Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day & Foliage Follow-Up July: Mid-Summer Blooms!

Welcome to my July Garden

Welcome to my July Long Island Garden for Bloom Day & Foliage Follow-Up! Thank you for being here. IMPORTANT NOTICE: If you have missed my last post, Blogger has made an announcement that Feedburner will no longer be sending e-mail notifications of new posts, so I am using a new blog subscribe service called follow.it. It has an excellent reputation and is real simple to sign up if you haven't already done so. If you have already been following, you should be receiving a notification from follow.it with a link to accept if you wish to continue receiving posts. Here's more info.  Now, onto the tour!!!

Echibeckia Summerina 'Blazing Fire'

July is welcomed in with this new addition to the garden. It is Echibeckia, which I found at a local farm stand last summer. I tested it out and it is a winner! Echibeckia is a new cultivar derived from a cross between Echinacea (Coneflower) and Rudbeckia (Black Eyed Susan). It is hardy in zones 7-9, grows 16-24 inches tall, is more disease resistant and the flowers are a wonderful three inches in diameter!

Summer Perennial Border 

Here is a view of the rest of the perennial border with Salvia, Daylilies, Astilbe, Lamb's Ear and Echinacea. It provides me with blooms spring through fall.

Salvia 'May Night'

The bumblebees love the Salvia in the perennial border and it is so nice to view them working away doing their job. Tip:  Deadheading the spent blooms of Salvia will keep more coming for several months!

Back Island Bed Summer Blooms & Foliage

Here in the back island bed is the foliage of Sedum 'Brilliant' (blooms to come!), 'Caramel' and 'Palace Purple' Heuchera (Coral Bells) and more Saliva!

Back Island Bed Evergreens & Flowering Shrubs

Other members of the back island bed include Hinoki Cypress 'Compacta' (center), Mugo Pine (two sides) and dwarf Variegated Weigela 'My Monet' in the foreground with 'Palace Purple' Heuchera to the right. Weigela showed its dainty deep pink blooms back in spring and the Coral Bells are producing their spikes of Baby's-breath-like flowers now.

Western Pool Garden

In the western pool garden, this little statue of children playing leap frog can be spotted tucked away among Sky Pencil Holly and Coral Bells.

More Foliage Combinations

As you probably know, I love foliage combinations and this is just another one to add to the list. Here is the deep green foliage of Hinoki Cypress 'Compacta' (backdrop) with Sedum 'Brilliant' (to the right-light green foliage, pink blooms late summer), 'Palace Purple' Coral Bells (to the left-burgundy foliage, blooms now in mid-summer) and 'Gold Standard' Hosta (in the foreground-blooming now). 

Dwarf Rudbeckia (Black Eyed Susan)

These Dwarf Rudbeckia 'Little Gold Star' is starting to bloom in the back northern garden bed. Kousa Dogwood is behind them and forming its fruit, which will become a bright red hue later in the summer. 

Pool Garden-Daylily 'Sammy Russell Red'

Daylily 'Sammy Russell' is blooming along the waterfall in the pool garden with its bright crimson red blooms with yellow centers. This daylily starts its blooms a little later, following immediately after 'Stella D Oro', which started last month.

Back 'Secret' Garden

Peeking through the Viburnum and behind a Kwanzan Cherry tree is this bird bath, which I turned into a planter this summer with Black Mondo Grass (Ophiopogon planiscapus) and 'Platts Black’ Brass Buttons (Leptinella squalida). Hosta 'Shadowland' is on each side of the planter.

'Secret Garden' Planter

Here is the planter up close!

Back Perimeter Garden Double Pink Knock Out Rose Blooming!

The Double Pink Knock Out Roses are blooming in the back perimeter garden. Knock Out Roses are easy to care for and I get prolonged blooms throughout summer into fall with a little maintenance deadheading.

Back Perimeter Garden

While the roses are blooming on each far end of the perimeter garden, in the center is Weeping Blue Atlas Cedar, bordered by Heuchera (Coral Bells) 'Palace Purple' and 'Caramel'.

A Little Garden Whimsy!

Around the bend on the opposite side of the garden towards the southern side of the property is this little gardening boy watching over things...

St. John's Wort

as St. John's Wort starts blooming in the northwestern 'Secret Garden'. It will continue to provide interest through fall.

Hydrangea 'Nikko Blue'

July is Hydrangea time as this old fashioned 'Nikko Blue' produces its vibrant deep blue blossoms in a more acidic soil. To the left of 'Nikko Blue' is Hydrangea 'Tokyo Delight' with its pinkish-purple lace-cap blooms.

