daffodils – Stylish Heath

Signs of Spring!!!

{Hellebore buds and daffodil shoots growing in “poison ivy” row on the north east portions of the property}

While walking last night it was delightful to experience the sights and sounds of spring. This is definitely a season of renewal, especially after the harshness of winter. The weather a balmy 54 degrees at sundown enabled neighbors to come out of their homes to partake in barbequing delicious steaks, which incidentally smelled fabulous wafting throughout the air, walk their dogs or chase howling cats from fences…yes signs of spring are upon us.

{Shoots of crocus and peonies growing in spite of the frigid ice and cold}

So this morning while taking my first sip of coffee and looking through the breakfast room window, I noticed the buds of the maple tree leaves were a bushy red and the faint tint of yellow on the brown forsythia plants were most refreshing after seeing snow on the ground last week.

As I do every year at this time, I grabbed my camera with coffee in hand to take a few pictures of the first signs of spring at Heath!!!

Spring forward!!!
K

March 22, 2015

Kathleen3 Comments

Flowers @ Heath

{This years crocus and hellebore’s at Heath}

The cherry blossoms lining the Tidal Basin off the Potomac River tell us that spring is most definitely on the way! And after the long harsh winter, everyone is waiting for warmer weather, longer days and more time spent outdoors. The anticipation of things to come begins with the gorgeous colors of crocus, daffodils and hellebore’s sprouting around the grounds at Heath.

{Large bowl of daffodils in the kitchen}

My love of flowers goes back to early childhood, when I would pick blooms from my mom’s garden or even the neighbors {mostly without their knowledge}, and would decorate the rooms at home with freshly picked tulips, daffodils or lilacs. The fragrance that emanated always inspired me to sketch or paint these fabulous flowers into notebooks. I am really looking forward to the feel of spring rain and the warmth of the sun while working in the garden, where I will create my own spectacular beauty at Heath.

Garden stylishly,
K

March 30, 2014

Kathleen4 Comments

Color Palettes of Spring

{Picture of the Cherry tree at Heath last spring}

There is something about being sequestered within the winter season; seeing endless grey skies, the occasional sprinkling of white snow and navigating formidable black ice, which begins to take its toll. With the wind seriously whipping up extremely cold weather, my thoughts are focusing on the warmer days ahead.

I have already noticed the first glimpses of spring with the arrival of blue jays, cardinals and humming-birds fluttering around the property setting up their roost. Hyacinth and daffodil shoots are darting through the ground and buds are sprouting on various trees. Each weekend I carve a bit of time to leisurely peruse seed and plant catalogs. My focus has been on the color scheme of the spring garden and how the shades of each flower will unfold over the various seasons.

{Southeast side of Heath Garden in fog}

Since pastels are usually acquainted with early spring, I am really trying to enjoy their softer palette, but my eye is moving towards richer more vibrant colors, such as radiant reds, outlandish oranges and fabulous fuchsias. Each time I open a fashion magazine color is splashed everywhere and orange is a predominate color seen on clothes and within the touches of makeup. It is a tone I am eager to experiment with throughout the garden. I have ordered a myriad of dahlias from Swan Island and cannot wait to see this rich vibrant shade with its beautiful mixture of reddish oranges and rusty golds within the flowering blooms.

While most gardens are still dormant this is great time to let your imagination become an incredibly creative tool when drafting your spring garden!!

{Rosemary that survived the winter season in pots on deck}