“Last of October Glory”
Heatherwood Late Fall
The end of autumn in our Heatherwood Garden is drawing near. Our October Glory maples are the last of our standard maples to loose their leaves. This little group of leaves are the last still hanging on our maples in the woodland garden. The fallen leaves in the background cover the ground keeping our bulbs warm in the coming winter.
“Grass, Hydrangea, and Yellow Twig”
Heatherwood Late Fall
At times bright contrasts catch my eye. Other times a blend of subtle colors differences catch my eye. The browns and golds with their textural contrasts drew me to this vignette. As I walk around Heatherwood, I see various “pieces of art” scattered around the garden. They are always changing. Never do I see them the same way.
“Yellow Twig Dogwood & Red Bergenia”
Heatherwood Late Fall
Growing up, my favorite colors from my color crayon box were yellow and red. They were always the first crayons to be used up. It doesn’t surprise me that we have this color combination throughout Heatherwood. The bright red bergenia and the yellow twig dogwood provide an interesting contrast in both color and texture. Now we just need to add green ground cover to complete the vignette.
“Red Twig Dogwood Screen”
Heatherwood Late Fall
As we designed Heatherwood, we set a criteria to have varying color during all four seasons. To help accomplish this we planted an assortment of red twig, yellow twig, and multi-color twig dogwood shrubs throughout the garden. Several have already grown to the three-foot level like the red twig in the image above. They provide stand alone color as well as a screening effect in the garden. It will take two to three more years to get the full benefit of these shrubs.
“Fothergilla and Maple Leaf”
Heatherwood Japanese Garden
Thanksgiving is a time to sit back, contemplate, and give thanks for the many things in the wonderful world around us. Everywhere I turn in our Heatherwood garden I see a little wonder of nature, This spent Japanese maple leaf among glorious reds, oranges, and yellows of a fothergilla highlights the beauty of the changing season. Noticing little things like the leaf on my daily strolls through our garden brings me excitement, peace, and balance. Being in nature frees up my mind from the many distractions of life and allows me to focus on what is most important to me. It reminds me to celebrate all the good that is in our world.
May you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving with your friends, family, and loved ones! And, please take the time to give thanks for all the good around us.
Happy Thanksgiving!
“Hoar Frost on Redbud”
Heatherwood Japanese Garden
When we left for our vacation, Heatherwood was in its fall color prime. When we returned 2 weeks later, most of the leaves on the trees had fallen. The only trees with any appreciable leaves hanging are some October Glory maples, a few oaks, and a Vanessa perrotia.
When we left Palm desert two days ago it was 85 degrees. Yesterday, when we returned home it was a bitter 29 degrees. There was still hoar frost on the trees and other plants at 1:30p. I couldn’t help getting my camera out for a few quick photos of the garden.
As the garden transitions from fall to winter, Heatherwood is still full of color. In addition, the textures of the flowing grasses and the branches of shrubs provide a striking contrast of structure. Berries and fruits remain on our crabapples, viburnums, and hollies. Several evergreens have turned to their bright yellow color as ground covers have turned to their oranges, reds, and burgundies. Heatherwood has been designed for four season interest. A winter stroll wrapped in warm clothes is enticing.
“Lower Yard & View”
Heatherwood Fall
After two weeks of vacation, we are missing our Heatherwood home. We look forward to see how much has changed during our absence. With a serious wind storm, we expect that all the leaves on the trees have fallen and the shrubs and grasses have been weather beaten. I am sure that this scene will be quite different when we return.
“Spent But Still in Fall Glory”
Heatherwood Japanese Garden
Today’s image is quite a contrast to my last B&W post. This ‘Waterfall’ Japanese Maple decided to show off a few of its remaining leaves against the background of a brilliant Fothergilla. Heatherwood is still full of fall splendor. As one plant loses it color, another blossoms out in its fall glory. Every day in our garden brings change and a new perspective … just like life. It is our opportunity and challenge to make the best out of each new day.
“Akebono Cherry & Waterfall”
Heatherwood Japanese Garden
Today, I woke up to a cool, dreary morning … great day for photographing! This newly planted (this spring) Akebono cherry has lost all of its leaves and just looked cold against the flowing waterfall. Black and white captured the feeling.
The Akebono was the first of our cherry trees to transition to its golden yellow fall color. As such, it was also first to loose its leaves. Our Heatherwood garden has sixteen cherry trees. The two Kwansan Cherries and a couple of our weeping cheery trees still have their leaves, the other twelve are now just “stick trees” waiting for winter to come.
“Liatris”
Heatherwood Meadow
As I walk through our Heatherwood garden, I constantly look for little vignettes that catch my eye. When I see something of interest, I pause to look at it from different perspectives. I tilt my head, squat up and down, move around, squint my eyes, and imagine how I can translate what I see into something a little unique. Many times I just move on, other times I imagine what I can do in post processing. For this image, I knew that it was a painting from the start. With a little help from Topaz Impression out popped my interpretation.