Nature’s palette – Volume 1 of 6

Watch as Mother Nature uses her palette to change the colors (aided by periodic plantings of various ‘annuals’) as the year progresses from the onset of Spring 

– at these 12 different locations around our house.   

                                          Location 1 - The side of the garage – looking west

The 'year-round' plainness of 1,600 square feet of yellowy-white vinyl siding on the garage screamed out for something. So, a few years ago I installed these two trellises for a couple of Climatis vines.The hollies have been disappointing in their slow growth. Bigger varieties may soon replace these three dawdlers!

                                                                         Late March (2014) 

Late April

                                                                           Mid May

                                                                            Early June

                  The Clematis vine on the left always blooms later than the other; different shape petals too.

                                                                              Mid July

    The Summer heat has a detrimental affect on the blooms of the Clematis vines - but they'll come back.

                                                                       

Mid-August - the 'Alice View'

                       Mid-September

Back to 'normal' view. No new growth - just Fall colors starting to appear. 

                                                                      Mid-October

The Climatis vines seem to have 'given up the ghost' for the year 

                                                                        Mid - November

                                                            Had a day or two of light snow

Mid-December

Again, a little snow 

Mid-January (2015)

The 'drabness of mid-winter seemed to warrant that this month's photos be in black & white!

The Clematis vines have been pruned back.

                                                                         Late-February (2015)

    Well, this completes the year - a sorry-looking sight without noticeable growth - and snow on the ground

   

                           Location 2 – Outside the kitchen window (behind garage) – looking west

The arched trellis was a new addition in early 2013. The plan was to have it be covered with honeysuckle to attract even more hummingbirds to that part of the house - where they could be seen from the kitchen windows.

                                                                           Late March (2014)

                                                                           Late April

                                                                            Mid May

                                                                         Mid June

       New plantings (lower right) - Hydrangea and 'Butterfly Bush'; behind trellis, the Shasta Daisies appear.

                                                                             Mid July

A 'retreated' view this time - to show the wildflower growth near the American Fringe Tree - foreground.

Mid-August - the 'Alice View' 

Mid-September

  First day of Fall - starting to show in the leaves

Mid-October

Mid - November

Took this a week before the snow arrived

Mid-December

Not a lot of noticeable change since Mid-November

Mid-January (2015)

Not much going on here 'color-wise', so why not, eh? Absence

Late-February (2015)

If you missed (or wish to revisit) any of the other five Volumes, here is a quick-link list: 

Volume 1 - this it it !

Volume 2

Volume 3

Volume 4

Volume 5

Volume 6

Updates (in each) will be added throughout the year - so be sure to check back periodically.