Friday, June 30, 2017

Color Our World Round Up June: Purple Blooms for Your Garden and the Folklore Behind Them

Color Our World Purple!
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. The month of June is all about the color purple! Purple is considered a cool and calming color in the garden and has been viewed as  a symbol of royalty and heroism throughout cultural history. To enjoy reading all about the color purple, simply click on the links below to further view each article.

First up is Terri Steffes, from Our Good Life. Terri discusses how she uses the color purple in her garden as an accent, and includes some interesting folklore behind the use of purple throughout history. In her article Color My World Purple, she mentions that "Purple is such an interesting color, because it is rarely seen in nature. It's the most powerful wavelength in the rainbow, akin to x-rays and gamma rays.  It is very likely our prehistoric ancestors never even saw the color purple, because it is so rare in nature. 

In my garden, I like to use purple as an accent. The rich colors are perfect with the lighter yellows and pinks that I also like to use. I really enjoy the rich purples of the Wave petunia. The regular Wave comes in purple classic and misty lilac, both which I used in my garden.  We also love clematis, which usually bears a purple blossom, although they do come in other colors." Read more here.


Next,  Susan Brandt from Blooming Secrets shares her views on combining the colors purple and silver in the garden with her article Color Combos: Purple and Silver. "Throughout history, the color purple has been associated with royalty. During the time of ancient Rome it was the color of the robe worn by the Caesars and today it is still used by the British Royal Family as a ceremonial color on very special occasions. Silver is the color of prestige. As a precious metal, it symbolizes riches and wealth. Purple and Silver are distinctive colors and they are equally unique in the garden. In my opinion, when combined together in a container on a deck or in a hanging basket on a porch, Purple and Silver represent “garden elegance”! Read more here.

Lynne Cherot from Sensible Gardening delights us with her post Purple in the Garden. "When I am an old woman I shall wear purple” the famous first line of English poet Jenny Joseph’s poem “Warning”. The years tick by quickly and I’m not quite at that point in my life so I probably won’t be wearing purple any time too soon, however that doesn’t mean I can’t have it in my garden. The meaning of purple is good judgment. Purple is a combination of red and blue, the warmest and coolest colours, symbolizing magic, mystery, royalty, creativity and the spiritual. It’s been suggested that you should wear purple when you want to encourage fantasy and imagination. Purple flowers have an enchanted, elegance to them and some of the most beautiful and delicate flowers are purple." Read more here.

Finally, here is my post This Month's Color In the Garden: 12 Shades of Purple Blooms for your Garden! "Welcome to This Month's Color in the Garden! Throughout history, the color purple has been associated with royalty, dignity, grandeur, devotion, peace, pride, nobility, luxury, and power. Throughout history, purple robes have been worn by royalty, and many believe this came to be due to the rare occurrence of purple in nature, making the dye expensive to create. Purple represents nobility, as in the Purple Heart awarded by the The United States Military to soldiers wounded in battle and In Thailand, purple is the color of devotion and peace for mourning widows. The lighter shade of purple, or lavender, has long been associated with beauty and femininity. And finally, in landscape design, purple is considered a cool, peaceful and calming color, which is wonderfully complemented by the warmer and more fiery shades of yellow and orange. Here are 12 shades of purple blooms to carry you throughout the gardening season." Read more here.

Thank you for visiting and I hope you enjoyed #PB Color Our World Round-Up for the month of June. If you are enjoying these monthly Round-Ups, please leave a comment, and do share your thoughts about the color PURPLEAlso, 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. Check out their weekly meme! Lastly, be sure to check out my two books on Amazon, featuring landscape design principles, feature gardens, plant combinations and maintenance tips, along with a dash of inspiration! 

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As Always...Happy Gardening!

Author: Lee@A Guide to Northeastern Gardening, © Copyright 2017. All rights reserved




Thursday, June 15, 2017

Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day & Foliage Follow-Up June 2017: Everything is Coming Up Roses!

