Time for a Change

I decide that this was the year to finally remove the Azalea (Rhododendron 'Farrow') from the central location along the Zen garden fence. 

Back in 2016, when I first planted it, it looked more shrub-like and was a nice feature, especially with its annual bloom of reddish-pink flowers.

Over the years it increasing thinned out and lost foliage. 

This year it was in very poor condition.

In its place I panted a Baby Blue Sawara Cypress (Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Baby Blue'). This evergreen shrub was grown to mimic a pom-pom, and although small in size now, it has the potential to grow 6' high and 4' wide. 

That level of growth will take several years and I should be able to keep it groomed and under control. 

I think it looks good in this central location within the garden. As an evergreen, it should add some new interest to the Zen garden viewing experience, even in the winter.