Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day & Foliage Follow-Up February: Interest in the Midst of Winter

Welcome to my February Garden!

Welcome! It certainly has been an interesting month to say the least! After a relatively uneventful January with milder than usual temperatures, February 4th brought in temperatures in the single digits, with 45 mph winds, and a wind chill of 30 below zero! Needless to say, I did not venture out into the garden that day! A few days later, temperatures returned to 50 degrees and it has been a rollercoaster ever since, going from fifty degrees one day to into the thirties the next. In the midst of a crazy winter, there are blooms (and foliage) to be seen. Come along with me for a tour of my Long Island garden!

Helleborus 'Shooting Star'

Even in the deepest of cold, Helleborous comes through with its colorful bracts that last for months. The first to always start blooming is 'Shooting Star', which usually starts displaying flowers in January. 

Helleborus 'Merlin'

Next to bloom starting in February is Helleborus 'Merlin' with deeper pink bracts...

Helleborus 'Champion'

followed by 'Champion' with greenish-yellow bracts, which last through March.

'Skylands' Oriental Spruce and Coral Bark Maple

On the front lawn/driveway border is stately 'Skyland's Golden Oriental Spruce. Planted in 2008 as a memorial for my mom, it now towers at a mature twenty-five feet tall. The brilliant red branches to the left behind it are of Coral Bark Maple 'Sangu Kaku'.

'Skylands' Oriental Spruce Seed Cones

Seed cones dangling from up high on the branches of the spruce is always a fun sight!

Azalea Wintertime

In the back pool surround garden, the foliage of Azalea turns a deep burgundy this time of year...

'Anna's Magic Ball Arborvitae and 'Pieris 'Cavatine'

and the foliage of  'Anna's Magic Ball' Arborvitae turns from a golden summer color to a wonderful orangey hue in wintertime.

Blue Globe Spruce and Variegated Boxwood

Some other evergreens known for their colorful foliage are Blue Globe 'Montgomery' Spruce and Variegated Boxwood.

Weeping Japanese Maple 'Viridis'

Moving along to the front lawn, this mature Weeping Japanese Maple has the most amazing structure in the wintertime when all the leaves are gone. I remember planting this tree some thirty plus years ago.

Blue Atlas Cedar

Planted in 1995, this Blue Atlas Cedar now towers over the island bed in the front yard. For some size perspective, the Gold Lace Juniper beneath it on the right are approximately four feet tall!

Blue Atlas Cedar Seed Cones

Here are the seed cones of the cedar close up!

Kousa Dogwood and Evergreens in Backyard Garden Winter

Venturing around again to the backyard, here is a view of the framework of Kousa Dogwood along with Gold Lace Juniper and Arborvitae...

Backyard Shade Garden

while we see Leucothoe, Spreading Yew and Weeping Norway Spruce in the shadier part of the garden.

St. John's Wort 'Magical Universe'

Here is a more dwarf version of  St. John's Wort with its dried fruit for winter interest.

Leucothoe and Golden Sweet Flag

Golden Sweet flag adds some color to the shade garden along with the Leucothoe behind it. Spoiler alert...I talk about several of these plants in my new shade gardening book!

Nellie Stevens Holly Berries

Here is 'Nellie Sevens' Holly with its colorful berries!

Hyacinths Already?!!!

As we approach the end of our stroll, there is a very unusual sight for February. With mild temperatures for the most part, the Hyacinth are already appearing...

Sedum Rosettes in February!

and so are the Sedum! I have never experienced this happening this early in the year!!!

Tea Time!!!

So, there have been many surprises in the winter garden thus far and we are less than five weeks away from the official start of spring!

Indoor Garden 

I'll just keep enjoying the indoor garden for now on the colder days...

Still Blooming!

and continue to dream of gardening days ahead!

Thanks for Visiting!

I hope you enjoyed your visit to my February garden and as always, I look forward to your comments and 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, 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. Here is to a wonderful 2023 planting season and gardens that thrive!

