Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day & Foliage Follow-Up April: Welcome Spring-Bring on the Blooms!

Welcome to my Garden!

Welcome! It has been a windy, cold, rainy April, but that does not stop the flowers from blooming! With some milder days mixed in with temperatures mainly in the 40's and 50's and the moderate rain, there are signs of Spring and the garden coming to life everywhere. Join me for a tour of my Long Island, zone 7b garden!

Welcoming Committee!

The welcoming committee stands by with beverage of choice in hand to greet visitors to the garden. Behind them, Spirea Double Play 'Candy Corn' adds a touch of brightness to the garden with its outstanding reddish-pink foliage, which later turns to orange, then to a mixture of light green and yellow with orange highlights, a color resembling that of candy corn; hence, the name. This addition is new to the garden just last year and I am loving it!

Hellebore 'Champion'

In the shade border, Hellebore 'Champion' is now in full bloom, displaying its pinkish-yellow bracts with pistils and stamens in the center. This evergreen with months of blooms is perfect for early arriving pollinators, with the first bumblebee visitor arriving just the other day.

Hellebore 'Merlin'

Also in bloom is Hellebore 'Merlin' with its pinkish bracts. It has been blooming for about a month now and continues to please, while in the same shade border is Hellebore 'Dark & Handsome'.

Hellebore 'Dark & Handsome'

I do love all the different varieties of Hellebores and how they bloom at different times throughout the winter, but I think just maybe 'Dark & Handsome' could be my favorite! It does point more downward that the other varieties, but the blooms are like no other!

Spirea Double Play 'Candy Corn' and Stachys (Lamb's Ear)

For some more colorful foliage, here is another view of Spirea 'Candy Corn' along with Stachys (Lamb's Ear). The soft white foliage of the Lamb's Ear has just started wakening up within the past few days.

Patio Border

Hyacinths are also in bloom right now. Here is purple Hyacinth with its fragrant blooms...

Patio Garden

joined by a white cultivar. Both exist right along the main patio within view.

Sedum 'Pure Joy'

Sedum 'Pure Joy' with its compact, lime-green foliage adds a nice touch to the garden throughout the season in anticipation for its later delicate pale pink blooms. It is also one of the most low maintenance plants in my garden, growing to just under a foot tall.

Sedum 'Angelina' (Stonecrop)

Here is Sedum 'Angelina' mixed in with a combination of several other varieties of Sedum groundcover along the pool border where it is in full sun all day. Later in the season, various colored blooms including yellow, pink and white will rise above the foliage, depending on which cultivar is blooming.

Peony 'Bartzella'

Another bloom to look forward in late May to early June is that of Peony 'Bartzella' This hybrid is a mix between the tree form and perennial form of peony, creating a stronger, sturdier plant with large yellow blooms that do not flop over. Springtime is certainly full of anticipation!

Pool Border

Along along the pool border are the forming buds of Allium 'Globemaster', which will bloom in early June along with blooms of Daylily 'Stella D Oro' to follow.

Allium 'Globemaster'

Here are the buds of Allium up close!

Pulmonaria 'Leopard'

One of my early spring bloomers in the shade garden is Pulmonaria. This variety is 'Leopard' with its deep green foliage that is freckled with white spots and complemented by bluish-purple blooms. 

Jacob's Ladder 'Golden Feathers'

Jacob's Ladder is another shade plant known for its foliage, with blooms to follow.

Patio Garden North

Along the north side of the patio garden, the bright foliage of Nandina 'Obsession' continues to please along with Weeping Norway Spruce and Dwarf Cryptomeria. Soon the blooms of Ajuga 'Black Scallop' will accompany them.

Weeping Blue Atlas Cedar Driveway Border

While waiting for Liriope (Lilyturf) to start its new season, the trunk of the mature Weeping Blue Atlas Cedar along the driveway is now visible to see.  This tree has certainly grown over the years into a huge specimen.

Driveway Border

Here is another view along of the Weeping Blue Atlas Cedar with Golden Skyland's Oriental Spruce and Coral Bark Maple in the backdrop. There is also the foliage of Boxwood, Japanese Garden Juniper, Blue Star Juniper, Hinoki Cypress and Mugo Pine to accompany them.

Dwarf Japanese Andromeda 'Cavatine'

A familiar sight in spring are the blooms of  Japanese Andromeda. This is Pieris 'Cavatine', a dwarf version of the plant with small, bell-shaped white flowers that somewhat resemble those of Lily of the Valley.

Forsythia Blooming!

And of course it just wouldn't be spring without the blooms of Forsythia, which can be seen everywhere right now on the island. I planted this one on the street median years ago so that I could watch its early bright yellow display.

Thank you for Visiting!

I hope you enjoyed your visit to my April 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. 

IN THE NEWS! Celebrating three months since The Houseplant Guide: How to Easily Select & Maintain Indoor Plants came to be! If you are into houseplants, this may be the book for you! I cover over 120 plant selections with full color photographs of each one and detailed descriptions on care and maintenance.

