Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day & Foliage Follow-Up June: Welcome to my Long Island Garden!

Welcome!

Welcome to my zone 7b Long Island garden and I hope you enjoy your visit! The month of June has been the rainiest I can remember and the temperatures have been mostly in the upper 60's and low 70's, with the exception of a couple of days in the high 70's and just this week one day at 88 degrees, which felt like a heat wave! The foggy morning and evening skies and on and off showers have certainly delivered an abundance of moisture to the garden, hence all the plants have been thriving with lots of blooms. I find myself spending a lot of time in my own garden between working with clients, as being surrounded by plants brings on a feeling of peace and happiness. 

Itoh Peony 'Bartzella' in early June

As we start our stroll, let's take a moment to reflect back on just a week ago, with Itoh Peony 'Bartzella' along the patio border in full bloom. Their large yellow blooms are a sight to behold and last for only a short time, so I made sure to capture the moment. They are accompanied by Salvia 'May Night', which is still in full bloom.

Itoh Peony 'Bartzella'

Here is Peony 'Bartzella' up close. 'Bartzella' is a cross between a tree and herbaceous Peony, so its stems are sturdy and do not flop over with the weight of the flowers. I wish it would bloom longer than it does, but at least the foliage is attractive too!

Allium 'Globemaster'

Allium 'Globemaster' is in bloom poolside accompanied by Weeping Japanese Maple in the backdrop, and Spirea and Daylilies aside it.  This view is also from just a week ago before the blooms started to fade. 

Rhododendron 'Elegans'

The Rhododendrons had a wonderful season which I just had to share. This is a view from the end of May into the first week in June.

Patio Garden

Presently along the patio border is dwarf Spirea 'Candy Corn' now blooming, displaying its delicate rosy-pink clusters of flowers along with the spiked blooms of Lamb's Ear (Stachys). Balloon Flower (Platycodon 'Komachi') is starting to form buds and Echinacea 'Pow Wow' is starting to form its first flowers.

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

I am enjoying the 'Candy Corn' Spirea as it is a smaller, more compact variety of Spirea, only reaching a height of about two feet, and its branches and foliage are a fiery reddish-pink in early spring.

Perimeter Garden-Kousa Dogwood

Along the northern perimeter, Kousa Dogwood 'Greensleeves' is putting on quite a show for the month of June and will bloom for some time. I love the greenish-white flowers on this particular variety.

Perimeter Garden- Double Knock Out Roses!

It seems to be a good season for Double Knock Out Rose as well, despite all the rain. Also in view is Weeping Norway Spruce, and the foliage of Nandina 'Obsession' and Sedum 'Pure Joy'.

Patio Border

Salvia 'Blue By You', a taller and longer blooming variety of  Sage is accompanied by the variegated foliage of Osmanthus along the patio border. To the right is Weeping Blue Atlas Cedar and Heuchera 'Caramel' (Coral Bells). With a little deadheading, the blooms of 'Blue By You' will last into late summer.

Pool Border

Here is a present view of the pool border with Allium 'Globemaster', accompanied by Daylily 'Stella D Oro' and Spirea 'Limemound', which are now in bloom. Up on the waterfall, the Spruce, Variegated Boxwood and Juniper added three years ago are finally getting established and sending out a lot of new growth.

Spirea & Nepeta

With all the newer dwarf varieties of Nepeta (Catmint) on the market, I am enjoying Nepeta 'Little Trudy' in a planter by the back stoop along with Spirea 'Candy Corn' in a planter behind it. 'Little Trudy' stays at a more compact size of  just eight to ten inches high by twelve to sixteen inches wide.

Driveway Border West-Weeping Norway Spruce

As we move towards the driveway border, here is Spirea 'Magic Carpet' with Salvia 'Caradonna', Weeping Norway Spruce, Dwarf Norway Spruce and Japanese Garden Juniper.  Have I mentioned that I am a fan of Weeping Norway Spruce and dwarf conifers? You may have guessed that by now!

Driveway Border-Spirea 'Magic Carpet' and Salvia 'Caradonna'

Here is a closer view of the Spirea and Salvia 'Caradonna', along with Japanese Iris.

Japanese Iris Blooming!

This Japanese Iris is a clump that made its way outside the fence, branching off from the original iris patch that my mother planted back in the 1960's. It is a nice memory to still have a piece of it remaining after all these years.

Front Lawn

As we approach the front lawn, Heuchera 'Caramel' (Coral Bells) on the main island bed have certainly been enjoying all the rain, and Osmanthus 'Goshiki' is also pushing out some new growth, which has a pinkish hue to it. Weeping Norway Spruce, two Weeping Japanese Maples and Blue Atlas Cedar are in the backdrop.

Driveway Border East

I had replaced the coreopsis along the driveway border with these three Dwarf Norway Spruce, which have taken well to their home. They are accompanied by Golden 'Skylands' Oriental Spruce, Coral Bark Maple, Golden Hinoki Cypress 'Verdoni',  Weigela 'Spilled Wine' and Nepeta 'Walkers Low'.

Thank you for visiting!

I hope you enjoyed your visit to my June 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! Our home was selected to be on the local garden tour, "A Little Garden Music and Art," for the third time! It was a rainy day, but visitors came from near and far to see our garden and it was an honor to be part of this amazing venue!

Also, sending out a big thank you to FeedSpot for including A Guide to Northeastern Gardening in their top 20 Best New York Gardening Blogs. It is an honor plus be sure to check out the other blogs that made the list!

My sixth book, The Houseplant Guide: How to Easily Select & Maintain Indoor Plants is celebrating five months since publication! 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 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: The Spring Garden Brings Blooms & Joy!

Welcome to my May Garden!

