Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day & Foliage Follow-Up August 2018-Late Summer Blooms

Welcome to my August Garden!

Welcome to my Long Island garden for the month of August! With temperatures in the upper 80's and lower 90's, humidity and frequent thunderstorms, the "dog days of summer" have officially arrived. It has been an unusual August weather wise with almost daily torrential rains and flooding for the eastern seaboard, so I have to run out in between showers to tend to the garden. With all the rain the landscape is green and filled with abundant blooms, so please do come along for a visit. I hope you enjoy this months view! 

Lillium Stargazer with Weeping Norway Spruce, Dwarf White Pine and Blue Globe Spruce

The arrival of August is an exciting time for the poolside garden as it is filled with fragrant late summer blooms along with evergreens. Starting on the right is Weeping Norway Spruce with Stargazer Lily to the left, then dwarf white pine and blue spruce 'Montgomery' afterwards. The golden tree in the background (left) is dwarf golden Hinoki Cypress 'Nana'. The other golden tree to the far right is the new 'Skylands' Oriental Spruce, which I planted last spring.

Lillium Stargazer

Lillium ‘Stargazer’ blooms are short-lived, but their aroma can be enjoyed from across the yard with the slightest breeze. I await their beautiful display with great anticipation as late summer approaches each year. 

Pool Border Garden with Allium Seed Heads, Stella D Oro Daylily, Spirea and Weeping Norway Spruce

Behind Lillium Stargazer are the seed heads from Allium 'Globemaster' rising above the fronds of Daylily 'Stella D Oro'. Spirea 'Limemound' is in the backdrop with small lacy pink blooms.

Daylily 'Stella D Oro' Still Blooming!

With some rejuvenating, there are still several Daylily blooms to share.

Buddleia Lo & Behold 'Blue Chip'

My dwarf butterfly bush that I had for five years did not make it through the last winter, so I am trying something new. This new one which I just purchased is growing in a large planter which will be garaged over the winter. I am actually getting a lot more enjoyment from it now, as it is located right on the back patio and I can view the butterflies landing on it!

Buddleia Lo & Behold 'Blue Chip'

Here are the lovely fragrant purple blooms up close.

Platycodon 'Komachi' Balloon Flower

Platycodon 'Komachi' is in full bloom. I am intrigued by this plant every year, since the blooms on this particular variety do not open. Instead they form small air filled "balloons" that can be popped once they dry up.

Miniature Rudbeckia 'Little Goldstar'

Another new favorite is this miniature Rudbeckia. It stays smaller and more compact than the traditional form, which tends to spread. I have been enjoying this new addition for the past two years.

Daylily 'Sammy Russell'

Come along and view this Daylily 'Sammy Russell' with its vibrant color... 

'Pardon Me' Daylily and Echinacea Pow Wow 'Wild Berry'

and here is 'Pardon Me' Daylily along with Echinacea Pow Wow 'Wild Berry' as we stroll around the back of the perennial border. Lamb's Ear and Astilbe blooms are right behind them, which is actually the front portion of the garden.

Echinacea Pow Wow 'Wild Berry'

Here is Echinacea Pow Wow 'Wild Berry' up close as we view from the opposite side.

Astilbe 'Sprite'

Astilbe 'Sprite' can be seen here in the pool border next to a Weeping White Pine. This is a later blooming cultivar of Astilbe, which is a plus in the late summer landscape. It's blooms are also much different in appearance and are quite interesting. The Sedum 'Dragon's Blood' is starting to bloom next to it.

Sedum 'Mr. Goodbud' (Stonecrop)

Another late summer bloomer is Sedum 'Mr. Goodbud' with its neon pink blooms. This is a new addition from last summer. 

Gazania (African Daisy) Annual

This is Gazania, or African Daisy. I discovered this "deer resistant" annual while looking for plants for a client's garden. It prefers full sun and will tolerate dry conditions once established.

Bumble Bee Visitor

It's nice to see that the pollinators are enjoying the blooms on these roses as a bumble bee performs his job.

Buddleia Pugster Blue

Here is Buddleia 'Pugster Blue'. After purchasing a new Buddleia Lo & Behold 'Blue Chip', I could not resist also purchasing this shrub when I saw it at the nursery. It is a new dwarf hybrid with deep purple blooms the size of those on a regular butterfly bush. Needless to say...I'm in love!!!

Heuchera 'Caramel' and Skip Laurel Foliage

For a little foliage, here is a combination of Heuchera 'Caramel' with Skip Laurel in the backdrop. Each of these plants possess an interesting texture and combine nicely together.

Buddleia Pugster Blue

Before we move on, we just have to do another pass by the new 'Pugster Blue' butterfly bush! This time you get to see the Golden Tiara Hosta and Grafted Blue Globe Spruce in the backdrop.

Double Knock Out Roses

Follow me around to the other side of the patio garden. The Double Knock Out Roses are still in bloom and just keep on giving...

Crape Myrtle 'Sioux'

while Lagerstromeia (Crape Myrtle) 'Sioux' is blooming for August with its magnificent large pink flowers.

It's Sunflower Time!

With the end of the summer months approaching, it's also sunflower season. It always brings a smile to my face when hubby comes home with a bouquet from the local farm stand!

Garden Wisdom

As we come to the end of this month's tour, I will share a quote which I could not agree with more. "The lesson I have thoroughly learnt, and wish to pass on to others, is to know the enduring happiness that the love of a garden gives." ~ Gertrude Jekyll

August 2018 Garden

I hope you enjoyed your garden visit. 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.

It's always a good time for a new gardening book! Check out my two publications online!

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.

