“Purple Lilac Buds”
Heatherwood Spring
Our lilacs are getting ready to burst out into their spring bloom. I planted a row of lilacs along the north eastern part of our property about five years ago. The bushes were about 18 inches tall. The first year, each plant had only a couple of blossoms. Now they are over six feet tall and are laden with beautiful blooms. One of the things I enjoy the most about our garden is watching how plants grow and mature over time.
“Pink Cherokee Chief Dogwood”
Heatherwood Spring
After the early blooming yellow Cornelian Cherry dogwood, our pink Cherokee Chiefs are the next dogwoods to bloom. The sepals are just starting to spread now. In a day or two, I anticipate that they will be in full bloom.
Our two pink dogwoods were here when I first moved to our Selah home in 2016. They greet us as well as visitors as we/they enter our upper driveway.
“Cornelian Cherry Dogwood Bloom”
Heatherwood Spring
Our Cornelian Cherry Dogwood is one of the first bloomers of the year in early March. The blooms have remained for over a month! They start off as little yellow “puff-balls” then mature into graceful blossoms as the sepals spread out. This beautiful little tree remains a star of the garden through early spring!
There is so much going on in the garden as the temperatures start to rise this spring. I discover new tiny leaves, bulging buds, new baby conifer cones, along with new blossoms every day. I enjoy just walking through the garden examining the changing details of all the new life! It’s a wonderful way to start the day.
“Celebrating Easter”
Heatherwood Lower Garden
Easter is a time of emergence and new life. Heatherwood welcomes Easter with its early spring burst of bulbs, trees blooming and leafing out, perennials popping out of the ground, and grass greening up. It is a celebration of life that nature and our Lord has given us.
“Neighbor’s Willow”
Heatherwood View
Our neighbor’s willow tree brightens my day. Most mornings while I am waiting for my early morning coffee to brew, I walk to our living room window and look over our garden and up the hillside above. This willow always draws my gaze. Even on a dreary early spring day, the tree’s brightness is a harbinger of a good day ahead. Thank You!
“Cherry Allee in Bloom”
Heatherwood Spring
I looked out my window this morning, and there was no snow falling . And, the forecast was for a series of gently increasing temperatures and no more snow. I was happy. A few moments later the snow started to fall again. I closed my eyes and said a couple of words under my breath. Then I said, “enough is enough!” I thought of a bright and sunny early spring day. So I am posting a scene from Heatherwood depicting my vision. Have a beautiful day!
“Daffies in Snow”
Heatherwood Crabapple Grove
What is going on? A week ago it was beautiful spring weather. Spring buds were bursting open. This week it snowed. The snow melted, then it snowed again. It started to melt once more. Now the forecast is for more snow.
I think nature is trying to tell me that it is not time to plant yet. This crazy week has caused us to delay our spring planting for a week. It is hard to adjust the irrigation sprinkler system when the lines and drippers are covered with snow.
“Spring Snowfall and Cherry Blossoms”
Heatherwood Spring
Just when I was getting ready to go outside and work in the garden, the skies darkened and this funny white stuff started to fall again. This time it was with big snowflakes. Is it spring or is it winter? This flash of winter-like weather has many orchardists in our area very worried. It is occurring at a time when the new buds are emerging. They are cautiously checking for any frost damage potential to this year’s crop. More snow and below freezing is forecast for the balance of the week. I am considering delaying the start date for my spring planting for a week or so.
“Spring Snow Dusting on Daffodils”
Heatherwood Spring
My plans for the day were to get down on my hands and knees and adjust our irrigation sprinklers. Surprise, not today! The snow is scheduled to turn to rain this afternoon. Maybe tomorrow we will be able to work on the sprinklers. Our plants for our spring project arrive on Friday. We hope to start planting next Monday!
“Serviceberry and Daffodils”
Heatherwood Spring
At this time of year, it is hard to keep up with all the emerging new blooms and leaves. As the blooms of the weeping cherries are receding, the flowers of the serviceberries are emerging. The serviceberry blooms are relatively short-lived. Bees are already hovering all over them. Soon small berries will develop. I must pay close attention if I want to capture an image of them. They only last a few days because birds quickly gobble them up.