Japanese Garden Lower Path
Heatherwood Late Summer
Shades of green dominate the lower path of our Heatherwood Japanese garden area in late summer. The light orange tinge of a Japanese maple in the background is a harbinger of the beginning of autumn. During the next several weeks the path will gradually sparkle with the changing colors of the Japanese maples and other deciduous trees that grace the landscape. Fall is just around the corner.
Historic Irrigation Flume in NW Bed
Heatherwood Late Summer
Irrigation gives life to our Heatherwood garden. Without the water that the Selah-Naches canal brings, our landscape would be a dry shrub steppe area like what can be seen on the hillside rising above our home. This small section of the wooden flume that originally brought water to the area is a reminder of the canal that was built over 100 years ago. It brought precious water to the fertile soil for the orchards and farm lands of our valley.
We have had a continuous drought for several years. The mountain snow pack and reservoirs have been low. So far we have been able to keep our little oasis thriving. We are very conscious of how we apply the limited water supply. Over time, I am sure that we will need to replace much of our landscape plants with ones that are much more drought tolerant.
The Meadow and Countryside Beyond
Heatherwood Late Summer
One of my favorite places to sit and enjoy our Heatherwood Eden is from our lower patio overlooking the meadow and the countryside beyond. I am at peace as I gaze over the waning colors of the meadow up to our neighbor’s freshly mowed pasture. The grove of trees on the ridge of the hill adds a spot of interest and curiosity. As I sit and enjoy the setting, time flies by and the problems of the world subside. I dream on what is right about our world rather than focus on the difficulties.
Heatherwood Meadow
Late Summer
I’ve been negligent in my entries for the last six weeks. Where has the time gone? Summer projects and a three week cruise in Europe have consumed most of it. I am now back and will do a little catch up.
This past summer has been a hot one. Temperatures have consistently been in the 90’s even rising over 100 degrees at times. It has placed a lot of stress on newly planted specimens as well as our Japanese maples. The weeds have loved it!
As the summer is winding down and the temperatures are dropping down into the 80’s and 70’s, the bright colors of the garden perennials are fading. The grasses are turning into their fluffy browns. Seed pods of the many flowers are starting to burst open. Birds are abundant! Here and there an occasional last bloom pops up. Fall color of sedums, asters, and other late bloomers are emerging. Colorful berries are forming on many of the viburnums and flowering shrubs. Small apples laden our crabapples. Some of the maples are starting to turn into their autumn colors. Heatherwood is still full of beautiful colors and textures.
Cone Flowers, Phlox, Daisies, Yarrow, Russian Sage, Rudbeckia
Heatherwood Summer in the “Bright & Shiny”
Summer is definitely here! Earlier this week the temperature showed 100 degrees as I was driving along the road. The hot temperatures are triggering the summer perennials to burst out in bloom. We have to water the beds every night. The water is directed to minimize waste and provide moisture only where needed.
This vignette of color is in a section of Heatherwood’s Cherry Allée. Mary requested that the design criteria for this area was to be “Bright and Shiny.” I think we have satisfied her request.
Path to the Perch
Heatherwood Japanese Garden
Our Heatherwood garden continues to fill in as the plantings mature. It is hard to believe that this section of the garden was a sloping grass lawn just seven years ago. Now, a gravel path gradually weaves up the hillside to the source of a stream and waterfall. Trees and shrubs have filled in to border the pathway. One can hear the rush of falling water but cannot see the stream. A new visitor questions, “What is around the corner?”
Daisies
Heatherwood Meadow
The summer garden is full of color. The meadow area in the center of the garden and the cherry allée are the stars of our Heatherwood garden in the summer. The blooming perennials and grasses provide an ever changing palette of colors. Things change daily as old blooms fade and new blooms emerge. Details pop out in small vignettes and sheets of color spread out as one looks over the landscape. Early morning is a wonderful time to sit above and enjoy the color below with a cup of coffee. Walking through the garden draws me deep into the small vignettes and individual flowers. It is easy to get lost!
Steps Up the Upper Level
Heatherwood Japanese Garden
A few days ago I gave myself a photography assignment to photograph windows that drew me into our Heatherwood garden. These windows include elements like pathways, hidden views, and eye catching vignettes. This scene shows a series of steps that lead upward. From the bottom, one cannot determine where it leads to or what is beyond the top. The various textures and colors of Japanese maples, conifer shrubs, ground covers, and rocks entice a visitor to explore and see what is above. A surprise waits at the top.
Overlooking the Lower Garden
Heatherwood, Late Summer
The clouds were forming crazy shapes as they moved across the sky. They overshadowed the view of Heatherwood and the valley below. They presented an eerie feeling as I walked out onto the lawn. It was a strange occurrence on a hot summer day in the mid-90’s. To emphasize the sky, I used infrared to create the feeling that the clouds produced.
View from Our Patio
Heatherwood & Selah Ridge
During the last two years I have been focusing my photography in our Heatherwood garden using my standard visible light camera and presenting how I see the garden in color. I was becoming stuck looking at things in the same way. Yesterday I brought out my infrared camera from retirement and took a stroll through the garden. I looked at the garden around me with a different perspective seeing the landscape with a new view. The color was gone; the sky was dark; vegetation was white; greens and reds were the same tone; clouds were dreamy. Beauty presented itself in a different way.
At times I tend to get trapped in looking at life from a set perspective. It feels good and gives me balance when I step back and open up my mind to other viewpoints, focusing on a positive perspective. Opportunities open up. Life is more enjoyable!