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Japanese Maples Fall Color

'Skeeter's Broom' is the most colorful maple in our garden. I have just returned from a 2-week trip to Japan. This was my first ever trip outside the United States. It was an amazing experience and one I will never forget. Japan was wonderful - they really have their act together and I think the U.S. could learn a few things from them. There was one disappointment on the trip - the fall color had barely begun there and was really just beginning as we left. That is okay because the gardens were still spectacular, and I got a nice shot of fall color when I got back. 'Ryusen' I missed a few things - our ginkgo had just turned a glorious color the day before I left, and the leaves were gone by the time I got back.  'Sango-Kaku' I came home to many leaves on the ground but still a lot on the trees. 'Osakazuki', a beautiful red maple always changed color very late and therefore doesn't usually last long. When I left there was no color but a few remaini

Mary Livingston Ripley Garden



The last garden that I want to share from my Washington D.C. trip is the Mary Livingston Ripley Garden, part of the Smithsonian Gardens. This tiny garden, located in an alley between the Mall and the neighboring street, exudes charm. It was packed with perennials, annuals, shrubs and trees and each plant was labeled.











Comments

  1. Some alley! That's quite the little jewelbox of a garden. I'd say you had a very successful trip to D.C.

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  2. Another wonderful garden. The hardscape makes this one very different. But it's lovely. What's that thorny-leafed plant? A solanum?

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  3. And are those gigantic castor beans?

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  4. Chuck, I don't know what the thorny plant is. It was labeled but I didn't make a note of it. Those are indeed castor bean plants. Isn't that color wonderful?

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  5. The Ripley Garden is a(mainly) undiscovered gem in D.C. Whenever I'm in the city (3-4 times a yr.) I make it a point to get there. The chief gardener is a delightful, dedicated woman who loves to fill the place with unique plants. She gives tours some afternoons. It's filled with color, unique plants, many fanciful birdhouses, a great fountain, and a place to linger. Great photos.

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  6. That is some beautiful garden but the Garden Photography is even more stunning !

    Beautiful photography !

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  7. thanks for the wonderful images of the Ripley Garden. I am so glad you enjoyed the garden. I have had the pleasure of planting and maintaining the garden for the past 10 years. Yes, the thorny plant is a Solanum -- bonus points to Chuck b. It is Solanum quitoense, otherwise known as Lu-Lu Fruit or Naranjillo. easy to grow from seed -- gets quite massive (and dangerous) in one season.
    all the best - janet draper

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  8. That is one beautiful garden, Phillip. It is so much better than the one on our street because it has a lot of bold foliage, shrubs and textures.

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