Akebono in Full Bloom
Heatherwood Spring
The white blooms of the Akebono cherries accent the edges of Heatherwood’s Japanese garden area. Two Akebonos anchor the eastern and western edges of the garden. A third shields the edge of the pond. While the length of the blooms are fleeting, the grace of the trees continue throughout the year.
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.
Akebono Cherry in Spring Glory
Heatherwood Spring
As the weeping cherries fade the Akebono cherries reach their peak. This is the first year that we have had a full bloom on our Akebono cherries. We planted them three years ago. They are already making their presence known in our garden.
Leaves are just starting to emerge on the maple, tulip treee, and plum ash in the background. This year we are planning on planting several additional trees to fill in the empty spots.
“Akebono Cherry”
Heatherwood Spring
Soon after the daffodils start to bloom, our Akebono cherry trees start to break out in blossoms. Heatherwood has several different types of flowering cherries. Some are early bloomers like the Akebono and some flower 3-4 weeks later. Throughout the garden we have 18 cherry trees. Most are single trees spaced out in different parts of the garden. Others are grouped together to form an allee.
“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.