Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Foliage Follow-Up: Summer Garden Foliage Combinations

July Garden Foliage

Foliage variation is an extremely important element in the garden and Pam at Digging hosts Foliage Follow-up each month on the 16th as a way to remind ourselves of the importance of foliage in the garden on the day after Bloom Day.   This is my first time joining in on this meme and I am very excited about sharing some of the foliage I have in my gardens.  Come along with me to take a look!
Heuchera, Sedge and Euonymus
One of my favorite combinations of texture is in the shade garden.  Here are Heuchera 'Palace Purple', Japanese Golden Sedge and Euonymus 'Gold Spot'.
Heuchera (Coral Bells) 'Palace Purple'
The 'Palace Purple' Heuchera has a unique foliage of its own and is used for just that.  Heuchera develops delicate blooms later in summer but is mainly known for it's deep burgundy leaves that last throughout the summer and into winter.
Dwarf Fountain Grass and Euonymus 'Emerald Gaiety'
Grasses always add grace and movement to the landscape.   I like to combine them with evergreens.  Seen here is Dwarf Fountain Grass 'Hameln' and Euonymus 'Emerald Gaiety' by my patio area.
Hosta and Juniper
Here I have hosta and Juniper next to one another...
Hosta and Sedge
and Hosta and a Variegated Sedge. I enjoy combining broad darker leaves with lighter colored, wispy grass-like foliage.
Hosta 'Maui Buttercup'
My new Hosta 'Maui Buttercup' made its debut in Garden Blogger's Bloom Day and is here again for its bright yellow foliage...
Heuchera Combination with Juniper
and here is Heuchera 'Caramel' (my favorite) combined with Heuchera 'Palace Purple' and Juniperus 'Gold Lace' for a little color contrast. 
Japanese Forest Grass Hakonechloa macra 'Aureola'
These Japanese Forest Grasses that I purchased years ago have matured into two foot wide clumps and are in front of a backdrop of the darker leaved Rainbow Leucothoe.  This area is mostly in shade with a little bit of dappled sun.
Japanese Painted Fern
Painted Fern is another plant that I purchased strictly for its beautiful blue-green foliage. It took some time for this to get established but once it did it formed a nice mass transitioning from the pool area to the shade area.
Miniature Fountain Grass and Blue Star Juniper Combination
Now into the sunnier section of the property there is Miniature Bunny Grass with Blue Star Juniper for a combination of blues and greens...
Stachys (Lamb's Ear)
and Lamb's Ear which is known for its soft white foliage.
Sedum Foliage
Sedum, even though is known for its bright pink blooms in August, exhibits an unusual succulent-like foliage that forms perfectly symmetrical clumps...
Lily Foliage

and I just could not leave out the July lilies.  Their grass-like foliage adds yet another variation of texture as well as movement to the garden. 

 I hope you enjoyed the foliage combinations in my July garden.  Thank you to Pam@Digging for hosting Foliage Follow-Up and be sure to check out what foliage others have in their gardens.  Also be sure to check out July Bloom Day.
 
As Always...Happy Gardening!


Author: Lee@A Guide To Northeastern Gardening, Copyright 2013. All rights reserved

Monday, July 15, 2013

Garden Bloggers Bloom Day July 2013: Long Island Garden

July 2013 Garden
Welcome to my Long Island garden!  After a week of rain followed by a heat wave of 90 degree temperatures the gardens are back on track with last year. It was a slow start to spring and summer this year but the gardens have recovered and are bursting with color.  It is time for another Garden Blogger's Bloom Day. Come stroll along with me to see what is blooming.
 