Hydrangea 'Endless Summer'

On the opposite side of the property is 'Endless Summer' Hydrangea. Located in a more basic soil, its blooms are pink. It's nice to enjoy the variety of both colors, and sometimes there is even a little hue of purple to be seen!

Driveway Border

Follow me along to the front of the property as we take a look at the driveway border. Here is 'Skylands' Golden Oriental Spruce, accompanied by yellow Coreopsis 'Zagreb', bluish-purple Nepeta 'Walkers Low' and the burgundy foliage of Weigela 'Spilled Wine'.

Echinacea 'Cheyenne Spirit'

Also in the driveway border is Echinacea 'Cheyenne Spirit', producing its array of multi-colored blooms, all on one plant!

Front Entrance Garden

Here is a view of the front walkway with evergreens Weeping White Pine and Blue Atlas Cedar, along with Japanese Garden Juniper, Variegated Liriope (purple blooms later in summer) and Golden Sedge. Coral Bark Maple and 'Skylands' Spruce are in the backdrop.

Front Island Bed

Osmanthus Goshiki (Fasle Holly) is doing well in its second season on the front island bed. It is accompanied by Hosta and Weeping Norway Spruce, with Weeping Japanese Maple and Blue Atlas Cedar, each seen in the distance.

Herb & Vegetable Planters

Last, but not least is the herb and vegetable planters on the back patio. An assortment of  Parsley, Basil, Spearmint, and two types of Cherry Tomatoes are grown for our enjoyment and for cooking too!

Thank you for Visiting!

Thank you for visiting my July garden. As always, I enjoy 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:

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. If you have read and enjoyed any of my books, please share with a friend, plus reviews are greatly appreciated!

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

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

Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day & Foliage Follow-Up November 2019: The Beauty of Autumn

November 2019 Garden

"Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower."~Albert Camus

Welcome!

I love the above quote, try to live by its words, and do my best to appreciate the beauty of the garden in every season. It's time for another Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day and Foliage Follow-Up. While few blooms are hanging on and most becoming scarce, foliage takes center stage at this time of year. Come along and take in all the colors of fall with some lingering blooms. Welcome to my November Long Island garden!

Perennial Border West Side

The month of November started off with normal enough temperatures in the mid-50's, but took a turn in the past week as the daytime temperatures dropped into the 40's with a downward plummet to 22 degrees Fahrenheit just a few nights ago. The garden has transitioned into an array of autumn colors, starting off in the perennial border, with hues of golds and oranges complementing the soft white foliage of Lamb's Ear and contrasting against the bronzed foliage of Astilbe.

Back Patio Walkway

While some Hosta are completely done for the season, others are turning to shades of yellow and brown, and coneflowers are displaying the last of their seed heads. The evergreens along the walkway will keep the garden going during the winter.

Autumn Pollinator

In a planter by the back patio, this bumble bee is cherishing the nectar of a remaining bloom. Autumn does have its moments! 

Another Patio Garden View

Here is another view of the patio garden from the opposite direction headed north...

Perennial Border East Side

and a glance at the perennial border from another perspective. In this view you can see evergreen 'Blue Star' Juniper in the foreground.

Garden Whimsy

This statue of a young girl and her kitten will be visible right from the patio window throughout the colder months as I dream of spring. Sometimes I'll just sit and gaze upon her and allow my mind to wander.

Fall Leaves

As we move along, here is a single leaf sitting in a birdbath. Sometimes something as simple as a faded autumn leaf can become a part of nature's artwork. 

Coral Bark Maple Autumn Foliage

Here is Coral Bark Maple (Acer palmatum Sango-Kaku) in the driveway border garden. It is spectacular at this time of year with its vivid foliage. Once the tree defoliates and freezing temperatures set in, the bark of the tree will turn a bright coral-red; hence, the name. Coral Bark Japanese Maple is hardy in USDA zones 5-9 and grows to approximately 15-25 feet in height, staying pretty compact.

Weeping Blue Atlas Cedar Southeastern Driveway Garden

Come closer for another view with Weeping Blue Atlas Cedar in the foreground. This capture actually made it as the "Photo of the Day" for Fine Gardening Magazine!

Southwestern Driveway Garden

In the southwestern driveway garden is Weeping Norway Spruce with the changing foliage of Spirea 'Magic Carpet'. Structure becomes more prominent at this time of year.

