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May 2017 Garden
In 1557, a gentleman by the name of Thomas Tusser compiled a collection of writings he called "A Hundred Good Points of Husbandry". In the April section of his works he wrote, "Sweet April showers Do spring May flowers". The proverb known today was originally a short poem, which served as a reminder that the abundant rains in April would bring about the arrival of beautiful May blooms. The wonderful month of May is here and since it's May 15th, it is time for another Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day and Foliage Follow-up! There are new additions for the 2017 season, so come along with me as we venture to see what is blooming in my Long Island garden.
The April rains with temperatures now moderating in the 60's has brought life back into the garden as colorful blooms spring up everywhere. Ajuga 'Burgundy Glow' ground cover adds interesting foliage and bright purple blooms to the May garden.
Heuchera 'Caramel' (Coral Bells) and the Ajuga ground cover make a striking foliage combination when planted together.
The back south garden to the left and behind the pool area is accented with azalea, which are now blooming. The new Girard's Crimson seen next were recently planted to replace the aging plants that were on the other side in the pool area.
Part of the joy of gardening involves watching the evolution of plants as they mature over the years and the anticipation of planning new additions as time goes by. As an avid gardener and designer, I am always planning away in my mind!
This garden statue of a girl and boy with their dog was a gift from years ago, one that I cherish. The statue now has a refreshed backdrop with the new azalea.
With the month of May comes new foliage along with blooms. Here is a combination of Heuchera 'Palace Purple' Coral Bells (foreground), Sedum 'Brilliant' (Right), 'Caramel' Coral Bells (Backdrop) and Ajuga (Right of Boulder) with Mugo Pine and Compacta Hinoki Cypress to the left. Way behind the mentioned is evergreen Juniperus 'Gold Lace'.
The Oriental Spruce, planted in 2008, has now grown to a height of approximately fifteen feet. Another Skyland's has joined the back gardens, which we will visit in a little bit as we come back around to the other side of the property.
Let's venture back into the pool area where giant Globemaster Allium are preparing to open into large ball-shaped lavender blooms. The original three bulbs have multiplied into seven buds and I look forward to these magnificent blooms in June!
Here is a wide view of the southern section of the pool gardens, with Weeping Norway Spruce, 'Stella D Oro' Daylilies, Allium Globemaster and Spirea 'Limemound'. In the backdrop is a Weeping White Pine and Hinoki Cypress.
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Monday, May 15, 2017
Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day & Foliage Follow-Up May 2017: Gardening Season Has Arrived!
Sunday, May 7, 2017
This Month's Color in the Garden: Color Your Garden Blue-Blue Blooms for Your Landscape!
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| Blue Blooms for Your Garden |
Welcome to This Month's Color in the Garden! The use of the color blue in the landscape symbolizes optimism and stability and often relays a feeling of calm. According to the language of flowers, "The pale blue hues of a hydrangea or the
deep blues of an iris can calm worries and preoccupation." The blue hue of flowers represent peace,
openness, and serenity, and are believed to be an antidote for anxiousness. There are few species that naturally occur as true blue in the garden. For the month of May I am going to focus on some of the varieties of blue blooming plants that you can add to your outdoor space.
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| Blue Grape Hyacinth (Muscari) |
The first is Muscari, also known as Grape Hyacinth. Hardy in USDA zones 2-5, Grape Hyacinth creates a carpet of blue grape-like blooms which are gorgeous when bulbs are planted in clumps. These bulbs are available in a variety of colors, but blue seems to be the all-time favorite! Muscari is a breathtaking site when planted in mass in a woodland or naturalized setting and is a welcoming sign of spring. Plant in full sun to partial shade for best results.
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| Siberian Iris (Iris siberica) |
Siberian Iris is a herbaceous perennial hardy in USDA zones 3-8 that offers purplish-blue blooms in mid-spring. Siberian Iris grows to a height and width of 3 feet and prefers full sun to partial shade. This perennial spreads by rhizomes and is excellent in mass plantings for that naturalized look.
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| Perennial Geranium Rozanne Cranesbill |
Cranesbill, or perennial geranium is hardy in USDA zones 4-10, and forms large cup shaped bright blue-violet flowers that appear from summer into fall on a 15-24 inch high by 20-28 inch wide plant. Perennial Geranium thrives in full sun and makes a great addition to borders, rock gardens and containers. In the right conditions it will form a beautiful carpet of blue!