The hostas are doing exceptionally well this year. Above is the flower from a 'Golden Tiara' and below is my newest addition 'Maui Buttercups', a miniature variety with lime foliage that stays small and compact.  I also couldn't resist it for the name since I love the island of Maui in Hawaii!
Hosta 'Maui Buttercups'
 
The Endless Summer Hydrangea in the backyard are full of blooms...
Endless Summer Hydrangea
as well as the coreopsis and nepeta at the front entry to the driveway. 
Nepeta 'Walkers Low' and Coreopsis 'Zagreb'
I rejuvenated the Coreopsis this spring digging it up and placing it back into little clumps.  There is nothing like a little revamping here and there to get the gardens back in shape and I think the Coreopsis are benefiting from it.  They are looking much fuller and brighter now. 
Coreopsis 'Zagreb'
I have already deadheaded my salvia and it is going on its second round of purple blooms. 
Salvia 'May Night'
The Astilbe 'Visions' are now in bloom.  I had added this variety last summer and am enjoying its vibrant color. 
Astilbe 'Visions'
Here are my Lilies that are presently blooming by the pool...
Daylily 'Stella D' Oro'
 There are 'Stella D Oro'...
Hemerocallis 'Pardon Me'
'Pardon Me'...'Sammy Russell' and Oriental Lily-
Lilium 'Casa Blanca'.  The 'Casa Blanca' is actually ahead of schedule this year by about one to two weeks.
Hemerocallis 'Sammy Russell'

Oriental Lily (Lilium 'Casa Blanca')

I have been on a new mission getting as many Heuchera 'Caramel' as I can into the gardens. I love this variety of Coral Bells for their bright caramel foliage and ability to thrive just about anywhere. They even take full sun which is amazing. Here they are on the front island berm along with the traditional 'Palace Purple' Heuchera.

Heuchera (Coral Bells) 'Caramel' and 'Palace Purple'
Come take a look at the pool area.  On one side of the waterfall is a shady area where I had planted a few Japanese Painted fern which are filling in nicely.  I recently added the three 'Loyalist' hosta in the backdrop and am enjoying the foliage combination of the two plants together.
Japanese Painted Fern & Hosta 'Loyalist'
The Hakonechloa macra 'Aureola' (Japanese Forest Grass) is also thriving in the other shade area to the right of the pool...
Hakonechloa macra 'Aureola'
and last but not least the new Sedum 'Dragon's Blood' planted from last summer is showing off its vibrant deep pink blooms in front of garden gal and boy. 
Sedum 'Dragon's Blood'
Thank you for visiting my Long Island garden and please visit our hostess Carol at May Dreams Gardens to see what others have blooming for the month of July.  I hope you enjoyed the stroll.  If you like leave a note to let me know you visited and I will be sure to visit you as well. 
 
As Always...Happy Gardening!


Author: Lee@A Guide To Northeastern Gardening, Copyright 2013. All rights reserved


Wednesday, July 3, 2013

A Gardener's Bliss-Day of a Long Island Gardener

Being a true gardener I always take time to admire and sometimes photograph the beauty of nature I come across in my daily travels.  In my opinion the well known saying "Live, Love, Laugh" should also have the word "garden" in it for a garden can make just about anyone smile and lift ones spirits.   Follow along with me during a typical day and experience some of the gardens of Long Island.
The months of June and July are the height of the gardening season here on Long Island and there is beauty everywhere.  This photo is of a little garden on the south side of Main Street in the town of Sayville.   There are Stella D Oro Daylily and red Asiatic Lilly against the backdrop of vibrant pink Knock Out Roses. 
These giant Allium seed heads in the same garden are just wonderful...
and so are these pink Asiatic Lilies.   Believe it or not this close up photograph and all the others were taken with my cell phone. 
Now onto the next stop...In a customer's garden a bumble bee merrily enjoys the nectar of this Laceap hydrangea flower...
and this Endless Summer Hydrangea is bursting with colorful blooms. 
  The Tiger Lilies are also bursting with color.
At the end of the day and back home again I stopped off at my own garden to take in the Lamb's Ear, Salvia, Daylily, Astilbe, Coreopsis and Nepeta all in full bloom...and another day is done. 
  I must say I truly love my job and seeing all these blooms is a gardener's bliss.  I am always keeping an eye out for a photo opportunity and this day was full of them. So on that note "Live, Love, Laugh and Garden", and enjoy the beauty of nature whenever you can.   It will be sure to make you smile!
 
As Always...Happy Gardening!
 
Author: Lee@A Guide To Northeastern Gardening, Copyright 2013. All rights reserved