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 and receive monthly updates right into your inbox!

Find me on Instagram at Northeastern Gardening and Facebook at A Guide to Northeastern Gardening Blog & Author Page.

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 March: Countdown to Spring!

Welcome!

As spring approaches in less than a week and with temperatures finally getting up into the upper 50’s, the garden is starting to come to life after its winter sleep. It has been an unusual winter all around with mild temperatures followed by temperatures in the teens and single digits with very little in the way of snow to insulate the garden, followed by lots of wind during the month of February and into the beginning of March.  It has been within the past week that Mother Nature has thrown the switch for spring to arrive. Welcome to my zone 7B Long Island garden, and join me for a tour!

Hellebore 'Shooting Star'

One of my favorite views in the garden this time of year are the colorful bracts of Hellebore ‘Shooting Star’. The buds started back in January with some blooms in February and they have been somewhat delayed due to the weather, but they are now in full speed ahead for March.

Hellebore 'Merlin'

Hellebore 'Merlin' is just getting its buds and 'Champion' will probably not be blooming until April, but for this gardener it just brings more anticipation and something to look forward to.

Nandina 'Obsession'

While waiting for early blooms, I am still enjoying the colorful foliage of Nandina 'Obsession' against the lime green foliage of Dwarf Cryptomeria...and some signs of spring are upon us!

Hello Hyacinths!

Well, hello Hyacinths! The foliage has surfaced in just the past week and give hope of blooms to follow. 

Kousa Dogwood 'Greensleeves' 

While walking throughout the garden, the bark of Kousa Dogwood 'Greensleeves' really catches the eye. It is not something I have particularly noticed before, but this March it seems to call to me to get a closer look. The bark exfoliating is an adaption for shedding old growth and creating new; hence, strengthening the tree.

Coral Bark Maple

While the garden is waking up, the coral-red bark of Coral Bark Maple 'Sango Kaku' is still vibrant against the deep blue sky and soon the Weigela in the foreground will start to get some new buds.

Crocus!

Slowly but surely, crocus is starting to emerge from its dormancy. I have gardening friends in cooler climates with crocus already blooming, so these are taking their time! I just looked back at the March post from last year  and the crocus were in full bloom. I think the spans of temperatures in the teens and single digits really delayed their growth. Is your (almost spring) garden on time or delayed?

Front Island Bed

Here on the front island bed is the view for March with some signs of new buds on deciduous shrubs and perennials. As mentioned before, the evergreens hold down the fort in winter with their continuing interest.

Holly Berries

The bright red berries of Nellie Stevens Holly are always a treat both for the senses and for the birds...

Weeping White Pine

and something as simple as a single pine cone from Weeping White Pine can be fun to photograph.

Hello Allium 'Globemaster' !

In the same garden bed, Allium 'Globemaster' is emerging on time. I enjoy the pinkish-red tips that border the foliage, with large lavender-purple blooms to follow!

'Low Glow' Pine

Along the patio border is the interesting foliage of Pinus 'Low Glow', which will get even more attractive as it produces new brighter light green clusters, that almost glow. Alongside 'Low Glow' is Juniperus 'Gold Strike' with its deeper winter foliage that will become more golden as the temperatures warm.

More Hellebores!

As we get near the end of our stroll, here is another look at Hellebore 'Shooting Star'. It's creamy-rose blooms and golden yellow stamens make for a wonderful addition to the northern border, and it will continue to bloom through April.

And Indoors...

As the landscape awakens outside, African Violet continues to bloom indoors...

Blooms Continue!

while Thanksgiving Cactus just keeps on giving. I find that by pinching back growth slightly after bloom, new growth emerges and more blooms develop bringing interest right into spring.

Thank you 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. 

IN THE NEWS! Celebrating two months since The Houseplant Guide: How to Easily Select & Maintain Indoor Plants came to be! If you are into houseplants, this may be the book for you! I cover over 120 plant selections with full color photographs of each one and detailed descriptions on care and maintenance.

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 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 and receive monthly updates right into your inbox!

Find me on Instagram at Northeastern Gardening and Facebook at A Guide to Northeastern Gardening Blog & Author Page.

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 March: Long Island Garden Signs of Spring!

Welcome!

Welcome! There are signs of spring everywhere as the temperatures warm into the mid to upper 50's to 60's after two inches of rain and sixty mile an hour winds just a few days ago. Look around and you will see colorful foliage and blooms emerging everywhere from their winters sleep and the garden changing day by day as we head towards spring. I can see a difference in the timing of blooms as they seem to be a couple of weeks earlier this year. Perhaps the groundhog was right, but as well all know, March is an unpredictable month. Join me for a tour of my Long Island garden!

Welcoming Committee

The Welcoming Committee is here to greet you and the first stop is the along patio border.