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| Platycodon grandiflorus' komachi' Balloon Flower |
Platycodon, also known as Balloon Flower is hardy in USDA zones 3-8 and displays large puffy buds resembling tiny inflated balloons. As the bud matures the bud grows and appears as if it going to burst. On most varieties, the buds reveal gorgeous star shaped flowers once opened, but on 'Komachi' the buds remain closed as balloons, making an interesting conversation piece in the garden. Platycodon blooms from early to late summer on a 8-10 inch tall by 10-23 inch wide plant. Grow in full sun to partial shade.
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| Sisyrinchium Lucerne (Blue Eyed Grass) |
Bright blue, star-shaped flowers with gold centers rise above iris-like foliage on this native north American plant, which is an excellent food source for pollinators. Sisyrinchium is hardy in USDA zones 4-10, grows to a height and width of 8-10 inches and prefers full sun. This plant is excellent for naturalized settings, rock gardens and native plantings.
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| Nikko Blue Hydrangea |
When thinking of the true blue hydrangea, I always refer back to the old fashioned mophead Hydrangea, 'Nikko Blue'. 'Nikko Blue' is hardy in USDA zones 5-9 and is one of the most reliable blue Hydrangeas, staying blue in a wider range of soils. Flowers start cream in color with blue margins than turn a solid blue as the plant matures. In acidic soil, 'Nikko Blue' has deep blue flowers which appear in early to late summer. 'Nikko Blue' reaches a height and width of 4-6 feet and blooms on old wood.
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| Blue Lacecap Hydrangea |
Blue Cassel Hydrangea is hardy in USDA zones 5-9 and features bold blue lacecap flowers from early summer into late fall on a four foot tall by wide plant. This hydrangea prefers to be grown in full sun to partial shade and is a repeat bloomer that blooms on old and new wood. The flowers are excellent for cutting and the broad green foliage is attractive throughout the season. Blue color is dependent on acidic soil.
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| Caryopteris x clandonensis 'Inoveris Bluebeard' (Blue Mist Shrub) |
Caryopteris, also known as Blue Mist Shrub is a 2-3 foot high deciduous shrub with a mounding, rounded habit that becomes covered with many small gray-green toothed leaves with a minty scent if crushed. Clusters of sweetly scented violet-blue flowers appear late summer into fall. Blooms are an attraction to butterflies and hummingbirds and the shrub makes a wonderful addition to perennial beds, walkways and entryways. Caryopteris is hardy in USDA zones 5-9 and requires full sun.
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| Color Your Garden Blue! Blue blooms in the landscape have relayed a sense of calmness and serenity throughout the centuries and will continue to add delight to any garden. I hope you enjoyed This Month's Color in the Garden and please do share your thoughts about the color blue! |
Saturday, April 15, 2017
Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day & Foliage Follow-Up April 2017: Welcome Spring!
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| April 2017 Garden |
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| Perennial Border April |
The perennial border by the back patio comes a little more to life with every passing day with the arrival of new foliage and blooms. While Crocus, Hyacinth and Daffodils are in bloom, Allium, Astilbe, Lilies, Coneflowers, Hosta and Peony start to show their new spring foliage.
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| Purple Crocus |
Crocus is one of my favorite introductions to spring with their beautiful purple, white or yellow blooms that close by night and open by day.
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| Purple Crocus |
The morning sunshine warms and opens the blooms, bringing cheer to start the day.
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| White Crocus |
These white crocus are so pure and beautiful and are a welcomed sight in the spring garden. The pollen lined anthers emerge from the centers of each bloom.
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| Pink Hyacinth |
Hyacinth blooms in shades of pink and purple become fuller with each passing day and last for weeks. As you can see, these two are right next to each other in the perennial border.
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| Purple Hyacinth |
The hyacinths had a slow start this spring with colder than usual March temperatures, but the sudden warmer temperatures we have been experiencing have put them right back on schedule.
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| Miniature Daffodils |
The miniature daffodils are now fully opened as they display their bright yellow, cheery blooms! The pollinators love them too!
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| Itoh Peony Foliage |
Itoh Peony 'Bartella' is right on schedule with its sturdy new foliage which glows a pinkish-red. Voluminous yellow blooms will appear in May as foliage turns to green.
