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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

White Christmas



Well, who would have thunk it? Those silly weather people, who usually get us all in a tizz over nothing, were actually right this time. We woke up to a beautiful white Christmas. They say that 1989 was the last time it happened.

I have not ventured out yet. I took these photos from the windows. Outside the breakfast room window (a tiny room that was once a back porch) is where I have most of the bird feeders during the winter. Michael got me some new ones for Christmas this year so I will have to get them out next week. And speaking of feeding the birds, what is up with the huge price hikes on bird seed???





From the bedroom window -



Merry Christmas!


Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

Comments

  1. Very pretty. At least it is a managable snow, one you can get around in. A white Christmas is always a bit magical! Merry Christmas...came by for the chocolate banana bread and may stay.

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  3. Wow, now I am jealous. A white Christmas. All you needed was Bing and the crowd throwing open the doors of the lodge to make it complete...

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  4. Your white Christmas looks beautiful, Phillip - what a nice view! We had nearly an inch of rain yesterday which was a very good Christmas present for dry Austin.

    I heard the birdseed price rise has something to do with the drought in Russia and increasing speculation in the seed/grain market - no doubt spoiling the birdwatching fun for a lot of people.

    Hope 2011 is good to you & yours!

    Annie at the Transplantable Rose

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  5. We're getting snow now (in NC). Beautiful.

    It looks like your dwarf mondo grass has completely filled in the area where you planted it a year or two ago. I'm envious. Mine is still creeping. What's your secret? Do you fertilize?

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  6. How's that for Christmas magic?! Beautiful photos. The cost of bird seed is insane! The more we buy the more it will go up.....geez.

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  7. Just enough snow to make everything beautiful and sparkling.
    Merry Christmas.

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  8. We had our first white christmas since 2004. It was so pretty. Your garden looks beautiful with a coating of sugar. I hope you and Michael had the Merriest Christmas.

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  9. Atlanta got it a couple of hours after you, but it's still snowing "to beat the band" at 9:30 PM...it's an extra treat that people have Sunday to enjoy it, as well! Have a magical remainder of the holiday!

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  10. What??!! I didn't get nearly as much "frosting" as y'all did...and I'm further north. What gives? Beautiful pics. Makes the barren gardenscape a place of enchantment huh?

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  11. Snow is pretty, especially if you don't get it all winter! :-)

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  12. Drop by and see our 20 or so snowflakes we received today....

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  13. Joyous Christmas Phillip! Your gardens are so lovely dressed in white! Beautiful! We are finally getting some snow here too.

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  14. Phillip,

    Looks like you got a very heavy dusting at least. I was thinking birdseed was cheap this year? I picked up 20# of black oiled sunflower seed for $8 at Southern States just before Christmas.ies

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  15. The snow has certainly hit the south this year, Phillip. It looks so nice in your garden, too. I noticed you (like me) allow your plants to remain uncut to provide winter interest. Not only is this aesthetically beautiful, might it also provide extra food for your avian friends? I haven't been keeping up with the price of birdseed as this year, my husband has continued to keep us stocked up. I think he has developed my addiction;-)

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  16. It was still dark when Mom & I left Tuscumbia Christmas morning for Callaway Gardens. We received snow that night while riding through the garden lights on the open trolley. Today things still white today. We wimped out & did the drive through tonight. Will post some of the pictures on my blog when we get back.

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  17. I only feed black oil sunflower seeds. I buy it by the 50lb bags at the Coop.

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  18. I hope your Christmas was wonderful Phillip~Happy New Year to you and Michael, xxgail ps The snow was a sweet surprise~just enough and no more. gail

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  19. Very pretty! We just had flurries for Christmas but a frosty world Sunday.

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  20. Jill, thanks for visiting!

    Annie, I had not heard that before. I hope Russia gets more rain this year!

    C.C., actually it hasn't filled in that thickly. I guess the snow makes it look that way.

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  21. Phillip, Great photos of your garden in white! What a joy to have a Christmas snow in Alabama. We were in Nashville and enjoyed an inch or two there. Happy New Year!

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