Garden Blogger's Bloom Day: November 2012

It's well into Fall in the northeastern garden and there is a changing array of color everywhere. Long Island has endured Hurricane Sandy and then a nor'easter the following week and this of all Garden Blogger's Bloom Days has been a relief and pleasure to be able to step out into the garden and capture the beauty of nature's color. Come share my passion of nature and join me with a walk through my garden. 

Dried Seed Heads Montauk Daisy

Sedum and Dwarf Grass

Spirea 'Gold Flame' Fall Color

Stachys (Lamb's Ear)

Ajuga 'Burgundy Glow'

Dwarf Fountain Grass Plume

Euonymus 'Gold Spot' Foliage

Montgomery Globe Blue Spruce (Picea pungens 'Montgomery')

Spirea 'Limemound' Fall Foliage

Hydrangea 'Tokyo Delight' Fall Flower Head

Heuchera (Coral Bells) 'Caramel' Close Up

Saliva 'May Night' Still Some Blooms

Daylily 'Stella D Oro' One Last Flower

Foliage of Oriental Spruce 'Skyland'

Acer palmatum 'Sango Kaku' (Coral Bark Maple) Fall Foliage

Sedum Fall Seed Head

Heuchera 'Caramel' Fall Foliage

Blue Atlas Cedar Cones

Nandina domestica 'Gulf Stream' Berrries

Hydrangea 'Tardivia' Seed Head

Globe Cyptomeria Foliage

Japanese Iris Seed Pods

Fall Perennial Garden (Astilbe, Lamb's Ear and Daylily)

Dwarf Maiden Grass Miscanthus 'Yaku Jima' Plumes

Fall Color (Coral Bark Maple with Sugar Maple in Backdrop)

Minature Fountain Grass 'Little Bunny' Fall 

  Please be sure to thank our hostess Carol at May Dreams Gardens and see what other gardeners around the world have blooming in their garden.  Please leave a note so that I know you visited and I will be sure to visit you as well.

Happy Garden Blogger's Bloom Day and

As Always...Happy Gardening!

 

Author: Lee@A Guide To Northeastern Gardening, Copyright 2012. All rights reserved

Repairing Storm Damaged Trees: Some Helpful Tips

Storm Damaged Branch on Weeping Japanese Maple

 Hurricanes such as the recent Hurricane Sandy have caused extensive damage to landscape trees along the northeastern coastline.  This Weeping Japanese Maple was a victim to the gale force winds and has suffered major damage to one of its limbs.  Every year extensive damage can occur to tree branches from factors such as hurricanes, ice storms and lightning. If you have experienced similar damage here are a few tips for repairing weakened trees that I hope you find useful.

Storm Damage to Tree Bark

Torn and Peeled Bark:  Repairing torn and peeled bark on your damaged trees in a timely manner can help to preserve their vitality. To remove crevices for moisture accumulation or hiding places for insects use a sharp chisel or knife to smooth the ragged edges where the bark has been torn (see diagram).  Clean ragged wounds and smooth out the area as much as possible so that healing can start.  If possible try to form an elliptical shape without cutting too deeply.  The underlying greenish inner bark (cambium layer) should start the repair process.  If the damaged area is less than twenty five percent of the circumference of the branch the tree should heal over time with no permanent damage. Anything more could be too much and could lead to eventual removal of the limb.  Avoid the usage of any wound sealants or coatings.  There has been recent controversy about the use of wound sealants over the past few years.  Recent studies have shown that sealants may not help in speeding up the healing process but may actually hinder it.  Also as the sealant breaks down possible crevices may form allowing moisture to accumulate.   This can lead to possible fungal infection and further damage to the tree.

U.S. Department Of Agriculture

Damage to Branches:   If the tree branch is severely damaged beyond repair it is best to remove it completely.  First prune smaller branches (less than 3 inches) where they meet larger ones using clean cuts with loppers or larger branches with a saw or chain saw.   Use the three cut method first making an undercut 12- 18 inches from the main stem to relieve some of the pressure of the branch.  Then make two more cuts, one closer to the  main branch (2-3 inches away) then a final smooth flush cut where the branch meets the collar as shown in the diagram.  The tree will form a protective callus tissue and heal itself.

