A Guide To Northeastern Gardening: Two Year Anniversary-The Story Behind the Blog

It has been two years since I started writing this blog and it has brought more enjoyment to my life than I could have possibly imagined.  My love of gardening goes back as far as when I was five years old, growing marigolds in pretty planters on our old brick barbecue in the backyard, and possessing a love to dig in the soil with my toy shovel.  I guess that is where it all started.  I have always had a passion for anything green and realized by 1996 that I should make this passion more than just a hobby.  With the encouragement of family and friends I went back to school, furthered my education and started up a landscape design business.  Now I can share my lifelong passion and enjoy working with others and their gardens...who could ask for more!  After seeing the movie "Julia and Julie"  in 2009 I set out on the Internet on a quest for garden blogs and was surprised to find a whole new world out there.  I wondered if I wrote about gardening if anyone would come to read it so I started "A Guide To Northeastern Gardening" February of 2010.  Since then I have met a wealth of garden blogging friends who are such a joy to know and share ideas with.  I can say that blogging has truly enriched my life.  To celebrate two years of blogging here are some of my favorite gardening photos that I would like to share.  I hope you enjoy them!

Swallowtail Butterfly on Butterfly Bush

Spring Splender

Cottage Garden

Lillium Stargazer

Backyard Raised Garden

Rose Garden

Front Border Garden

Evergreen & Perennial Garden

Daylilly Stella D Oro

Perennial Garden

Knock Out Rose

Waterfall

Dragonfly on Buddleia

Lampost Garden

Tropical Flower from Aruba Garden-Allamanda cathartica 'Sunee'
 (Dwarf Allamanda )

Hosta Garden

Garden Love

I hope you continue to stop by and visit and share your love of gardening with me.  It has truly been a pleasure and I love hearing your comments and reading about your ongoing gardening adventures.   One could say that garden blogging is "chicken soup for the soul!"

As Always...Happy Gardening!

Author:Lee@ A Guide To Northeastern Gardening Copyright 2012. All Rights Reserved

Garden Bloggers Bloom Day February 2012

Juniperus 'Lime Glow', Dwarf Mugo Pine and Golden Hinoki Cypress

It has been an exceptionally mild winter here in the northeast in my Long Island garden except for a couple of dusting's of snow that vanished as quickly as they came.    Foliage perennials have wintered beautifully not changing to their usual dormant look and the hyacinths, tulips and roses are starting to push out growth. Some trees such as my Weeping Pussy Willow that were sporting catkins at this time last year  are behaving differently this year showing no signs of spring. Last year at this time we were finally seeing some ground under a blanket of snow and this year...well hardly any snow at all. It is amazing how two years in a row can be so different. The view of winter colors is indeed magnificent this year with hues of gold and bronze and red throughout the garden. It almost looks like fall and needless to say the plants are a little confused! It has been a most unusual winter. Thanks to Carol at May Dreams Gardens it is time to take another walk in the garden to see what is blooming and to see if there are any signs of spring. 
     

Heuchera 'Citronelle'

Heuchera 'Citronelle' still looking good even in February.  This is one of my new favorite additions to the garden this year.

Ajuga 'Burgundy Glow' and Golden Sedge

Love the deep purple color of the Ajuga against the Golden Sedge in winter.

Lamb's Ear pushing out some new growth

The Lamb's Ear is showing some early signs of spring with some new growth emerging.

Coral Bark Maple

The red bark of the Coral Bark Maple (Acer palmatum 'Sango-kaku') is beautiful against the February sky.

Golden Oriental Spruce, Juniper Lime Glow and Golden Hinoki Cypress Nana

Here the Juniperus 'Lime Glow' display their winter bronze-colored foliage against the golden hue of the Oriental Spruce and Hinoki Cypress.

Hyacinths Way Out of Ground

More signs of spring!  Much earlier than this time last year the hyacinths are already emerging from the ground...

Tulips on the Way

and the tulips are making a showing.

Fiery Red Branches of the Coral Bark Close Up

Wow...can't get enough of that red!

Salvia 'May Night'

The Saliva are not only pushing up spring growth but also producing some flower spikes!  This is a first.   Below is a Knock Out Rose already showing new red growth. 

Knock Out Rose New Growth

It has been a year since I first joined up with Garden Blogger's Bloom Day and I have enjoyed walking out in to my gardens on the 15th of every month to see what is blooming.  It is also a great way to keep a diary of what's going on in the garden from year to year and to keep on gardening all year round.  Be sure to visit Carol at May Dreams Gardens for more gardens around the world and as always...

