July Garden: What's Blooming Now

It's hot and humid here on Long Island, NY this month, which is typical for July. Around this time, I'm happy I did most of my big gardening tasks in the spring when the weather was more comfortable. Still, there is always a flower to deadhead or a perennial to relocate. Thankfully though, the garden is mostly on auto pilot and I'm enjoying the blooms.

Here's what's growing and blooming in my garden this month:

 The Russian Sage mingles with the Black Eye Susans

Echinacea 'Hot Papaya' really stands out (and above!) the 

Sedum, Liatris and more Black Eyed Susans

 A beautiful pink bee balm - Monarda 'Raspberry Wine'

More pinks! Above, coneflowers (echinacea) in bloom and below, a hydrangea -

Over in the shade garden, the Japanese Painted Fern is looking lovely next to the small Hosta 'Mouse Ears' and Hosta 'June.' This whole garden is finally starting to fill in!

Do you have any of these same plants? How's your garden this month? I'd love to hear from you!

After leaving a comment, head on over to May Dreams Gardens to see what's blooming around the country today.

Hydrangeas - Blue, Pink, White and Lace

The hydrangeas are in full bloom in my yard right now. These clusters are rich blues with a hint of purple are really a welcome treat this month.

I have a few different types of hydrangeas in my garden. These blue beauties (above) are called Hydrangea 'Endless Summer.' These are the mop-head style hydrangeas and will alter their color based on the pH of the soil - pink blooms in alkaline and blue blooms in acidic. They stay true to their name "Endless Summer" because they bloom from late spring well into the fall. Gorgeous!

Here is a mop-head in full bloom (above left) and a little newborn mop-head just starting to open its many flowers on the one head. 

I also have a lacecap hydrangea. On these flower heads, small fuzzy blue flowers occupy the center and they are surrounded by a various number of 4 petaled flat flowers. The overall look is more delicate - like lace or a doily. 

Another new hydrangea I added last year is Hydrangea 'Annabelle'. These have gorgeous white blooms and big green foliage. Unlike the blue hydrangea, their color cannot be altered by changing the soil pH. We have them planted in a nice shady spot to the far end of the property. It's a lovely background to the seating area.

I inherited these hot pink hydrangeas from the previous owners of the house. The color is simply show-stopping and the flower heads can really get large. Beautiful in the landscape but also a great cut flower. 

What's Blooming in June?

The early spring pastels are starting to be replaced by richer yellows, deep purples and warm pinks. Summer is nearly here on Long Island, NY (zone 7b).  Here's a look at some of the things blooming in my garden this month:

The pink Astilbe is the show stopper in this garden bed, but the yellow Evening Primrose seem quite content to be sandwiched amongst the pink plumes.

Endless Summer Hydrangea are nearly in full bloom. These are the mop-head style hydrangeas and will alter their color based on the pH of the soil - pink blooms in alkaline and blue blooms in acidic. 

A few of the hostas are starting to bloom. I love how this variety has the flowering stems floating just above the stems.

It took a few years to establish, but now the Foxglove (Digitalis) is ready to bloom! It's a welcome addition to this shady spot in my garden.

The flowers in my new, full sun, cutting garden are starting to bloom - Erygnium (Sea Holly, above), Snapdragon and Digiplexis (below, respectively).

Along the sidewalk, the Hemerocallis 'Happy Returns' (daylily) is making a lovely border above the stones. Daisy, Yarrow and Salvia fill in behind.

And over in the shade garden, the ferns, hostas, solomon seal and astilble are blending together beautifully in form and texture. 

June is really a special time in the garden - so many things blooming week to week. Keep up with me on Instagram and Facebook to continue to see what's blooming and making me smile these days!

Leave a comment below, then head on over to May Dreams Gardens blog for a look at what's blooming around the country today. 

What's Blooming This Month? August 2014

It's Garden Blogger Bloom Day! On the 15th of each month, we garden bloggers like to show off what's blooming and growing in our gardens. Here on Long Island, zone 7, things are blooming all over and I'm just letting most of the plants simply do their thing. 

