Garden Photo of the Day

More from Christine's garden on Long Island

comments (30) March 1st, 2013 in blogs

Michelle Gervais, Senior Editor

133 users recommend

This raised garden has a collection of daylilies called "spiders and unusual forms". There are also lilium and other perennials in this bed. Northport Harbor is in the background.

2 WAYS TO ENLARGE: Click directly on the photo to enlarge in a pop-up, or click HERE to see this image, larger, in a new browser window.

Photo: Courtesy of Christine Petersen

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We asked Christine for more photos yesterday, and she delivered! Today she gives a look at the view from her garden, as well as a look at some of her favorite daylilies. Unfortunately, Christine says that her garden was badly damaged by Hurricane Sandy last fall. Flooding and salt spray have decimated a large portion of her garden, and she dreads seeing what doesn't come back up in spring. Give her your best encouragement, will you? I can't imagine how heartbreaking it is to have something you've worked so hard on altered so drastically in one traumatic week.

Caption for 1st photo: This raised garden has a collection of daylilies called "spiders and unusual forms". There are also lilium and other perennials in this bed. Northport Harbor is in the background.
Caption for 2nd photo: An abundance of daylilies and self-seeded Rubeckia hirta.
Caption for 3rd photo: Hostas and daylilies thrive in a partly sunny garden. Some of my plant labels are visible. I have an American Hemerocallis Display Garden which requires that all my daylilies be labeled.
Caption for 4th photo: Carex morrowii 'Ice Dance,' Hosta 'Inniswood' and Hydrangea macrophylla 'Pia'.
Caption for 5th photo: I love liliums for their intoxicating fragrance!
Caption for 6th photo: One of my favorite daylilies, 'Lavender Arrowhead' set off by a hydrangea.
Caption for 7th photo: Daylily 'Kirsten's Corsage' shows off its curls and twirls.

**Heads up, GPODers--I'm dealing with a couple of glitches on the website and I can't reliably add captions and links to each of these photos for enlarging in a new browser window. You can still click directly on the photos for a pop-up enlargement, though. I hope to get everything resolved by tomorrow. Unfortunately, it doesn't look like we'll be solving the log-in remembering issue anytime soon. Sincere apologies, everyone. It's not actually something that's broken--it was somehow designed like this. I know it's frustrating, but it's not something we have the authority or resources to change at the moment. If it makes you feel any better, I have to log in every single time, too, unless I leave my web browser open all day. Anyway, thanks (in advance) for your never-ending patience!!**

posted in: New York

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Sarah's library children's garden in Maine

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Christine's bayside garden in New York

Comments (30)

ruru writes: Hang in there Christine. Your garden is awesome. Look at this as an opportunity to change the least favorite things you did not like in your garden. My mantra is "this too shall pass". It works for me! Good luck and may grace and blessings be part of your life.
Posted: 7:58 pm on March 2nd

chrispnpt writes: Some people have commented on how all the GPOD gardens look so perfect. Well, don't fret- mine's not! I like to take photos, lots of them! I've got plenty of problem areas, but I'm not about to share pictures of my weedy, wild areas with the world. Also, I am careful not to let distracting elements (IE- bags of manure, garden tools, unsightly weeds,etc.)enter my photos. Sometimes I have to shoot at awfully odd angles to make a pile of old yard furniture, hoses, and an ugly garage disappear!

I move around the garden, trying to stay ahead of any weeds that are going to seed! I work on one bed at a time, but some take many days to get done. I'm a teacher, so I garden mostly in the summer when it's often too hot to do much! I should get out early, but my garden has a lot of shade and those areas always seem to be wet in the early morning- I'd rather read. My favorite time to garden is in the late afternoon or early evening. Then, I stay out until it's too dark to see anything!
Posted: 2:00 pm on March 2nd

tntreeman writes: Christine,
i know it has to be disheartening to see things die or suffer especially those we have grown for a number of years. i have on occasion after storms said to myself, i quit/ i'm not gonna do it anymore. the next day i'm out there digging holes again. after seeing all the photos of your garden and all the work it has taken i kinda feel for your garden helper because i am not sure anyone could keep up with you! Posted: 8:37 pm on March 1st

chrispnpt writes: Thank you for all your comments and encouraging words. It means a lot to me.

I don't mean to sound negative, but it is disheartening to see a 15' holly's leaves blacken and die.

We were lucky enough to build on an extra lot next door to my parents. We couldn't afford the lot, but my parents allowed us to build on it before purchasing it. My husband built the house by himself almost 30 years ago. I started the gardens before the foundation was poured! I pretty much garden alone, but as I'm now a senior citizen I have used a garden helper on occasion. So, the thought of replacing all those mature specimens seems a bit daunting! I'll just have to take it one day at a time.