Happy Gardening!


Author:Lee@ A Guide To Northeastern Gardening Copyright 2012. All Rights Reserved

Container Gardening-Indoors

If you love container gardening outdoors why not have some of these beautiful displays for your indoor enjoyment.  Indoor container gardening is easy and can be fun especially during the winter months.  There are a variety of indoor tropical houseplants that can be used in combination to create a knockout display.

First of all a large planter with good drainage is recommended.  I usually use a 16 or 20 inch decorative planter with openings in the bottom and use a light potting soil mixture containing a good amount of peat.  Then the fun part is I visit  the local nursery and select a grouping of plants that have the same requirements for light, water, and general care.  If you are not sure which plants to use, it is common practice for nurseries to group plants together with similar requirements, taking away some of the guess work.

Spathiphyllum


In this first planter I have selected five different plants for a 20-inch container.  The central focal point plant is a Spathiphyllum, commonly known as a Peace Lily.  Peace Lily thrives in low or filtered light conditions in a moderately moist loose soil which is excellent for an indoor planter.

Croton 'Banana'

Surrounding the Spathiphyllum is Croton 'Banana' which does require more light but it does very well in the constant filtered light that this planter receives.  I have the Croton more in the front section of the planter that sits across the room from a window so it receives filtered lighting.   Figure about three of these plants. 

Alocasia Polly and Arrowhead

Along the side and more towards the back of the planter (less lighting) I have added three Alocasia Polly, also known as Elephant Ear (left on photo). Elephant Ear has become one of my favorite houseplants with its shiny dark green arrow-shaped leaves with light colored veins running through them. Alocasia prefers bright indirect light and moist soil. I also used a grouping of three Nephtytis White Butterfly, commonly known as Arrowhead Plant along the back as well.   This is a great plant for indoors that prefers bright diffused lighting like the others.

Aspargus fern (center)

The last plant for a little bit of cascading interest along the front is Asparagus densiflorus 'Sprengeri', commonly known as Asparagus fern.  It is the delicate light-green wispy plant in the center.  Asparagus fern prefers diffused lighting and moist soil.  It gracefully cascades over the rim of the planter creating a softer look.

The second indoor container planter that I have is in even lower lighting conditions and contains Peace Lily, Parlor Palm, Arrowhead Plant and Philodendron which are all shade loving plants.  The central plant is Spathiphyllum (Peace Lily), surrounded by three Nephtytis White Butterfly (Arrowhead Plant) on the right and three Chamaedora elegans or Parlor Palm on the left and toward the back.  Cascading down the front of the planter is Heartleaf Philodendron.  This planter does great in its limited diffused lighting and moist loamy soil.  I placed sphagnum moss around the top of the planter for both anesthetics and moisture retention.

Whether you are an avid gardener or just appreciate a little green around the house try out one of these indoor container gardens.  They will provide lots of enjoyment throughout the entire year.  The fun part about them is that you can combine your favorite tropicals to create a fascinating display.  To keep the planter looking full I simply change some of the plants out and add some new, which warrants a trip to the nursery...something I have no problem doing in the middle of the colder months! 

As Always...Happy Gardening!

Author:Lee@ A Guide To Northeastern Gardening Copyright 2012. All Rights Reserved

Colorful Evergreens in the Landscape-Part II: Blue Evergreens

Blue Evergreens in the Landscape

Are you looking to add permanent vibrant color to your landscape?  Well look no further. In the previous segment I discussed the implementation of colorful golden evergreens into the backbone or foundation of the landscape. There are also several varieties of blue evergreens that can act as a stand alone piece or complement the golden evergreens in your garden.  These varieties are hardy in a number of areas including USDA hardiness zones 2-8.

Cedrus atlantica glauca 'Pendula' (Weeping Blue Atlas Cedar)

The first in our series is among the most popular of the blue evergreens. Known for its graceful pendulous silvery-blue branches, Weeping Blue Atlas Cedar (Cedrus Atlantica 'Glauca Pendula') is an outstanding specimen.  Weeping Blue Atlas Cedar is hardy to USDA Zones 6-8, prefers an acidic-slightly to alkaline well-drained loam soil and location in full sun (6-8 hours sunlight). They are tolerant of many soil types but will not fare well in soils with poor drainage such as clay.  These magnificent trees can be trained as an upright or spiral trunk and can be maintained at a desired size through selective pruning.   Depending on the structure of your tree it can reach a height of 10-15 feet and a width of 8-10 feet across and would be difficult to transplant once established. Be sure to give it room to grow.  As your tree matures its cascading branches will drape down to the ground giving your tree grace and charm. 