Below are a few favorites from my August garden this month:

These black eyed Susans take center stage in August in my garden. They are so happy and free, I just let them bloom and fill in all over. It's like a sky full of yellow fireworks.

A new addition this year under the yellow Day Lily is Sedum 'Cherry Tart'. 

I love the purple foliage and pink blossoms.

The panicle hydrangea is in full bloom now and looking fantastic. 

Another new addition is Echinachea 'Hot Papaya'. I needed something tall in the back of the bed that would look lovely with the rudbeckias. These cone flowers have petals 

that point downward and look like little mini rockets to me. 

The Knockout Rose in in full bloom and looking so very happy these days. 

My containers in the shade are looking great now. Along the back fence, there is little soil and lots of shade. So instead of struggling to find something to grow there all season, I had my children paint a few stray branches with outdoor paint and voila!, instant garden art to brighten up a shady spot. 

My August garden is full of vibrant colors these days. What about yours? What's blooming where you are? Do you have any of the same plants? I'd love to hear from you!

Many thanks to Carol over at May Dreams Gardens for hosting this month's Garden Bloggers Bloom Day! 

Fall Foliage in New York

Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower -- Albert Camus

Here on the north shore of Long Island, that quote is certainly true. The beauty of New York's fall foliage is right outside my window...

 The Barberry bush is a multitude of vibrant colors - like an impressionist painting. 

The leaves of the Lady in Red fern (Athyrium filix-femina 'Lady in Red) have turned from 

lush green to butter yellow, still atop it's red stems.

 The Hostas are a gorgeous golden color

 The Crape Myrtle has just turned colors - more red at the top and yellow/orange toward the bottom.

 Although the Pee Gee Hydrangea's flowers have technically faded, I think their brown/pink hue is a lovely compliment to the yellow leaves in it's drooping habit.

The older Crape Myrtle in the front of the house is not only bursting with color but also berries, 

residing where the flowers once reigned. 

 As the days progress, the flowers on Sedum 'Autumn Joy' get progressively deeper 

and the leaves get lighter - a stunning contrast!

This Maple tree on my street looks like it is on fire. On closer look to the leaves (below) you can see the variation of color on each individual leaf. It looks like someone hand painted each of them. 

The Privet shrub is also bursting with bluish-purple berries, 

nestled tightly along the stems under the bright yellow and green leaves. 

Each autumn "flower" is different from the rest! Which one is your favorite?

What's Blooming: July 2013

It's been hot and humid for the past few weeks here on Long Island. Between the heat and the mosquitos, tending the garden has been a challenge. Thankfully there are lots of carefree heat-lovers in bloom making everything look lovely. Here's what's blooming in my garden this month:

This is such a beautifully colored daylily. I love the yellow center and it's magenta petals.

The purple coneflower (Echinachea) is a nice compliment to the yellow Black-eyed Susans (Rudbeckia). Behind them is the wispy, purple Russian Sage.

 I planted this Knockout Rose only two months ago. It is coming along nicely and I just love the color of the blooms.

On the left is Rudbeckia "Cherry Brandy" and on the right are more Black-eyed Susans. 

This Hosta is just coming into bloom. The stems are nice and erect with a lovely purple blossom. To the right, is Yarrow and more Rudbeckia 'Cherry Brandy'.

 The Crape Myrtle is starting to bloom!

Hot pink Hydrangea is in full bloom by the front door.

Nestled between the boulders in the backyard are various succulents (above and below)

Begonia "Dragon Wing Red" is nestled among the variegated Liriope by the back fence and flanked by Annabelle Hydrangeas. 

My vegetable garden is in full swing! Lots of green tomatoes, ripe cucumbers, carrots, beets and string beans.

So that's what's going on in my part of the world. Be sure to check out what else is growing around the country over at May Dreams Gardens "Garden Blogger Bloom Day" list.