Hi GPODers!

While we absolutely appreciate the understated beauty of winter gardens here at GPOD, we can also use a dose of summer color to keep our spirits high when the outside world is cold and gray. Lee, from the Mohawk Valley of New York, is providing us with our inspiring dose of summer color today. Lee has frequently contributed to Garden Photo of the Day over the years (Lee’s Tulips in Mohawk Valley, Early Spring Blooms, Lee’s Garden Through the Eyes of an Ant, Lee’s Backyard Escape, etc.), and the collection of colors and bountiful blooms never disappoints. From the looks of it, 2024 was no exception.

Well, we finally have some snow on the ground in central NYS. The month of December was quite nice to us, reaching 50 degrees just before the new year came in. It’s now a central NYS winter.

I grabbed some photos from 2024 and thought I’d try to keep us out of the winter blues (or may even prevent them a bit). I did some additional planting in my old vegetable garden which has made a total transformation, not squeezing my open spaces any. I have great “flow” to any part of the yard so it’s never “work” to get to a different area.

I wish all readers and growers a safe and enjoyable winter. For those in the snow areas, we look forward to the spring when things start pushing up, even through the snow, to tell us “we’re almost there”…

I’m not sure about you, but I’ve officially hit the point in winter where this kind of color feels a world away. However, it is invigorating and inspiring to see bright green foliage glowing in the sun and fabulous flowers in all their glory.

Now this is the kind of white I want to see, not the snow that has been making an appearance every week or so around me. These appear to be perfect Casa Blanca lilies (Lilium ‘Casa Blanca’, Zones 4–9) giving Lee a wonderful show last year.

Bountiful bunches of pink garden phlox (Phlox paniculata, Zones 4–8) blooms continue the cheery display.

Of course, Lee plants plenty of contrast so lighter and brighter varieties can really pop. A dark daylily in the center of this bed makes the light pink lilies and purple coneflower (Phlox paniculata, Zones 4–8) pop.

Color from every corner! I’ll be spending the rest of my afternoon daydreaming about being in Lee’s sensational garden on a sunny day just like this one.

Another lily from Lee’s collection that absolutely delights. ‘Dizzy’ lilies (Lilium ‘Dizzy’, Zones 4–9) absolutely steal attention with their bright stripes and matching freckles.

Lastly, another look at Lee’s purple coneflower along with some sunshine-yellow black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta, Zones 3–7).

Thank you so much for helping us keep the winter blues at bay, Lee! Your lush beds and compelling combinations of colors could bring some light to the coldest, darkest of days.

Who would like to pick up where Lee left off and help us continue to fight against winter blues?? All you need to do is flip through your photos of summer color and send a handful in to GPOD to be featured on the blog. Follow the directions below to submit your photos via email, or send me a DM on Instagram: @agirlherdogandtheroad.

Have a garden you’d like to share?

Have photos to share? We’d love to see your garden, a particular collection of plants you love, or a wonderful garden you had the chance to visit!

To submit, send 5-10 photos to [email protected] along with some information about the plants in the pictures and where you took the photos. We’d love to hear where you are located, how long you’ve been gardening, successes you are proud of, failures you learned from, hopes for the future, favorite plants, or funny stories from your garden.

Have a mobile phone? Tag your photos on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter with #FineGardening!

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