Welcome to Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day and Foliage Follow-Up for the month of May as I share my passion of everything green. Many of us have experienced unusual weather patterns over the past few years, but this one takes the prize. For the first time in over a century, May 9th brought in a cold front with a daytime high of 46 degrees accompanied by snow squalls. Thankfully, it was a short visit, returning to normal conditions the following day. As the spring temperatures are now mostly in upper 50's to lower 60's, I find myself more engulfed in my own gardens as well as well as the gardens of my clients, which brings me much joy. I call the garden my "happy place" because it is where I feel at most in my element. Join me for a tour of my May Long Island garden. The first stop is to admire the cherry blossoms!

 Prunus serrulata 'Kwanzan' (Kwanzan Flowering Cherry)

This Kwanzan Cherry was planted in 2017 to replace an ailing Maple tree that was in the southwest portion of the property and it was one of the best gardening decisions I ever made. I absolutely love this tree and get to enjoy its display of cherry blossoms every spring right in my own backyard!

Cherry Blossoms!

Here are the blooms up close! They remind me of the childhood trips we used to take to Washington D.C. to see the cherry blossoms.

'Shadowland' Hosta

I added these 'Shadowland' Hosta on each side of the bird bath behind the Cherry tree and they are really starting to come into their element with their attractive golden highlighted foliage. 

Rosemary Blooms!

In the herb garden, the Rosemary is still blooming and has been for the past month! I had never seen it flower like this in the past and am enjoying its bluish-purple blooms!

Allium 'Globemaster' Buds!

Follow this way to the pool border. Allium 'Globemaster' is producing its buds and they get larger by the day. They will turn into four inch spherical purple globe-like blooms by the end of this month and into June. 

Western Pool Border

As we venture into what I call one of my "secret gardens", on the way is Girard's Crimson Azalea. Next to the azalea are Weeping White Pine on the right and 'Nigra' Arborvitae on the left. As the garden wraps around, there is a strip of lawn which creates a path leading to the more southern section of the property.

Southern Pool Border and Fenceline

Once we get to the end of the path, we will turn around and head back eastward. Along the way, you may notice the Purple Leaf Flowering Plum (Prunus Krauter Vesuvius) on the right and the Girard's Fuchsia Azalea blooming to the left. Crape Myrtle (not yet foliated) is in the distance moving forward, bordered by Gold Lace Juniper.

Perennial Border

In the perennial border, Itoh Peony 'Bartzella' is showing off its wonderful burgundy-tinged new foliage and buds, which will open later in May and bloom into June. Stay tuned!

Crape Myrtle Garden Bed

Let's swing back to the southern island bed where my Crape Myrtle resides so you can get a closer view of the Gold Lace Juniper that borders the tree, along with perennials such as Ajuga, Heuchera and Sedum. There is a backdrop of boxwood behind the planting, with an iris garden residing along the fenceline. 

Iris Garden

The Japanese Iris are now forming their buds.

Garden Love!

Another grouping Girard's Fuchsia Azalea are starting to open up their flowers. There will soon be an array of color behind my favorite statue! 

Back Island Bed

Here is one of my all-time favorite plant combinations, which was highlighted along with others in my second book, Landscape Design Combinations! The burgundy foliage and purple blooms of the Ajuga 'Burgundy Glow' displays itself beautifully against the backdrop of Heuchera 'Caramel' and Sedum 'Brilliant', plus there are also some purple Salvia 'May Night' to the left to add to the mix.

Viburnum carlesii  Blooming

Fragrant blooms of viburnum are a highlight during the month of May. The walk to the back garden is worth the visit!

Japanese Forest Grass ((Hakonechloa macra 'Aureola')

Japanese Forest Grass is that multi-purpose perennial that just keeps on giving. I admire its bright variegated foliage spring through fall.

Welcoming Committee

It just wouldn't be the same if it weren't for the welcoming (and thanks for visiting) committee by the back patio, as they greet visitors to the garden. Now that we've toured the back, come along to the front section of the property and see what's new.

'Cercis canadensis 'Covey' (Lavender Twist Redbud)

In the front east facing foundation garden, there are two new additions...that is two new 'Lavender Twist' Redbud. The two Weeping Birch trees, which had lived a long life, had fallen victim to old age. They thrived many years past their expected lifetime and for that I am grateful. After much contemplation as to what to put in the space, I selected these Redbuds, which are indeed amazing. 

'Cercis canadensis 'Covey' (Lavender Twist Redbud)

Known as Lavender Twist, this Redbud has twisted branches on which these delicate lavender blooms emerge. I will look forward to their blooms each spring and cannot wait until the trees are covered in their foliage!

Weeping Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum dissectum 'Viridis'

Speaking of foliage, the newly produced light green foliage of the Weeping Japanese Maple is amazing at this time of year.

Front Island Bed

Here is another perspective of the Japanese Maple on the front lawn along with Weeping Norway Spruce in the foreground and Blue Atlas Cedar in the background. They are all some distance apart, but appear together in one's line of sight.

I hope you enjoyed your visit!

Stay safe and well and I hope you enjoyed your visit to my May garden. As always, I thank you for being here and hope you experienced a smile along the way. 🙂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, Dishing It & Digging It on Sunday with Angie the Freckled Rose, 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 Homestead Blog Hop  and Weekly Photo Link-Up at My Corner of the World on Wednesdays.

Looking for some gardening inspiration?-Visit my Author Page

A Guide to Northeastern Gardening: Journeys of a Garden Designer Zones 3-9

Landscape Design Combinations 

Dream, Garden, Grow!-Musings of a Lifetime Gardener

As Always...Happy Gardening! 😊

Author: Lee@A Guide to Northeastern Gardening,© Copyright 2010-2020. All rights reserved.