Wintersonne & Big Tuna Mugo Pines and Winter Heath
Heatherwood Winter
Yesterday was a cloudy and warm winter day (mid 40’s). I grabbed my camera and strolled around the garden for about three hours. I focused on creating an overall picture of the color, textures, and forms of Heatherwood’s winter display. The garden’s beauty was astounding. I could have spent several more hours just wandering around, but other chores brought me in.
Winter Colors
Heatherwood Winter
Heatherwood provides a little winter oasis to the drab Eastern Washington landscape in early February. Even in the middle of winter, color and interest abounds in our garden. Our unseasonable warm weather entices me to get out and stroll through the winter garden. At the same time the East coast is encountering extreme cold temperatures and heavy snow. How lucky we are!
Winter Blanket on Kotoji and Stream
Heatherwood Japanese Garden
Yesterday, the forecast was for rain. We were surprised as the light rain turned to a full snowfall by mid morning. After about four hours of snowing, it warmed up a bit and started to rain again. It quickly began to melt.
During the transition between the snow and rain, I grabbed my camera and took a jaunt through the garden. Everything was so very quiet. There was not any vehicle action through the neighborhood. No one was out shoveling at the time. Even the birds were not out! Everything was so very peaceful. I enjoyed the quiet and peace as I wandered through the snow covered landscape. What a beautiful stroll!
This morning the skies are bright blue without a cloud. The ground is still covered with snow but the trees have lost their snow blanket. It’s time to take another stroll through our Heatherwood landscape before all the snow melts.
Kotoji and Waterfall
Heatherwood Japanese Garden
I enjoy the sound of the rushing water as it moves through the main hillside stream past the Kotoji lantern. The visual impact is stunning as well. Alas, it is the time to make the annual decision to turn off the water, or not. I delay day after day … should I turn it off now or wait one more day? If the stream freezes it may flow over the sides and wash out some of the surrounding ground. Should I be safe and turn it off now, or can I wait a day or two more? Later this week the temperature is forecast to drop below freezing for a period of time. I will turn it off today before I forget.
Not all is lost, I will still be able to keep the small side waterfall flowing throughout the winter. The sides are steep enough to keep the water flowing into the pond.
December Color
Heatherwood Rock Garden
Color persists as Heatherwood moves into winter. The Wintersonne mugo pine is turning into its brilliant yellow winter color. The bright red berries of the evergreen cotoneaster highlight the hillside and provide treats for the wintering birds. The ice plants are turning from their summer green into their winter orange. The green of the Valley Cushion mugo pine and the gray-green of the thyme provide additional contrast. The color will last throughout the coming winter providing interest through the season.
Multiple Late Winter Colors
Heatherwood Side Yard
We have been busy working over our lower southwest garden area. Our vision is to create a conifer and Japanese maple retreat. While working, I enjoy taking a break and walking around other parts of Heatherwood to enjoy the progress that we have made in the last five to six years. When I first moved in, this area was a lawn area with two Colorado blue spruces. Our pump house was slightly behind and between the two trees. Five years ago, we took out a big chunk of lawn and planted various conifers, shrubs, deciduous trees, and ground covers. They have matured to create a beautiful all season background for our side yard. Five years from now, I vision our southwest corner will be at a similar state of maturity.
Lower Yard
Heatherwood Late Winter
We are making progress on our late-winter/early-spring yard cleanup. The grasses are cut, key shrubs pruned, and the beds are cleaned. Now I will be pruning our Japanese Maples and preparing for our 2025 spring project. Spring is a busy and beautiful time in our Heatherwood Eden.
Blue Ice Arizona Cypress
Heatherwood SW Conifer Corner
I visualize this beautiful Arizona Cypress holding out its arms (branches) welcoming the upcoming spring. We have just three weeks until the first official day of spring. With the recent nice weather, we have made good progress in our late winter/early spring garden preparation. The ornamental grasses, perennials, and several shrubs have been trimmed back. Next week I will start pruning the Japanese maples.
Heatherwood’s southwest corner, where this Arizona Cypress is located, is our next major project. Next week we will start to carve out a meandering path, add berms, and place rocks to prepare the area for spring planting. Our target is to create a special place to enjoy specimen conifers and Japanese maples.
Spring is just around the corner!
Sky Over The “Lower 40”
Heatherwood Winter
I got up the other day and saw this early morning view out our living room window. I scrambled and grabbed my camera. I was able to only create a few images before the special light was gone. Cloudy winter mornings are very special here in Eastern Washington.
Winter Color
Heatherwood Lower Garden
Warm weather over the weekend melted most of the snow. The winter colors of the garden add highlights throughout. We have enjoyed them through the season. Now it is time to start our winter/spring cleanup. Out come the pruning shears and hedge trimmers to cut back the grasses, perennials, and some of the deciduous shrubs. Cutting back the plants now will give them a head start to begin their spring growth. Soon, we will be starting our 2015 landscape project for our southwest corner.