Tag Archives: Heatherwood Japanese Garden

First Snow

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Winter Blanket on Kotoji and Stream
Heatherwood Japanese Garden

Yesterday, the forecast was for rain. We were surprised as the light rain turned to a full snowfall by mid morning. After about four hours of snowing, it warmed up a bit and started to rain again. It quickly began to melt.

During the transition between the snow and rain, I grabbed my camera and took a jaunt through the garden. Everything was so very quiet. There was not any vehicle action through the neighborhood. No one was out shoveling at the time. Even the birds were not out! Everything was so very peaceful. I enjoyed the quiet and peace as I wandered through the snow covered landscape. What a beautiful stroll!

This morning the skies are bright blue without a cloud. The ground is still covered with snow but the trees have lost their snow blanket. It’s time to take another stroll through our Heatherwood landscape before all the snow melts.

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Decision Time

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Kotoji and Waterfall
Heatherwood Japanese Garden

I enjoy the sound of the rushing water as it moves through the main hillside stream past the Kotoji lantern. The visual impact is stunning as well. Alas, it is the time to make the annual decision to turn off the water, or not. I delay day after day … should I turn it off now or wait one more day? If the stream freezes it may flow over the sides and wash out some of the surrounding ground. Should I be safe and turn it off now, or can I wait a day or two more? Later this week the temperature is forecast to drop below freezing for a period of time. I will turn it off today before I forget.

Not all is lost, I will still be able to keep the small side waterfall flowing throughout the winter. The sides are steep enough to keep the water flowing into the pond.

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Looking Out My Office Window

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Fall Colors
Heatherwood Japanese Garden

I begin each day in my office writing in my journal. The sun was not up when I started writing today. When I was finished I turned around and saw the early morning light on the garden outside my office window. My mind quickly shifted from scattered daily thoughts to just enjoying the beauty of nature in front of me. What a great way to begin the day ahead!

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Fall Glory

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Japanese Garden Entry
Heatherwood Fall

I started the day walking into the garden with my garden tools. I was planning on doing a little work. I did not get very far. The sun softly peeked through the light cloud cover. The colors of the garden were gorgeous. I turned around, put my tools away, and grabbed my camera. Three hours later I came in for lunch.

I have been working on our garden for ten years now. Our efforts are gradually taking effect. I had pretty much a clean slate to work with. For the first three years, this hillside was just a green lawn. In 2019, we tackled this area and started to create a Japanese inspired garden. Six years later most of this upper area is covered with maples, conifers, and ground covers. We sit back and enjoy just watching the area mature. As the conifers get larger and produce more shade, there will be room for a few more Japanese maples who are less tolerant to the bright eastern Washington sun.

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Look Down

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Shapes, Textures, and Tones
Heatherwood Japanese Garden Path

As I walk along our garden paths, my eyes are constantly moving. I look down and see this dwarf hemlock being surrounded and crowded by Japanese forest grass, low hanging viburnum branches, and a little Japanese variegated fern. What catches my eye is the variety and combination of textures, shapes, and color tones. When I stroll around the garden, I usually am not looking or searching for anything specific. I take the time to let a scene or vignette come to me and say, “Here I am, enjoy!”

Have a great day and enjoy each moment!

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Around the Corner

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Japanese Garden Path
Heatherwood Autumn

Walking around the corner of Heatherwood’s Japanese garden path, I immediately am attracted to the fall color beauty of our variegated dogwood. I pause and enjoy the colors, shapes, and textures of the overall garden scene. The dogwood leaves and berries draw me in for a closer look.

‘Cherokee Daybreak’ Flowering Dogwood

Red berries pop out along the branches. Pink fall color takes over the leaf margins. It’s a pretty sight to see!

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Around the Corner

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Japanese Garden Path
Heatherwood Autumn

Morning sunshine flows through the Japanese maples and conifers along the garden path. The maples are beginning to transition to their bright fall color. The ground covers and green shrubs and conifers are holding on to their summer greens.

As I walk along the path I look side to side and enjoy the various plants up close. I look forward along the curving path and anticipate what is around the corner … next post.

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Feeling Versus Reality

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Pond Abstract
Heatherwood Japanese Garden

I always have been drawn to the work impressionistic painters. When viewing their work I tend to walk away with a deeper feeling than I do with other forms of painting. As I photograph, many times I will focus on a scene and think this spot would be a great spot to set up an easel if I were a painter. I squint and try to envision how an impressionistic painter would attempt to create their art piece. Today, I decided to play with one of my images and try to create an impressionistic feeling.

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Time to Turn the Corner

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Garden Path
Heatherwood Japanese Garden

Today is the summer solstice. The garden is turning the corner from spring to summer. The new growth on the trees and shrubs are maturing into their summer shades. The perennials are starting to progress through their blooming schedule throughout the garden. As one fades, another picks up. The garden meadow areas are becoming a flush of colors and textures.

On the personal side, it has been one week since the Yakima Arboretum tour of gardens. The weeks of time in preparation have led a very successful tour of our Heatherwood garden and other gardens in the area. It’s time to turn the corner from a very busy time of garden preparation to a more relaxed time of enjoyment and contemplation in our Heaterwood Eden. Summer is here!

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Enjoying the Details

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Autumn Moon Maple
Heatherwood Japanese Garden

Walking through a narrow garden path, I brush up against overhanging leaves. I can’t help but stop and admire. I enjoy the leaves at my fingertips as well as the ferns and other leaves below. I reach down, hold a leaf in my hand, and feel the details, shape, color, and textures. After several moments, I continue my walk and look for more details to admire.

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