Tag Archives: Spring

A Drift of Daffodils

Leave a reply

Crabapple Grove and Daffodils
Heatherwood View From Upper Lawn

Spring brings a wave of daffodils to Heatherwood’s crabapple grove. When we planted the crabapples and daffodils, we were hoping that their blooms would overlap. The leaves of the crabapples are just showing life as the daffodil blooms are peaking. The crabapple blooms will arrive about two weeks later. When they do come out, the daffodil blooms will be in their decent. As we all know from experience, the best laid plans do not always work out. On the positive side, between the daffodils and crabapples we have about four weeks of spring blooming in this section of the garden.

Related Images:

200507_LongExp_WtrFall__Kotoji 200506_LongExp_WtrFall_1

Give Me One More Day

Leave a reply

Star Magnolia Bloom
Heatherwood Spring

I can hear the magnolia blossoms speak, “I am almost there. Give me one more day and I will be in my full spring glory.” One day makes a huge difference when the star magnolias start to bloom. One day there are only buds waiting to burst open. A day later more buds are enlarging and a few start to emerge into blossom. The next day blossoms are unfolding all over. Then they are all in full bloom. The wind starts to blow and the edges begin to look a bit tattered. Then the tips start to turn brown. Soon the blossoms cover the ground like a blanket of snow. I try not to miss a day walking by and enjoying the spring glory of our star magnolias.

Related Images:

200507_LongExp_WtrFall__Kotoji 200506_LongExp_WtrFall_1

Spring is Here!

Leave a reply

Cornelian Cherry Dogwood
Heatherwood Spring

Spring started with sunshine and warm days here at Heatherwood. The Cornelian cherry dogwoods, star magnolias, forsythias, and early flowering cherries are in full bloom. The daffodils are right behind.

Spring brings new growth and re-emergence. It is a catalyst for fresh new thoughts and experiences. Enjoying new things in the garden helps me focus on what is right about this world. Positive thoughts are essential with all the crazy things that are currently going on.

Related Images:

200507_LongExp_WtrFall__Kotoji 200506_LongExp_WtrFall_1

Our Spring Project Is Starting

Leave a reply

Grasses and Dogwoods
Heatherwood, South Bed

Yesterday we started our spring cleanup. Our first task will be to cut back the grasses and dogwood shrubs. It is a big chore over the 4 acres of Heatherwood.

Our major spring project will be to connect our southeast and southwest conifer corner beds. This will entail removing the grasses and dogwood shrubs shown in the image above. We are looking for new homes in our garden and around the neighborhood for these plants. Once the area is cleared we will develop a path through the area that will connect our two conifer corner beds. After it is laid out, we will select specimen conifers and Japanese maples to fill in the planting area.

Our garden will never be complete. Areas become overgrown, new ideas emerge, interests change. Every day as we enjoy our existing garden, future dreams form.

Related Images:

200507_LongExp_WtrFall__Kotoji 200506_LongExp_WtrFall_1

Enjoying the Details

Leave a reply

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.

Related Images:

200507_LongExp_WtrFall__Kotoji 200506_LongExp_WtrFall_1

Moody

Leave a reply

Hostas Along Secret Garden Path
Heatherwood Late Spring

At times I get a little moody, especially after a busy intense period. It feels good to just sit back and reflect. In this image I attempted to create this feeling by selecting a quiet corner and adding a little moodiness through texture overlays. Beauty still abounds in the world around us.

Related Images:

200507_LongExp_WtrFall__Kotoji 200506_LongExp_WtrFall_1

A Little Surprise

Leave a reply

Garden Path Vignette
Heatherwood Japanese Garden

Walking along our secret garden path I look down beneath a crabapple tree and discover this little vignette. Beneath the tree I see a combination of color, tones, shapes and textures with a little bit of garden art. The vignette is comprised of Japanese hollies, Japanese forest grass, white bleeding hearts, and an art piece from a local artist, Michelle Wyles.

Intimate vignettes like above usually cause me to stop and explore details of a garden. I sometimes drive my strolling partners nuts as they wander through the grand views of a garden. They have to wait for me to catch up. Many times, the detailed landscape views are what I recall from a garden or nature walk.

Related Images:

200507_LongExp_WtrFall__Kotoji 200506_LongExp_WtrFall_1

What is Around the Corner? – Chapter 2

Leave a reply

Secret Path Entrance
Heatherwood Japanese Garden

Heatherwood has several paths that wind through the garden. Each curve introduces a sense of curiosity. Before exploring what is around the corner, I first stop and enjoy the scene of what is in front of me. Throughout the garden there are windows that guide a visitor’s view to another part of a garden to explore later. What I see through this window is a path that I may take tomorrow. But now, what is around the corner? The answer is … look back to my previous post.

Related Images:

200507_LongExp_WtrFall__Kotoji 200506_LongExp_WtrFall_1

Secret Garden Path

Leave a reply

Garden Path
Heatherwood Spring

This curving path winds through the most mature part of Heatherwood. It is my first attempt at designing a Japanese-influenced garden. Initiated in 2017, the trees, shrubs, and understory plants now fill around the eastern side of our home. The shade of the house provides an environment for a shade-loving plants. I look forward to several such little sanctuaries throughout our garden as it matures. For now, it is our little secret place.

Related Images:

200507_LongExp_WtrFall__Kotoji 200506_LongExp_WtrFall_1

Even on a Cloudy Day

Leave a reply

Looking Out My Office Window
Cloudy Heatherwood Day

Heatherwood brightens my morning even on a cloudy day. After finishing my daily journal entry, I turn around and view the beauty of our garden through my office window. The spring colors of the Japanese maples draw my attention. I gaze deeper and explore the various conifer shrubs and other trees. I look up and see the Selah ridge rising above into the sky. The scene entices me to get up, grab a cup of coffee and take a morning stroll with my dear Mary!

Related Images:

200507_LongExp_WtrFall__Kotoji 200506_LongExp_WtrFall_1