There is something about a rainy Saturday.  Something that makes it easier to not be upset about the long to do list remaining undone.  Something that calls for a large pot of creamy potato soup and freshly baked rolls.  Something that demands a balance between snuggling a four month old baby girl while listening to the rolling thunder and setting out for a drive up the canyon to experience the misty mountains.

We had such a Saturday.  There was exterior trim to be painted, weeds to be pulled, attics to be swept out, and {ironically} a rain gutter to be installed.  But we woke up to the sound of thunder and our plans for working outside washed away with the raindrops running  down my  gutter-less brick house.    We could have followed the example of the stalwart fans at the park across watching little league football and thrown on our rain coats  but we didn’t.  Instead we pulled up some Netflix and made a pot of soup.  Not to say there wasn’t any work done.  Some laundry was definitely folded, and the hardwood was swiffered, but there was definitely more baking of things like rolls and chocolate chip cookies than chores.  There’s just something about a rainy Saturday.

In the early afternoon my husband suggested we take a drive up the canyon and although I wasn’t too eager to leave my cozy spot on the couch and pack my giggling, smiley baby into her car seat I agreed.  The rain was a little heavy as we headed up Provo Canyon, but it lightened a bit as we turned of the main highway and climbed the mountain towards Sundance.

The mountain meadows were like something out of Tolkien.  Varying shades of green were dappled with  yellowing leaves of early fall.  The fragrance of rain in the mountains was incredible, and the air had the icy chill that signifies the end of summer.

We had intended to go up and over the Alpine Loop but we ended up turning off towards Cascade Springs and heading down the dirt road to Midway.  Views of Deer Creek Lake were completely obscured by the clouds and the mist as we wound our way down the mountain.  It was truly breath taking, the pictures snapped on my phone don’t do it justice.

I find as much inspiration for my design work in the natural world as I do in formal landscaped gardens.  On this particular drive I was reminded about the grounding and foundational characteristics of evergreens.  Throughout spring and summer evergreens can be passed over in favor of shrubs, trees, and perennials heavily laden with blossoms, but they get their time in the spotlight come fall and winter.

On our drive I noted the beauty of yellowing aspens, and the fire like hues of transitioning Big Tooth maples.  But I also appreciated the structure provided by the firs, pines, and spruces.  Some appeared almost black in the landscapes and all ensured consistency during the mountain’s transition.

In residential applications evergreen trees can provide the same consistency and structure year round.  Most backyards aren’t well suited for the majesty of Ponderosa pine or fully grown blue spruce.  However, there are many varieties whose size is perfect for a residential garden.  Click here for my top four favorite residential evergreen trees.