What's Blooming This Month? November 2014

With the month almost at the close and the busyness of life at its peak right now (or so it seems), I thought I'd post some photos of my garden in November. I took these right before the big freeze set in which either forced all the leaves to drop or turned them into a crisp. Still the beauty of autumn was here until the end...

 They don't call it Burning Bush for nothing! This Euonymus alatus literally looks like it's on fire.

When most of the garden flowers are heading off to sleep, these Anenome 'Prince Henry' are in full bloom.

All the hostas are now turning a brilliant shade of yellow, which adds such a flair of awesomeness to the garden.

What would a fall garden be without mums? I love how these are flopped over the boulders, down the slope here.

 Silly daffodils, it's not spring yet! Go back to bed.

The Japanese Maple's deep reddish hue in autumn looks so pretty against the weeping spruce.

 The foliage and the drying flower heads of this sedum are eye catching right now.

And of course the variegated holly is in full "bloom" with berries galore - just in time for the winter season!

So there you have it - my Long Island, NY garden in November! I hope you were able to get out and enjoy the fresh autumn air before the cold and snow set in.

As always, you can follow me on Instagram and Facebook for more frequent photo updates.

Until soon!

What's Blooming this Month? October 2014

They sunlight streams through the trees at a different angle these days, the mornings and evenings are cool and the leaves gently fall to the ground like raindrops. Autumn is definitely here. The days are getting shorter and yet, my days are not getting any less busy. Two of the children are off at school, the other two still home with me. This doesn't leave me much time to garden or blog, but I do what I can, knowing that both will still be here next year and maybe then I'll have a few more minutes. In the meantime, I am admiring the life cycle of my garden, the beauty of the season's colors and the sweet smell in the air.

Here's what's blooming in my Long Island, NY garden this month:

My cute little garden owls continue to make me smile as they peek out from under the hydrangea leaves.

The rose hips on the carpet roses are just lovely and the perfect color to go with their surroundings.

I bought these mums last year for a few containers and before the ground froze, plopped them into the ground, not sure whether they would come back of not. I am beyond excited they came back and just love the color!

Anenome 'Queen Charlotte' is a welcome pink beauty when all the garden is getting ready for a long winter nap.

I have been waiting for days and days to see what this Dendranthema (Korean Mum) looked like. It was given to me back in June after my horrible sour mulch debacle. The name was new to me, and so I did a little research and learned that Dendranthema was formerly known as Chrysanthemum. Chrysanthemum is still commonly used for hardy florist mums to differentiate from true hardy Dendranthema.

And this sedum is still looking magnificent. The flowerheads have moved from bright pink to this deeper maroon color on top of the lovely green foliage. I don't know the cultivar, as this plant was grandfathered into my garden, so if you have any ideas, please let me know!

That's what's blooming in my garden this month! What's in yours? I'd love to hear from you.

As always, thanks to Carol over at May Dreams Gardens for hosting the monthly Garden Bloggers Bloom Day. It's great to see what's blooming all over the country!

What's Blooming This Month? September 2014

The last few days have been perfect September weather - cool mornings and evenings, warm days and low humidity. The sunlight hits the garden differently this time of year - warmer, softer and somewhat more peaceful. 

Here's what's blooming in my Long Island, NY garden this month:

Although the Rudbeckias (Black-eyed Susans) are starting to fade, their seed heads are a wonderful treat for the birds. In a few more days, the mums will be in full bloom, prolonging the show in this garden.

The panicle hydrangea is still in full bloom. I just love the fullness of this shrub, the delicacy of the flowers and its long season. 

The Crape Myrtle finished flowering weeks ago, but the seed heads will remain and are quite attractive. 

The Knockout Rose shrub is still blooming, with new buds appearing every day. It's a lovely compliment to the light green and pink of the neighboring Sedum.

Deep in the shade of my shade garden, these Toad Lilies are happy as can be.

The variegated Liriope is also in full bloom. I love the purple spikes standing tall over the green and white leaves. 

And what would fall be without a few new container plantings?

That's what's blooming in my garden this month! What's in yours? I'd love to hear from you.
As always, thanks to Carol over at May Dreams Gardens for hosting Garden Bloggers Bloom Day. It's great to see what's blooming all over the country!

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 This Month? October 2013

Autumn is definitely in the air! The leaves are starting to turn, the air is cool and dry and the mums are blooming everywhere beautifully.

Here's what's blooming in my Long Island garden this month:

Rudbeckia 'Cherry Brandy'

The carpet roses are still blooming and their pale pink color is a nice contrast to the 

golds, reds and oranges this month. 

The New Guinea Impatiens are really looking full and lush right now. They are paired next to an attractive variety of coleus that keeps a mounding habit. 

The Japanese maple tree is the highlight of this garden bed. 

Below it, the Sedums have taken center stage. 

Salvia pratensis 'Twilight Serenade'

The last few remaining Black-eyed Susans are complimented nicely by the 

deep pink of these New Guinea Impatiens. 

Salvia 'Black and Blue' - oh how I love the deep, rich color of the blooms contrasting to the bright green foliage. Definitely getting more of these next season. 

Ornamental peppers look right at home next to the cheery, yellow mums. 

The Montauk Daisy is just starting to bloom and is such a welcome sight this month!

And 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.

Succulents in a Bird Bath

On a recent visit to the garden center the other day, I saw this huge bird bath filled to the brim with succulents. 

Sadly, I don't have the space for such a feature but even a smaller bird bath or even a circular try would do the trick. 

Succulents hold water in their leaves or stems and as such, can withstand more arid climates or dry soil conditions. Botanically, cacti are succulents but not all succulents are cacti. 

This one is loaded with Sedums and Sempervivums. 

They are great in any garden and hardy once established. They are easy to care for, come in a variety of striking colors and textures but do like full sun. 

Happy gardening!

What's Blooming: October 2012

Today is Garden Bloggers Bloom Day! Here's a look at what's growing and blooming in my Long Island garden this month.

The Montauk Daisy (Nipponanthemum nipponicum) is in full bloom. All summer long, my husband asked me "What's the deal with this plant? When is it going to bloom?" Just wait, I told him. And sure enough, when everything else is starting to settle into the coolness of autumn, these beautiful daisies open up and smile at all who pass by.

The Sedum 'Autumn Joy' has morphed from the vibrant pink of last month to a beautiful deep maroon color, more fitting for this time of year.

I love how the Hosta leaves begin to change color, similar to the tree leaves. The golden yellow against the fading green is simply lovely.

A few Black Eyed Susans remain, looking more attractive next to the deep color of the sedums now.

And the Burning Bush (Euonymus alata 'Compactus') is starting to live up to its name. The leaf colors will all turn a vibrant shade of red and truly look like it's on fire. 

We are busy working to complete the backyard renovation project in the next two weeks. Have a look at what we've done so far!

As always, any thanks to Carol over at May Dreams Gardens for hosting the monthly Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day.