Echinaceas are one of my favorite summer perennials. In Pennsylvania, we started with just a few of purple echinaceas planted by the previous owners. They were in the wrong spots. We pulled most out and transplanted just a few. Over the years we ended up with three beautiful echinacea beds.
At Heatherwood, we started out with just a couple of patches of white echinaceas when we first planted the meadow three years ago. This year we added a few more patches and mixed in purple cone flowers with the white. Now it is time to wait, watch them fill in, and then start spreading them out. It just takes time and patience.
The early morning sun backlit these Forest Pansy redbud leaves causing them to shout out, “Look at me, look at me!” An early morning walk is always a pleasure. Things just seem to sparkle when the sun first glances over them. The special sunlight is fleeting, I have to be on my toes, time is short. It is time to make the most out of every moment.
This looks like we are giving the meadow flowers a bath shower. We are just watering them. Temperatures are getting hot. The forecast is to break 100 degrees next week. We need to make sure everything is well watered by the time the extreme temperatures hit. We hope we have been watering enough to have built up a enough moisture to get the plants through the upcoming scorcher.
White daisies and yellow yarrow complement each other in our Heatherwood garden. Since they complement so well, why not take two image and then combine them into one multiple exposure. The above abstract is the result.
Fourth of July was a beautiful day here in Eastern Washington. After a morning cup of coffee sitting out in the garden, I took off for a stroll with my camera. Everywhere I looked summer color was brightly shining throughout the garden. In this little spot in our meadow we have orange red-hot pokers, purple bee balm, red bee balm, purple salvia, white daisies, yellow yarrow, yellow red-hot pokers, and various shades of green grasses. We peacefully gaze and enjoy the wonderful gift in front of us.
I have walked by this spot many, many times. What I normally see is a wide angle view of pretty flowers at my feet, green grass and a meadow expanding in front of me, our and our neighbors’ homes, and the distant ridge surrounding the view. By just moving down to ground level, my perspective completely changes to focus on the beautiful jewels right in front of my face.
Life is similar. So many times I look around and see all the confusion and discomforting things that distract me and cause anxiety. When I settle down and become grounded, I can see and feel the many things that are right with our world. Today, I celebrate Independence Day and reflect and cherish all what independence brings to me.
“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.
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.
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.
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 …
