Okame Cherry
Heatherwood Japanese Garden
Strolling in the Yakima Arboretum, I noticed the bright pink of the Okame cherries in the flowering cherry collection next to the Japanese Garden. I just had to have one for our Heatherwood garden. This one, still in its pot, has since found a spot in our Japanese garden area. It adds to our collection of Akebono, Pink Flair, Kawansan, and two unknown varieties. We now have 17 flowering cherries that brighten our spring garden.
Blue Spruces, Flowering Plum, & Louie White Pine
Heatherwood Spring
Early spring has brought a plethora of color to our Heatherwood garden. I have been so busy working in the garden expanding a new conifer garden that I have not taken the time to photograph the evolving spring color. Over the next several posts, I will try to record some of the spring evolution in the garden.
This image shows the mid-morning sunlight exposing the flowering plum, two blue spruces, a Louie Eastern White Pine and an Ivory Halo red-twig dogwood. The pink and chartreuse provide a nice contrast to the blue spruces. This is one of the colorful vignettes that we see from our upper patio.
Blue Ice Arizona Cypress
Heatherwood SW Conifer Corner
I visualize this beautiful Arizona Cypress holding out its arms (branches) welcoming the upcoming spring. We have just three weeks until the first official day of spring. With the recent nice weather, we have made good progress in our late winter/early spring garden preparation. The ornamental grasses, perennials, and several shrubs have been trimmed back. Next week I will start pruning the Japanese maples.
Heatherwood’s southwest corner, where this Arizona Cypress is located, is our next major project. Next week we will start to carve out a meandering path, add berms, and place rocks to prepare the area for spring planting. Our target is to create a special place to enjoy specimen conifers and Japanese maples.
Spring is just around the corner!
Plethora of Color, Textures, and Shapes
Heatherwood Winter Garden
This small vignette in the lower garden has a little bit of everything. Russian sage and spent rudbeckia display blue and grey with a hint of brown as well as provide fine and course textures. Red twig, yellow twig, and Midwinter Fire dogwoods show a blast of color and texture. The grasses in the background are a break in the color and provide a contrast in form and texture with their flowing seed heads. The vertical conifer trees frame the image with varying textures and yellow, green, and blue colors. The dark green Mugo Pine anchors the center of the image and provides a sharp contrast in color against the dogwoods.
Later this winter the Russian sage, dogwoods, rudbeckia and grasses will all be cut back. In spring, new growth will emerge providing a fresh pallet of color, texture, and form.
Southwest Corner
Heatherwood Winter
We are almost three weeks into the new year, and we have been busy planning our spring project for Heatherwood. Over the last several years we have been adding several trees and shrubs in the lower southwest corner of the garden. Last year we removed several Green Giant arborvitae to make room for additional conifers. This year we have initiated planning to finish the area off with more conifers, Japanese maples, ground covers, and a meandering path. (Note the painted dashes that outline the future path.) Several of the grasses will be transplanted throughout other parts of the garden. This project will complete the base structure of our Heatherwood garden. A garden is never finished. Future projects will always be added to create additional highlights and incorporate new ideas.
Burr Oak & Cranberry Viburnum
Heatherwood Winter
The sight of a leafless Burr Oak sends a winter chill through my spine. Of course the below freezing temperatures help a bit as well. The combination of the berries on the Cranberry Viburnum and the stark structure and bark of the oak create an interesting winter attraction in our Heatherwood garden. Many of our tree and shrub selections have been made to create a four season interest in the garden. Winter strolls are always a delight.
Yellow, Blue, and Green
Heatherwood in Winter
I took my last stroll of 2024 through our Heatherwood garden this morning. Sunrays filtered through the cloudy sky. Colors of the garden popped out. I started out for just a short stroll in the cool winter day (34 degrees). Two hours later I came in. Where did the time go? I got lost in the winter color and textures. It was a great way to start the day!
Winter Color in First Snow
Heatherwood
We just returned from a two week break in Palm Desert where the temperatures were in the high 70’s and low 80’s. We were welcomed by a little snow fall. It was a great way to experience a quick change of seasons.
Heatherwood is created to have color throughout the four seasons. In this scene, the berries of a cranberry viburnum provide a bright orange. The leaves of a sawtooth oak create the bronze. A yellow twig dogwood contrasts with a blue spruce. Oak leaf hydrangeas add a little red to the scene. The beauty of our garden is a treat to return to, even in winter.
Looking Through the Upper Garden
Heatherwood Autumn
Several walkers pass by our garden on their daily walks. One of Heatherwood’s design objectives was to provide view windows through the garden up to the ridge above. This image is taken from the road through one of the windows into our upper garden. Frequently a walker will stop for a minute or two to take a peek.
Akebono Cherry, Fingerling Japanese Maple, Yukimi & Kotoji Lantern
Heatherwood Japanese Garden
I was sitting in my office doing a little work and looked out the window. The morning light covered the garden outside my window. The heck with work … I grabbed my camera and started playing in the soft light. The color was amazing, I moved from one position to another searching for little vignettes. Three hours later, my creative juices stopped flowing. I had covered less than one-third of the garden. Well, there is always tomorrow morning to do some additional exploring.