Happy Easter

Leave a reply

“Almost Opened Daffodills”
Heatherwood Spring

Today we will host our family Easter celebration. We will have three generations of Grafs, Downeys, Pecks, and Powells with us this year. The older generation will relax and laugh as we watch the youngsters search for the Easter eggs. There are plenty of spots to hide them in our Heatherwood garden. While we relax and laugh, the middle generation parents will nervously make sure their kids don’t get carried away.

While we enjoy the day, we will all thank our Lord in our own way for the life He has given for us.

Happy Easter to all!

Related Images:

[Not a valid template]

Signs of Spring

Leave a reply

“Yukimi and Siberian Iris”
Heatherwood Spring

The early spring blooms of the Siberian iris signal that spring is here. This year’s display is much more sparse than previous years. The early hard fall freeze and the late winter snow may have discouraged many of the bulbs from rising above the ground. We will probably need to refresh the area by planting more bulbs this autumn.

The small Japanese maple is forming buds. It will be another 3 to 4 weeks before the leaves burst out. I keep reminding myself, patience, patience, patience!

Related Images:

[Not a valid template]

A Nice Day in the Country

Leave a reply

“Looking West From Meadow”
Heatherwood Spring

It is nice to live in the country. Heatherwood is surrounded by small farms with hay fields, horses, cows, chickens and rabbits. Red-tailed hawks constantly hover above in wide circles looking for their next meal. Coyotes cry out in the evenings. The surrounding hills and our neighbor’s homes are a nice backdrop for our Heatherwood garden. We enjoy the peaceful, bucolic countryside.

Related Images:

[Not a valid template]

The Maples are Emerging

Leave a reply

“Emerging October Glory Maple Leaves”
Heatherwood Spring

Here come the new leaves as a few of last year’s leaves hang on. Last fall we had some very warm weather, then a severe cold snap hit. Many of the maple leaves did not even get a chance to turn color. They just turned brown and hung on to the tree. When an early snow hit at the end of November, it loaded up wet snow on the leaf-covered branches causing several large branches to break. We are watching closely this spring to see if we need to do any additional pruning to help the trees recover.

Related Images:

[Not a valid template]

It’s Time to Prune the Roses …

Leave a reply

“Forsythia”
Heatherwood Spring

As the Farmer’s Almanac says, “When the forsythias bloom, it is time to prune the roses.” I will be busy this coming week.

I spent a couple of hours walking around our garden with Mary today. She gladly volunteered to be my sherpa. I worked with two cameras, switching back and forth between a macro and a telephoto zoom. While I was using one, she held the other. It sure was a lot easier than changing lenses back and forth. Thank you Mary!

Related Images:

[Not a valid template]

Spring Brightness

Leave a reply

“Louie Eastern White Pine Tip”
Heatherwood Spring

Early morning sun shines brightly through the tip of one our Louie eastern white pines. A shaded blue spruce provides a great background. The bright yellow is the Louie’s winter shade. Soon it will be turning into a light green as spring moves to summer.

I love my morning walks in our Heatherwood garden.

Related Images:

[Not a valid template]

Here They Come

Leave a reply

“Emerging Daffodils”
Heatherwood Crabapple Grove

Here come the daffodils, finally! They are emerging two to three weeks later than last year. The cold snap we had in late February has held back our spring outburst of new growth and color.

We are still searching for the right plants to carpet the floor of Heatherwood’s crabapple grove after the daffodils bloom and their foliage dies back.

Related Images:

[Not a valid template]

Patch of Spring

Leave a reply

“Crocus Patch”
Heatherwood, Early Spring

In the fall of 2020 we planted our first batch (3000) of spring bulbs all around our garden. Now we have several patches of spring color popping up all over. Once they start emerging, I can hardly control myself from wanting to go out the first thing in the morning to see what new is happening in the garden.

We are getting ready to place our order for this fall.

Related Images:

[Not a valid template]

Spring is Here

Leave a reply

“Cornelian Cherry Dogwood”
Heatherwood, Early Spring

Our Cornelian cherry dogwood is Heatherwood’s first tree to start blooming. The buds are just starting to break. Soon the forsythia and star magnolias will start break into their spring glory as well.

The first day of spring was five days ago. Today is the first time that I have been able to take a walk in our garden with my camera to welcome spring.

Related Images:

[Not a valid template]

Not So “Bright and Shiny”

Leave a reply

“Mary’s Bright & Shiny Garden”
Heatherwood, Early Spring

Our Heatherwood garden is the least interesting at this point of winter’s transition to spring. All the grasses and perennials have been trimmed back. New growth is waiting for the warmth of spring to sprout up. Typically, this garden patch between the cherry trees and yellow twig dogwoods is full of color and textures. We will just have to wait for about a month for the new growth and blooms to emerge into Heatherwood’s spring beauty.

Related Images:

[Not a valid template]