Uprooted Trees:  Smaller trees can be saved if one third to one half of their root system is still in the ground.  Remove some of the soil around the root mass and push upright using several helpers or equipment.  Fill in the soil and cable the tree in place using two to three guide wires and anchors into the soil.  Water the tree to keep it in place and remove air pockets.  It is usual to keep the cables on for one year then remove them as the tree grows.  A spring feeding can help the tree to regain strength and encourage new growth.

Following these practices can allow your tree to heal and help to ensure the extended lifetime of your landscape plants.

Author: Lee@A Guide To Northeastern Gardening, Copyright 2012. All rights reserved.

 

 

 

The Colors of a Northeastern Fall Garden

 

 

 

The colors of fall are beautiful this year and as Hurricane Sandy stormed up the northeastern coastline I am glad I felt a need to capture the beauty of the foliage before the powerful winds arrived here on Long Island.  I saved the photos on my computer and now that the power is restored I can share them.   The last photo was just taken after the storm.  To much surprise a lot of the fall color is still around.  To say the least...it has been a long week.  Fortunately many of the large aging trees on the property have been removed over the years and the evergreens and flowering shrubs are a bit more flexible. The Crape Myrtle and Magnolia have lost all their leaves so I am glad to have gotten the photos.  The Coral Bark Maple still has its golden yellow foliage which it wasn't about to give up just yet and the Knock Out Roses are determined to still produce blooms. I hope you enjoy the photos of the changing fall garden.


Maiden Grass 'Yaku Jima' and Magnolia (Backdrop)

Spirea 'Limemound' Fall Foliage and Flowers

Golden Oriental Spruce 'Skylands' and Coral Bark Maple 'Sango Kaku' (Left)

Crape Myrtle Foliage (Close Up)

Maiden Grass 'Yaku Jima'

Perennial Garden Bed (Astilbe, Daylily and Lamb's Ear)

Coral Bark Maple (Acer palmatum Sango Kaku)

Spirea 'Goldflame' and Hosta

Crape Myrtle 'Sioux' Fall Foliage

Spirea 'Goldflame'

Golden Oriental Spruce 'Skylands' and Coral Bark Maple  (Acer palmatum 'Sango Kaku')

 

Barberry, Golden Oriental Spruce 'Skylands' and Nepeta with Weeping Blue Atlas Cedar (Far Left)

Sedum 'Brilliant' Fall Color 

Weeping Japanese Maple (Pre-Storm)...now a little more bonsai but OK...

Knock Out Rose After the Storm

 

And after the storm with gusts of 90 mph winds...the resilient Knock Out Roses are blooming profusely...not about to quit but to keep the colors coming.  

We are very thankful that we made it through the storm alright with just some power outages and clean up.  My heart goes out to all of those who's lives have been affected by Hurricane Sandy and hope for a safe and speedy recovery.

Thank you for visiting.   

 

Author: Lee@A Guide To Northeastern Gardening, Copyright 2012. All rights reserved

 

 

Fall Garden Maintenance Tips-It's that time Again!

Are you getting your garden ready in Fall for the Winter months?  Here are some helpful tips that will ensure the vitality and health of your plants.

Skip Laurel

Anti-Desiccant Spray: When the daytime temperatures start falling below 50 degrees (around mid- November here in zone 7) it is time to apply an anti-desiccant spray to your broadleaved evergreens such as holly, rhododendron, cherry laurel, skip laurel, mountain laurel, Japanese skimmia, leucothoe, aucuba and boxwood. These plants can be subject to severe winter burn due to water loss from the leaves by transpiration. Apply when the temperatures are above freezing and there is no threat of rain or frost within 24 hours. (This tip applies to areas going into their winter season-temperatures dropping below freezing: 0 degrees Celsius or 32 degrees Fahrenheit.) If there is a prolonged thaw in mid-winter it may be time to re-apply anti-desiccant spray to your broadleaved evergreens, especially if there are more prolonged freezing temperatures on the way. For more detailed information go to: Winterizing-Evergreens-Anti-Desiccant-Spray

Watering During Fall Winter: A common question often asked is, "Is it better to keep watering my plants until the ground freezes or should I stop watering now?" It is important that prior to winter that there is significant moisture around your plants.   Evergreens do not lose their leaves so they continue to transpire or lose water over the winter months and once the ground freezes it is difficult for water to percolate down to the roots.  A well watered tree will over winter far better than a thirsty one and will not be as susceptible to winter frost damage and drying. Continue to water until the ground freezes.

