Lower Garden Entryway
Heatherwood Early Spring
Late afternoon sunshine brings warmth to our Heatherwood garden. This was taken at about 5:30P just before the sun set behind the hills to the west. The yellows and reds of the yellow and red twig dogwoods highlight the scene. The Selah Ridge above sets the background. The curving grass walkway provides an entryway to the garden from the road. It gives a peek into the garden for walkers as they pass by.
Statue of Liberty
No Kings Day – Yakima, WA
My heart sinks as I observe what the Trump administration is doing to tear down our Democracy. Hope emerges as my faith in my fellow Americans holds strong. This was demonstrated yesterday during the third “No Kings Day” in our small rural town of Yakima, Washington. We had a large turnout in our very conservative community. As cars drove by, occupants honked horns, waved, and gestured strong support.
Our rural farming community has been severely impacted by the ICE roundups and deportations. We no longer have the work force needed to harvest our crops. Many small businesses have shut down. Several people whom I have worked with and befriended are no longer here. As we stand up and fight for what we believe is right, our Nation will survive. Our spirit with the “Lady of Liberty” will overcome and bring sanity back to our lives.
REMEMBER: “No Kings Day” is EVERYDAY, not just an event!
Cornelian Cherry Dogwood (Cornus mas ‘Golden Glory’)
Heatherwood Spring
When I think about dogwoods I envision large white or pink bracts. When I think about ornamental cherries I see tight white or pink blooms. The Cornelian cherry dogwood has neither. However it does have small red cherry-like fruit in the fall.
I first saw a Cornelian cherry dogwood in the Morris Arboretum in Philadelphia. In late winter/early spring on one of my walks, I saw this large yellow blooming shrub-like tree. At a distance, I thought it was a large forsythia bush. As I got closer, it looked very different. I had no idea of what it was. I went to the visitor’s center asked what it was. To my surprise, they told me it was a dogwood!
For many springs and many visits to the Morris Arboretum, I scouted for the yellow blooming dogwood. It was consistently one of the first if not the first blooming tree in the Arboretum. It was truly a harbinger of spring and many later flowering trees.
When I moved back to Selah, WA and started developing our Heatherwood garden, a Cornelian cherry dogwood was one of the top ‘must have’ trees on my list. I always think of the many happy memories of the Philadelphia area and strolls in the Morris Arboretum when I view our special tree here in Heatherwood. Even though I live across the country from the Morris, I still am a member and supporter of the Arboretum. It is a must see when visiting the Philadelphia area.
Crabapple Grove and Daffodils
Heatherwood View From Upper Lawn
Spring brings a wave of daffodils to Heatherwood’s crabapple grove. When we planted the crabapples and daffodils, we were hoping that their blooms would overlap. The leaves of the crabapples are just showing life as the daffodil blooms are peaking. The crabapple blooms will arrive about two weeks later. When they do come out, the daffodil blooms will be in their decent. As we all know from experience, the best laid plans do not always work out. On the positive side, between the daffodils and crabapples we have about four weeks of spring blooming in this section of the garden.
Star Magnolia Bloom
Heatherwood Spring
I can hear the magnolia blossoms speak, “I am almost there. Give me one more day and I will be in my full spring glory.” One day makes a huge difference when the star magnolias start to bloom. One day there are only buds waiting to burst open. A day later more buds are enlarging and a few start to emerge into blossom. The next day blossoms are unfolding all over. Then they are all in full bloom. The wind starts to blow and the edges begin to look a bit tattered. Then the tips start to turn brown. Soon the blossoms cover the ground like a blanket of snow. I try not to miss a day walking by and enjoying the spring glory of our star magnolias.
Cornelian Cherry Dogwood
Heatherwood Spring
Spring started with sunshine and warm days here at Heatherwood. The Cornelian cherry dogwoods, star magnolias, forsythias, and early flowering cherries are in full bloom. The daffodils are right behind.
Spring brings new growth and re-emergence. It is a catalyst for fresh new thoughts and experiences. Enjoying new things in the garden helps me focus on what is right about this world. Positive thoughts are essential with all the crazy things that are currently going on.
Grasses and Dogwoods
Heatherwood, South Bed
Yesterday we started our spring cleanup. Our first task will be to cut back the grasses and dogwood shrubs. It is a big chore over the 4 acres of Heatherwood.
Our major spring project will be to connect our southeast and southwest conifer corner beds. This will entail removing the grasses and dogwood shrubs shown in the image above. We are looking for new homes in our garden and around the neighborhood for these plants. Once the area is cleared we will develop a path through the area that will connect our two conifer corner beds. After it is laid out, we will select specimen conifers and Japanese maples to fill in the planting area.
Our garden will never be complete. Areas become overgrown, new ideas emerge, interests change. Every day as we enjoy our existing garden, future dreams form.
Mary’s Crocuses
Heatherwood Late Winter
Little spots of color have just emerged from the ground. They are scattered through Heatherwood’s Japanese garden area. They are a signal that spring is just around the corner. I enjoy their beauty as I dream about how the garden will soon transform into its spring glory.
As I observe how they are scattered about, I smile. I reflect on how they got there in the first place. They were Mary’s first effort in adding to Heatherwood’s design. Several years ago, I handed Mary several bags of crocus bulbs and told her to plant them anywhere she wanted. She went about the garden and planted a few here and a few there. The next spring a few flowers popped up around the garden. We had to search for them. Each year a few more flowers emerged. Now they provide a sprinkle of late winter highlights through the upper garden. This fall, I plan to give her bags of snow drops to scatter around the garden landscape. I look forward to new surprises next winter.
East Birch Grove
Heaatherwood Winter
This morning was cold and dreary. All I had to do to lift my spirits was to look out the window and enjoy the winter colors of the green Slow Mound mugo pines, the blue Christina spruce, and the yellow and red ice plants surrounding the white birch grove. Heatherwood is a full of interest through all four seasons.
Wintersonne & Big Tuna Mugo Pines and Winter Heath
Heatherwood Winter
Yesterday was a cloudy and warm winter day (mid 40’s). I grabbed my camera and strolled around the garden for about three hours. I focused on creating an overall picture of the color, textures, and forms of Heatherwood’s winter display. The garden’s beauty was astounding. I could have spent several more hours just wandering around, but other chores brought me in.