East Birch Grove
Heaatherwood Winter
This morning was cold and dreary. All I had to do to lift my spirits was to look out the window and enjoy the winter colors of the green Slow Mound mugo pines, the blue Christina spruce, and the yellow and red ice plants surrounding the white birch grove. Heatherwood is a full of interest through all four seasons.
Wintersonne & Big Tuna Mugo Pines and Winter Heath
Heatherwood Winter
Yesterday was a cloudy and warm winter day (mid 40’s). I grabbed my camera and strolled around the garden for about three hours. I focused on creating an overall picture of the color, textures, and forms of Heatherwood’s winter display. The garden’s beauty was astounding. I could have spent several more hours just wandering around, but other chores brought me in.
Winter Colors
Heatherwood Winter
Heatherwood provides a little winter oasis to the drab Eastern Washington landscape in early February. Even in the middle of winter, color and interest abounds in our garden. Our unseasonable warm weather entices me to get out and stroll through the winter garden. At the same time the East coast is encountering extreme cold temperatures and heavy snow. How lucky we are!
Winter Blanket on Kotoji and Stream
Heatherwood Japanese Garden
Yesterday, the forecast was for rain. We were surprised as the light rain turned to a full snowfall by mid morning. After about four hours of snowing, it warmed up a bit and started to rain again. It quickly began to melt.
During the transition between the snow and rain, I grabbed my camera and took a jaunt through the garden. Everything was so very quiet. There was not any vehicle action through the neighborhood. No one was out shoveling at the time. Even the birds were not out! Everything was so very peaceful. I enjoyed the quiet and peace as I wandered through the snow covered landscape. What a beautiful stroll!
This morning the skies are bright blue without a cloud. The ground is still covered with snow but the trees have lost their snow blanket. It’s time to take another stroll through our Heatherwood landscape before all the snow melts.
Kotoji and Waterfall
Heatherwood Japanese Garden
I enjoy the sound of the rushing water as it moves through the main hillside stream past the Kotoji lantern. The visual impact is stunning as well. Alas, it is the time to make the annual decision to turn off the water, or not. I delay day after day … should I turn it off now or wait one more day? If the stream freezes it may flow over the sides and wash out some of the surrounding ground. Should I be safe and turn it off now, or can I wait a day or two more? Later this week the temperature is forecast to drop below freezing for a period of time. I will turn it off today before I forget.
Not all is lost, I will still be able to keep the small side waterfall flowing throughout the winter. The sides are steep enough to keep the water flowing into the pond.
December Color
Heatherwood Rock Garden
Color persists as Heatherwood moves into winter. The Wintersonne mugo pine is turning into its brilliant yellow winter color. The bright red berries of the evergreen cotoneaster highlight the hillside and provide treats for the wintering birds. The ice plants are turning from their summer green into their winter orange. The green of the Valley Cushion mugo pine and the gray-green of the thyme provide additional contrast. The color will last throughout the coming winter providing interest through the season.
Woodland Edge
Heatherwood Fall
As our neighbors walk along the neighborhood road, they come across this view into our woodland garden. Fall color is everywhere. As I write this, the red leaves of the background maples are rapidly falling. Soon the neighborhood walkers will be able to see the bluff rising above the garden. Even after the leaves have all fallen, there will be plenty of color with the green conifers, red/purple barberry, white birches, and red and yellow dogwood shrub branches. In addition, the interesting textures and tones of the grasses and perennials will continue to provide winter interest.
As we developed our Heatherwood garden, one of our design criteria was to provide interesting views and vignettes from the road into the garden. Sharing nature’s beauty is an important gift that we can give. Visitors can enjoy Heatherwood’s beauty looking in as we enjoy its beauty looking out.
Fall Colors
Heatherwood Japanese Garden
I begin each day in my office writing in my journal. The sun was not up when I started writing today. When I was finished I turned around and saw the early morning light on the garden outside my office window. My mind quickly shifted from scattered daily thoughts to just enjoying the beauty of nature in front of me. What a great way to begin the day ahead!
Overlooking the Meadow
Heatherwood Fall
This image was created at about the same spot as yesterday’s post. I just turned about 30 degrees to the right. The Golden Joy juniper is still the star attraction. But now the background is made up by the flowing grasses in the meadow. I see pinks, reds, oranges, yellows, greens, blues, purples, creams, and multiple shades of browns. The color palette is full!
Overlooking the Middle Lawn
Heatherwood Fall
Heatherwood is in its prime fall color this first week in November. Over the last week, the garden has been exceptional. We are enjoying every moment! Color is everywhere. I’ve found myself lost exploring various ways of viewing the garden and discovering small vignettes. A couple of days ago, I spent over six hours walking around the garden with my camera. Yesterday I spent four hours absorbing the fall colors. Later today I plan to explore a little more.