IN THE NEWS!!! 

I am excited to announce that my fifth book, Shade Gardening for the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic:  A Guide to Planning the Ultimate Shade Garden is now a reality! Come check it out and if you have it, please post a review on Amazon and/Goodreads. Reviews are so very important in getting the word out about a new book on these sites and I would so appreciate your support!

I recently had the honor of being a guest on two podcasts as we chatted about shade gardening and my new book, first on Washington Gardener Magazine with Kathy Jentz , then on Better Lawns and Gardens with Teresa Watkins! It is always fun chatting gardening with colleagues and I am sending out a big thank you to both for having me on! Be sure to check out both of their amazing podcasts!

Spring will be here soon! Visit my Author Page & 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!" 

Book Launching: Introducing Shade Gardening for the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic

Exciting News! -Book Launching!

I wanted to share some exciting news with you about the launch of my newest book, Shade Gardening for the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic: A Guide to Planning the Ultimate Shade Garden! As a landscape designer, I have had an increasing number of requests for shade garden design, and with colleagues and clients encouraging me to write a book on the topic, I took the plunge and made it a reality! Most gardens change over time and just about every property experiences some element of shade at some point, which can be frustrating to some. The moral of the story is that a shade planting is easy to obtain if you have the right plants in the right place. I not only wanted to share my experiences but wanted to take the information a step further by offering specific species of plants which I have found to be successful. The majority of photographs in the book were personally taken by me over the years and the information presented is based on over 26 years of my involvement in the horticultural industry. My goal is to make it possible for others to plan a shade garden they can enjoy for years to come.

Here is a quick overview of the book:

Shade gardening can be challenging to some, but a beautiful shade garden that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing can be achieved providing you have the right tools. This handy reference delivers over 150 shade plant selections with full descriptions and tips for growing and maintenance all in one place, allowing you to plan your outdoor space easily and without the stress. Whether you are a novice or avid gardener, Shade Gardening for the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic: A Guide to Planning the Ultimate Shade Garden will provide the proper tools and knowledge you will need to create your outdoor retreat, even in the shadiest of conditions.

• Explore over 150 plant selections ideal for shade.
• View colorful photographs with detailed plant descriptions including zone hardiness, pollinator    friendliness, deer resistance, drought tolerance and more.
• Learn about recommended plants for hard to plant areas and dry to moist shade.
• Navigate easily: Plants are divided into categories of evergreens, deciduous trees & shrubs, perennials, grasses, sedges and ferns, groundcovers, and annuals.
• Get some design inspiration with sample shade combinations. Recommendations for companion plantings are supplied along the way.   
• Learn how to maintain a healthy garden with recommended maintenance tips. Learn how to identify and treat common insects and diseases.
• This handy reference supplies all the tools you need to create a successful shade garden!

Create the Ultimate Shade Garden!

About The Author:

Lee Miller is a landscape/garden designer, consultant, garden coach, speaker, and award-winning garden blog author from the south shore of Long Island, who has been involved in the horticultural industry for over 26 years. She has donated her time as a contributing writer for various magazine publications and has participated as a presenter for local universities, gardening clubs and horticultural conferences. To keep current in the field, Lee Miller is an active member of various garden related organizations, constantly learning and sharing her knowledge with others. Lee Miller is the author of five publications, A Guide to Northeastern Gardening, 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 her most recent addition, Shade Gardening for the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, each sharing her experiences and knowledge as a seasoned gardener. With trowel in hand since the age of five, her passion for gardening continues to grow.

I have been gardening all my life and am hoping that each one of my books can pass on a piece of my knowledge and experiences, and help you create a garden you can enjoy. To my clients, thank you for allowing me to design your gardens and thank you to all who welcomed me with camera in hand, which helped to make this book a reality! To my readers, thank you for being here and for your support.