Hellebores Getting Ready!

In the back garden bed, Hellebores have pushed out some new foliage during the warmer days, preparing for their bloom time in winter. I will look forward to their blooms, which should be sometime in February or March. Having discovered Hellebores back a few years ago, they give so much to look forward to in the midst of the colder months.

Sedum Thundercloud Autumn

Around by the pool garden are Sedum 'Thundercloud'. New this summer, their interesting spiky foliage is just as amazing as the blooms. The blooms are now dried but the greenery is still hanging on!

Rose Hips Knock Out Rose

Knock Out 'Radrazz' has produced some interesting looking rose hips...

Knock Out Rose 'Radrazz'

and aren't ready to give up blooming just yet! They just keep on going!

Rosemary

To my astonishment, Rosemary in the herb garden pushed out these lovely blooms just recently. As you can see they are still looking good even after the frost...

'Stella D Oro' Daylily bud in November!

and there are buds on the Stella D Oro Daylily in mid-November. I'm not sure if anything will come of it, but it sure is a nice surprise!

Zygo Cactus (Schlumbergera truncata)

As the temperatures decline outside, Zygo Cactus, otherwise known as Thanksgiving cactus or false Christmas cactus is blooming in the indoor garden. Through the south facing window, you can get another glance of the driveway garden.

Mill Pond

Autumn wouldn't be the same without a trip to Mill Pond to observe the autumn foliage. These views are from the end of October, but I had to share when the color was at its peak. See...there are advantages to a virtual garden tour!

Mill Pond

Here is another look at the pond from the eastern side. I can never get enough of this view.

Back to the Garden-Stroll Down Front Walkway

Now we're back to the garden to take in just another glimpse at the Coral Bark Maple in all its glory. With much colder temperatures on their way, and the first wintry mix and freezing nighttime temperatures just a few days ago, I am enjoying the changing seasons and all that the garden has to offer. Thank you for coming along and happy autumn!

Thank you for Visiting!

Thank you for visiting and I hope you enjoyed your tour of my November 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 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.

For winter planning and perhaps some thoughtful gifts for the gardener in your life-Visit my Author Page & 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

As Always...Happy Gardening!

Author: Lee@A Guide to Northeastern Gardening,© Copyright 2010-2019. All rights reserved.

Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day & Foliage Follow Up July 2018: An Abundance of Summer Blooms!

July Garden

Welcome to my Long Island garden for the month of July. After a week long heat wave of extensive humidity with temperatures in the upper 80's and lower 90's, a welcomed cold front brought in clear skies and comfortable temperatures. The garden is in full bloom with an abundance of color, so I would love for you to join me for a stroll. Come along...let's start the tour!

Welcome to My Garden!

There are so many varieties of Astilbe that I enjoy in my garden. Each has a different bloom time, so I can enjoy the sequence of color. In the back shade garden, while Astilbe 'Peach Blossom' (far left) is just about done blooming, Astilbe 'Visions in Red' is taking center stage with its striking pinkish-purple blooms. Heuchera 'Caramel', Hosta and Weeping Norway Spruce join in with added texture and color.

Astilbe Visions in Red

Here is a closer view of the foliage of Heuchera 'Caramel' (left) along with Hosta 'Gold Standard" (right) and Astilbe Visions (center).

Back Shade Garden

This statue may look familiar. It has taken on a new home in the shade garden and seems to fit right in!

Back Patio Garden

Follow me up to the back patio garden. Here Hosta 'Golden Tiara' thrives under the shade of a grafted Montgomery Globe Spruce. Following down the walkway are grasses, Balloon Flower (which will bloom in August),Weeping Norway Spruce and Blue Globe Montgomery Spruce. To the far left is golden Hinoki Cypress 'Verdoni' with its twisted foliage and Hydrangea are blooming in the background.

Hydrangea Nikko Blue

After a few severe winters, this old fashioned mophead hydrangea, Hydrangea 'Nikko Blue' is doing well and producing a nice display of color. I also have several Endless Summer Hydrangea, but there is something about the vibrancy of the blue on the blooms of this one.

Stella D Oro Daylily

'Stella D Oro' Daylily is in full bloom on the west side where there is plenty of sun. When I am sitting on the patio the blooms are up close and in clear view!

Lythrum Morden's Gleam

In bloom for the month of July is this seedless, non-invasive hybrid of Lythrum, which brings vibrant shocking pink blooms on a four foot tall plant. Gold Lace Juniper is massed out in front of the blooms.

