Early in the morning on a midsummer day it is wonderful to be out in our Heatherwood garden. After a cup of coffee in the morning, we have our breakfast on the upper patio. This is the scene that we are blessed with. We look out over our lower yard and meadow to the our neighbors pastures. In the distance we see the ridges and the gap between Selah and Yakima. We can’t ask for a better way to start a midsummer’s day.
After breakfast we work/play a little in the garden before it gets too hot. By late morning, it is time to come inside to get relief from the hot sun. Temperatures continue to range between the high 80’s and mid 90’s. We are watering almost continuously twenty-fours a day to keep the lawn green and the plants healthy.
Our Heatherwood meadow is a potpourri of color in midsummer. This vignette is a mixture of yellows from the red hot poker and yarrow, pinks of the Joe Pye weed, blues of the globe thistle, greens and browns of the Karl Forrester fountain grass, and the background greens of the red twig dogwood. It is an eye’s delight!
Mid-summer is the peak of color which gives Heatherwood’s Cherry Allee its nick name, ‘Bright and Shiny’. When we were defining the conceptual design of the lower garden area, we asked Mary what she would like to see. She quickly said, “Something bright and shiny.” Three years after planting, here it is.
We envisioned creating a framed-in colorful view from our house level which included both a near field interest of color as well as a bucolic view of the background farms. Pink Flair cherry trees frame the planting area and lead a viewer’s eyes through the scene to the sky above. The shaped lower lawn separates the foreground from the background. We planted oak and birch trees to separate Heatherwood from the neighbor’s pasture. The trees at the top of the hill provide additional interest as they break the horizon line.
We added ‘sitting rock’ benches at the top of the garden to immerse the viewer into the bright flowers. Lilies planted just right of the stone benches provide a sweet aroma. It is easy to get lost in the beautiful colors and sweet smells.
All season interest was also in our minds when we designed ‘Bright and Shiny’. In the early spring, the cherries break out in beautiful pinkish white blooms. Later in spring the perennials start to bloom in color profession. In summer the perennials reach their peak as different plants come in out of their prime colors. In autumn, the cherry trees and the background trees burst out in brilliant fall color. And in winter, the red bark of the cherries and the yellow bark of the yellow twig dogwoods frame the view while the different forms and textures of the spent perennials provide winter interest. When snow covers the ground and trees it is like a winter wonderland.
In the midst of summer, our historic flume section gets lost in the shadows and the green leaves of the surrounding trees. Standard black and white image processing still does not separate the flume from the surrounding elements. Infrared photography turns green leaves and other green vegetation a white or light grey tone. Now the flume pops out from the surrounding trees and grasses.
I enjoy a nice peaceful day at home. A morning cup of coffee overlooking the garden is a nice way to start the day. After a simple breakfast on the patio, we enjoy a few hours of work in the yard to fill out the morning. A casual lunch in the shade of the patio awning is a good time to think what we want to do do for the balance of the day. Maybe it is running an errand or two, a little reading or computer work inside where it is cool, or maybe even a little nap. Then as the temperature cools down a bit, it is time to mow the yard. A glass of wine or cold beer sitting by the pond is a good way to finish off the afternoon. Finally as we have dinner again outside on the patio, we talk about how great a day it has been.
It’s midday. the sun is directly above, the temperature is close to 100 degrees. It’s not the ideal time to photograph the garden. But wait, the harsh sun reflecting off the garden vegetation and bright blue skies make an ideal opportunity to work in the infrared spectrum. The bright reflections from the grass and foliage contrast with the dark tone of the blue sky providing an interesting perspective.
I hear falling water and turn a corner. A flash appears beneath the branches of a Purple Ghost Japanese maple. I bend over and take a peek. The early morning sun backlights the falling water, reflects from the pond, and graces the top of the Yukimi lantern. A gift of the coming day.
‘Bridge Over Waterfall’ Heatherwood Japanese Garden
Looking back four years ago when we constructed the stream, I recall the effort it took to place this rock over the stream. I took an experienced excavator operator and three men to finagle this huge rock in place over the stream bed. It consumed the good part of an afternoon to place smaller rocks as its base and meticulously position the bridge. It was worth it!
Since then, we have been planting trees, shrubs, and ground covers to soften the edge of the stream. After four years, plants are growing over the rocks down to the flowing water. We frequently sit and have our morning coffee here and enjoy the maturing scenery and listen to the flowing water and the birds sing. It is a great way to start the day!
Four years ago this area was a pasture of grass and weeds. The house and garage below was clearly visible. It is amazing how a few trees, shrubs, perennials, and grass can change the scene. The lawn grass was planted three years ago. The trees and most of the shrubs and perennials were planted two years ago. Several fill in perennials were planted last year. This year we have just sat back and enjoyed this part of Heatherwood.
In the years ahead, the two Zelkova trees will grow and form a natural canopy and “tunnel” between the two planting beds. The trees in the background will get taller and entirely block our neighbor’s garage. The shrubs, ornamental grasses, and perennials will fill in and continue to add color and interest. For now, we sit back and enjoy!
“Grasses, Joe Pye Weed, and Coreopsis” Heatherwood Meadow
There are many little vignettes in Heatherwood’s summer meadow. I constantly walk though the garden and discover a new perspectives of note. In this little scene, the two tall Karl Forester grasses in the back and the two blue oat grasses on the sides frame in the row of yellow coreopsis in the front and the row of pink Joe Pye weed in the center. The scene is naturally balanced.
