Wednesday, June 15, 2016

Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day & Foliage Follow-Up: June 2016 Long Island Garden

June 2016 Garden

June brings sunshine and abundant blooms to my Long Island garden and this year is no exception. After the cold snaps we experienced over the past couple of winters, the perennials seem to be bigger and brighter than usual and this gardener is enjoying the view.  The landscape has burst into a colorful display as the temperatures rise up into the mid to upper 70's with some recent days in the 80's. Another month has passed, which means a stroll in the June garden is in order. Since the blooms are waiting, come join with me in a walk through my June Long Island garden!
Itoh Peony 'Bartella'
First stop is one of the latest editions, hybrid Peony 'Bartella' which is going on its second season in the garden. I positioned these right in line with our patio window so I can start each day by taking in these giant sized breathtaking blooms before I go to work on client's gardens.  They bloom for only a few short weeks, but the flowers are worth it, and makes the wait for them even more worth looking forward to!
Perennial Border June
The perennial border along the patio is in bloom for June with Salvia 'May Night', Weeping Salix (Pussy Willow), Gold Mop' Cypress in the backdrop and Peony 'Bartella' in the foreground.  Also, the purple foliage of 'Palace Purple' Heuchera (Coral Bells), and white-bordered foliage of hosta are included for additional interest.
Itoh Peony 'Bartella' Close Up!
As we approach the Peony 'Bartella', let's get a close up view of its voluminous yellow, plate-sized blooms with deep yellow centers.
Peony Karl 'Rosenfeld' and Salvia 'May Night'
In the same border is Salvia 'May Night' in front of Peony 'Karl Rosenfeld'.  Blooming simultaneously, they create a combination of shocking pink and purple in the garden.
Salvia 'May Night'

I am happy to see all the pollinators out and about, as they are very much attracted to the Salvia 'May Night'.
Allium 'Globemaster'
Around to the pool garden, Allium 'Globemaster' is in bloom among Daylily 'Stella D Oro', which is just starting to come into bloom now. A secret is that the foliage of the daylilies hides the fading foliage of the allium (one of the tips from my book!) and Spirea 'Limemound' adds some extra color in the backdrop.
Knock Out Rose 'Raz Daz'
There is nothing like the color and smell of roses right by the back door.  Here is Knock Out Rose 'Raz Daz' in full bloom. It will go on like this all summer with new buds forming constantly.
Japanese Iris
These Japanese Iris were planted by my mom when I was just a child and they continue to grow along the fence border in the backyard.  I remember them from while I was growing up and they are a reminder of her each time I look at them.
Back Side Garden
Now, around to the back side gardens. In the far left corner, Viburnum 'Summer Snowflake' is blooming along with Rhododendron 'Elegans' (back right) and Nepeta 'Walkers Low' (front right). Also seen here are 'Spirea 'Goldmound', Heuchera 'Palace Purple' and 'Caramel' (to the left along the fence). 
Viburnum 'Summer Snowflake' Close Up Bloom
Here is the Viburnum 'Summer Snowflake' close up with its flattened bright white blooms that somewhat resemble the flowers of Dogwood.
Rhododendron Elegans
Rhodendron 'Elegans' is a stable in the garden with its voluminous lavender blooms that signal spring.
Center Island Garden Backyard
As we walk back towards the house, the backyard island bed is visible with Hinoki Cypress 'Compacta', Salvia 'May Night' and Sedum 'Brilliant' along with Coral Bells 'Palace Purple' and 'Caramel'...
Montgomery Globe Blue Spruce
and of course we couldn't leave out the bright blue foliage of 'Montgomery' Globe Blue Spruce, which we pass along the way!
Front Foundation Gardens
Come on along to the front yard.  From where you're standing you can get a long view of the front beds with Blue Atlas Cedar in the backdrop and two Weeping Japanese Maples, one of the red variety and the other green.
Weeping Japanese Cutleaf Maple (Green)
Here are the maples close up. The green one rises over my head (about six feet) and spans to about fifteen feet wide at this point, after many years of being established.
Weeping Japanese Cutleaf Maple (Red)
The red variety is approximately five and a half feet tall by ten feet in width. Its twisted trunk is starting to come into its element like that of the green tree.
Spirea japonica Double Play 'Big Bang'
Here is the queen of the front island bed, Spirea Double Play 'Big Bang' with its large pink blooms for June and throughout the summer.
Spirea japonica Double Play 'Big Bang' Bloom
The foliage changes color, which adds an extra highlight.
Double Knock Out Rose (Pink)
The Knock Out Roses are a long-time favorite of mine with their semi-fragrant pink blooms, which appear throughout the entire summer and into fall.
Lampost Garden Right Re-vamped June 2016 (East Bed)
As we approach the end of the garden tour for June, here are some of the latest re-vamps done to the garden just one week ago.  The fountain grasses in both the east and west beds had reached their expiration time and were replaced with some flowering shrubs.  In the east bed there is Weigela 'Wine & Roses' as the new addition...
Weigela 'Wine & Roses' 
and in the west bed are Spirea 'Magic Carpet', known for their changing foliage and blooms. They should starting filling in now that they are in the ground!
Lampost Garden Left Re-vamped June 2016 
The very mature Wisteria tree that I had started from just a vine over thirty years ago didn't make it through the last winter, so the new addition is  Kousa Dogwood 'Greensleeves'.
New Kousa Dogwood June 2016
I am hoping it thrives in its new home and has a good long life.
Perfect Patio Planter 2016 (Year IV):  Coleus and Sweet Potato Vine Combination
Back around to the patio area, here its this years version of the Coleus and Potato Vine Planter that will mature over the summer. It's all about the foliage!!!
Garden Visitor

