“Yellow Twig Dogwood & Red Bergenia”
Heatherwood Late Fall
Growing up, my favorite colors from my color crayon box were yellow and red. They were always the first crayons to be used up. It doesn’t surprise me that we have this color combination throughout Heatherwood. The bright red bergenia and the yellow twig dogwood provide an interesting contrast in both color and texture. Now we just need to add green ground cover to complete the vignette.
“Red Twig Dogwood Screen”
Heatherwood Late Fall
As we designed Heatherwood, we set a criteria to have varying color during all four seasons. To help accomplish this we planted an assortment of red twig, yellow twig, and multi-color twig dogwood shrubs throughout the garden. Several have already grown to the three-foot level like the red twig in the image above. They provide stand alone color as well as a screening effect in the garden. It will take two to three more years to get the full benefit of these shrubs.
“Fothergilla and Maple Leaf”
Heatherwood Japanese Garden
Thanksgiving is a time to sit back, contemplate, and give thanks for the many things in the wonderful world around us. Everywhere I turn in our Heatherwood garden I see a little wonder of nature, This spent Japanese maple leaf among glorious reds, oranges, and yellows of a fothergilla highlights the beauty of the changing season. Noticing little things like the leaf on my daily strolls through our garden brings me excitement, peace, and balance. Being in nature frees up my mind from the many distractions of life and allows me to focus on what is most important to me. It reminds me to celebrate all the good that is in our world.
May you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving with your friends, family, and loved ones! And, please take the time to give thanks for all the good around us.
Happy Thanksgiving!
“Joshua Trees”
Joshua Tree National Park, CA
Have you ever seen a forest in the desert. Here in Joshua Tree National Park, the south eastern Mohave Desert is covered with this strange forest. It is truly a western scene. I can imagine cowboys riding through this desolate area. There is no water to be found for miles..
The Joshua Tree is the largest of the Yuccas, reaching 35- 40 feet tall. They can live up to 150 years. Some have even found to have lived 300 years. They are a tough plant!
“Spent But Still in Fall Glory”
Heatherwood Japanese Garden
Today’s image is quite a contrast to my last B&W post. This ‘Waterfall’ Japanese Maple decided to show off a few of its remaining leaves against the background of a brilliant Fothergilla. Heatherwood is still full of fall splendor. As one plant loses it color, another blossoms out in its fall glory. Every day in our garden brings change and a new perspective … just like life. It is our opportunity and challenge to make the best out of each new day.
“Liatris”
Heatherwood Meadow
As I walk through our Heatherwood garden, I constantly look for little vignettes that catch my eye. When I see something of interest, I pause to look at it from different perspectives. I tilt my head, squat up and down, move around, squint my eyes, and imagine how I can translate what I see into something a little unique. Many times I just move on, other times I imagine what I can do in post processing. For this image, I knew that it was a painting from the start. With a little help from Topaz Impression out popped my interpretation.
“Meadow Transition”
Heatherwood Fall
This section of our lower Heatherwood garden provides a layered transition from the perennial meadow to a specimen tree area. It divides our eastern and western lower garden areas. Perennials like the Karl Forster grasses and yarrow transition to deciduous shrubs (elderberries, red twig dogwoods, and yellow twig dogwoods) then to background evergreen junipers and pines. The various structure, texture, and color provide interesting contrasts.
“Meadow in Autumn Glory”
Heatherwood Fall
Color, color, and more color highlights our Heatherwood meadow. This area is only two years old and has already surpassed our expectations! The meadow has different colors and feelings during all four seasons. Each season has its special accents. Most people favor the late spring/early summer with all the bright colors of the flowering perennials and shrubs. But, my favorite season is the fall with its more subdued shades of yellows, golds, oranges, and browns. And of course, the bright purples and golds fit right in with my University of Washington Husky bias!
The meadow area weaves in and out creating an interesting flowing border for the lawn area. It provides a fun path to practice my lawn mowing skills. I take my time around the edge, not because it is difficult to mow, but because I just like to take it slow as I enjoy something new each time I make the pass.
“Garden Path”
Heatherwood Fall
Various paths weave their way through our Heatherwood garden. Some of the paths are formal stone paths, some are gravel, some are bark mulch, and some are simple unplanted passage ways through the various plantings. Most paths wind through planted areas to destinations unknown. The paths are not designed to get from point A to point B. They are laid out to provide different views and perspectives as one strolls through the garden. There is usually a little surprise around each corner.
“Looking Out My Office Window”
Heatherwood Fall
I usually start my day writing in my office when it is dark outside. I take time, sometimes listen to music, and think about what is most important to me. The sun slowly rises above the surrounding hills, then lights up our Heatherwood yard. I turn around from my desk, sit back, relax, and gaze at the beauty of the scene in front of me. I get charged, get a quick bite to eat, then grab my camera to go out and become one with nature. What a great way to start the day right!