Showing posts with label up. Show all posts
Showing posts with label up. Show all posts

Tuesday, 4 March 2014

Garden Bloggers Bloom Day Foliage Follow Up December 2013 The Garden Goes to Sleep

Mugo Pine and Sedum Brilliant Dried Flower Heads
 The temperatures have been falling into the 30s over the past few days with snow flurries and winter has found my northeastern Long Island garden.  It is December and time for another Garden Bloggers Bloom Day on the 15th and Foliage Follow-Up on the 16th to take a look around the garden, get some photos, and visit some other gardens around the world.  Having not been here for last months memes, quite a bit has changed in the landscape.  Come stroll with me as I get some photos before the next snow arrives!
Astilbe Dried Flowers 
 The beauty of a garden is its never ending state of change reflected with each passing season. With winter approaching and few blooms in sight there is now more concentration on foliage.  All that remains of the Astilbe are their dried flowers which are still lovely  against the backdrop of Lambs Ear and back lawn, a view which I have come to appreciate.

Barberry Royal Burgundy December

I have two types of Barberry on my property, Royal Burgundy and Rosy Glow.  They are both displaying the last of their bright burgundy foliage and are starting to form small red berries in preparation for winter.
Birdbath
Here in a small garden under a window is one of the several birdbaths I have on the property.   There are numerous evergreens and dense shrubs where birds seek shelter and I always try to have a supply of fresh water for them.  Also they are fun to watch gathering and splashing around! The only thing is that the water has frozen over the past few days and I have no electric source for one of those birdbath heaters, so I have to add a little water daily to keep it drinkable.
Birds Nest Garden Art!
 Look a birds nest!  While strolling in the garden to take these photographs I spotted this beautifully constructed and well hidden birds nest in my Wisteria tree.   Now that the leaves are all gone the nest is finally visible to see and I believe it was built by the Mockingbirds that were so abundant this summer.
Blue Star Juniper and Dwarf Fountain Grass
 Around to the side yard the dwarf ornamental grasses are finished for the season but form contrast against the evergreen Juniperus Blue Star.  
Blue Globe Montgomery Spruce, Gold Mop Cypress and Barberry
Here are more of the evergreens on the property.  I enjoy combining the blues and golds of Montgomery Globe Blue Spruce and Gold Mop Cypress with the burgundy of the Barberry in the backdrop.  A Weeping Pussy Willow cascades over the rest of the garden.  The differences in texture and color of the contrasting foliage help to keep interest in the landscape over winter. 
Dwarf Butterfly Bush Lo & Behold Blue Chip December
Speaking of foliage, the dried blooms of my Dwarf Butterfly Bush do provide some nice interest for the wintertime...
Endless Summer Hydrangea Faded Blooms
as well as the Endless Summer Hydrangea with their dried mop heads.  I focus on having as much structure in the garden as possible especially at this time of year.
Iris Seed Heads
The Iris are in winter mode displaying their interesting seed heads.  Since I have been photographing I have learned to appreciate them even when they are not blooming.
Lambs Ear and Astilbe Seed Heads
This Lambs Ear was an addition to the perennial garden years ago as a border and I am always amazed how it supplies interest to every season of the year with its fuzzy white foliage.
Royal Star Magnolia New Buds in December
Come take a look at the Royal Star Magnolia already forming its flower buds for next year.  It is a pleasant sight to see a hint of spring even though winter isnt even officially here yet with more significant snow on the way.
Dwarf Maiden Grass Yaku Jima in December
Here are the the Yaku Jima grasses and their plumes adding some movement to the garden.
Nandina domestica Berries
Poking over the side fence, the color of the berries on this Nandina are a vibrant red that lasts all throughout the winter months.  They provide a dual purpose of adding both color to the landscape as well as supplying a food source for the birds.
Sedum Brilliant Dried Flower Heads

And last but not least...here is a close up of the Sedum with my new camera lens.
Here It Comes!!!

As the garden goes to sleep for winter there will always be something new to be found with each changing season and a true gardener always has something to look forward to. Thank you for visiting my gardens and you are always welcome!   I am glad I was able to get these photographs before the snow and hope you enjoyed the tour.   Drop a note to let me know youve been here and I will be sure to visit you as well. Also please visit our hostesses Carol at May Dreams Gardens to see what is blooming for December Garden Bloggers Bloom Day and Pam at Digging for Foliage Follow Up.


As Always...Happy Gardening and Happy Winter in one week!  
Author: Lee@A Guide To Northeastern Gardening, Copyright 2013. All rights reserved. 




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Landscape Design Ideas for Sprucing Up Your Front Yard

Do you see your front yard as little more than a space to cross in order to reach your home? If so, your front yard could use a makeover. Check out our front yard reDesign Ideas below. For boring front yards.... The answer is a jolt of creativity. Design/Landscape gurus have several ways to jazz up dreary front yards: 1. Aim for Elemental Equality. Feng Shui teaches that equal parts fire, metal, earth and water are present in a visually pleasing Design. Landscape pavers are generally considered as earth. For metal, think about adding a sculpture or a reflective ball. Vibrant yellow and red flowers can add fire, while water can be represented with a fountain or pond. 2. Use a Variety of Materials. People are suckers for variety. To spice up your front area, tell your Landscape Designer to incorporate a wide variety of materials. As an example, instead of using just pavers, you could use gravel and ground covers as well. 3. Think About How Youll Use Your Design. Landscape Designers who are worth their salt ask how their clients anticipate using their yards. Utility is a sure-fire way to destroy boredom. An "edible" front yard is perfect for lovers of fresh produce, while a built-in sandpit is a dream come true for parents of toddlers. Or, if you want a private retreat, add stucco walls to create a secluded sanctuary. When partnering with Landscape Design services, always start with a meditation on how you want to use the area. For yards that dont jive with the traditional American style... Choose a more harmonious Design. Landscape techniques from around the globe can highlight your homes style. For example, if your house boasts Asian details, you can continue this theme in your front yard by adding an elaborate front gate and higher walls. (This style is common in places like Japan, where limited land lead Landscape artists to create front-yard privacy.) Check with your Landscape Designer to figure out which garden fashions would best accent your houses Design. Landscape Design services usually delight in the opportunity to escape traditional Americana. For tiny front lawns that dont justify storing hefty mowing equipment... Talk to your Landscape Designer about ground cover alternatives to turf. Some, like Scotch and Irish moss, do not require mowing. In truth, there are multiple advantages to removing grass from your Landscape Design. Portland denizens, for example, are often interested in reducing their carbon footprint. For these environmentally enlightened homeowners, a lawn symbolizes unneeded energy expenditures - energy spent fueling mowers, creating fertilizers, and transporting weed killers, and thats just a start! Many non-tree-huggers have eliminated their lawns as well, simply because they abhor the inordinate amount of upkeep that a lawn demands. If you need more space for entertaining... Create an inviting space with short shrubbery, accent fencing, and trellises. These Design elements can create an outdoor "room" that visitors will feel drawn to. Landscape Design services may also suggest building a short wall to create the sensation of a smaller, cozier space. Or, you may just decide to erect a patio cover and a front-yard deck to encourage outdoor socializing. If none of these Ideas rouse you, your Landscape Designer will no doubt have a surfeit of Ideas to make the perfect front yard for your family.
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