Last, but not least, we have a couple of garden visitors this year and hopefully they will stick to eating only the grass and stay away from the blooms...so far so good. They are cute little fellows so I am hoping we can co-exist peacefully.
Roses in Vase from my Garden
As the tour comes to an end here are some roses from the garden to enjoy on the kitchen windowsill.
June 2016 Garden
I  hope you enjoyed the stroll through my June 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 FlowersFloral FridaysMosaic Monday at Lavender Cottage, I Heart MacroMacro Monday 2, and Nature Notes at Rambling Woods.  Also check out What's Blooming This Week Garden Update and In a Vase on Monday at Rambling in the Garden.

For more gardening information, you may be interested in my newly published book, A Guide to Northeastern Gardening: Journeys of a Garden Designer (Gardening in Zones 3-9). You can see a preview here on Amazon


As Always...Happy Gardening!

Author: Lee@A Guide to Northeastern Gardening, © Copyright 2016. All rights reserved

Wednesday, June 8, 2016

18 Summer Blooming Shrubs for Your Garden

 SUMMER BLOOMING SHRUBS
Summer blooming shrubs are a welcomed and desired element in the landscape. There are many varieties of flowering shrubs to choose from that can add lasting beauty and color to your summer garden, and in some cases, bring interest into the fall months. Here are eighteen flowering shrubs that I have chosen for their colorful blooms, relatively low maintenance and and overall hardiness. 
Dwarf Azalea 'Gumpo'
Attributes: A compact, dense and low mounding evergreen shrub with large, ruffled pink flowers that bloom late in the spring into early summer. 
Zones 6-9
Light Needs: Full Sun-Part Shade
Water Needs: Moderate
Mature Size: 12-24" tall, 3-5' wide
Bloom Time: Late spring-Summer
Buddleia davidii Lo & Behold (Dwarf Butterfly Bush)

Attributes: Dwarf Buddleia is grown for its compact, non-invasive habit and elongated clusters of purple fragrant flowers. Blooming starts in the spring and is continuous without the normal deadheading required by other Buddleia.
Zones 5-9
Light Needs: Full Sun
Water Needs: Moderate
Mature Size: 2-3' Tall by Wide
Bloom Time: Mid summer-fall
Dwarf Crape Myrtle 'Pocomoke'
Attributes: Brilliant pink blooms emerge in summer and last into fall on this smaller, more compact form of Crape Myrtle. Excellent for smaller spaces.
Zones 6-9
Light Needs: Full Sun
Water Needs: Occasional watering once established
Mature Size: 3-5 tall, 4-5 wide
Bloom Time: Summer
Caryopteris x clandonensis 'Dark Knight'
Attributes: Caryopteris, also known as Blue Mist Shrub, has a rounded habit and becomes covered with many small gray-green leaves that have a minty scent when crushed. In late summer into fall, the shrub forms lightly scented violet-blue blooms that draw pollinators to the garden.
Zones: 5-9
Light Needs: Full Sun
Water Needs: Low
Mature Size: 2-3' Tall by Wide
Bloom Time: Late Summer
Hydrangea 'Pink Elf' French Miniature
Attributes:  Hydrangea 'Pink Elf' is a smaller, more compact version of a pink hydrangea with large pink blooms in late spring-early summer, making it a perfect candidate for those smaller spaces.
Zones: 5-11
Light Needs: Partial Shade
Water Needs: Moderate
Mature Size: 2-3' Tall by Wide
Bloom Time: Summer
Hydrangea 'Endless Summer'
Attributes: Endless Summer is the the original mop-head type hydrangea with the unique ability to bloom consistently on both old and new wood. 
Zones: 4-9
Light Needs: Partial Shade
Water Needs: Moderate
Mature Size: 3-5' Tall by Wide
Bloom Time: Summer
Hydrangea 'PeeGee' Tree Form
Attributes: PeeGee hydrangea is a vigorous, upright showy plant with creamy white flowers that bloom in late summer. It can be grown as either a tree form or as a multi-stemmed shrub.
Zones: 3-8
Light Needs: Full Sun-Partial Shade
Water Needs: Moderate
Mature Size: 10-25' Tall, 8-16' Wide
Bloom Time: Summer
Hydrangea 'Tardivia'
Attributes: Tardivia displays elongated white blooms in summer and be grown as either a single stemmed tree or multi-stemmed shrub. Blooms occur on the new wood of the season.
Zones: 3-8
Light Needs: Full Sun-Partial Shade
Water Needs: Moderate
Mature Size: 8-12' Tall, 7-10' Wide
Bloom Time: Late Summer to Fall
 Hydrangea paniculata 'Renhy' (Vanilla Strawberry Hydrangea)
Attributes: A new creation from France. The enormous flowers are a blend of vanilla and strawberry, held upright on red stems. They emerge creamy white in mid summer, changing to pink and finally to strawberry red. 
Zones: 4-8
Light Needs: Full Sun-Partial Shade
Water Needs: Moderate
Mature Size: 6-7' Tall, 4-5' Wide
Bloom Time: Mid-Summer to Fall
Knock Out Rose (Double Pink)
Attributes:  An easy care, disease resistant shrub rose with a classic look and a generous bloom cycle (about every 5-6 weeks) that will continue until the first hard frost. Fragrant blooms come in red, pink or yellow.  
Zones: 5-10
Light Needs: Full Sun
Water Needs: Moderate
Mature Size: 3-4' Tall, 3-4' Wide
Bloom Time: Late Spring-Summer
Potentilla
Attributes: An outstanding low maintenance plant with bright yellow blooms in summer. This deer resistant plant is easy to care for and requires little pruning. For best results, prune about a third of the branches to the ground in late winter.
Zones: 2-7
Light Needs: Full Sun-Part Shade
Water Needs: Moderate
Mature Size: 2-3' Tall, 3-4' Wide
Bloom Time: Summer
Clethra alnifolia (Summersweet)