Cedrus atlantica 'Glauca'

Belonging to the same genus, Upright Blue Atlas Cedar (Cedrus atlantica 'Glauca') is the upright larger form of blue cedar.  Reaching to a height of 40-80 feet this pyramidal evergreen is a wonderful stand alone piece.  This specimen enjoys a moist, well-drained acidic-slightly alkaline soil in full sun and is hardy to USDA zones 6-8.  Majestic in every way, Cedrus atlantica is one of the true cedars named after its native area, the Atlas Mountains of Algeria and Morocco.  Blue Atlas Cedar rapidly grows upright over its first ten years then spreads to a width of 10-15 feet in the landscape.  Give it plenty of room preferably on its own berm and allow this showpiece to shine.

Picea pungens 'Montgomery' (Globe Blue Spruce)

For a smaller area in the garden add some blue by incorporating Picea pungens 'Montgomery' or Montgomery Globe Spruce.  Dwarf in stature, this globe-shaped evergreen exhibits compact bright blue needles on a flat-topped and densely branched shrub.  This specimen is excellent in tight spaces since it only reaches a height and width of 2-3 feet.  Globe spruce prefers to be grown in a moist, well-drained acidic soil and is hardy in zones 2-8.  Use this beauty as a focal point in the garden.  It serves nicely as a foundation planting or as an accent in an evergreen-perennial garden.

Picea pungens 'Fat Albert'

Used as an anchor in a foundation planting or as a privacy screen, Colorado Blue Spruce 'Fat Albert' is definitely a beauty.  'Fat Albert' is a slow grower, reaching to a height and width of 10-15 feet and gets its name from its wider appearance.  It is hardy in USDA zones 2-7 and prefers full sun and a moist but well-drained acidic soil.   Avoid planting this tree in a heavy clay soil as the roots will suffer from poor drainage.   Also it is very important that this tree receive  "full" sunlight meaning 6 or more hours of daylight daily in order to thrive and prevent fungal disease.   Give it this tree plenty of space to grow and it will provide color and structural interest to your landscape.  Picea pungens 'Hoopsi' is a narrower pyramidal form of this tree growing to a height of 15-18 feet.  

Picea pungens 'Bakeri'

Next is a more compact form of blue spuce-Picea pungens 'Bakeri' or Bakeri Spruce.  'Bakeri' spruce is hardy to USDA zones 2-7 and stays more pyramidal at a height of 15-18 feet and width of 6-8 feet.  This blue-green spruce prefers to be grown in full sun in a slightly acidic, well-drained soil.   This beauty also has a wide variety of uses such as a focal point in a foundation planting or as an accent tree in an informal garden.

Juniperus squamata 'Blue Star'

For a little blue along the perimeter of your garden try Juniperus squamata 'Blue Star'. Juniperus 'Blue Star' exhibits bright silver-blue foliage on low branching needles and grows to a maximum height of 2-3 feet making it an excellent foreground planting. This welcome member is hardy to USDA zones 4-8 and prefers to be grown in full sun in a semi-moist well drained slightly-acidic soil.  Once established this evergreen requires minimal watering.  Juniperus squamata 'Blue Star' works well as a mass planting, rock garden plant, seacoast planting or as an accent in a perennial border.

Next time you are looking to add some everlasting color and interesting texture to your landscape try adding a little bit of blue.  Complement the blue color of these fabulous evergreens with a little bit of gold, burgundy, purple or yellow.  The mixture of cool and warm colors will create a dramatic impact in your garden that will bring much enjoyment to your landscape.

Visit my Author Page and Books on Amazon:

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

Dream, Garden, Grow!

As Always...Happy Gardening.

Author:Lee@A Guide To Northeastern Gardening Copyright 2012. All Rights Reserved

Colorful Evergreens in the Landscape-Part I: Golden Evergreens

Golden Evergreens in the Landscape

When planning a garden design it is important to incorporate interesting structure and color into the landscape so that there is eye-catching interest all year long. Golden evergreens will not only add structure but will enhance the landscape with their outstanding show of color. There are a variety of golden evergreens available to the homeowner to implement into the landscape. There are six in particular that I will focus on in this article that have proven to be hardy in the zone 7 northeastern garden and that will thrive in zones ranging from 4 to 8.