Chris
Posted: 7:49 pm on March 1st

chrispnpt writes: Ceres- Wow! Is that you? Are you still posting on Chat? I just can't keep up with it all!

As to damage by salt water flooding, spray and mist- I had firsthand knowledge after Hurricane Irene in 2011. I lost mature Japanese maples, aucuba, rhododendrons, holly, hydrangeas, cherry laurels, butterfly bushes, all my phlox, rudbeckia, echinaceas, Leucanthemum, 4' in diameter hostas and so much more. But I was lucky because the whole property didn't flood. This time around flood waters were a few feet deep at high tide over everything. Now I can reliably add osmanthus, boxwoods, Japanese Andromeda, dwarf evergreens, azaleas, hellebores, viburnums, deodor cedars, and much more to the list. I'm crossing my fingers...

Posted: 7:34 pm on March 1st

chrispnpt writes: About the bunnies and lilium- I used one of those rabbit repellants as soon as the lilies poked their heads up in the spring with fairly good success. As the lilium mature and become beefier, the bunnies don't seem to be as interested in nibbling.

Chris Posted: 7:15 pm on March 1st

tntreeman writes: fine with me and happy to share. set the exchange up thru Michelle and we will co ordinate from there. you're right, it's gonna be crazy soon but i can make time to give you a garden tour of the area if you want and have the time Posted: 7:12 pm on March 1st

meander1 writes: Hi, tntreeman, I'd love to take you up on your offer of red daylilies. We can ask Michelle to be an email exchange facilitator and, at some point, co-ordinate a meeting on your turf since it now getting to be your busy time. Maybe my husband and I can rendezvous with you at one of your favorite garden sites and sneak in a walk about. Thanks for thinking of me! Posted: 6:44 pm on March 1st

thegardenlady writes: These great photos show a great garden. I am optimistic for your garden overall. Plants are remarkably resilient. Nature reminds us that gardens are creations in flux, always changing. Love your daylilies and your spider garden, especially the stonework. Wish you the best through the spring. Posted: 5:57 pm on March 1st

cwheat000 writes: The wait was worth it. Today's photos are even more lovely. The view of the harbor is stunning. You bought property out there at the right time. My aunt built her house in Shelter Island in the 70's, like you. You had a much better choice of lots and it was still affordable then. Your daylilies are fabulous. I have a growing addiction to them, with each passing season. They are just the right amount of showy, without being too much. What is the pink variety with the yellow throat ,that stands alone in one picture? I need to fence an area for them. Thank you for the deer repellent recommendation tntreeman. I will definitely try those brands this season. I hope the spring is kind to you and brings back all your beautiful plants. I am sure yard clean up will be extra this year, but I hope that is all you have to suffer through. That killer view of the ocean is worth it( easy for me to say). Posted: 2:37 pm on March 1st

CJgardens writes: Christine, thanks for sending more photos. Your daylilies and liliums are gorgeous. I found your website also and enjoyed all the additional photos. It was interesting to read about your experiences with Hurricane Sandy. Such a huge disruption but yet the birthday party goes on! Good luck with your gardens this spring; hope you find many delightful surprises that survived. You mentioned about bunnies nipping off the liliums as they just start to grow but that they came back. Same thing happened to me; I'm putting out lots of wire cages once the snow melts to protect them. What solution did you find to protect them? Posted: 1:07 pm on March 1st

Sheila_Schultz writes: Christine, I will be thinking of you and your beautiful gardens as spring starts working it's magic. Hopefully you will be filled with smiles as your gardens come back to life. Posted: 10:58 am on March 1st

joycedaffodilhill writes: So sorry this beautiful spot should be marred in any way, but the bare bones will still be there and your heart, mind and back will be back digging soon. We lost a large tree in our backyard and an outbuilding. The scar is so ugly, but already we have hauled in rocks, sod, peat moss, and other things to make this ugly spot go away. You as a great gardener, will do the same. God Bless Posted: 10:43 am on March 1st

humbleearthgarden writes: What a beautiful garden! Here's wishing you sunny days, blue skies, and a positive can-do attitude to work with Mother Nature in creating a new canvas, to share with, and inspire us again. Best wishes! Posted: 10:31 am on March 1st

ambowers writes: This garden is absolutely beautiful. you are blessed. thanks for sharing. If I lived at your house, I would never leave. Posted: 10:24 am on March 1st

bee1nine writes: tractor1- We can indubitably vouch for the severe errosion
problems here on Cape Cod! Every nasty storm that blows
through takes large sections away from our coastal shorelines
and yes, with our most recent blizzards this winter, has added that much more concern and cost measures are
unbelievable!!! Posted: 10:01 am on March 1st