Attributes: Extremely fragrant rose pink flowers bloom on the current year's growth and last for approximately 4-6 weeks in July and August. Flowers attract butterflies and bees.
Zones: 4-8
Light Needs: Full Sun-Part Shade
Water Needs: Moderate
Mature Size: 5-8' Tall by Wide
Bloom Time: Mid-Late Summer
Spiraea japonica 'Limemound'
Attributes: Limemound Spirea is a hardy, easy to grow plant with a compact, mounding habit.  It bears soft clusters of pink flowers in mid to late summer.
Zones: 4-8
Light Needs: Full Sun
Water Needs: Moderate
Mature Size: 2-3' Tall, 3-4' Wide
Bloom Time: Late Spring-Summer
Spiraea japonica 'Double Play'

Attributes: Double Play is a newer hybrid of Spirea producing colorful foliage and blooms larger than other Spirea.
Zones 4-9
Light Needs: Full Sun 
Water Needs: Moderate
Mature Size: 2-3' Tall by Wide
Bloom Time: Late Spring-Summer
Spiraea japonica 'Little Princess'

Attributes: Little Princess displays soft clusters of pale rose-pink flowers in late spring to mid summer on a compact shrub. This variety of spirea can tolerate shade more than the others.
Zones: 4-9
Light Needs: Full Sun-Part Shade
Water Needs: Moderate
Mature Size: 18-30" Tall, 2-3' Wide
Bloom Time: Late Spring-Summer
Viburnum 'Summer Snowflake'
Attributes: Summer Snowflake displays delicate creamy white, flat-topped flower clusters in late spring into early summer on a compact plant as compared to other viburnum. Butterflies will visit the blossoms pollinating them which can give rise to fruits that are first red and mature to black.
Zones: 5-8
Light Needs: Full Sun-Partial Shade
Water Needs: Moderate
Mature Size: 6-8' Tall, 8-10' Wide
Bloom Time: Late Spring-Summer
Weigela florida 'Variegata'

Attributes: Variegated Weigela is an arching, medium-sized shrub displaying gray-green leaves with creamy-white margins. Rosy-pink, trumpet-shaped flowers appear in late spring into summer. 
Zones: 5-8
Light Needs: Full Sun-Part Shade
Water Needs: Moderate
Mature Size: 4-5' Tall by Wide
Bloom Time: Late Spring-Summer

Weigela 'Spilled Wine'

Attributes: Spilled Wine is a new hybrid with dark black-purple leaves and a spreading habit. Its hot pink-magenta flowers are similar to those of Wine & Roses, but this is a more compact plant. The tubular flowers attract Hummingbirds to the garden!
Zones: 4-8
Light Needs: Full Sun
Water Needs: Moderate
Mature Size: 2-3' Tall, 3-4' Wide
Bloom Time: Late Spring-Summer

Summer Blooming Shrubs
These eighteen flowering shrubs will be sure to bring color and interest to your landscape space. For more information on flowering trees and shrubs and their use in design, be sure to Visit my Author Page and Books on Amazon:

As Always...Happy Gardening!

Author: Lee@A Guide to Northeastern Gardening, © Copyright 2016. All rights reserved