Category Archives: Our Garden

Images taken in our Pennsylvania garden

Rushing Water

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“Upper Waterfall”
Heatherwood Japanese Garden

The last several posts have been focused on the Portland Japanese Garden. Now it is time to come back to our Heatherwood garden.

The rushing water creates a soft rumbling roar in our Japanese garden. At times when I am alone, I sometimes sit by the waterfall, close my eyes and focus on the sound of the rushing water. The busy surrounding world seems to fade away. I sit and think about the more simple things in life.

The soft rumbling water
clears my mind.
Life’s simple things appear.

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Purple and White

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“New Echinaceas”
Heatherwood Summer Meadow

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.

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Strange Leaf

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“Ed Wood Japanese Maple”
Heatherwood Summer

The hot direct sunlight brings out the red color to the tips of this Japanese maple. This species has quite a different leaf pattern than the standard palmateum or dissectum varieties of Japanese maples. The leaf itself is huge, about 4 inches. The east-facing side of the maple is protected by its canopy from the scorching summer sun we have been having. The west-facing side of the tree is starting to get brown seared leaves from the harsh afternoon sun.

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109

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“Pacific Fire”
Heatherwood Summer

The last couple of weeks have been hotter than Hades. This week has been between 105 and 110 degrees. Today we are suppose to reach 109. This scene in our south east conifer corner looks like it is on fire with all the yellow and reds. We planted the “Pacific Fire” vine maple behind the Adirondack settee three weeks ago. It is showing off its flame-colored leaves. I hope that they don’t get carried away and burn off!

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Similar Lantern, Different Feeling

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“Kotoji and Stream”
Portland Japanese Garden

The Kotoji Japanese lantern in the Portland Japanese Garden is tucked away, partly hidden by surrounding shrubs and weeping maples. Shade has stimulated moss to grow on the lantern over the years. The lantern peacefully looks over the gentle, slow moving small stream.

At Heatherwood, the feeling is quite different. The surrounding shrubs and Orangeola Japanese maple have not had the years to mature and surround the Kotoji. The lantern is in full direct sun and stands like a strong guardian over the rapidly rushing stream and waterfalls.

“Kotoji and Waterfall”
Heatherwood Japanese Garden

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Another Influence

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“Lantern and Wash Basin”
Portland Japanese Garden

A lantern and wash basin typically greet visitors before they enter a Japanese garden tea house. This one in the Portland Japanese Garden is tucked into a little shaded cove just inside the gate leading to the tea house.

At Heatherwood, we do not have a tea house but are attempting to create a small cozy secluded sitting area to peacefully view the pond, stream, and water fall. In addition to an occasional cup of tea, it is a nice place to have a morning cup of coffee or afternoon glass of wine or other refreshing beverage. At the entrance of the sitting area, we have installed a small Japanese lantern and wash basin to simulate the feeling of Japanese garden tea house.

“Oribe Lantern, Tetsu Bachi Basin, & Kakehi Water Spout”
Heatherwood Japanese Garden

As you can see, the vegetation has not grown up around the water feature and it is not covered with moss. We patiently wait for surrounding plants and Japanese maples to grow and create a shady canopy for the wash basin.

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Design Inspiration

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“Lantern On Waterfall Pond”
Portland Japanese Garden

This scene at the Portland Japanese Garden was my initial inspiration for a corner of our pond in Heatherwood’s Japanese influenced garden. Our vignette at Heatherwood is quite a bit different, but contains many of the same elements. We built a rock ledge extending out over our pond and placed a similar type of Japanese lantern overlooking the pond. To the left of the lantern we planted Siberian iris which parallels the irises in the Portland garden. We planted an Akebono cherry tree to the right of the lantern. We have a sitting area behind the lantern with a rock stepping stone path leading up to the pond beside the lantern. We have just purchased a Japanese maple to plant alongside the lantern. Below is our Heatherwood perspective.

“Yukimi Japanese Lantern & Pond”
Heatherwood Japanese Garden

We have a long way to go before we have a “finished looking” scene. Each year we enjoy watching the garden evolve as we add new touches.

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A Place to Run and Play

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“The Playfield”
Heatherwood Summer

One of our design criteria for the Heatherwood landscape was to create an area for kids to run and play. Our lower lawn is large enough for a little football or wiffleball field or a full size volleyball court. The areas around the lawn do not include any rocks for kids to bang into. The edges also do not include valuable plants that may be damaged. Lawn paths lead to other areas were kids can run and play tag. The lawn is even relatively flat. And if you stay in the area near the background planting area, Mom or Dad can’t see you from the house! If Mom and Dad want to watch the kids play, there is even a place for them to sit with a nice view of the surrounding country side.

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Heart and Soul

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“Forest Pansy Redbud Leaf”
Heatherwood Woodland

Many times as I walk through our garden, I just let my imagination wander. I am not looking for anything in particular. But when something catches my eye, I stop and explore with my mind and soul. Many times, after pausing for a few moments, I just move on. Sometimes I become captured and just let my mind wander.

I saw this pretty bright new leaf on the tip of a branch. My eyes followed it up along the branch as it led up to the trunk of the tree. The heart seemed to be beating as it softly fluttered in the breeze. I imagined it feeding its blood along the branches to the other leaves and softly back up to the soul of the tree. It is wonderful what imagination can do! Look around, look up to the clouds, and dream. It is a wonderful way to enjoy a moment!

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Shades of Green

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“Along the Garden Path”
Heatherwood Japanese Garden

Shades of green highlight Heatherwood’s Japanese influenced garden area. Hints of reds and oranges provide a touch of contrast. The garden path meanders through the plantings. A new perspective lies beyond every turn. Every day as I walk through it, I appreciate how thing the various plantings are progressing. I enjoy what is currently in place and imagine how it will be as it matures.

I continuously envision what needs to be removed, changed, and/or added to improve the area. Where do we need additional shade? Do I need to transplant a plant to make room for one that needs more space? Do I need something new to complement an existing plant or fill in a blank space? These are just a few of the questions that I ask as my eyes and mind gaze over the garden. Just yesterday, we removed a dead shrub and transplanted an existing shrub to make room for a new tree and fill in where I removed the dead one. Then we planted a new Japanese maple to anchor the side of the stream and provide a little vertical height to frame the view. Working in the garden is a continuous exercise of enjoying the moment and imagining what can be.

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