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
Glad you are back! Great photos!
ReplyDeleteI love hydrangeas, probably in the top 3 of my favorite flowers. I didn't know 'Annabelle' bloomed on new wood, that's good to know. I have at least 4 that won't be blooming this year because of late freezes. I have 2 oakleaf and one is a dwarf, love them. I agree that 'Nikko Blue' is hard to beat, it grows so fast and always has lots of flowers. I loved seeing some of your different varieties.
ReplyDeleteAnother visual treat.
ReplyDeleteI like the woodsy feel where you're growing them with Hosta and what i think is a Holly fern.
I didn't realise how much shade the oakleaf can take.
As a new reader of gardening blogs I am so impressed with all that is shared in yours. You and your partner have created such beautiful gardens, and what a lesson for those of us who are unfamiliar with gardening down South.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing!
I certainly hope your neighbors realize how lucky they are to have all of the benefits of a park in the neighborhood! Just exquisite. It's clear you and Michael are passionate about the garden!
ReplyDeleteI can see why you guys are fond of the Hydrangeas...just wonderful!
ReplyDeleteI didn't know there were that many different hydrangeas. You have an amazing collection. Here in northern IL there aren't as many relaible ones. Peegee, Annabelle, and Limelite are my favorites. I wish the lacecaps and Nikko were hardy.
ReplyDeleteMarnie
I'm seeing all these great pictures of hydrangeas everywhere but I don't have a great spot for any. Too much sun! I need more trees to grow hydrangeas! I'll get there eventually. Everything looks great Phillip!
ReplyDelete"Hydrangea Madness" means something very different around here. It generally refers to the lengths to which Chicago area gardeners will go to protect their Mopheads over the winter, or to acidify the soil to get them to be blue.
ReplyDeleteYour garden is a Hydrangea paradise. Absolutely gorgeous! I love them all, but especially 'Purple Tiers' and 'Nikko Blue.' The 'Nikko Blues' up here just don't compare.
Wow, so many Hydrangeas -- they're lovely.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you about the heat -- low 90's here for the next couple of days, with high humidity.
Those are beautiful pictures Phillip. It seems like evertime you take a photo you get a different view.
ReplyDeleteI have rooted several hydrangeas this year, for next year. Quite a few veriagated lacecaps. I am amazed by your 50 hydrangeas. Do ya'll tinker with the soil at all? I don't mess with mine, I just let them be. They are all shades of blue and purples. I have 2 lacecaps that were pink when planted, and now they are a deep deep blue, and they are beautiful.
ReplyDeleteMaybe Alabama is just Hydrangea Heaven, Phillip? In Illinois I could get new-wood bloomer Annabelle to bloom and did well with the oakleaf, but like MMD - saw myself & friends go nuts trying to get the fancier ones to survive and keep a few buds alive over winter. Now in Austin my one puny non-blooming hydrangea is trying to commit suicide so it can get out of TX.
ReplyDeleteIt's so much easier and saner to come here when Dreaming of Hydrangeas!
Annie at the Transplantable Rose
Thanks for all the comments! '
ReplyDeleteDirt Princess, I don't tinker with the soil at all. Most of our hydrangeas are in the blue range because we have more acid soil.
Annie, yeah I wouldn't think that Texas would be too kind on them. But look at all the other nice plants that you can grow!
Phillip, I love the lace caps best, but only grow H arborescens spps and oakleafs. They are happy here! I know over the next few weeks we are going to be treated to photos of the delightful varieties in your garden! I can't wait! gail
ReplyDeleteIf this be madness... sign me up. Hydrangeas are one of my passions.
ReplyDelete(word verification is "paltime")
That is a lot of hydrangeas.
ReplyDeleteIts too bad that they dont do very well in Colorado.
www.lifeseedco.blogspot.com
It's peony madness here at the moment--the two plants always remind me of one another. (Incidentally, we Michiganders seem to be able to have hydrangeas without any extra winter protection.)
ReplyDeleteOh Lovely hydrangeas! Their cool-colored blooms do take the edge off the summer heat a bit! The only variety I have in my garden is Endless Summer, which I'm very happy with, except that it's perpetually thirsty.
ReplyDeleteThe hydrangeas are just beginning to bud up here. Yours are wonderful. Nikko won't bloom reliably for me but 'Endless Summer' has done well. Must plant more! I think my favorite is 'Limelight'.
ReplyDeleteAll I can do is dream of Hydrangeas in summer here. It's so pleasing to see their smiling bunches in your garden. That cool blue must be so refreshing in the summer heat! Great photos, Phillip!
ReplyDeletePhillip, that last hydrangea you mentioned, the smaller one, is that also an oakleaf one? Sounds like something I should try to find. My Lady in Red is two years old and just now starting to bloom a lot. I really like it though.
ReplyDeleteI just love your hydrangea collection. Mine don't bloom very good. I can't figure out why. I have quite a few but the variety doesn't seem to matter. They just don't bloom profusely. Your garden looks fantastic now with all those balls of blooms.
ReplyDeleteCan you even TAKE a bad shot in your garden? I don't think it's hydrangea madness. I think it's regular madness.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos. I love the wooded areas of your garden! Since I love in Austin, I can't say I've seen too many of these gorgeous flowers.
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