“Louie Eastern White Pine & Colorado Blue Spruce” Heatherwood Winter
I only have to take a couple of steps and turn about 30 degrees to see another conifer contrast of yellow and blue. The yellow ‘Louie” eastern white pine stands out against the Colorado blue spruce background. Heathers and grasses surround the “Louie”. The grasses provide an interesting contrast of shapes and textures with the conifers. We leave the grasses in their natural state until mid-March when we cut them back. Like the Chief Joseph lodgepole pine, the ‘Louie” also turns to a summer green color.
“Chief Joseph and Sester’s Dwarf” Heatherwood Winter
Today was a bright, breezy, and chilly winter day. The temperature did not get above freezing. We will be planting a Winter Garden at the Yakima Area Arboretum this spring. Many of the plants we have chosen for the Arboretum are ones that we have planted at Heatherwood. I am preparing educational material for the garden, starting by collecting images for the various plants that we will be planting at the Arboretum. What a better place to start than in my home garden. So off I went, all bundled up, with my camera to create some images. Because of the cold, I was planning on just staying out for a half hour. Three hours later Mary came out to check on me. I was able to make a walk around our whole Heatherwood garden collecting images of winter color and textures.
One element of a winter garden is contrasting colors of various conifers. The image above is one of the most interesting contrasts of yellow and blue. The bright yellow of the Chief Joseph lodgepole pine makes a striking contrast with the bright blue of the Sester’s Dwarf blue spruce. Both are now the same size and are slow growing. We are looking for them to grow up together over the years. While the Sester’s Dwarf retains its blue color throughout the year, the Chief Joseph will turn back to green for the summer. They are a great pair for the garden.
Today was an absolute beautiful winter day. The sky was blue and the temperature was in the mid 40’s. It just doesn’t get much better. I had the pleasure to put on my work shoes and do a little clean-up of some of our broken tree limbs. I then spent over an hour walking around with my camera enjoying the garden and the beautiful afternoon.
With the unseasonable warm weather, most of our snow has melted. Only a few patches of snow in shady areas remain. The colors of Heatherwood’s winter garden brightly shine in the afternoon sun. Year-round there is always interest and beauty in the garden.
Between light rain drizzles we had a few hours of sunshine. I grabbed my camera for my first garden excursion of the year. With the rain and above freezing temperatures, our snow is gradually melting. The pond has been free of ice for about a week. During the winter we leave the water flowing in the small stream to provide aeration for our fish. Hopefully they will survive over the winter.
As I walk around, my eyes wander all around. I look in the distance and see the snow covered hills. I look side to side and see the surrounding trees, shrubs, and meadows. I see a path leading to who knows where. I turn around and see where I have been. I look up and see beautiful clouds in the sky. I stumble and look at my feet. I see abstract detailed patterns staring back at me.
In my New Year’s Day post I talked about dreaming for the garden to emerge in the spring. But, the weather is not cooperating as the temperature hovers around freezing. The forecast is for even more snow tonight and tomorrow. Oh well, I will have the opportunity to photograph fresh new snow.
I thought I would start the new year with a thought of what Heatherwood will look like in the spring. The winter snow has been beautiful, but I am getting a little tired of plowing the driveway and shoveling snow. During these winter days, I enjoy the time to sit back and plan for the next projects we will undertake in the garden. I close my eyes, dream, smile, and think of the coming new year.
I wish all a Happy New Year filled with happy times, new experiences, and wonderful adventures.
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.
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.
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!