June 2017 Garden

Welcome to my June garden! It's time for another Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day and Foliage Follow-Up and as the song says,"Everything is coming up roses!" After a very cool and rainy start to spring, the temperatures are now rising up into the 70's and 80's with blooms everywhere. Come along with me and take a look at what is blooming in my Long Island garden!
Itoh Peony Bartella in Perennial Border

The hybrid Itoh Bartella Peony in the perennial border just keeps getting more and more beautiful as the years go by.  They are now in their third season, and I look forward to their gorgeous blooms, which are short lived, but well worth waiting for!
Itoh Peony Bartella 

Let's get a close up of the beautiful yellow blooms that are 5-6 inches in diameter.
Peony 'Karl Rosenfield' and Salvia May Night

Peony 'Karl Rosenfield' Double Peony are also blooming in the perennial border with Salvia 'May Night' in the foreground. The two reach peak at about the same time every spring.
Peony 'Karl Rosenfield'

Of course we need a close up of 'Karl Rosenfield'. I just adore its blooms!
I
Allium Globemaster

In the western pool garden, Allium 'Globemaster' rises above 'Stella D Oro' Daylily with their voluminous purple blooms. Behind the Allium is Spirea 'Limemound' and Weeping Japanese Maple 'Red Select'.
Hosta Shadowland Autumn Frost and Nepeta 'Walkers Low'

Nepeta 'Walkers Low' and Hosta make a colorful combination in the back garden.
Pink Double Knock Out Rose

One of my favorite blooms in the garden are the Double Knock Out Roses. They bloom from late spring until the first frost, and have an amazing color and fragrance.
Cornus kousa chinensis 'Greensleeves'

New to the property for its second season is Japanese Kousa Dogwood 'Greensleeves'. 'Greensleeves' is a newer hybrid that is more cold hardy and disease resistant.  It is literally covered in greenish-white blooms for several weeks in late spring and has become a favorite of mine in the garden.
Cornus kousa chinensis 'Greensleeves' Blooms

Here are the star shaped blooms close up.
Red Double Knock Out Rose

I did refer to Ethel Merman's "Everything is Coming Up Roses" at the beginning of this post. Here's continuing the theme with Double Red Knock Out Rose!
Knock Out Rose 'Radrazz'

Here is Knock Out Rose 'Radrazz' in all its glory...
 Knock Out Rose 'Radrazz' Bloom

with a close up of its blooms.
Kinetic Mobile

There's always room for a little garden whimsy. I purchased this kinetic spinner in Las Vegas a couple of years back and enjoy watching the blue ball as it mysteriously appears to climb and fall along the spiral.  The optical illusion is very mesmerizing.
Japanese Forest Grass and Leucothoe in Shade Garden

As we continue the tour, you are viewing the back shade garden. Follow the Pennsylvania Bluestone path that passes by the Hakonechloa (Japanese Forest Grass), Leucothoe 'Axillaris', and various species of Hosta on the left. 
Hosta Patriot


Hakonechloa Japanese Forest Grass
Shade Garden with Astilbe Peach Blossom (Back)and Caramel Coral Bells (Front)

On the right of the path, is a combination of Hosta, Astilbe 'Peach Blossom' and Coral Bells 'Caramel'. As you continue to follow the path into the "secret garden", you will come to this birdbath, which is backed by a wall of English Ivy.
End of the Garden Path in the Secret Garden

Weeping Japanese Maple Viridis

Now, let's venture into the front yard. Weeping Japanese Maple 'Viridis' now stands at a stately height of eight feet tall...
Skylands Oriental Spruce

and the Golden Skyland's Oriental Spruce that I planted in 2008 has developed into a mature tree.
Iris pallida Aureo Marginata and Spirea Magic Carpet

Along the southern section of the driveway is  Salvia 'Magic Carpet' that was introduced into this bed just last summer, along with Salvia 'Caradonna' and Weeping Norway Spruce. Variegated Iris (Iris pallida Aureo Marginata) is brand new this year.
South Driveway: Magic Carpet Spirea and Salvia Caradonna

Iris pallida Aureo Marginata
North Shade Garden
Back around full circle is another shade garden at the western side of the property and as we end the tour, Garden Gal is nestled under the Weeping Pussy Willow Tree near the back patio, with Black Mondo Grass in her planter for a little more whimsy.

