemaster'

Circling back around to the pool garden is the bright lime colored foliage of Spirea 'Limemound' against the darker green foliage of Weeping Norway Spruce, with Allium 'Globemaster to the left.

Weigela 'My Monet'

The pink blooms of Weigela 'My Monet' are abundant this time of year.

Weeping Norway Spruce, Nandina 'Obsession' and Ajuga

Along the patio garden is a younger Weeping Norway Spruce with the colorful foliage of Nandina 'Obsession' and blooms of Ajuga 'Black Scallop'.

Ajuga 'Black Scallop'

Here is a closer view of the purple blooms of the Ajuga.

Prunus laurocerasus 'Otto Luyken' (Cherry Laurel )

In the shade garden, Cherry Laurel 'Otto Luyken' is having a banner year as far as blooms!

A Little Garden Whimsy

Along the stroll is a little garden whimsy tucked in among the shrubs and blooms.

Peony 'Bartzella' Buds!

Peony 'Bartzella' is full of buds and ready to bloom within the next two weeks. This hybrid Peony stands upright and produces bright yellow blooms at the end of May.

Peony 'Bartzella' Getting Ready to Bloom!

Strolling around to the back of the pool area is another semi-shade garden with blooms of Azalea, along with Japanese Forest Grass (Hakonechloa macra). 

Azalea 'Girards Fuschia' and Japanese Forest Grass

The Japanese Forest Grass does well nestled under the partial shade of the Azalea.

Azalea Girard's Rose

In the same garden are a variety of  evergreen Azalea, including this Girard's Rose.

'Summer Snowflake' Viburnum

Here is Viburnum 'Summer Snowflake' with the first of its white blooms, which resemble snowflakes. This variety of Viburnum produces blooms on and off throughout summer and into fall.

Hosta 'Patriot'

Foliage is important too! Here is the attractive green and creamy-white foliage of Hosta 'Patriot'...

Driveway Border

and in the driveway border is the golden foliage of Skyland's Oriental Spruce and Hinoki Cypress 'Verdoni', along with Mugo Pine, Weigela Spilled Wine (getting ready to bloom) and the bluish-purple blooms of  Nepeta 'Walker's Low'.

Picea orientalis Skyland's ('Skyland's' Oriental Spruce)

The Skyland's Spruce is loaded with baby seed cones this time of year.

Leucothoe 'Axillaris'

There is new foliage and blooms everywhere, including the new red foliage and white bell-shaped blooms on Leucothoe 'Axillaris'.

Baptisia 'Lemon Meringue' (False Indigo)

Along the patio garden are the blooms of Baptisia Lemon Meringue, otherwise known as False Indigo...

Japanese Iris

and the Japanese Iris are blooming too!

Driveway Border

As we venture along to the left driveway border, Weeping Norway Spruce is accompanied by Heuchera 'Palace Purple', Spirea 'Magic Carpet', Blue Star Juniper and Variegated Iris.

Driveway Border

The foliage of Spirea 'Magic Carpet' is striking, especially in springtime, with pink blooms to follow.

Thanks for Visiting!

I hope you enjoyed the stroll through my May garden. I appreciate you being here, look forward to your comments and enjoy seeing what you have blooming where you live! 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, 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. Wishing all a wonderful spring with gardens that thrive!

🎕 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

"As Always...Happy Gardening!" 

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