Heuchera (Coral Bells) 'Caramel'

Mulching & Frost Heaving: In freezing temperatures soil around your plants may be subject to frost heaving. This is when ice forms underneath the soil and expands upwards from the ground causing plants such as perennials to push upwards exposing the crown. Heuchera (Coral Bells) and Liriope are especially prone to this type of damage. As a preventive measure apply a protective mulch finishing to your garden beds in Fall. To remedy frost heaving, slightly tap the soil back down and brush the mulch back around the exposed crown of the plant to protect it.

Weeding:  Do some Fall weeding and garden maintenance now to prevent weeds from getting out of control in the spring.  Dispose of weeds that may have seeds on them in the garbage and not in the compost.  Put a clean edge on your garden beds to prevent grass from invading and remove any decaying debris to prevent fungal infection.

Clean up your Perennial Garden:  Remove any expired foliage and stalks that could decay over winter.  Cut perennials four to five inches above the ground and apply a thin layer of mulch.    Some perennials such as ornamental grasses should be left to cut down until late winter-early spring.  For more info visit Fall Garden Maintenance:  Pruning & Dividing Ornamental Grasses and Perennials.

Knock Out Rose

Pruning Trees & Shrubs:  Early summer blooming trees and shrubs form their buds immediately after flowering subsides so pruning them too late may remove next year's blooms.  These shrubs should be pruned immediately after flowering.  Late summer flowering trees and shrubs benefit from pruning in fall while they are dormant.  Do not prune roses such as Knock Out Rose in fall.  Pruning encourages new growth that may not harden off in time for winter. For more information and a list of pruning times follow the link above.

Bulbs:  Plant spring blooming bulbs such as crocus, hyacinth and daffodils now in the fall before the ground freezes.

Lawn Maintenance:  Clean up leaves from your lawn or mulch them.  Spray to control broadleaved weeds and apply a lawn fertilizer in late fall to encourage a healthier and greener lawn in spring. Cut your lawn a final time before winter. 

A little Fall garden maintenance now will save you time in spring and give your garden a good and healthy start. On that note...out to the garden!

As Always...Happy Gardening!
 

Author: Lee@A Guide To Northeastern Gardening, Copyright 2012. All rights reserved

Garden Blogger's Bloom Day October 2012-Fall Garden

 It's Fall on Long Island and the colors are beautiful this year. The average daytime temperatures have dropped down into the 60's and there is a cool blustery wind. The seasons seem to be changing a lot quicker in 2012 and are a few weeks ahead of schedule as the trend continues.  Predictions are for a cold and snowy winter which may prove to be true as seen by the quickly changing conditions and abundant production of pine cones.   The changing colors of the fall garden are all around me.  Welcome to another Garden Blogger's Bloom Day.   Walk with me as we venture through my October garden.

Backyard Perennial Garden

The colors almost turned overnight this year with a plummet in temperatures from the mid seventies one day into the fifties the next and then a little frost just the other morning.   Astilbe, Daylily and Lamb's Ear have gone into Fall mode and Juniper 'Blue Star' is alongside them for some winter color along the backyard entrance.

Blue Star Juniper, Dwarf Fountain Grass and Weeping Norway Spruce

In the side garden, Dwarf Fountain Grass 'Hameln,' is showing off its wispy plumes next to the blue of the Juniper and burgundy of Heuchera 'Palace Purple'. A birdbath nestled in the garden invites local birds to stop and visit.

