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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

Hydrangea "Angel's Lace"



Another new line of hydrangeas is the "Halo" series. They were originally bred in Japan in the early 90s by Hiroshi Ebihara and later marketed in Europe as the "Frau" series. Now they are available here in the U.S. with names like "Angel Eyes" and "Angel Smile". We have "Angel's Lace" and it is quickly becoming one of our favorites.

Described as the first picoteed lacecap in the world (that is when the flower color has one basic color with a margin of another color), it is bred to be compact with sturdier limbs and larger flowers. It is marketed as being suitable for containers. It can grow to be 4 to 5 feet so it is certainly fine in the ground, as ours is. It is very hardy (to zone 6). So far, this has been a spectacular addition to the garden and one that I would highly recommend.

Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

Comments

  1. That bloom is unusual with the white edge around the bloom.

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  2. does it have any fall color in the leaves?

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  3. The white edge is awesome, and really makes the bloom pop

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  4. It's beautiful. I adore hydrangeas and it's great to learn about these.

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  5. Absolutely beautiful. What I wouldn't give to be able to grow lacecaps.
    Marnie

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  6. Hot pink--love the 'halo' on the edges, too!

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  7. Absolutely stunning! Can't wait to see it in person.

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  8. I love picoteed flowers. That lacecap is so pretty!

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  9. Hydrangeas are one of my favorite shrubs, mostly because of the gorgeous blooms. So it's nice to see a completely different look in a lacecap - that white edge sets off the bold pink beautifully. I bet it stands out in the garden like no other! Yet another plant I'll have to track down and add to the garden....

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  10. Phillip I have heard of this series but never saw them. Stunning!! Keep those hydrangea shots coming.
    Sandra

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  11. Beautiful! This is one i would like to add to my own garden. it is quite interesting.

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  12. And what about powdery mildew on the foliage. Many of these have major problems with this leaf problem.

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  13. Awesome! But of course........only zone 6. I'm barely a 5......

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  14. Phillip, You are surely increasing the sale of hydrangeas everywhere! This one is stellar! gail

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  15. Nice...I haven't seen that variety before.

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  16. The comments say it all. Beautiful shrub.

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  17. Absolutely beautiful!!! Love the white outlines around the petals.
    Marnie

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  18. Okay Phillip, how long do we have to wait for more hydrangeas?

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  19. Whoa! I never knew Hydrangeas come in so many colors! I learnt a lot about them from your posts on Hydrangeas. Thank you :)

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