Under the Weeping Pussy Willow: Black Mondo Grass in Garden Gal's Planter

I hope you enjoyed this month's tour through my 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 Floral FridaysMacro Monday 2, and Nature Notes at Rambling Woods.  Also check out Garden Bloggers' Foliage Day at Creating my own garden of the Hesperides and Wednesday Around the World.
June 2017 Garden

Wishing you much gardening happiness. Thank you for visiting!

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As Always...Happy Gardening!


Author: Lee@A Guide to Northeastern Gardening, © Copyright 2017. All rights reserved

Wednesday, June 7, 2017

This Month's Color in the Garden: 12 Shades of Purple Blooms for Your Garden!

This Month's Color in the Garden!

Welcome to This Month's Color in the Garden! Throughout history, the color purple has been associated with royalty, dignity, grandeur, devotion, peace, pride, nobility, luxury, and power. Throughout history, purple robes have been worn by royalty, and many believe this came to be due to the rare occurrence of purple in nature, making the dye expensive to create. Purple represents nobility, as in the Purple Heart awarded by the The United States Military to soldiers wounded in battle and In Thailand, purple is the color of devotion and peace for mourning widows. The lighter shade of purple, or lavender, has long been associated with beauty and femininity. And finally, in landscape design, purple is considered a cool, peaceful and calming color, which is wonderfully complemented by the warmer and more fiery shades of yellow and orange. Here are 12 shades of purple blooms to carry you throughout the gardening season.
Dutch Crocus Remembrance 

Crocus bulbs, when planted in fall, produce large blooms that are one of the first flowers to appear in early spring. Crocus are available in a variety of colors, this one known as Remembrance, due to its vibrant purple blooms. These beautiful bulbs are great for naturalizing in garden borders, and should be planted  in an area of full to partial sun. Hardiness Zones 3-8, Height 4-6", Bloom Time: Early Spring. 
Purple Hyacinth-Early Spring

Hyacinths are a familiar sight in spring, generally blooming after crocus. Hyacinths are available in a variety of colors, but one of my favorites is the intense purple of the variety shown above.  Plant Hyacinth bulbs in fall along with crocus for colorful and fragrant spring blooms.  Hardiness Zones 3-9, Height 5-12 inches, Bloom Time: Early-Mid Spring.
Phlox subulata 'Purple Beauty' Creeping Phlox

Creeping Phlox offers weeks of profuse and slightly fragrant blooms in late spring and are an attraction to butterflies and hummingbirds. After blooming, mossy foliage serves as a ground cover  in the garden. Hardiness Zones 3-8, Height 4-6", Bloom Time: Mid-Late Spring.
Wisteria floribunda Japanese Wisteria

This hardy, deciduous vine can be twined into a tree that blooms in late spring. Wisteria displays long hanging clusters of fragrant pea-like flowers in blue, violet, pink or white, followed by hanging velvety green pods.  There are many varieties of Wisteria, different mostly in the length and color of  flower clusters. Hardiness Zones 4-9, Height 10-25 ', Bloom Time: Late Spring, Deer Resistant.
May Night Meadow Sage

Perennial Sages are known for their intense display of spiky flowers in the early summer border and are available in a number of cultivars. This selection is medium in size, with  deep indigo violet-blue blooms that appear in May. Remove faded blooms to encourage repeat flowering, and clip back hard after blooming to rejuvenate the foliage. Hardiness Zones 4-9, Height 18-24", Bloom Time: Late Spring-Mid Summer, Deer Resistant, Hummingbird Friendly
Nepeta faassenii 'Walker's Low'-Walker's Low Catmint