Daylilly Time!

Here are more 'Stella D Oro' Daylily. I have them in various areas of the property and enjoy their continuous blooms.

Front Driveway Garden Bed

In the front driveway border garden Nepeta 'Walker's Low' and Coreopsis 'Zagreb' make the perfect combination of bluish-purple and yellow blooms that last all summer long. Golden Oriental Spruce Skyland's is in the backdrop.

Perennial Combination

Here are the blooms close up. It is one of my favorite perennial combinations with a mixture of warm and cool colors.

Echinacea 'Cheyenne Spirit' Multiple Colors on One Plant!

July is the time for Echinacea. In the front south garden is Echinacea 'Cheyenne Spirit'. Cheyenne Spirit produces pink, orange and yellow blooms all on the same plant!

Echinacea 'Cheyenne Spirit' in Bloom!

Here are some pink blooms up close. They are a real eye catcher with stunning shocking pink petals complemented by golden-orange swirling centers.

More Echinacea 'Cheyenne Spirit'

Here is an orange bloom. Even the different colored blooms vary. Some are solid in color while others are variegated. I just love this plant! We'll visit the yellow blooms up close in a bit!

Front Entrance Walkway

Come along the front walkway and get a bit of a long view of the front. Variegated Liriope, Japanese Garden Juniper, Dwarf Mugo Pine and Heuchera 'Caramel' exist along the left (east side) while boxwood, Blue Star Juniper, sedge, sweet flag and Weeping Birch can be viewed on the right (west side). Walking down the walkway we are headed southward towards the driveway border garden.

Weeping Blue Atlas Cedar

Now we are at the southern side of the property. Here is the Weeping Blue Atlas Cedar by the driveway, which spans approximately ten to twelve feet in length.

Front Walkway Garden

We are now standing to the south of the Blue Atlas Cedar facing north towards the other side of the front yard. You can view the upright cedar in the backdrop.

Welcome to the Pool Garden!

Through the back side gate, we come around to the pool area. Our new guest, a giant peacock pool float has now taken residence! On the right of the steps to the patio is dwarf white pine and to the left is globe blue spruce.

Just Another View

A weeping Japanese Red Maple has matured over the years in the cut-out bed by the pool. Japanese Garden Juniper, Ajuga 'Chocolate Chip' and Creeping Jenny 'Aurea' ground covers grow underneath its canopy.

Northern Shade Garden Foliage

Towards the northern end of the property, a small path leads to the shade garden where Japanese Forest Grass (left) and Leucothoe (right) thrive. When it comes to shade, foliage takes on a major role.

Succulent Planter

For full sun on the patio, this strawberry planter is filled with all my favorite succulents, which are starting to bloom for the later part of the summer...

Mandevilla!

and here is this year's Mandevilla plant, a bright red variety with yellow throat that grows on a trellis right near the back door. 

Rudbeckia Little Gold Star

Rudbeckia Little Gold Star is showing off its blooms. This dwarf variety of Black Eyed Susan stays more compact in the garden!

Ligularia dentata 'Othello'

This Ligularia is a new addition to the garden this summer. I have added two varieties, this one, 'Othello' and also Ligularia 'Little Rocket'. The 'Othello' resembles a cross between daisies and sunflowers...

Ligularia 'Little Rocket'

while the 'Little Rocket' displays elongated spikes of yellow blooms. Ligularia prefers a shady to partially shaded area and a moist rich soil. Each plant will grow to 3-4 feet in height!

Monarch Butterfly

To end our tour is Butterfly Bush with a much welcomed first Monarch Butterfly sighting this summer...

Echinacea Cheyenne Spirit

and Echinacea 'Cheyenne Spirit' with its cheery bloom to brighten the day! I hope you enjoyed your stroll in my July garden. Thank you for visiting and I look forward to seeing what you have blooming.

Thanks for Visiting!

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, Nature Notes at Rambling Woods, Dishing It & Digging It on Sunday with Angie the Freckled Rose and Image-in-ing weekly photo share every Tuesday with NC Sue.

The Sayville Garden Club Tulip Award!

In the news...the garden tour in June was a huge success. The ladies who run the club visited the other day and presented me with this Tulip Award...such fun! Other news...gardening season is still underway. If you have not already checked out my books, just click on the links below and give them a look. They might just inspire you! 😊 (Each is Available for purchase 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 2018. All rights reserved.