“Kotoji in Early Morning Sun”
Heatherwood Japanese Garden
The early morning sun is always a delight as it first grazes our Heatherwood garden. Backlit leaves warm the scene with their filtered soft colors. Light sparkles from the water and highlights the southeast facing vegetation. Shadows provide striking contrast ,popping out the highlights of the exposed plants. I look up and see the Kotoji lantern proudly standing guard over his domain.
Its a peaceful way to start the day!
“Adirondack Settee”
Heatherwood Woodland
We added this Adirondack settee to our woodland garden area this spring. It is located at a corner of the woodland path framed in by several redbuds and Korean lilacs. From this point, we have views looking east and north through the developing woodland. Trees and shrubs will grow to shield this spot from the neighborhood road on the west. To date, we have 3 birch trees, 6 standard maples, 7 Japanese maples, 6 dogwoods, 1 oak, 1 ginkgo and a selection of conifers. We have filled in the understory with various perennials, viburnums, winterberries, rhododendrons, elderberries, buckthorns, and other shrubs. Next year we will be adding ground covers.
“Eastern View Through Woodland”
Looking east through the redbud lined path, we have a nice view of the bottom of the Cherry Allee and perennial garden. The bare spot on the distant hillside was where our historic irrigation flume stood for one hundred years. In a few more years the trees shrubs along the garden ridge should grow tall enough to cover the remaining scar.
“Northern View Through Woodland”
Looking north from the settee, we follow the path through the woodland up to the northern abutment of Selah Ridge. The understory is still sparse. It shouldn’t take long to start to fill in as we plant additional ground covers.
In the coming years this spot will be a wonderful place to sit and take a break to enjoy the surrounding little piece of nature!. Heck, it is a good spot now! We enjoyed a peaceful cup of morning coffee here today.
“More Rock Garden Color”
Heatherwood Summer
The other day while I was photographing in the Japanese garden area, Mary came up to me and excitedly said that I had to come over and see the vignette she had just observed in our rock garden. Yesterday’s and today’s posting illustrate what she saw. Today’s image is the same view as yesterday, but taken just a few steps to the right. I look forward to tomorrow and what the next vision will be presented to me.
“Rock Garden Color”
Heatherwood Summer
Summer has hit with a vengeance! Temperatures have rapidly risen into the 90’s. Everything is bursting out in vivid colors. The meadow and rock garden areas are beautiful. Something new is popping out every day. Greens, yellows, blues, purples, pinks, and reds all are abundant. More to come …
“Northwest Corner”
Heatherwood Summer
Walking up the road past Heatherwood, this is what a stroller sees. Low profile shrubs and trees allow one to look into the garden. The remnant of our area’s history provides additional interest. We have tried to create perspectives of enjoyment both looking into and out from our garden. We like to share as well as have our own privacy.
“Eye Candy View”
Heatherwood Summer
The above image is a small vignette in front of a sitting area in Heatherwood’s Conifer Corner. The early morning sunshine softly flowed across the scene, popping out the various colors and textures of the various plants. Little vignettes like this are scattered throughout the garden. Their intent is catch a strollers eye and entice them to stop and take notice. Every time I walk through the garden, I see something new from a different perspective.
“Purple & Gold”
Heatherwood Meadow
Purple and gold have always been one of my favorite color combinations. Purple and Gold were our Selah High School colors. And the same purple and gold were the University of Washington colors. Now the same combination permeates our Heatherwood garden. Some colors just grow on me!
“Rock Garden Color”
Heatherwood Early Summer
Following a mild spring, our first week of summer is warming up. We are expecting the temperature to rise to the mid 90’s by this weekend. We will need to closely monitor our watering sequences to make sure we get enough, but not too much, water to our plants. In the meantime we will enjoy our early morning coffee and late afternoon wine in the garden.
“Redbud Leaf Abstract”
Heatherwood Summer
As I say goodbye to spring with an abstract, I will welcome in summer with an abstract as well. We have been very fortunate to have had mild weather with adequate moisture this spring, while many parts of the country are in a severe drought and/or are having extremely high temperatures. Heatherwood’s trees, shrubs, and perennials are doing very well. I hope that the moderate weather will continue through the summer, so the new plants will get a chance to become well established.
My thoughts are with others as they face the harsh conditions across the country.
“Yarrow Abstract”
Heatherwood Spring
Today is the last day of spring. It is time to say goodbye to most of the flowering trees and shrubs and to say hello to the flowering perennials. We still have several shrubs (viburnums and nine-bark) that are in their last stage of bloom plus several hydrangeas that will bloom later this summer. Our perennials are just starting to display their summer glory.