morning light

morn001.jpg

I’m not much of a morning person, but when I looked out the kitchen window this morning, I had no choice but to get out there. We are surrounded by cedar trees that throw long shadows with the sun breaking through to spotlight the Poncirus trifoliata behind the bird bath and the tree peonie ‘Gold Sovereign’ off to the right.

‘Gold Sovereign’

Here’s a closer look at ‘Gold Sovereign’, still sparkling with morning dew.

Poncirus trifoliata ‘Flying Dragon’

And the ‘Flying Dragon’, having dropped just enough leaves to begin baring his claws.

‘Fat Albert’

Still trying to decide where to place ‘Fat Albert’, knowing he will grow to gigantic proportions eventually.

Hydrangea ‘Limelight’

Hydrangea ‘Limelight’ goes from greenish to pure white before the many shades of dusky rose take over in the final act.

Stachys ‘Helen Von Stein’

The play of light and shadow does wonders for Stachys ‘Helen Von Stein’.

textures

Rock, dark hemlock mulch and the wiry stems of Ceanothus ‘Blue Jeans’ provide lots of textural framework for another clump of Helen.

dewy ‘Helen Von Stein’

Please forgive the preoccupation with Helen, but this was as close as I could come to capturing the sparkle of the dew on her silvery foliage.

accidental composition

Where would we be without serendipity? The maple leaf blew in to turn this simple composition into something special. I hope I can find more of the caramel sedge in the foreground…lots more.

back woods

No morning stroll could be complete without a visit to the woodland out back, where everything is left to nature. Uhoh, this early morning stuff threatens to become habit forming. Thanks for coming along.

15 thoughts on “morning light

  1. The color on that Peony is amazing…and I need to find a way to squeeze in some Stachys…love those fuzzy leaves! I would never say that I’m a morning person…but I’m, unfortunately, always up early…and it’s become my favorite time in the garden…especially on these crisp, foggy mornings 🙂

  2. I envy your sunshine. Lately our days have been foggy from dawn to dusk. Not conducive to gardening. It’s cold and damp and not enjoyable. I really would like to get out there and pull some lamb’s ear out and toss it. That Peony sure is pretty.

  3. What is that thing casting the light everywhere? We haven’t seen anything like that for a while. Hearing fog horns from the bay a lot lately here. Beautiful colors! Ms. Stachys’s jewels are copious but tasteful, perfect for a night at the opera.

  4. I don’t see the morning light at this time of the year – I have to make use of dusk. Thank you for sharing yours – I love the atmosphere in your woodland shot.

  5. Shirley~Only fair that you should find something in my garden to envy…but I know what you mean. I will try to appreciate the heck out of the Hydrangeas for you.

    Alison~Are you suggesting that I may regret encouraging so many lambs’ ears? Hope your fog burns off soon.

    Mark & Gaz~So I’ve been told, and now I’m beginning to believe it.

    Peter~Only Scott seems to get the combination of sun AND fog that makes for atmospheric photos.

    Angie~The woodland definitely beckons this time of year.

  6. Sarah~I tolerate Helen’s flowers because the bees love them so.

    Linda~I guess I mind digging things up more than you do.

    Christina~The species looks terribly ratty by comparison. I use a reader (bloglovin) to follow blogs. It’s not perfect, but better than nothing. Before that, I would bookmark blogs, but then I would have to check them to see if there was anything new. Readers will send you an email with links to everything posted since the last time you visited.

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