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| Hellebore 'Shooting Star' April |
These Hellebores have been blooming non-stop in the northern garden since February. The blooms of 'Shooting Star' turn from shades of greenish white to pink.
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| Hellebore 'Shooting Star' April |
I just planted a new member of the Hellebore family...Helleborus 'Dark and Handsome' in my garden for more winter interest. I am looking forward to it maturing and producing the unusual purplish-black blooms it is known for. Hellebores are a new favorite in the garden, for they provide interest in the wintertime as well as in early spring.
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| Salix caprea Pendula (Weeping Pussy Willow) April |
Springtime is a delight with Salix caprea 'Pendula' (Weeping Pussy Willow). I look forward to its lovely silvery catkins that burst open, exposing yellow pollen covered anthers.
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| Weeping Pussy Willow April |
Here is a long view of the tree and gardens behind it. The upright Western Arborvitae in the backdrop have really matured and are now approximately twenty five feet tall.
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| Magnolia Tree |
As we move along to the northwestern section of the backyard, we approach the pool area and the Star Magnolia tree, which was planted in 1996. It has matured into quite a beauty and is filled with blooms in April.
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| Magnolia 'Royal Star' Bloom |
The creamy white delicate blooms are magnificent against the blue sky and the sweet fragrance is evident while close up.
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| Magnolia 'Royal Star' Bloom |
Magnolia 'Royal Star' is a hardy, cold tolerant form of Magnolia which thrives in zones 4-8 and requires full sun to partial shade. The tree stays compact when compared to others, reaching a height and width of about 10-15 feet tall by 10-12 feet wide.
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| Front Driveway Garden (Skylands' Golden Oriental Spruce, Coral Bark Maple, Golden Hinoki Cypress and Weeping Blue Atlas Cedar) |
As we approach the front driveway garden, Golden Oriental Spruce 'Skylands' and Coral Bark Maple take front stage. The bark on the Maple can still be seen glowing red, and light green foliage will be appearing soon as the temperatures warm.
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| Spirea 'Magic Carpet' Spring Foliage |
Spirea 'Magic Carpet' has its foliage starting to appear! Magic Carpet Spirea is hardy in zones 4-9 and displays colorful foliage that starts off as a burnished red in spring and fades to a bright golden hue in summer. In fall, the foliage turns to russet red and finally bronze. Bright pink blooms adorn the shrub throughout the summer months.
As we move along the front yard, across on the median is the Forthysia I planted years ago. It has now matured and I enjoy looking out the front window at its vibrant yellow blooms each spring. |
| Forthysia |
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| Violas for April |
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| Welcome to Our Garden! |
Every garden needs a little whimsy. This little welcome sign resides in the herb garden...and this garden helper tends to the back pool area, bringing joy to all who encounter him.
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| Garden Whimsy |
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| Spring Planter |
Spring is bountiful with all its colorful blooms. Author Barbara Winkler quotes, "Every gardener knows under the cloak of winter lies a miracle...a seed waiting to sprout, a bulb opening to light, a bud straining to unfurl. And the anticipation nurtures our dreams." Part of the beauty of winter is the anticipation of spring and the excitement of awaiting its first blooms!
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| First Spring Robin! |
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April 2017 Garden
I hope you enjoyed your stroll through my April garden. Special thanks go out to our hostesses 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 and Pam at Digging for hosting Foliage Follow-Up. I am also linking with some other wonderful hosts and hostesses at Today's Flowers, Floral Fridays, Macro Monday 2, and Nature Notes at Rambling Woods. Also check out Garden Bloggers' Foliage Day at Creating my own garden of the Hesperides.
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As Always...Happy Gardening!
Author: Lee@A Guide to Northeastern Gardening, © Copyright 2017. All rights reserved
Thursday, March 30, 2017
Color Our World Round-Up March: The Many Roles of Green in the Garden!
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| Banner Credit: Terri Steffes from Our Good Life |
Welcome! It's time for another Color Our World Round-Up post. Each month the knowledgeable bloggers from Project Beautiful get creative by writing articles with focus on a particular color. Posts cover a multitude of topics including gardening, home remedies, decor and culinary delights. March is the month of "green", which is very fitting with the arrival of St. Patrick's Day and spring! The authors are sharing their thoughts on all the possibilities and uses of green in the garden, and not just for spring, but all year round. Simply click on the links to read each article in full.