Spirea 'Gold Flame' and Dwarf Fountain Grass 'Hameln'

Walking along...the Spirea 'Gold Flame' is showing hues of burgundy and orange and is turning into a rainbow of color.

Weeping Blue Atlas Cedar, Barberry 'Rosy Glow', Dwarf Butterfly Bush, Gold Mop Cypress and Heuchera 'Caramel'

The Barberry 'Rosy Glow' takes on a fiery burgundy-red appearance next to the blue of the Weeping Blue Atlas Cedar and gold of the 'Gold Mop' Cypress (Chamaecyparis 'Gold Mop').  The dwarf Buddleia Lo & Behold Blue Chip is still producing bright purple blooms. I will still see an occasional butterfly and just the other day I caught a glimpse of a rare hummingbird as it stopped by my lantana tree (now inside), hovered by the butterfly bush then flew off!

Liriope 'Variegata'

I am enjoying my Liriope which is an old stable in the garden and producing its striking purple blooms followed by deep purple-black berries for winter. This plant is very hardy in zone 7 and goes nicely with just about anything.  It stays at about ten to twelve inches tall.

Montgomery Blue Spruce

As we stroll along we pass the patio garden...

Hinoki Cypress 'Aurea'

and now around to the pool.  Here is Hinoki Cypress 'Aurea' along with 'Yaku Jima' Maiden Grass in the background and Montgomery Blue Spruce in the foreground.

Blue Atlas Cedar Cones

Notice the abundant production of cones on my Blue Atlas Cedar.  Is this a sign of a harsh winter to come? 

Barberry 'Rosy Glow' Fall

Here is a close up of the Barberry 'Rosy Glow' along with 'Gold Mop' Cypress and a backdrop of Western Arborvitae 'Virescens' and 'Emerald Green'.

Knock Out Rose

The blooms on my Knock Out Roses are not ready to quit and continue to supply color in the garden.   I am glad to have added them two summers ago since they have given me so much joy.

Coral Bark Maple (Sangu Kaku)

In the front yard the Coral Bark Maple (Sangu Kaku) is starting to display its Fall colors. It will turn a bright golden-yellow as the weeks go on. I love the show this tree puts on.

Stachys (Lambs Ear) and Astilbe Fanal

 Keep the Fall color coming!

Perennial and Evergreen Garden

Here is a little more October color showing my perennial and evergreen garden...

Dwarf Maiden Grass 'Yaku JIma'

and now a close up of Dwarf Maiden Grass 'Yaku Jima'.  This type of Maiden Grass grows to about five to six feet and stays more compact than most.  It's large elongated plumes are so wispy!

Mugo Pine and Sedum 'Brilliant'

Here is a combination of Dwarf Mugo Pine and Sedum 'Brilliant' in the front yard.

Backyard Patio Garden

And here is another view of the backyard showing the evergreens in the backdrop and the gardens in the foreground.  The gardens wrap around the patio and then lead out to the pool area gardens which we visited earlier.

Blue Atlas Cedar, Mugo Pine and Sedum

Here is another view of the Dwarf Mugo Pine and Sedum along with the Weeping Blue Atlas Cedar in the backdrop.

Pinus strobus Globosa

And here is my newest addition...a Globe White Pine.   Its needles are delicate and soft and it grows to only about two to three feet in diameter maximum.  I am making sure it gets plenty of care as we head towards winter.

Fountain Grass

And as we head out towards the driveway here is my Weeping Norway Spruce (in the backdrop) along with Fountain Grasses as they display graceful plumes and bring in the Fall.   It is unknown what the winter will bring but for now I am enjoying the crispness in the air, the beautiful days and changing colors around me.

Thank you for strolling along with me in my zone 7 Long Island autumn garden.  I am so glad you could visit and please do visit our Garden Blogger's Bloom Day hostess Carol at May Dreams Gardens. Please leave a comment so that I know you dropped by and I will be sure to visit you as well!


As Always...Happy Gardening and Happy Garden Blogger's Bloom Day!


Author: Lee@A Guide To Northeastern Gardening, Copyright 2012. All rights reserved