Picea orientalis 'Skylands'

The first in this series is Picea Orientalis 'Skylands' or Skyland's Oriental Spuce.  'Skylands' is a slow growing coniferous tree that prefers full sun to partial shade and is hardy in USDA zones 5-8. It is true that younger specimens of this tree can be prone to sun scorch so ideally 4-8 hours of sun is best. I have been successful when planting 'Skylands' in a southeasterly exposure in zone 7. Grow this tree in a moist well-drained acidic soil and apply mulch around the tree to protect the roots.  After ten years of growth Skylands reaches a height of approximately ten feet and a width of four feet and can grow to a height of 35 feet over time in ideal conditions. Being a slow grower and having a narrow stature this tree is ideal for smaller spaces. Its beautiful yellow-chartreuse candles and densely arranged needles make this tree a conversation piece in the landscape.  Mature trees develop small reddish-purple cones that only add to the beauty of this tree. This tree is truly a favorite!

Chamaecyparis pisifera filifera 'Gold Mop'

The next of the gold series is Chamaecyparis pisifera filifera 'Gold Mop' or Gold Mop Cypress. Gold Mop Cypress is a small golden conifer with delicate thread-like textured foliage. This relatively hardy shrub is best grown in full sun in a well-drained acidic soil in zones 4-8. It displays a low mounding mop -like appearance and reaches a height and width of 3 feet making it an excellent accent plant along with other evergreens and perennials. Chamaecyparis 'Gold Mop' retains its yellow-golden color all winter and stays compact unlike its counterpart 'Gold Thread' Cypress which becomes more bronzed and reaches a height of 15 feet over time.

Euonymus japonica 'Aureo Marginata'

Another favorite addition for golden color is Euonymus japonica 'Aureo Marginata' or Golden Euonymus which is not a conifer but rather a broadleaved evergreen. Golden Euonymus is hardy in USDA zones 6-8 and prefers a moist, well-drained neutral-acidic soil and full sun to partial shade. This evergreen displays yellow-green shiny foliage all year round and is fairly slow growing. It reaches a maximum height and width of 4-6' but can be kept compact with regular maintenance pruning. These shrubs serve nicely as either foundation plantings or in an informal garden.

Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Aurea Nana'

Next on the list is Chamaecyapris obtusa 'Aurea' or Golden Hinoki Cypress.  Golden Hinoki Cypress ranges in a variety of sizes from the species 'Nana' which is dwarf in size (2-3' in height) to 'Compacta' which is medium height (10-20 ' in height) to 'Gracillis' (40-60' in height). Hinoki Cypress are hardy in USDA zones 4-8 and display luxurious golden twisted compact foliage throughout all the seasons. These evergreens prefer to be grown in full sun in a moist but well-drained acidic soil.  Some of the more popular varieties are Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Aurea Nana' (seen here), 'Verdoni' which displays a deeper yellow foliage and grows a bit taller to 6-8 feet and 'Confucious' which is a newer slower growing variety with broader yellow foliage on emerald green under layers and growing to 4-6 feet in height. 'Crippsi' is a popular golden variety growing to 15-30 feet and can be used as either a specimen or incorporated into a privacy screening. Each one of these varieties is more beautiful than the next and serve as excellent specimens in the landscape. Hinoki Cypress can be used as a focal point in a foundation planting or as a stand alone piece in a cottage garden, evergreen garden or perennial border. These magnificent beauties will add outstanding interest to just about any landscape.

Cedrus deodara 'Aurea'

Golden Deodara Cedar (Cedrus deodara 'Aurea') is another magnificent focal point in the landscape.  It is one of the larger golden evergreens ranging in size from 15-25 feet in height to 80-100 feet in height depending on the particular species. Deodara Cedar 'Aurea' displays a rich golden-yellow color on graceful wispy branches.  They prefer to be grown in full sun in a moist but well-drained soil and are hardy in USDA zones 6-8. Cedrus deodara 'Gold Cone' (shown here) grows to height of 20-30 feet and displays beautiful pendulous branches covered in green-yellow foliage and grows in a more vertical fashion thus taking up less space in the landscape than some other cedars. Golden Deodara Cedar is often used as an anchor plant or specimen planting in the landscape.

Visit my Author Page and Books on Amazon: A Guide to Northeastern Gardening: Journeys of a Garden Designer Zones 3-9  Landscape Design Combinations Dream, Garden, Grow! As Always...Happy Gardening. Author:  Lee@A Guide To Northeastern Gardening, Copyright 2012.  All Rights Reserved.