| Welcome! |
Fall is a wonderful time of year as the landscape transitions into an array of changing color. It has been one of the warmest and driest Novembers I can remember here in the northeast with temperatures ranging in the 50’s to low 60’s and no significant rainfall for over a month. Finally, a very welcomed and needed rain came during the early hours of the morning on the 11th. The trees are dropping leaves rapidly like falling rain due to the lasting drought, but the colors are vibrant as ever and with the milder temperatures, there are still some blooms to be seen. Along with the first rain in over a month, there are colder temperatures in the forecast, so I am enjoying the views while I can! Join me for a tour of my Long Island garden!
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| Front Lawn |
The first stop is along the front lawn as the two Weeping Japanese Maples put on a colorful show. Japanese Maple ‘Viridis’, which is normally light green, now displays hues of orange, yellow and red all on the same tree. Next to it is a red variety of Weeping Japanese Maple, along with Blue Atlas Cedar and Gold Lace Juniper in the distance.
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| Back Pool Garden |
As we move to the back pool border, Sky Pencil Holly is displaying its dark bluish-black berries against Leucothoe with Golden Sweet Flag in the foreground, which stays evergreen all year along with the other plantings. Nellie Stevens Holly in the backdrop displays its bright red berries this time of year.
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| Leucothoe ‘Axillaris’ |
This variety of broad-leaved evergreen is Leucothoe ‘Axillaris’. A highlight is its changing foliage this time of year with deep pinkish-red and golden highlights as the temperatures change.
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| A Visitor! |
There is plenty of wildlife around these days and this visitor even stopped for a photo shoot!
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| Patio Vegetable/Herb Planter |
Near the patio, the vegetable/herb planter is done for the season, but the parsley is still showing some greenery. The spearmint (in a separate planter) has not gone dormant either. Gardening Tip: If you are growing mint, it spreads rapidly by underground rhizomes and will take over an area in no time. Always plant it in a confined area or in a planter!
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| Patio Border |
Along the same patio area, Salvia ‘Blue by You’ continues to bloom, joined by Rhode Island Red Japanese Maple, and evergreens Osmanthus ‘Goshiki’ and Dwarf Japanese Red Pine ‘Low Glow’.
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| Back Perimeter Garden |
In the back border, Kousa Dogwood ‘Greensleeves’ displays its changing foliage and red fruit.
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| Patio and Pool Gardens |
Along with the blooms of Salvia, there are other blooms to be seen, as ‘Stella D Oro’ Daylily and Echinacea Pow Wow ‘Wild Berry’ continue to bloom along the back patio and pool.
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| ‘Stella D Oro’ Daylily |
Here are the bright yellow flowers of Daylily as it continues to push out autumn blooms…
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| Echinacea Pow Wow ‘Wild Berry’ |
along with the blooms and seed heads of Echinacea.
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| Abelia ‘Kaleidoscope’ |
Bordering the back walkway, Abelia ‘Kaleidoscope’ is still showing its tubular white blooms from later summer…
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| Dwarf Rudbeckia ‘Little Goldstar’ |
and Dwarf Black Eyed Susan continues to push out some final blooms in the northwestern garden.
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| Weeping Japanese Maple ‘Viridis’ |
As we venture back to the front portion of the property, here is another view of the foliage of Weeping Japanese Maple. Soon the interesting structure of the tree and trunk will be even more visible.
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| Front Island Bed |
As Hosta and Sedum go dormant in the front island bed, evergreens Weeping Norway Spruce, Dwarf Cryptomeria and Osmanthus ‘Goshiki’ continue to supply interest for the fall and winter months as Coral Bark Maple (below) presents its autumn blaze of color.
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| Front Entrance Garden |
Accompanying Coral Bark Maple ‘Sango Kaku’ are ‘Skylands’ Golden Oriental Spruce, Weeping Blue Atlas Cedar, Mugo Pine, Weeping White Pine, Japanese Garden and Blue Star Juniper and Variegated Liriope. Maintenance Tip: It is best to not cut back Liriope in the fall, but to leave it intact for winter interest and to protect the crown. Cut back in springtime after any threat of frost to allow for new growth.
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| Skyland’s Oriental Spruce and Coral Bark Maple |
Autumn certainly is a wonderful time of year with color, color everywhere. Here is another view of Skyland’s Oriental Spruce and Coral Bark Maple.
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| St. John’s Wort Autumn |
As we get closer to the end of the tour, St. John’s Wort displays its dried seed heads with a bit of artistic flair…
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| Pool Surround |
and the changing foliage of Spirea and Weeping Japanese Maple complement one another.
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| All-Season Planter |
This all-season planter with evergreens will provide some interest throughout the winter months…
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| Knock Out Rose ‘Radrazz’ |
and Knock Out Rose will continue its glorious blooms until the first hard freeze.
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| Indoors: Thanksgiving Cactus |
As the outdoor garden goes into dormancy for the winter months, focus shifts even more towards tending to the indoor garden, which includes Thanksgiving Cactus and African Violet as they continue to bloom.
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| Thanksgiving Cactus and African Violet |
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| Thanks for Visiting! |
As Always…Happy Gardening!
Author: Lee @A Guide to Northeastern Gardening, © Copyright 2010-2024. All rights reserved.