“Winter Grasses and Perennials”
Heatherwood Winter
Sometimes it is not color that captures my interest. This vignette portrays the primary contrast of tones and textures. The layers of yarrow and rudbeckia in the front and sides along with the Russian sage in the back surround the grasses in the center. Soon this vignette will be gone. Within the next week or so, we will be cutting back the perennials and grasses and cleaning the beds to prepare for the surge of spring growth.
“Snow Covered Yarrow and Rudbeckia”
Heatherwood Meadow
When I first saw this clump of snow-covered yarrow and rudbeckia, I thought that they looked like a field of mushrooms. Mary thought that they looked like a field of cotton. What is the purpose of a garden but to enjoy, dream, and imagine!
“Rudbeckia and Grasses”
Heatherwood Winter
Birds love our winter garden. We enjoy watching them flying in and out of the meadow and into the crabapples feeding on seeds and fruit. Several of our blue spruces act as winter homes. We have noticed more birds this year than in prior years. As Heatherwood matures, we hope that the garden will become a little sanctuary for various bird species.
We leave the garden’s spent vegetation in place during the winter, not only for a food source for birds but also for its winter interest. How dull the garden would look if all the perennials were to be neatly cut back in the fall. We will save the neat look until the spring.