This Month in the Garden: Summer Gardening Tip-Rejuvenation of Hemerocallis (Daylily)

Rejuvenating Daylily

Daylilies are a popular addition to the garden for lasting color and will bloom for a very long time if cared for properly. Most daylilies prefer a humus, well-drained soil in full sun but will tolerate partial shade, allowing for some flexibility when planting. There are over 80,000 cultivars of daylily with a broad range of cold hardiness from USDA zones 1-11, making them one of the most adaptable landscape plants. Out of all the daylilies, my favorite for longest bloom time is Hemerocallis 'Stella D Oro'. It is known to have one of the longest bloom times lasting from late spring through fall with little maintenance. Blooms can be extended through October with pruning to remove spent foliage. 

Hemerocallis Stella D Oro' Daylily

PARTIAL REJUVENATION: In mid-summer, when your daylilies are completing their first major bloom and producing seeds, remove faded flowers and seed stalks so that the plant's energy goes back into producing new blooms. Clean up the appearance of the plant by removing any browned foliage, which usually can be seen around the base of the plant. 

Hemerocallis Stella D Oro' Daylily

FULL REJUVENATION: When your daylilies are at the end of their bloom in late summer and foliage is starting to turn a yellow-brown, cut them back half way to the ground and remove any additional yellowed-browned foliage. Another option is to put on a pair of gardening gloves and remove all spent foliage that comes out easily. This practice will totally clean up the plant, leaving any new growth remaining. This will rejuvenate the plant giving you new lush green foliage and even more blooms throughout September and into October. (Works best with Stella D Oro Daylily).

Hemerocallis 'Sammy Russell'

FALL DIVISION: Division of daylily is also best in early fall for the health of your plants. Simply dig deeply around the perimeter of the plant and gently lift the entire clump out of the ground. Use a sharp spade to divide the plant into parts and plant each section into a hole twice the size of the root ball. Be sure to get at least three or more strong shoots and a good root ball around the plant. Cut the foliage back halfway and back fill with soil around the plant. It is recommended to add mulch around the base of the plant to protect the roots. Water thoroughly and keep the plant well watered until the roots become established. At the end of the season once the fronds have turned completely brown remove all foliage to the ground to prevent fungal disease over the winter. Other plants that benefit from fall division are salvia, iris, peony, hosta, goldenrod, monardia (beebalm), nepeta, coreopsis and sedum. 

Hemerocallis 'Rosy Returns'

Looking for more gardening tips and design ideas? You may be interested in my books. Click on the links below for more information! 

Visit 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!

~As Always...Happy Gardening!~

Author: Lee@A Guide to Northeastern Gardening, © Copyright 2018. All rights reserved.

Summertime at the Beautiful Old Westbury Gardens-Old Westbury, Long Island, NY

Old Westbury Gardens

After some time, I was able to re-visit one of my favorite garden places, Old Westbury Gardens, located in the town of Old Westbury on the north shore of Long Island. As you may have read in one of my earlier posts, the grounds were the former home of John S. Phipps along with his wife Margarita Grace Phipps and their four children. John Phipps (1874–1958) was an American lawyer and businessman and heir to the Phipps family fortune, along with being a shareholder of his father-in-law's Grace Shipping Lines. He was also director of the Hanover Bank, United States Steel Corporation and W. R. Grace & Company. Phipps had purchased the 160-acre Quaker farm on Long Island where he built a large mansion surrounded by breathtaking gardens. The daughter of John and Margarita Phipps re-opened the vast estate following the death of her parents and it is currently run as a non-profit organization open to the public.

Old Westbury Mansion

Since the beauty of these magnificent gardens goes beyond words, let me guide you through a pictorial tour with brief captions explaining each capture. The photographs to follow were taken of the gardens during the month of July. I hope you enjoy the virtual visit! 

Old Westbury Gardens Fern Planter on the back balcony.

Old Westbury Gardens Roman Style Reflecting Pool Behind Lake

Canadian Goose Resident

Pergola Covered Walkway Through to Rose Garden

This Thatched Cottage along the Way was the playhouse of the only Phipps daughter, Peggie, which was presented to her for her tenth birthday.

Continue along the walkway to Rose Garden.

Rose Garden Surrounded by Boxwood Hedge

Tea Roses in the Garden

The Walled Garden at Old Westbury Gardens during the month of July with a multitude of flowering plants, including Russian Sage and Various Lillies.

Central Fountain located in the Walled Garden Old Westbury Gardens

Walled Garden in July at Old Westbury Gardens. The area is surrounded by high brick walls entered into through decorative iron gates. Gardens are separated into rooms with an English style flair.

Along the garden wall is Hemerocallis Elegant Candy at the Old Westbury Gardens.

Hemerocallis Elegant Candy at Old Westbury Gardens

Echinacea Ruby Star at Old Westbury Gardens

Dahlia at Old Westbury Gardens

Gazebo at the Walled Garden at Old Westbury Gardens

Gazebo and Lake at Walled Garden Old Westbury Gardens

Water Lilies at Old Westbury Gardens

Water Lilies at Old Westbury Gardens

Statue at Old Westbury Gardens in the Allee

Old Westbury Gardens View of Back of Mansion from Allee

Swimming Pool Behind Westbury Mansion

Bridge to Temple of Love

View from Bridge

Local Wildlife-A Turtle Visitor

The Temple of Love at the Old Westbury Gardens. The masonry and wrought iron structure overlooks the lake behind the mansion.

“To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow.”― Audrey Hepburn. I think the Phipps had this in mind when they created this beautiful place. I hope you enjoyed the charming Old Westbury Gardens in July. For more information visit their website at Old Westbury Gardens.

As Always...Happy Gardening!

Author: Lee@A Guide to Northeastern Gardening, © Copyright 2018. All rights reserved