Visit My Author Page and Books! 📚

A Guide to Northeastern Gardening: Journeys of a Garden Designer

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: A Guide to Creating the Ultimate Shade Garden

"As Always...Happy Gardening!" 

 Lee @A Guide to Northeastern Gardening, © Copyright 2010-2023. All rights reserved.

Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day & Foliage Follow-Up January: Winter Views and Blooms!

Welcome!

Happy New Year and welcome to my Long Island garden for the first time in 2023! The month of January has been relatively uneventful weather wise, with temperatures in the upper 40's, and a chill in the air, but not too unbearable to venture out into the garden. On the milder days, I am able to get some exercise by getting rid of some of those enduring weeds, while observing what is around me. Come along and see the changing garden and we might just run into some winter blooms along the way!

A Little Bit of Whimsy!

As we start the tour, here is the newest addition to the garden. It makes me smile each time I pass it by.

Patio Garden

For some winter color, Nandina 'Obsession' is going through its first January in the garden with its brilliant pinkish-red foliage. Here it is in front of Weeping Norway Spruce, with Ajuga 'Black Scallop' behind the spruce to the right.

Patio Garden- Dwarf Red Pine and Juniper 'Goldstrike'

In the patio garden, the foliage of Juniper 'Goldstrike' turns from its golden hues in summertime to a more bronzed look in wintertime. Dwarf Red Pine, Ajuga 'Black Scallop' and Japanese Golden Sedge add some more evergreen foliage for interest.

Winter Foliage-Osmanthus (False Holly)

One thing I love about Osmanthus 'Goshiki' is its changing foliage. Here, in wintertime, the newer growth takes on a pinkish-golden hue above the more mature green foliage tipped with yellow highlights, making it ideal for winter viewing.

Mugo Pine

I strive to look for different attributes among plants throughout the seasons. In wintertime the seed cones of  this Mugo Pine become even more prominent.

Japanese Andromeda 'Cavatine'

The seed heads of Japanese Andromeda 'Cavatine' also stand out this time of year. In the backdrop is the foliage of Heuchera 'Caramel' (Coral Bells), which endures pretty well throughout the winter.

Osmanthus 'Goshiki' (False Holly) Winter foliage

As we pass by, here is another Osmanthus 'Goshiki' with its foliage up close.

Garden Love!

One always needs a little garden whimsy with some humor mixed in. Here is another one of my favorite statues!

Back Perimeter Garden

Following along to the back perimeter garden, Weeping Blue Atlas Cedar adds some color to the winter garden, accompanied by Coral Bells 'Palace Purple' and Japanese Golden Sedge along its base.

Patio Planter Horizontal

I got into making up container planters for the patio a few years back and am enjoying them throughout all the seasons. The first is a horizontal planter with Variegated Boxwood, Dwarf Alberta Spruce 'Jean's Dilly' and Dwarf Hinoki Cypress Nana 'Lutea'..

Patio Planter Vertical

and the second (vertical) planter has a centerpiece of Dwarf Alberta Spruce 'Jean's Dilly', with Whipcord Western Red Cedar (Thuga plica 'Whipcord') along the sides, and Dwarf Hinoki Cyress 'Nana' (Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Nana') front center. Helpful Tip: Dwarf Alberta Spruce 'Jean's Dilly' is a newer cultivar that grows even slower than the standard, making it excellent for planters.

Front Driveway Border

Now that we have ventured the backyard, let's stroll up to the front gardens. Here the reddish tinged branches of Coral Bark Maple can be seen in the distance with Skyland's Golden Oriental Spruce and Weeping Blue Atlas Cedar in the foreground.

Skyland's Oriental Spruce and Coral Bark Maple

Here is a closer view. The colder its gets, the brighter the color of the branches on the maple become. 

Hellebore 'Shooting Star'

Now, I did mention that we may come across some January blooms! Helleborous 'Shooting Star' never disappoints. Its foliage remains evergreen year round and buds appear in December, which open in January and last for months. The flowers are really not flowers at all, but bracts, which is why they last for so long.