Gray-green, aromatic foliage gives way to a soft lavender-blue flowers which are produced over a long period in summer. Thriving with little care and quite drought tolerant when established, this is an excellent perennial for herb gardens and tall borders.  Here, Nepeta is planted along with variegated Hosta for a dramatic effect. Hardiness Zones 3-8, Height 2-3', Bloom Time: Late Spring-Fall, Deer Resistant and Butterfly Friendly.
Dandy Man Purple Rhododendron 

Rhododendron is a well known flowering evergreen shrub in the garden. This hybrid displays beautiful rich purple blooms on a hardy plant that can be used in an informal border or as a specimen. Hardiness Zones 4-9, Height 6-8', Bloom Time: Late Spring.
Liatris spicata Purple Gayfeather, Blazing Star 

Liatris is a plant native to the northeast that forms small clumps with tall upright stems.  Tall narrow spikes of mauve-purple flowers flower for long periods of time and are drought and heat tolerant once established. Hardiness Zones 4-9, Height 30-36", Bloom Time: Mid-Summer to Early Fall.
 Hydrangea macrophylla 'Piihm-I' Endless Summer Twist-n-Shout Hydrangea

Twist-n-Shout Hydrangea produces abundant pink to purple blooms (depending on soil type) in late summer. Twist-n-Shout displays elegant delicate blooms on a lace-cap variety of hydrangea that blooms on both old and new wood, making it hardier in colder climates. A neutral-acidic soil encourages purple blooms. Hardiness Zones 4-9, Height 3-5', Bloom Time: Mid-Late Summer.
Buddleia davidii Lo & Behold

Lo & Behold Buddeia is a dwarf form of butterfly bush, grown for its compact, non-invasive habit and elongated clusters of flowers, This dwarf variety has silvery gray-green leaves on a low spreading multi-branched plant, and produces clusters of fragrant, purple tubular blooms. Hardiness Zones 5-9, Height  2-3', Bloom Time: Late Summer-Fall.  Deer Resistant and Butterfly Friendly.
Lagerstroemia indica x fauriei 'Muskogee'

Lagerstroemia, or Crape Myrtle is available is a multitude of varieties and are known for their long bloom time. 'Muskogee' produces light lavender blooms that appear in late summer on glossy green foliage that turns red in fall. The interesting cinnamon colored bark peels to a shiny light gray for a dramatic effect. This large shrub or small tree makes an excellent specimen or group planting. Hardiness Zones 6-9, Height 15-20', Bloom Time: Late Summer-Fall.
Callicarpa dichotoma 'Early Amethyst' Early Amethyst Beautyberry
Finally, 'Early Amethyst' Callicarpa displays arching branches with clusters of pale lavender-pink flowers in summer, that develop into masses of glossy amethyst berries in fall. Callicarpa is easy to grow as a specimen or hedge, and is good for naturalized areas. Hardiness Zones 5-8, Height 3-4', Bloom Time: Summer with Berries in Fall, Butterfly Friendly. 

Purple blooms are versatile and fit into just about any garden style. They can add a stunning display of color to your space throughout most of the gardening season, and in some cases, these gorgeous purple blooms are known for attracting butterflies and hummingbirds, due to their vibrancy and fragrance. Be sure to add some purple to your garden plan this season, and it will be sure to delight!

Are you an experienced gardener or just wanting to learn? If so, be sure to check out my two published books on Amazon. My first book, A Guide to Northeastern Gardening, is loaded with ideas for different types of gardens and what plants to buy, along with gardening tips and advice on how to maintain your garden once implemented. The second book, Landscape Design Combinationsis geared towards the hands on "DIY" gardener who is looking for a little guidance, along with a dash of inspiration! This latest publication builds on the first and is full of successful landscape designs that can be used as is or as a guide. The book also teaches design principles using evergreens, flowering trees, shrubs and perennials. To preview each book, simply click on the links below!


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