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| Winter Rock Maples |
Last time we ended the garden overview on the north side of the gardens. Today let's go south! Over two hundred years ago, those that built my little farmhouse were wise to plant Rock Maples (Sugar Maples) on the south side of the house. These majestic trees have been my soulful friends throughout the last thirty two years, while offering leafy shade during the hot summer months. They solidly stand like great guardians protecting my humble home.
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| Spring |
Looking up from the south lower garden towards the Rock Maples, spring exhales blossoms from every twig of Apple, lilac, Viburnum and Magnolia.
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| Male Baltimore Oriole in Apple Blossoms |
I have a colorful crew of helpers gleaning the blossoms, which provide important food for their efforts.
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| Magnolia soulangeana before Rock Maples |
Can you see the brushstroke of bright orange within the buds?
You can see him better here!
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| Summer Hydrangea, Magnolia and Grasses Rock Maples |
This Magnolia is an ever bloomer! I prune to keep it growing more horizontal.
You can see on the first Rock Maple, where a large limb . . . tree like in itself . . . fell off a few years back in a scary ice storm. It came crashing down with a loud boom, but thankfully fell in such a way as to not cause too much damage to its surroundings. Sometimes the mightiness of these beautiful trees frighten me.
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| Autumn |
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| Rock Maples 2008 |
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| Wisteria, Lilac and Viburnum |
The remaining images are of Spring just to the right of the huge Rock Maples. I want to leave you with lush vibrant colors from the south spring garden.
May these offer warmth and joy to those burdened with frigid temperatures and piles of snow. We have had buckets of rain and the mercury hit 45 today. Mid December in Western Massachusetts at the foothills of the Berkshires. I know Winter will hit us hard soon enough. I enjoyed having the windows open for awhile today.
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26 comments:
It is in the 20s today and your photos make me feel much warmer. :)
I am going to use a word like breathtaking, because those shots are so beautiful. I am so looking forward to seeing spring. And [laughing] it's not even winter yet.
Jen @ Muddy Boot Dreams
Good evening Carol again!
It is so lovely to follow your wonderful garden from the one season to the other!
I am not surprised that so many different animals finds your place on this earth!
Carol you have such a beautiful garden and live in a beautiful place, Frances
You live in a paradise and its magic is revealed in every post!
I've missed your beautiful photos and your peaceful corner of the world Carol...it's great to visit you again. I know that the heavy winter snowfalls will cause you grief... but the photos you take every winter are such a delight...that I have to admit much anticipation. Sending you waves and my best wishes to you and family for the holidays !
M x
Dearest Carol, I have to confess that Spring is my absolute favourite time of the year and your photographs of Flower Hill Farm in the Spring are a pure delight. As you say, they have certainly cheered up a decidely chilly and overcast London!!
so much beauty and the light in that first photo is amazing!
Those maples are huge! I've never seen them that big (200 years?!) or heard them called "rock maples" either. Such a gorgeous garden. :)
Hi Carol, What wonderful views you have! Your comment about the maple branch falling resonated with me. We have many very old and large trees, especially London plane trees. When they lose a limb, it's the size of a tree itself. If I think about it too much during a storm, I get nervous, but those trees are what I love most about the property. Carolyn
I adore the first image, the lighting is so beautiful just barely grazing the foliage and bark. The Baltimore Oriole in the Apple Blossoms is a gorgeous shot. I do not know how you get these bird images. They always fly away for me. I saw my first Baltimore Oriole in my garden last year. I did not even know what it was because I never saw one before. I had to look it up.
Amazing, isn't it -- today Phillip in no. AL is colder than NC, and we're colder than you. No that weather always follows maps.
Your first image is very striking with that beautiful light. Your sunny spring garden is amazing.
I often refer to my upbringing in New England... there is a certain sense that goes with having lived there for twenty formative years... it all comes back when I look at the wonderful photos you take of your farm... they really are meaningful to me... thank you, Larry
As I'm looking over the last two blogs of your gardens in the seasons, I'm trying to decide which season is my favorite. Just when I think I've decided on Spring, I see your Winter Wonderland....or the hydrangeas in the Summer mist. It made me think of the old romantic song, "If Ever I Would Leave You"...it couldn't be in Summer......you know the one. I think it would be a great idea to enlarge some of these photographs and enjoy them during the cold Winter months.
Mimi
If jen hadn't already used breathtaking I would! I am so enamored of the Baltimore Oriole in the apple blossoms! Carol~your artistry blows me away! gail
The bird look really pretty amongst the apple blossoms. Wonderful shots.
Absolutely made me smile and gasp when I saw the male oriole. Your love of nature pleases me so much. I came to tell you that you are featured in our header today. Looks so pretty.
The other photos are pretty and warm but it's the top one I like the best.
Esther
The trees in your care are amazing and I love how you describe them as soulfriends.
Trees can become that when you share your life with them.
Lovely images Carol
K
Amazing images Carol from a beautiful part of the world. I was just filling the bird feeders, they really depend on us at this time of year, I have never heard of the Baltimore oriole,I think the most colourful bird which we have is the Goldfinch.
Carol, your rock maples are beautiful, in every season. How wonderful to have such mature specimens on your property. It's one thing that a gardener can't buy...time. The time it takes for these trees to grow and mature into such beautiful forms. For as many trees as we have here, few are of any great age, as this entire area was almost clear-cut at the turn of the 20th century. I do understand your fear though, especially when limbs fall, it can be very alarming when that happens. I hope your beautiful trees stay standing strong for many many more years to come!
What a lovely photo journey. I think my top fave is the one of spring blossoms and the foggy background. Wonderful photos.
Lovely photos! Love them all!!
Hi Carol, i still remember the first time you showed us the expanse of your place, and i remember that Wisteria very well. It is already big now and i pity it when winter comes. I am sorry for the rest of the plants too, but i like wisteria most so i feel for it deeply.
The days are getting shorter n colder here in N.India. Feels good to catch a glimpse of the delightful seasonal colours at Flower Hill Farm Carol. What an assortment... from the maples to the magnolia, wisteria to the hydrangea! Sheer Natural Bliss.
Carol girl .. there has to me an amazing feeling when you touch those trees .. they are such beautiful soulful creatures .. they are as alive to me as any other creature on earth .. they beauty they share with you is such a wonderful gift ..
Can you tell I absolutely LOVE trees?
Joy
PS .. thank you for the heads up about my blog back ground .. I fixed it and it is much easier to read (although I can't seem to increase the font size darn it !)
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