First up for our March Round-Up is Lynee Cherot from Sensible Gardening with her delightful post on the Unexpected Green Flower. "As much as I love the riot of color in a garden, I’ve lately become intrigued and attracted to the sophistication of the uncommon green flower. The color green is prominent in nature, usually in foliage, but quite unusual as a flower color. The green of plants is produced by chlorophyll, which converts light into energy the plant can use for growth. Colorful blooms serve as attractors for pollinators which will spread the plants pollen for reproduction. Green flowers have no need for bright colors as they reproduce themselves through asexual reproduction or rely on the wind to spread themselves around." See all the various types of green blooms with their descriptions here...
Next is Susan Brandt from Blooming Secrets, who brings thoughts of green all year round with The Year in Color: Wearing of the Green. "Green seems like a most appropriate color for the month of March. In many areas of the country the grass starts growing and by the end of the month, the first official “mowing of the lawn” occurs. The Daffodils that we planted last fall begin to make an appearance and the first green shoots on many trees and shrubs become the first leaves of spring. Finally, the “wearing of the green” on St. Patrick’s Day lets us know that spring is literally right around the corner and that the “long winter’s nap” for our garden is coming to an end. Green truly takes “center stage” in the spring; the lawn and leaves dominate the early landscape, but there are other signs that green isn’t just limited to grass, shrubs and trees." Read more about the use of green in the garden here...
Garden and food blogger Terri Steffes from the Good Life shares her knowledge of how to plant a Salad Bowl Garden with her post Time to Plant the Salad Bowl! "One of my favorite spring activities is to plant the Salad Bowl. The Salad Bowl is a huge planter that I sow several kinds of lettuce, spinach, kale and swiss chard. It is time to plant it and I am looking forward to eating fresh greens in a few weeks! Tip #1 To speed up the process, I plant a few plants as well as seeds. That way my crop is spread out and I get a longer run of greens. Last year's crop was wonderful, as you can see in the picture below. Tip # 2 Use good seeds! This year we are planting using heirloom seeds that we purchased from the Missouri Botanical Gardens. They have a wonderful seed selection and I am eager to see if we can tell the difference between the seeds we get at the Dollar Store and the seeds were purchased from MoBot. Tip #3 We will plant 2 or so weeks before the last frost. The soil does best when it is above 60 degrees. Sometimes we've guessed wrong about the last frost and still have had a good crop of greens. When someone tells me that they want to start gardening, this is what I tell them to start with! The seeds germinate quickly (usually within 5-10 days) and you can eat the ones that you thin out in a salad!" Read up on more salad bowl gardening tips here...
Green is a major color in Japanese Garden design. Here is my post, This Month's Color in the Garden: The Role of Green in Japanese Garden Design. "When I think of a predominately green garden, Japanese Garden style comes to mind. The color green has been a basic element in Japanese garden design over the centuries and has also been an element found in both formal and informal gardens throughout horticultural history. Greenery provides architecture in the landscape in the form of hedges, trees, shrubs, grass and moss. The color green is a neutral color, one that can be used with any other color without changing the desired effect for a space. It is the perfect combination of the basic primary colors yellow (warm, energizing) and blue (cool, calming) creating a perfect balance. Conifers which are commonly used in Japanese Garden design provide soothing shades of green and grow in a variety of structural forms for year-round interest. In Japanese Garden design, evergreens are used for their simplicity, ability to mimic the natural landscape, and to provide structure all year round. Typical plant species used in Japanese Gardens are juniper, Hinoki Cypress, pine, bamboo, maple, cherry, azalea, camellia, and iris. Moss is another element that has especially played a major role in Japanese garden design, and is regarded as a symbol of harmony, age, and tradition." Read more about Japanese Garden design here...
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Also, be sure to visit these wonderful bloggers regularly for their inspiring articles on gardening, home remedies, DIY projects, decorating, culinary delights and more! I am also linking to Floral Friday Fotos. Be sure to check out their weekly meme!
NEXT UP is This Month's Color in the Garden on the 7th, where it's all about the color yellow. Then, join me for Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day and Foliage Follow-Up each month on the 15th, and Round Up posts at the end of the month!
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Author: Lee@A Guide to Northeastern Gardening, © Copyright 2017. All rights reserved
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