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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

Firecracker Vine



Firecracker Vine (Manettia cordifolia) brightens the otherwise drab late summer garden with its hot red flowers. The small tubular blooms are profuse and adorn a vigorous but well-mannered vine. (Think Cypress Vine but without the headache of the invasiveness.) Hummingbirds love it!

This plant came to me from my great aunt Lesbie who loved to garden as much as I do.

Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

Comments

  1. Great vine, Phillip! I'm always looking for plants for the hummingbirds and may try this as an annual next year as it wouldn't be hardy here in zone 5.

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  2. looking at the blooms that close they look like fish. i know i see everything different than the rest of the world! Hope all is well with you and yours!

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  3. LostRoses, it is hardy here and that is great.

    Carol, they do look like fishes!

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  4. One I've often thought about picking up, glad to hear it is well behaved.

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  5. I have never seen this vine before. I bet it is a Southern vine. It is pretty.

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  6. I need to give that a try next summer. I don't think I've ever seen it around here. Did you start it fram seed or buy it as a plant?

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  7. Casa, it was a plant given to me. I don't know if it is easily grown from seed.

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