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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
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Happiness is the return of rainfall


It has been raining off and on since Sunday and I couldn't be happier. According to our rain gauge, we've received about 1.5 inches as of Monday afternoon. The temperatures are cooler as well with highs in the low 70s and high 60s. Overall, this summer has not been like the hellacious one we had last year. I think there have only seen a few days in the 90s. 

 I am always amazed to see how plants respond to rainfall. The Black Tupelo (Nyssa sylvatica) seems to put out an inch of growth overnight.
Black Tupelo (Nyssa sylvatica)
Angel's Trumpet (Brugmansia 'Charles Grimaldi') has also has another bloom display although the leaves are very yellowish. 
Begonia 'Bonfire' and Creeping Jenny 
I've just discovered Caryopteris and this is the second one I've planted. It is called 'Good as Gold'.

Clerodendrum trichotomum (Harlequin Glorybower) (Peanut Butter Tree) - I've been warned about this one reseeding but the flowers are incredible. 

Coreopsis 'Sunray' 

Hydrangea quercifolia 'Snowflake'


Lantana 'Miss Huff' 

Leucosceptrum japonicum 'Golden Angel' (Japanese Shrub Mint)

Tibouchina (Princess Flower)
Rose 'Lady Emma Hamilton'

'Lamarque' - so happy to have this rose again and it is just now blooming. Very strange time for it but I'm not questioning. 

Rosemary 'Foxtail'
Solidago 'Fireworks' (Goldenrod)

And last, rhododendron 'Anah Kruschke' is blooming - what the heck?


Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy
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Comments

  1. chavlinessSeptember 10, 2019 at 10:49 AM

    The end-of-summer garden can be a little bit of a downer for me, so a good soaking of rain is just the pick-me-up I need, not to mention the plants. Everything perks up and glistens. I'm not sure which heather is in the first picture, it looks similar to one I have as well, and as soon as it gets cooler at night, it will be ablaze with orange and red.

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    1. Phillip OliverSeptember 10, 2019 at 2:06 PM

      The heather is 'Multicolor'. It is really colorful.

      Delete
  2. Barbara H.September 10, 2019 at 11:29 AM

    Oh you lucky duck - rainfall AND cooler temps - green with envy here in Alabama. I don't know if your clerodendron is the same as the one I had in Portland but on mine, after the flowers beautifully colored round seeds or seedpods covered the tree. I had never seen any thing like it. Or smelled the peanut buttery smelling leaves before either.

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    1. Phillip OliverSeptember 10, 2019 at 2:07 PM

      This one does that too. Oddly though, I have never detected the fragrance!

      Delete
  3. Lisa at GreenbowSeptember 11, 2019 at 6:08 PM

    Lucky you getting some much needed rain. That rhodie didn't know what was happening. ha... Just sit back and enjoy it.

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