Winter Blossoms

Zelkova tree with snow blossoms.

A few inches of snow fell some days ago--the kind that clings to everything, transforming branches into fantastic sculptures of snow that look like blossoms. I was busy painting in my studio when all of a sudden, near sunset, I noticed the quality of the light change perceptibly--the clouds had lifted to allow a sunbeam to illuminate the scene! Such rare beauty is not an every-day occurrence in our area. I quickly got my camera and coat and ran outside to capture the magic.

My back yard in the snow.

In my haste, I didn't take the time to get a tripod, so the focus is not too great in these shots, but time was of the essence, as the effect lasted only a few minutes before the sun went back behind the clouds. The colors and forms of the snowy branches are so lovely, I decided to post the photos anyway.

The front yard.

The west side yard.

Front yard the next morning

It's interesting to study my garden covered with snow in the midst of winter--it allows me to plan for future landscaping by seeing how the plants give structure to the space: where evergreens could be used to advantage, or where there's a need for a bit of color, or an unusual form. I wish my winter berry hollies (Ilex) would fruit, their red berries would be a welcome color accent, but alas, with such alkaline soil, it's a constant battle to keep these acid-loving hollies happy. Eventually, I hope to create a balance that will satisfy both the plants and the eye.