Katsura Tree

Yesterday I posted a blog relating to the tree selection for my yard.

I mentioned that I consulted with an artist friend, Karen Lohman; Matsushima Landscaping, who helped with the design. I love trees and it was a challenge to limit my selection. Karen insisted that I have a Katsura Tree. I never heard of one, have you? The Katsura Tree definitely appeals to the artist in me.

Katsura Tree is also known as the carmel tree. No, you do not get caramels from it, but some think the wonderful Katsura Tree smells like caramel or cotton candy when it loses it's leaves in the fall. Besides being wonderful to smell in the fall, the Katsura sports a lovely blend of orange, raspberry, and apricot-colored leaves. The Katsura is no slouch in other seasons, either. In the spring Katsura has reddish-purple new growth, in summer it sports heart-shaped blue-green leaves and in winter the gray, slightly exfoliating bark lends interest.

I have watched the heart-shaped leaves of my Katsura Tree turn from purple to red and now some green is emerging.......



The Katsura is native to Japan and eastern Asia and is widely used as a landscape tree in those areas. Katsura blooms in early spring. I read that the flowers are not showy. Maybe that is why I totally missed them? Or are they still coming?

I so look forward to its fall colors! I will definitely let you know if it gives off a carmel smell. But, I certainly do not want to rush summer!



Once again, I am overjoyed with Karen's selection of trees.

Choosing a Dogwood Tree

As I began planning the landscape for my home, I consulted with a friend, Karen Lohman; Matsushima Landscaping, who is very creative and knowledgeable. She helped me to decide what I wanted and drew the blueprint.

I had to narrow down my tree selection, but a dogwood tree was a MUST. Which one? Karen influenced my decision by suggesting an Oriental Dogwood tree, but Judy Manley another artist and landscape specialist, talked highly of a Korean Dogwood. Challenging decision! It took a third woman at Bark and Garden Nursery in Olympia, Washington, to help me pin down the perfect dogwood for me. When she explained the color development of the blossoms, I had to have this one.

First the blossoms are white and green with tinges of pink as you can still see in the background of this photograph.



Some of the blooms have grown larger and are turning pink.



The blossoms have such a lovely grace.



Needless to say, I am very happy with my decision and look forward to many years of watching this Korean Dogwood tree grow and bloom.

Another Canvas

I am having so much fun creating space and atmosphere in my new house.

Having an entire room for my art studio is delightful. I ordered two daylight fixtures that were on sale at Jerry's Artarama, an online art store. I am creating two additional painting areas in my studio so that I can work on more than one painting at a time. Next I am going to build a shelf in the closet so that full size watercolor paper can fit. That will be a treat!

I am feeling guilty that I have not painted in a long time, but my creative energy has been directed to organizing space and decorating. I have only hung a few paintings, so far.

On a side note, I am visualizing the landscape around my house as another canvas to work on. Karen Lohmann of Matsushima Landscaping in Olympia is helping me with the design. Today I went to see the gardens she designed for Samara. WOW!

At some point in time there will be pictures posted of my canvases. Stay tuned!