“Japanese Garden Overview”
Heatherwood, Summer
Today’s post presents Heatherwood’s Japanese Garden mid-summer status. We have had some plant damage from the record high temperatures in June and July and the severe drought since March. But we are lucky to have an adequate supply of irrigation water. Overall, the garden has survived fairly well.
Five years ago when I moved in, this area was all green grass. That year I planted a single Japanese maple and an October Glory maple in the grass lawn area. The following year I started creating a small Japanese-style garden including additional Japanese maples and the foreground stone path and weeping white pine. Two years ago we removed the lawn and built the hillside garden, stream, and pond, and planted the Japanese garden foundation trees and shrubs. Last year we added ground cover and a few additional shrubs. This year we added several more structural trees, evergreen and deciduous shrubs, and additional ground cover. Most plants are taking hold and are growing to fill in the garden space.
We enjoy the garden every day as we stroll around it and inspect the changing growth of the vegetation. Many mornings, we sit in the garden with our morning cup of coffee and plan the day. Frequently we end the afternoon with a glass of wine sitting by the pond and looking up at the cascading water of the stream.