“Red Maple”
Heatherwood Woodland
This red maple is leading the charge into autumn in our Heatherwood woodland. It is one of the red maples that we planted a year ago. It is brilliant red while the other two are not showing any color change yet. Who knows why. I will record the changes in my garden notes and see if this behavior will remain the same in future years. I look forward to what next week will bring.
“Changing Colors”
Heatherwood Autumn
It is already the middle of October and the autumn colors are slowly turning. Most of the deciduous trees are still green. Day by day they are changing into their fall color. Patches of yellow, orange, and red are starting to appear throughout the garden. The color change this year seems to be about two to three weeks later than last year. We have been having a beautiful Indian Summer. We are still eating most of our meals outside to enjoy the beautiful warm weather. The lawn seems to be growing as fast or faster than it has any time of the year. I am still mowing it two times a week! From the tracks in the lawn, it looks like the guy driving the mower has had a beer or two too many.
“Kousa Dogwood Berries”
Heaterwood Autumn
The bright berries of our dogwoods are always a sign that Autumn is here. Our kousa is just a little tree right now, but it is full of bright red berries. By the time the last berry drops, we will have a beautiful blanket of red beneath the tree.
Back in Pennsylvania, we had a row of mature Kousa dogwoods that lined the driveway. Every day from the time they started to drop their berries until the last one fell, we had to sweep our driveway to keep the cars from squishing the berries and making a big mess. In the spring we had a zillion of little seedlings. We replanted many and nursed them to a state where they could be planted back in our pin oak grove. We had a natural supply of new dogwoods. I look forward to doing the same at Heatherwood and share them with our neighbors.
“Woodland Garden”
Heatherwood Autumn
Bit by bit, the fall colors are emerging here in Heatherwood. They seem to be coming a little late this year. But, each day brings a little more color, bit by bit. In the woodland garden, the red buds and some Japanese maples are transitioning to yellow. The October Glory maples are starting to turn red. And, the skies are a brilliant blue. It is time to go out and enjoy the day!
“Amber Ghost Japanese Maple”
Heatherwood Hill of Learning
We planted this beautiful Japanese maple a couple of weeks ago. It has already started to change into its autumn glory. We now have 44 Japanese maples planted throughout Heatherwood. This Amber Ghost will accentuate the view out of my office window. Every morning when I write, I turn and gaze out over the “Hill of Learning” to get a little inspiration of what is to come during the emerging day.
“Early Morning Sunlight”
Heatherwood Japanese Garden
The color is starting to change in our Heatherwood garden. The early morning sunlight brightens up the colorful leaves. Every day brings a change in the colors. For the next several weeks I will be out in the garden continuously. Every day presents a gift of something new.
“Kotoji, Red Dragon and Ryu Sei Japanese Maples”
Heatherwood Japanese Garden
The Kotoji Japanese lantern is flanked by the ‘Red Dragon’ Japanese maple on the left and the new ‘Ryu Sei’ maple on the right. The Red Dragon was planted in 2019 when the Japanese garden was first constructed. The Kotoji lantern was added the next spring. We just planted the Ryu Sei this summer. The Ryu has a weeping form. Over time it will grow and gracefully bend over the stream below the Kotoji.
Heatherwood is constantly changing and growing. As long as my imagination continues, I hope to continuously add to to the garden.
“Two Zelkovas”
Heatherwood Summer
Four years ago this area was a pasture of grass and weeds. The house and garage below was clearly visible. It is amazing how a few trees, shrubs, perennials, and grass can change the scene. The lawn grass was planted three years ago. The trees and most of the shrubs and perennials were planted two years ago. Several fill in perennials were planted last year. This year we have just sat back and enjoyed this part of Heatherwood.
In the years ahead, the two Zelkova trees will grow and form a natural canopy and “tunnel” between the two planting beds. The trees in the background will get taller and entirely block our neighbor’s garage. The shrubs, ornamental grasses, and perennials will fill in and continue to add color and interest. For now, we sit back and enjoy!
“Yukimi and Scolopendrifolium”
Heatherwood Japanese Garden
Last week I added a new member to Heatherwood’s Japanese garden. It has quite a tongue-twister name: Acer Palmatum ‘Scolopendrifolium. Being an engineer, I have a hard time pronouncing a word with more than three syllables.
I planted the maple just south of the Yukimi to give the lantern a little protection. As the maple matures, it will form an umbrella shape weeping over the lantern and pond. From different view points it will help separate and frame the two waterfalls feeding the pond. Three years ago when we first build the pond, I imagined a lantern at the pond’s edge sheltered by a weeping Japanese maple. I was conflicted between having a wide-open view of both waterfalls or framed view of each. This summer, I finally made the decision to add the maple.
The structure of Heatherwood is pretty much in place. I enjoy walking around the garden searching for places where new plants, shrubs, and trees will enhance the overall garden. At the same time, I critically assess if a specific plant needs to be moved to a more suitable location. I feel lucky to be able to simultaneously enjoy what is in place and imagine what the garden will evolve to given time and a little help.
“Acer Palmatum Dissectum Structure
Portland Japanese Garden
I love the delicate structure and leaves of Japanese Maples. They are planted in artistic displays throughout the Portland Japanese Garden. A staff of creative artists meticulously groom the trees. Each one is an art piece. I wish I could say the same for the Japanese maples in our Heatherwood garden. I focus on doing the minimum pruning just to keep them healthy and somewhat balanced. I dream of someday having the opportunity to work with a “Japanese maple artist” to gain a simple insight on his/her creative talent.