Hellebore 'Shooting Star'

In the upcoming months, there will be other varieties of Hellebore in bloom, keeping the magic of the winter garden going!

Welcoming Bear!

As we come to the end of our stroll, welcoming bear greets us with his holiday display, as we venture to the indoor garden.

Flowering Jade Plant

While it's cold outside, indoor gardening keeps me busy. November and December brought a display of flowering Thanksgiving cactus, and as we get a few cold nights along the southern and western windowsills, Jade Plant produces blooms! Currently, I have two Jade Plants, which are each over 30 years old, along with several offspring from cuttings. I have passed on many plantings as gifts to keep its legacy going.

Thank you for Visiting!

I hope you enjoyed your visit to my January garden and as always, I look forward to your comments and 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, 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. Here is to a wonderful 2023 planting season and gardens that thrive!

IN THE NEWS!!! 

I am excited to announce that my fifth book, Shade Gardening for the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic: A Guide to Planning the Ultimate Shade Garden is now a reality! Published on January 3rd, an official launching post will be out on the 1st! In the meantime, go check it out! I am hoping I can share over 150 shade plants along with gardening tips with you!

I was recently asked to contribute to an article on Indoor Gardening-Experts Advice. Come check it out as I answer a question about growing Bonsai and be sure to check out the other articles Porch.com has to offer!

Looking for some gardening help and inspiration? Check out my Author Page & 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!" 

Long Island Garden 2022: A Year in Review

Welcome! 2022 Gardening Year in Review

January Garden

Happy New Year and welcome to my south shore, Long Island garden! Here in zone 7a, after a relatively quiet December with the first dusting of snow on Christmas Eve day, the landscape was hit with its first significant snowfall on the 7th with 6-8 inches of snow across the island, with deeper amounts on the north shore. The garden became a winter wonderland until it was washed away by rain a few days later, followed by a record high of 19 degrees on the 11th. Then, on the evening of the 28th and continuing all the way through evening of the next day, the Blizzard of 2022 came upon the island, bringing 22.4 inches of bountiful white, the second highest snowfall on record! Spring could not arrive soon enough. Despite cold, snow and rain, Hellebores continued to bloom throughout the month!

February Garden

After a January full of surprises, February temperatures started to rise, and the ground could finally be seen again after two weeks, but then on the 13th...Mother Nature gave us another go around with a layering of more snow! Between intervals of cold, snow, freezing rain and ice, the garden endured. On warmer days, it was time to go outside and explore. Hellebores continued to bloom, bright red berries were abundant, and the branches of Coral Bark Maple glowed with a vibrant pinkish-red hue in the cold.

March Garden

With the arrival of March, memories of the blizzard had escaped my mind as crocus were blooming, hyacinth buds were forming and the Hellebores continued to put on a show. Perennials were coming to life everywhere and trees had formed catkins and buds. As we all know, March is a month of surprises. There was a combination of daytime temperatures in the 50's, followed by drops of twenty degrees the following day with winds and snow squalls. One day life is all about being in the garden, while then next it is back to staying warm inside while gazing out the window to watch the snow fall upon the spring blooms. At least there were flowers to be seen from either outside or from the window!

April Garden

The month of April was much cooler than usual, which has seemed to be the trend over the past couple of years. The start of the month brought temperatures in the 40's with snow squalls, until days moderated to somewhere in the 50's. We did get a few surprises with temperatures soaring into the 60's and I would rush out into the garden.  At that point, Forsythia, Magnolia, Hyacinths and Daffodils were all in bloom. A little cool weather may slow things down, but spring had officially arrived. 

May Garden

It's the most wonderful time of the year...well for us gardeners anyway! The spring of 2022 had been much cooler than normal with many windy days, but after some rain and a few days in the upper 60's and low 70's, spring had finally sprung and the garden was underway with all its new foliage and blooms. Some sights to be seen were the blooms of Pulmonaria, Kwanzan Cherry, Viburnum, False Indigo, Azalea, Eastern Redbud and Salvia. It was wonderful to be outside in the garden once again.

