“Meadow Overlook”
Heatherwood Summer
This is the view of our early summer Heatherwood meadow from our top lawn. We extended our upper lawn out to provide this viewing perspective of the lower lawn and meadow. The flowing grasses, colorful perennials, and welcoming green lawn draw us down for a stroll. The background trees provide separation from our neighbors.
It is time to start the morning with a little walk.
“Transition”
Heatherwood Meadow
Our Heatherwood garden is comprised of several different areas. Between the areas we have created multiple transitions for one area to flow into another almost seamlessly. The image above illustrates how the meadow area consisting of perennials and grasses transition to a layer of medium sized deciduous shrubs and evergreens. The transition area serves as a background to keep focus on the meadow and separate it from a lawn and woodland area beyond.
“Winter Color”
Heatherwood Meadow
As the winter season gets ready to turn to spring, Heatherwood’s winter color continues to become more dynamic. It is hard for me to let go of the winter color and start to trim the winter grasses and last year’s perennials back to make room for the new growth. But spring is rapidly approaching and I must start cutting back last year’s spent growth. The garden will look a little bare for 3-4 weeks, but soon the new growth will start to present itself for the glory of spring.
“Meadow Grasses”
Heatherwood Winter
During the next several posts, I will present various images of Heatherwood’s winter beauty. Even on a cloudy dreary day the contrasts of the golden grasses against the snow and dark background trees and foreground spent perennials create a beauty of their own.
“Winter Beauty”
Heatherwood Meadow
I woke up to early morning fog covering Heatherwood. As the fog lifted, it left a little hoar frost across the garden. Out came my camera. It was time for a little winter walk in the garden. I initially was focusing on small details but was not coming up with much that I was happy with. I looked up and saw this set of golden layered grasses and the evergreen background. The grasses were tipped with a thin layer of hoar frost that provided highlights and a little winter contrast that separated the layers.
“Meadow Grasses & Perennials”
Heatherwood Meadow
The golden brown stalks of our ornamental grasses blew gently in the breeze during a recent snowfall. Their motion inhibited light powdery snow from sticking to stalk heads. In contrast the stiffer stalks of the spent rudbeckia reduce motion and allow snow to build up on the flower heads. The various textures and different shades of brown caught my eye as I walked through the meadow. There is always something to see during my strolls.
A recent heavy snowfall has matted down many of the grasses. Many of the stalks now lay on the ground.
“Autumn Joy Sedum and Blue Fescue”
Heatherwood Meadow – Winter
I started my daily walk down to our Heatherwood meadow. I looked down and there my image was. I saw a burst of golden rays radiating out from a spent Autumn Joy sedum. My imagination flew as I visualized the morning sun bursting out over a grove of trees on a hillside ridge. What a great way to start a morning stroll.
“Layered”
Heatherwood Meadow
Heatherwood’s meadow plantings have been designed to produce layers of color and texture interest throughout the year. The above winter vignette is composed of yarrow, rudbeckia, penstemon, and ornamental grasses. They provide varying shades of brown, textures, and shapes creating beautiful winter interest.
“Winter Grasses”
Heatherwood Meadow
Snow lightly glazes the stalks of the winter grasses adding to their winter beauty. Many gardeners like to have a neat planting area over the winter and cut down all their perennials. We prefer to let the garden get a little messy and enjoy the remnants of the perennials. The birds like it too as they feast on the spent flower seeds.
“Winter Contrasts”
Heatherwood Meadow
A light snow cover accentuates the winter contrasts of the Heatherwood meadow. The snow both “frames” the various plants and highlights the leaves, stalks, and branches with a touch of “white icing.” It is like a miniature winter wonderland.