Sester’s Dwarf Blue Spruce & Chief Joseph Lodgepole Pine
Heaterwood Spring
Many people experience April 15, tax day, as a rather gloomy day. I choose to view it as a day of opportunity. An early spring day is always an opportunity to step back and appreciate the wonderful world around us. Spring is a time of emerging life, new growth, bursting color and new opportunities to experience the wonders of life.
Fingerleaf Japanese Maple and Yukimi Lantern
Heatherwood Japanese Garden
Scolopendrifolium … that is a mouthful! I would just rather call it a ‘Fingerleaf’ Japanese maple. This is one of my favorite little scenes in Heatherwood. It is what we see as we relax in our Adirondack chairs by the pond. It is a great place to have a cup of coffee, a glass of wine, or just sit and enjoy nature and the sound of the falling water.
Tiny leaves are just emerging on the Scolopendrifolium as it starts to reach over the Yukimi lantern. We are training the maple to provide a gentle canopy over the lantern. Just give us 3-4 more years.
Akebono Cherry in Spring Glory
Heatherwood Spring
As the weeping cherries fade the Akebono cherries reach their peak. This is the first year that we have had a full bloom on our Akebono cherries. We planted them three years ago. They are already making their presence known in our garden.
Leaves are just starting to emerge on the maple, tulip treee, and plum ash in the background. This year we are planning on planting several additional trees to fill in the empty spots.
Path of Learning
Heatherwood Spring
It is the time of the year when something is changing every day. I have a difficult time keeping up with all the changes. This week, the pink ground phlox is reaching its peak as the blossoms of our weeping cherry are fading. Each year the plants cover more and more of the ground and the shrubs and trees grow. Just 5 years ago this was a grass hillside.
Our garden path curves up around the stepping stones of the path to never-ending learning.
Midwinter Fire Dogwoods
Heatherwood Early Spring
Even in early April, the bright winter colors of our Midwinter Fire, Red-twig, and Yellow-twig dogwoods highlight our garden. Soon, leaves will be sprouting and subdue the bright colors of the twig bark. Before too much new grow starts, I will need to do selective pruning to trim out the older faded branches and make room for the bright new stems. This will keep me busy until we start planting later this month.
Lower Yard and Meadow
Heatherwood Spring
The meadow looks bare after the spring clean-up. We were able to get the grasses and perennials cut back to make room for the new growth as the first week of spring greeted us. Our irrigation water will be turned on the first week of April. As soon as we check it out, we will start transplanting several of our existing shrubs and perennials to create the right space for this year’s new additions. Our new plants and trees will arrive the middle of April. Then the real work begins as we plant all of our new garden additions. April will be a busy month!
Cornelian Cherry Dogwood Abstract
Heatherwood Spring
Here is another abstract illustrating just how cloudy my mind gets at times. It feels good to just take a break from making standard images. The idea for this image came as I was looking for a good photo for our Cornelian cherry dogwood in bloom. I had one that was just so-so that provided a nice contrast of the yellow blooms against a dark blue spruce in the shade. I also had an interesting multi exposure abstract of the blooms of the dogwood. I put them together creating the above image. Magic!
Daffodils in Bloom
Heatherwood Crabapple Grove
Today is a day to take the time to give thanks for the wonderful world that our Lord has given us. It is a special gift to be able to enjoy our families, friends, and the world surrounding us. We are grateful to be able to share this little part of our personal Eden with family members on this special day. Happy Easter!
Tamukeyama and Hana Matoi Japanese Maples
Heatherwood Japanese Garden
Early spring color is mixed with bare tree limbs make a good opportunity for an abstract creation of texture and color. It’s also a good opportunity to just play a little while I wait for the Japanese maples to show off their spring color.
Emerging Daffodils
Heatherwood Crabapple Grove
Today we change over to Daylight Saving Time. Spring is just around the corner! These emerging daffodils are harbingers of what will soon come.
We are far behind on our winter clean-up to prepare for spring. New growth is starting everywhere, but we have not started cutting back last years spent grasses and perennials. I have started a little pruning, but have a long, long way to go! We also have a lot of transplanting to do before we start our spring planting. The new plants are scheduled to be delivered in mid-April. I’m getting a little nervous.