June Garden

Welcome June! Following a relatively cool and windy spring, the temperatures had moderated into the upper 70's and low 80's, and with some nightly thunderstorms, the garden had come alive with color everywhere. From the pink and red blooms of Spirea and roses to the white blooms of Dogwood and Viburnum, other blooms including Nepeta, Coreopsis, Salvia, and Daylily had also joined the mix. The garden was now in full speed ahead!

July Garden

Summer  flew by quickly this year as the July garden brought temperatures in the mid to upper 80's, with bountiful blooms! Things were busy in the horticultural world, so any time I had remaining would be spent in the garden doing some deadheading and enjoying the summer views. The blooms of St. John's Wort, Hydrangea, Echinacea, Black Eyed Susan, Sedum, Daylily and Echibeckia were in full force, as the vibrant deep pink blooms of Crape Myrtle kicked in later in the month. Towards the end of July and into August, Long Island had entered its longest period without rain, becoming the sixth driest summer on record.

August Garden

The "dog days" of August brought rounds of temperatures in the 90's and was one of the hottest summers I can remember here in the northeast. With our first real drought in years, which lasted seven weeks, we desperately needed rain. Finally, by the end of the month, the much needed rain had finally graced the landscape, and temperatures moderated into the 80's. The garden was rejuvenated and blooms of Stargazer Lily, Platycodon, Hydrangea 'Tardivia', and Sedum joined in the mix.

September Garden

As the summer started to wind down, with slight hints of autumn in the air, temperatures backed down into the 70's to lower 80's, with  more normal rainfall. As the garden was now in late summer mode, there were now spikes of deep purple blooms rising from Liriope, joined by blooms of roses, hydrangea,  St. John's Wort, Sedum and Hosta to keep the garden going through fall.

October Garden

As the sign says, Happy Fall!  Autumn had officially arrived with daytime temperatures moderating into the sixties, autumn blooms, changing colors and a new crispness in the air. As late summer blooms continued, blooms on Montauk Daisy and Chrysanthemums joined in with plumes on ornamental grasses, and with the changing colors of foliage everywhere, it was evident that we were transitioning towards the winter months.

November Garden

The beginning of November brought unusually mild temperatures in the 70’s, and almost overnight, winter-like conditions had arrived as temperatures plummeted into the mid-40’s. The sudden change brought changing colors in the landscape that have been a sight to behold. The Weeping Japanese Maple in the front yard displayed hues of deep burgundy and orange foliage that I had never seen before, while the colors everywhere else equally matched. Nature certainly had mastered its beauty.

December Garden

The month of December brought daytime temperatures in the 40's, with some frosty mornings, and the first dusting of snow on the morning of the 12th. As the official start of winter had arrived, the foliage of evergreens turned to reddish highlights, some to a deeper golden hue, berries appeared more vibrant than ever, seed heads on perennials and plumes on grasses put on a display, and the true structure of trees could be seen. The garden continued to provide joy. The end of the month brought in the coldest temperatures since the year 2000, with temperatures in the teens and a chill factor in the single digits on the 24th and 25th, just in time for Christmas, while jumping into the 50's by New Years Eve. As the garden plunges deep into winter, buds on Magnolia, catkins on Weeping Pussy Willow, and Hellebore buds about to open, stir up anticipation and hopes for a not too distant spring.

Happy New Year and wishing all the best to you and yours for a wonderful 2023! Thank you for being here and for your support, and always...Happy Gardening!😊

For gardening inspiration and design tips visit: My Author Page and 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. 

MY NEW BOOK-NOW AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER! WATCH FOR THE BIG ANNOUNCEMENT COMING SOON!

Author: Lee @A Guide to Northeastern Gardening, © Copyright 2010-2022. All rights reserved.