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
They are so lovely, Phillip. One good use for them is to mark where tulips and other larger bulbs are planted in the fall, since their foliage is persistent all winter, you will know where to look for the emerging tips. They seems to like to be spread thinly, filling in to become large clumps quickly. I think they even seed about. And that color!
ReplyDeleteFrances at Faire Garden
I've got a good swath of them that make a nice purple path in the spring. They were at their best the first year and less impressive each following year. I remember seeing them first at Keukenhof in Holland, a big purple explosion of color and that's what I wanted too.
ReplyDeleteThere were some grape hyacinths planted along the back fence when we came - languishing in the shade and roots of the big pecan - I'm ashamed to admit they've mostly been ignored!
ReplyDeletePhillip, your post has made me decide to dig some of them up and move them to a better location to see if it improves the bloom.
Annie at the Transplantable Rose
That is very pretty! It inspires me to plant them in masses.
ReplyDeleteOne of my favorite bulbs, along with the blue Scilla. I love the fact that it spreads as well. I'm trying to fill my entire lawn with them this year.
ReplyDeleteI agree---they're too short to be appreciated properly. You have to lie on your belly just to enjoy their fragrance. They are pretty from a bug's-eye view though.
ReplyDeleteI put a few in pots and hanging baskets where I can enjoy the scent too.
ReplyDeleteIt was love at first sight when I saw my first grape hyacinth. I truly love this little plant. I have a few that randomly pop up around my yard, and I always say that I'm going to do a few more. Maybe this fall I will.
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