A Long Island Garden Brings Joy!

Welcome!

Welcome! I must say that a garden brings joy. My favorite way to start or end the day is to sit outside on the patio with a cup of tea and appreciate all that nature has to offer. My garden has been a labor of love all my life, but especially over the past 28 years since the time my design career blossomed. My love of gardening on my own property and passion to help others continues to grow. Join me for a tour of my Long Island garden!

The Welcoming Committee!

As the official start of summer approaches, daytime temperatures have now reached into the upper 70’s to low 80’s with a slight breeze off the water to keep the days comfortable. The garden is thriving as there have been frequent rains over the past two months to keep the blooms coming and the plants happy. 

Baptisia and Roses!

To start our stroll, along the back patio is Baptisia ‘Lemon Meringue’ (False Indigo) Since I planted it just two years ago, this vigorous North American native has grown into a three foot high by wide plant loaded with bright yellow blooms above blue-green foliage. It thrives in this garden bed alongside Knock Out Rose ‘Radrazz’. 

Kousa Dogwood ‘Greensleeves’

One of my favorite spring bloomers is Kousa Dogwood ‘Greensleeves’. This less often seen cultivar produces an abundance of white blooms with a greenish tint every spring. I was fortunate to come across it in the nursery years ago and am so happy it went home with me!

Patio Border

Along the patio border, the newly planted Acer palmatum ‘Twombly’s Red Sentinel’ columnar Japanese Maple is doing well in its second season. Newly added Spirea ‘Candy Corn’, a dwarf form of Spirea known for its magnificent color joins it. Lamb’s Ear (Stachys) also joins the mix!

Double Knock Out Rose (Red)

Along the southern facing fence border, Double Red Knock Out Rose is in full bloom…

Double Knock Out Rose (Pink)

while Double Pink Knock Out Rose blooms join it across the way.

Daylily ‘Stella D Oro’

An often seen species of Daylily is Daylily ‘Stella D Oro’ and the reason is for its longer lasting blooms. I keep my blooming through fall with deadheading and rejuvenation.

Rhode Island Bed Japanese Maple

Here, back around in the patio border is Rhode Island Red Japanese Maple and Osmanthus (False Holly) ‘Goshiki’. ‘Greensleeves’ Kousa Dogwood and Gold Lace Juniper can be seen in the backdrop.

Pool Surround

In the pool surround (southern side) the Golden Oriental Spruce that I planted at just five feet tall now highlights the back area. Weeping Norway Spruce, Sky Pencil Holly, Rhododendron and Skip Laurel join in to form this evergreen section of the garden.

Weeping Blue Atlas Cedar & Coral Bells

A favorite combination of mine is Heuchera (Coral Bells) ‘Palace Purple’ and ‘Caramel’ along with Weeping Blue Atlas Cedar in the backyard garden bed. The little bit of shade supplied from the weeping tree is just enough to create the ideal environment for the Coral Bells to thrive.

A Little Garden Whimsy

Here is a statue I bought myself a few years back and it is one of my favorites. It can be seen as we make our way around the island bed in the backyard. You may recall a giant Crape Myrtle resides in this bed along with a collection of evergreens, flowering shrubs and perennials. We will revisit this area in late summer as the Hydrangea and Crape Myrtle bloom.

Southern Pool Border

Follow along with me around the bend to the southern section of the property where Viburnum ‘Summer Snowflake’ and Nepeta ‘Walkers Low’ are in bloom. Rhododendron, Steeds Holly, Variegated Boxwood and Golden Yew join the mix.

Viburnum ‘Summer Snowflake’

Here are the blooms of the Viburnum up close!

Driveway Border (East)

As we exit the backyard and head towards the front, the driveway border has an assortment of evergreens including ‘Skyland’s’ Golden Oriental Spruce, Weeping Blue Atlas Cedar, Hinoki Cypress, Dwarf Norway Spruce and Boxwood.  Weigela and Nepeta accompany the evergreens.

Driveway Border (West)

On the opposite side of the driveway border is Weeping Norway Spruce, joined by Spirea ‘Magic Carpet’, Japanese Garden Juniper, Salvia ‘Caradonna’ and Japanese Iris.

Front Island Bed

In another view is Coral Bark Maple, Boxwood, Hosta and Variegated Liriope (Lilyturf).

Spirea Double Play ‘Big Bang’

In the front main island bed, Spirea Double Play ‘Big Bang’ is all in bloom…

Front Lawn

and here is another view with Osmanthus ‘Goshiki’, Weeping Norway Spruce, and Heuchera (Coral Bells) with Weeping Japanese Maple and Blue Atlas Cedar in the backdrop along the front lawn.

Japanese Iris

A few Japanese Iris remain for Bloom Day…

Itoh Peony ‘Bartzella’

and here is Peony ‘Bartzella’ from just a couple of weeks ago. Its blooms are magnificent but only last a short time from the end of May through the beginning of June. I wouldn’t give it up for the world though, as I love this plant! Even the foliage is nice to look at well into the fall months.

Thank you for Visiting!