“Ice Plant in Transition”
Heatherwood Winter
We have been busy with Heatherwood’s spring cleaning. During this time of year, I am always looking out for the little things that have started their spring growth or color change. In the image above, the ice plant is changing from its winter orange/red to its summer lime green.
“Siberian Iris”
Heatherwood Woodland Garden
This small patch of Siberian Irises is one of the first harbingers of spring in Heatherwood’s woodland garden area. The early morning shadows of a bare redbud tree adds a little perspective.
“Kotoji Guardian”
Heatherwood Japanese Garden
The Kotoji patiently waits for Spring to come. Soon water will be flowing down the stream he protects. Leaves will emerge from the surrounding Japanese maples. Ground covers will anchor his position as he watches over the rushing water at his feet.
“Crocuses and Nandina”
Heatherwood Rock Garden
After a few days of warm late winter weather, crocuses start to pop up throughout Heatherwood like magic. Small groups of bulbs are scattered about the garden. Many were planted next to rocks and trees to provide little focused highlights. Others were planted in a random natural fashion. As we walk along the garden paths, their bright blooms contrast against the winter colors of evergreen plants and shrubs like the Gulf Stream Nandina above. Little patches of color are everywhere. This is their second year in the garden, and we have many, many more places to cover. We are already planning on adding many more bulbs this fall.
“Birches and Fence”
Heatherwood Winter
Our garden birches hide our neighbors white fence during most of the year. From December through March, the white ranch-style fence peeks through the branches of the trees. I stand just enjoying the form of the white winter birches, then squint my eyes. A different abstract perspective appears. The background horizontal lines of the fence appear. The natural, slightly curving vertical lines of the birch trees contrast with the hard straight lines of the fence. I contemplate …
“Hillside Ground Covers”
Heatherwood Japanese Garden
The above image illustrates what we are trying to do with ground covers throughout our Japanese-influenced garden area. As the garden matures, ground covers will fill in the majority of barked areas. They provide color and texture contrasts complementing the evergreen and deciduous shrubs. They soften the hard rocks as they grow around and over them. They change color from summer to winter providing special color highlights throughout the year. Ground covers are the focus of our 2022 Heatherwood landscaping project.
“Winter Color”
Heatherwood Meadow
As the winter season gets ready to turn to spring, Heatherwood’s winter color continues to become more dynamic. It is hard for me to let go of the winter color and start to trim the winter grasses and last year’s perennials back to make room for the new growth. But spring is rapidly approaching and I must start cutting back last year’s spent growth. The garden will look a little bare for 3-4 weeks, but soon the new growth will start to present itself for the glory of spring.
“West Bank”
Heatherwood Japanese Garden
“Fill in the blanks” is the motto for our 2022 Heatherwood landscape projects. This section of our garden was constructed in 2019. The land was shaped and the base structure of trees and evergreen shrubs were planted. During the next two years additional trees, deciduous shrubs, and limited ground covers were planted to balance the structure and form the garden borders. This year our plan is to fill in the blank spots with various ground covers and just watch the garden grow. It is our vision to have the garden fully covered with various vegetation and understory shrubs shaded by a canopy of evergreen and deciduous trees. It will take years to achieve the vision. Patience will be a virtue as we enjoy watching the garden mature. We are planting for the future generation!
“Japanese Maple”
Heatherwood Winter
There is still a lot of winter interest in Heatherwood. The skeleton structures of the Japanese Maples provide interesting winter forms. The reds, yellows, and greens of the evergreen plants provide highlights through the garden. Good weather is predicted through the first couple weeks of March. It’s time to get our and start our winter/spring clean-up and pruning.
“Reminder”
Tulip Tree Bloom, Heatherwood
It is hard to believe that spring is only three weeks away. Yesterday we took a long walk through the garden with a notebook in hand. We made a survey of the garden and jotted down all of the little things that we needed to do in the garden in the early spring. We have a lot of work to do. We plan to start our winter/spring clean-up this week.
During our walks in the garden I always note special little things that catch my eye. The image above is a spent bloom of a tulip tree we planted last spring. It is a reminder of the tree’s beautiful blooms that will come out this summer. Last year, we got busy and missed the peak of the bloom. This year, we will keep our eye out for the two or three blooms that may emerge on our “baby” tulip tree.