TeriCA writes: Christine,
Your garden pictures are beautiful! When I saw you were from Long Island, immediately I thought of Hurricane Sandy! My wish for you is that you are happily surprised at what comes back! What a lovely place you live in. It is amazing to my friend and I that when other parts of the country are being pounded by storms, here in Sacramento, CA we are usually having beautiful weather. Almost makes me feel guilty. But 2 weeks ago, we had some very COLD weather come out of the Gulf of Alaska, and a hard freeze incurred. Some of my clients plants just couldn't take it, and are lost. Really, my best wishes for the return of your garden! Posted: 9:41 am on March 1st

pattyspencer writes: Thank you for sharing more photos - they are just beautiful. I'm so sorry about Sandy but I hope that you don't lose too many plants (actually I hope they all come back) - but for every bare spot that may come is the opportunity to put in something new/different. Posted: 9:17 am on March 1st

tntreeman writes: i know next to nothing about Long Island gardening but tractor1 must be right about it's abilities to purge itself of salt. i have visited the Hamptons area a couple of times and it is lush, perfectly manicured and beautiful. i think the key there is the use of money as fertilizer Posted: 9:05 am on March 1st

mainer59 writes: Thank you for sharing more with us. I join others in wishing you a speedy recovery from the hurricane. If things are lost, I hope it creates new opportunity. Here's my question: I see from one of your photos that you grow hosta and daylilies together. I have recently put in a hosta area, but it does get afternoon sun. I have been researching and buying ones that can take sun, but perhaps you have recommendations from your experience. Posted: 8:21 am on March 1st

tractor1 writes: Long Island is unique in that its coastal soil is always salt laden from perpetual ocean spray. The plants that thrive there normally will easily tolerate the salt from a storm, afterall on Long Island's north shore it's just another storm event, it's all part of the natural cycle. The very sandy soil is extremely porous, the spring rains and any remaining snow will soon dilute and purge the salt from a storm as has occured for eons. I remember lilies being especially tenacious on Long Island's north shore, needing constant thinning. What is problematic from storms on Long Island, especially its north shore from Nor'easters is errosion, many folks need to install marine grade bulkheading, very expensive. Christine, your garden looks very safe, if all those trees are surviving so will most of your other plantings. I lived on Suffolk County's north shore right on the coast line, I don't remember ever losing a plant to salt, even my vegetable gardens were barely affected, but I did lose many huge oak and locust trees to the winds of Gloria, snapped them off like match sticks. Thank you Christine, your photos are susperb. Posted: 8:13 am on March 1st

tntreeman writes: meander1, this is off topic of christines wonderful garden but i am going to be dividing those daylilies toward end of month, would be happy to share some of the red ones with you if i knew how to get them to you Posted: 8:05 am on March 1st

bee1nine writes: Hi Christine-
A joy to see more photos! Your daylilies are absolutely
gorgeous!! Yes, the damaging destruction along the east coast
was very wicked to say the least!
I'm praying with you with assured confidence that nature will
come through for you in your gardens.:) You may be quite
quite surprised!! Posted: 7:55 am on March 1st

meander1 writes: Ahh, Christine, my heart felt an empathetic pang at reading of your loss. My area was hit by a hellacious hailstorm 2 years ago that denuded trees and shredded to smithereens hosta and dayliliy foliage. The daylilies shrugged it all off but some of the hosta waved the white flag of surrender to the forces of nature and disappeared on me. I am optimistic on your behalf that your daylilies will return to party on and that delightful fiesta of color will light up your garden again this summer. Your view is magnificent! Posted: 7:46 am on March 1st

ceres writes: Christine, at a glance of the first photo I thought immediately this looks familiar. You are of the old garden group. So sorry to hurry of your loss. I hope your plants will bounce back. I suffered big loss with our big December ice/snow storm. It is so heart breaking but offers new opportunity. Ceres Posted: 7:38 am on March 1st

tntreeman writes: steepdrive, after years of battles and mostly losing to deer, i have found that PlantSkydd and GreenScreen are very effective and they last a long time. the plantskydd smells AWFUL the first day but they won't come near it, the GreenScreen is also very effective BUT if you have raccoons it can be a problem, they seem to like to eat it. and no i am not a paid spokesperson for these products it's just that they have saved me a lot of aggravation over the years Posted: 7:09 am on March 1st

Steepdrive writes: Lovely daylilies. You must not have a deer issue there. They are such deer attractors here. Hope your garden rebounds this spring. Posted: 7:05 am on March 1st

wGardens writes: Beautiful. So sorry for the damages that you and your gardens have had to deal with. I am hoping, as is tntreeman, that many plants will bounce back. Thank you for sharing more photos... and best wishes to you. Keep us posted. Posted: 6:13 am on March 1st

tntreeman writes: i wouldn't know which way to look first if i walked through your garden all stunning. i've never dealt with flooding or salt spray but many plants can be more resilient than we think so i'm hoping for the best for you and your garden. Posted: 5:57 am on March 1st

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