A GUIDE TO NORTHEASTERN GARDENING: Garden Bloggers’ Bloom Day & Foliage Follow-Up May: Color, Color Everywhere!

Welcome to my May garden! I am happy to see you here! Here on Long Island, as everywhere else, the weather patterns have been erratic. From summer like temperatures pushing into the high 70’s in the beginning of the month to days in the 50’s and now a series of repeating rain events, the spring of 2024 has certainly been interesting. The garden does adjust though and there is new growth and lots of blooms to see. Join me for a tour of my Long Island zone 7b garden.

Patio Border

Our first stop is at the patio border where Weeping Norway Spruce is accompanied by Nandina ‘Obsession’ and Ajuga ‘Black Scallop’. Nandina ‘Obsesssion’ is an evergreen, non-invasive species and stays at a compact size of just two to three feet over time. Ajuga ‘Black Scallop’ displays deep greenish-black foliage with purple blooms in springtime. 

Backyard Island Bed Western Side

In the back island bed, Variegated Weigela is forming buds which will soon become pink flowers and is joined by Coral Bells ‘Palace Purple’, Hydrangea Limelight and evergreens Mugo Pine and Hinoki Cypress ‘Compacta’. 

Shade Garden

In the back shade garden is Heuchera (Coral Bells) ‘Caramel’ joined by Pulmonaria (Lungwort) with its polka dot foliage and deep purple blooms.

Azalea Season!

As the Azalea are blooming, Rhododendron buds are getting ready to open within a couple of weeks. A Skyland’s Oriental Spruce joins the mix in the backdrop.

Perennial Border Renovation

I have been revamping the perennial border as it was time for a change and planted this Trombly’s ‘Red Sentinel’ columnar Japanese Maple as the focal point last fall. Just a week ago I added three Spirea ‘Candy Corn’ behind it while keeping the existing Lamb’s Ear and Astilbe. The goal is to achieve a lower maintenance garden. 

May is Ajuga Time!

Here are the blooms of Ajuga ‘Burgundy Glow’ in the raised island bed…

Welcoming Committee!

and here is the welcoming committee to greet you! It just would not be the same without them!

Patio Border

Along the opposite section of the newly renovated patio garden is Rhode Island Red Japanese Maple and Salvia ‘Blue by You’. This cultivar of perennial Salvia is supposed to be longer blooming. We shall see!

Patio Border

Along the patio border, Abelia ‘Kaleidoscope’ is doing well after the winter and is displaying its continuous array of golden color with white trumpet-shaped blooms to follow in summer.

Azalea ‘Girard’s Crimson’

Here is Azalea ‘Girard’s Fuschia’ all in bloom. If you are looking for an Azalea that catches the eye, give this one a try. The color of its blooms are amazing!

Backyard Island Bed Northern Side

This combination of Hinoki Cypress, Mugo Pine, dwarf Butterfly Bush ‘Pugster Blue’, Caramel Coral Bells, Gold Lace Juniper and Dwarf Japanese Andromeda ‘Cavatine’ resides in the back raised island bed. A mature Crape Myrtle is in the backdrop. Stay tuned for blooms in July! 

Pool Border

Following along to the pool border, reblooming Encore Azalea is joined by Sedum ‘Angelina’. The Azalea will repeat bloom later towards fall while the sedum will produce spikes of yellow blooms in summer.

Kwanzan Cherry

Springtime means it’s Cherry blossom season and here is the amazing Kwanzan Cherry. It seems that the blooms started a little earlier this year, so I am enjoying them while they last.

Allium Globemaster

While awaiting the blooms of Allium ‘Globemaster’, Weeping Eastern Redbud ‘Lavender Twist’ is showing off its delicate lavender blooms in the front garden. 

Weeping Eastern Redbud

Large heart-shaped foliage will start to emerge soon. 

Driveway Border

Along the driveway border garden, Dwarf Norway Spruce is accompanied by golden Skyland’s Oriental Spruce, Hinoki Cypress, Coral Bark Maple, Spilled Wine Weigela and Nepeta ‘Walker’s Low’..

Driveway Border

  while Spirea ‘Magic Carpet’  prepares for its dramatic blooms!

Front Island Bed & Lawn

As the tour comes to an end, let’s venture around to the front corner island bed with a combination of evergreens, flowering shrubs and perennials and lawn where two mature Weeping Japanese Maple reside.

Front Lawn

I admire them every season of the year both structurally and for their foliage. Nature sure does work its magic!

Thanks for Visiting!