Purple Crocus & Hyacinths too

With the rain and warming temperatures, crocus started coming up everywhere and rather quickly. It was just a few days ago that it was just foliage emerging from the ground. Along the patio border is purple crocus with the foliage of Hyacinths behind it. There will be more blooms to follow as spring gets underway.

Hellebore 'Champion' (Lenten Rose)

In the pool border winter blooming Hellebore 'Champion' is now in full bloom as it thrives in the shade cast by a Weeping White Pine. I enjoy the yellowish-green color of  the bracts on this variety.

Hellebore 'Champion' (Lenten Rose)

Here are its amazing blooms closer up. You can get a view of the pinkish undersides which provide an additional touch of color.

More Purple Crocus!

As you may have guessed by now, I have an admiration for purple crocus! I love how the blooms symbolize spring and the shades of purple do vary a bit. This one seems to have a little more white in its veins compared to the others.

Hellebore 'Merlin' (Lenten Rose)

Along the back perimeter is Hellebore 'Merlin' in bloom with its pinkish bracts and central yellow flowers. 'Merlin' tends to start blooming in February and continues through March, providing months of interest.

Leucothoe 'Axillaris' Late Winter

In the back shade border Leucothoe 'Axillaris' is displaying a slightly reddish tint to its foliage this time of year...

'Nellie Stevens' Holly Berries Late Winter

and the berries of Nellie Stevens' Holly are at their best.

Japanese Skimmia

Also in the back shade garden is Japanese Skimmia forming its buds. Creamy white fragrant blooms will follow in mid-spring.

Blue Atlas Cedar and Juniper 'Gold Lace'

For some foliage, here is Blue Atlas Cedar and Juniper 'Gold Lace' on the northern front island bed. This is just another combination that supplies color and interest year round.

Hellebore 'Shooting Star' (Lenten Rose)

On the northern side of the property Hellebore 'Shooting Star' has been blooming since January...

Sedum 'Brilliant' Rosettes

and the rosettes of Sedum 'Brilliant' are now emerging in the southern part of the garden.

White Crocus

Some white blooming Crocus add a sense of purity to the garden...

Allium 'Globemaster'

as the foliage of Allium 'Globemaster' emerges. Giant lavender-purple blooms will appear on tall stalks during the month of June!

Spirea 'Candy Corn' Budding Out

I purchased this newer cultivar of dwarf Spirea named 'Candy Corn' last season and decided to put it into a planter by the back door. It stays more compact only growing two feet in height and width and has the most amazing foliage, colored like candy corn! I was surprised to see it getting buds before any of the other Spirea. 

Anna's Magic Ball Arborvitae'

For more foliage on the front eastern side island bed is 'Anna's Magic Ball' Arborvitae with its yellow hue which stays year round. Behind it to add some darker contrast is Dwarf Mugo Pine.

Pieris 'Cavatine' Buds

On the same island bed is Pieris 'Cavatine', a dwarf form of Japanese Andromeda. It's foliage is evergreen and soon its buds will open into little bell-shaped flowers.

Front Island Bed

I often get comments about the tree in the left backdrop. It is Coral Bark Maple 'Sango Kaku' and it is prized for its beautiful pinkish-red bark, which becomes even more vibrant as the temperatures cool. To the right of  the Coral Bark Maple is Skyland's Golden Oriental Spruce and in the direct center of the island bed is a Weeping Norway Spruce. Spirea 'Lemon Princess', Spirea 'Big Bang' and various perennials join the evergreens. Gardening Tip: Late winter/early spring is the time to prune back your Spirea to encourage fullness, new growth and to encourage blooms. 

Seasonal Planter

The seasonal planters always bring me joy whatever the season and this one which I have had for a few years now is thriving. This combo is Dwarf Alberta Spruce, 'Whipcord' Arborvitae, Boxwood and Dwarf Hinoki Cypress, which resides by the back gate entry. 

Seasonal Planter

The planter I created in late Fall has weathered the winter well and I have been getting much enjoyment from it. I did have to cover the plants when the temperatures dropped down into the teens for a few nights to protect the more delicate Cypress, but the combination of the yellow color from the Cupressus macrocarpa 'Goldcrest' (Lemon Cypress) along with the berries of the Gaultheria (wintergreen) was a win-win!

And Indoors!

As the spring season approaches, I am enjoying the African Violets blooming indoors and kitty is too, although I think it's all about the sunshine for her. Until we meet again, happy almost spring and I hope you get to have some quality time in the garden. "The glory of gardening: hands in the dirt, head in the sun, heart with nature. To nurture a garden is to feed not just the body, but the soul.”- Alfred Austin

Thank you for Visiting!

I hope you enjoyed your visit to my March garden. I so appreciate you being here, look forward to your comments and look forward to seeing what you have growing in your area. 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. 

 Plan your Garden-Read My Books! Click on the links for more info and to Purchase!

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

"As Always...Happy Gardening!" 

Author: Lee @A Guide to Northeastern Gardening, © Copyright 2010-2024. All rights reserved.