Monthly Archives: December 2022

New Snow

“Old Flume”
Heatherwood Winter

Just as the temperatures started to rise and the snow had melted from the roads and trees, we received a gift of another 4-5 inches of new snow. It brightened up the neighborhood and our Heatherwood garden. We now have had snow on the ground for the full month of December. The temperatures are forecasted to hover around freezing for the next week. We are not expecting another snowfall during that period.

Heatherwood has continued to have an unusual beauty this year. Typically the leaves on all the trees and shrubs have fallen. This year, many of them still have their leaves. They provide a beautiful contrast with all the snow.

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The Beautiful White Wonderland Continues

“Birches and Oak”
Heatherwood Winter

After a wonderful White Christmas, the beautiful white wonderland continues. For the last several weeks, the temperatures have remained below freezing and our white winter wonderland continues to display its beauty. Many are not appreciative of the cold weather. Personally, I am thankful to have the beautiful serene snow-covered landscape surround us. I can alway layer up to go outside and enjoy our little Eden.

Alas, today the temperature is predicted to rise above freezing. It is forecasted to continue to warm up. A week from now the white wonderland may be gone, at least temporarily.

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White Christmas

“Japanese Garden Entrance”
Heatherwood Winter

Our wish for a White Christmas will be fulfilled. With our continued cold temperatures, the snow from previous snowfalls has not melted and the frost remains on our trees. In addition we have had several little dustings to keep the snow looking fresh. Our setting for Christmas is a winter wonderland. We will no longer need to dream for a white Christmas. It is here in full glory!

Merry Christmas!

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Leaves on Trees ?

“Winter Trees With Leaves”
Heatherwood

Winter scenes this year in Heatherwood look quite different than in years past. This past year we had a very warm summer that lasted well into October. Then we had a cold snap that delayed the display of fall color. The cold spell continued through November which left leaves on many deciduous trees. Then the snows and frost hit in early December. Now we have snow and frost covered leaves still hanging on the trees. The additional weight has caused several branches to break. Hopefully the leaves will fall soon leaving bare branches to provide their normal beauty to the winter scene.

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Winter Meadow Textures

“Textures in Winter”
Heatherwood Meadow

A key element of our Heatherwood garden design is to provide various textures and shapes throughout the four seasons. The stiff vertical liatris stalks contrast with the soft flowing grasses. These are framed in the bottom by spent seed heads of rudbeckia and the top by spent asters. The straw and gold colors of the grasses contrast with the dark browns of the other perennials. All together they provide an eye-catching vignette to enjoy on a winter stroll through the garden.

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First Day of Winter – Officially

“Snow and Frost-covered Meadow”
Heatherwood Winter

Today is the first official day of winter. Winter came much earlier than its official start this year. We had our first dusting of snow in mid-November. Then a week after Thanksgiving we had our first substantial snow fall. We had another significant snow fall in early December. Heatherwood has now been covered with snow for the last three weeks. In addition, the temperatures have been very cold adding hoarfrost to our trees, shrubs, and perennials. It is truly a beautiful winter scene.

The image above is a section of our Heatherwood meadow area. In the spring through fall, the meadow is full of color and various texture. Even in the winter it has shades of gold, orange, and browns with even a little hint of red. We elect not to cut back our perennials to provide this winter interest as well as provide seeds and berries for the wintering birds.

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Winter Wonderland

“Hoarfrost-covered Evergreens”
Heatherwood Winter

The cold temperatures and the early morning fog continue. The result is a hoarfrost covered landscape. It is 2:00P and still only 17 degrees. And, it is forecast to get even colder during the next couple of days.

The hoarfrost accentuates the beauty of the evergreens and deciduous Japanese maples that are still laden with leaves. It is truly a winter wonderland. The weeping white pine in the background watches over the smaller foreground trees. It is time to go take a quick stroll with my camera to create a few more images.

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Brrrr!

“Hoarfrost in the Garden”
Heatherwood Winter

Winter is not officially here yet, but Mother Nature has a mind of her own. This week the high temperatures will remain below freezing. Mid-week is forecast to be in the single digits with the lows dropping down below 0. It is cold! I went out to do a little photography of the beautiful hoar frost on the trees and shrubs. After only a half hour I came back inside because my fingers could no longer operate the camera.

Heatherwood is like a dreamland with a light fog, hoarfrost, and snow-covered ground. We stand at our window and look out over the landscape admiring its beauty. Maybe tomorrow we will bundle up and take a stroll through the snow covering the garden.

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The Grasses No Longer Flutter in the Wind

“Snow-covered Meadow Grasses”
Heatherwood

The winter grasses will not be fluttering in the wind any longer. A heavy 6-8 inch snowfall covered the Heatherwood landscape a couple of days ago. Grasses were smothered and tree limbs laden with heavy snow broke. But as soon as the snow had fallen, it started to melt with temperatures in the high 30’s. Heatherwood looked like a winter wonderland. The warm temperatures will last a couple of days before they drop back down below freezing for the highs.

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