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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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Asters


Aster 'Kickin Purple' 
For fall perennials, asters are hard to beat and I've just recently went a bit crazy over them. I've always admired the half-hardy types that appear in garden centers alongside the chrysanthemums for seasonal color in pots. I don't remember having any of the hardier varieties in the old garden but I've added several in the garden here. According to my spread sheet, I have at least five varieties.

 The latest is pictured above (Aster 'Kickin Purple'). The "Kickin' series offers a more compact plant that hopefully stays neat and tidy. Advertised as growing only 2' x 2', it appears to adhere to that size so far. There are about six or seven different colors in the series.

 The first aster I planted was the old standby Aster frikartii 'Monch'. I have several along the fence border that runs alongside the street. It is the earliest blooming aster and I've seen flowers as early as late July. Normally, the flowers last way up through fall but this year they had faded before I got a chance to photograph them. I've heard people say that it flops badly but I have not had that happen. Full sun exposure helps to counter that problem and you can also cut them back in early summer to stunt the growth.
Aster novae-angliae 'Purple Dome'
If I had to choose a favorite aster, I would probably go with Aster novae-angliae 'Purple Dome'. This is a variety of the New England Aster. The plants are generally loaded with blooms although looking at the photo above, they appear more sparse this year. The color of the blooms are really rich and saturated.
Aster 'Wood's Purple' 
Another favorite is 'Wood's Purple', another compact variety. The photo above was taken last year but this year's flowers were just as lovely. 
Aster pringlei 'Monte Cassino White'

Aster 'Monte Cassino White' blooms much later than the aforementioned varieties. Flowers just opened about two weeks ago. This is a beautiful white aster with tiny, profuse flowers and reminds me of ones you'd see growing along the roadside.
Aster lateriflorus 'Prince' 
Last, but not least, is another late bloomer, Aster 'Prince', also known as the "Calico aster". This one is much different from the others, with dark burgundy foliage. At first, the plant doesn't look that impressive but when it achieves full bloom, which it does just a few days after the first blooms appear, it is literally smothered with tiny white flowers. 


Now, if I don't have enough already, I would like to get a pink variety to go in the Pan Garden in back. I've noticed a few on the Joy Creek website that I am putting on my wishlist.

 Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy
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  1. Lisa at GreenbowOctober 24, 2019 at 2:13 PM

    You do have a nice collection of Asters. I have a few but I don't know the names of most of them. I have to cut them back because they don't get full sun but they do bloom nice anyway.

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  2. Jane StrongOctober 24, 2019 at 4:45 PM

    You grow such beautiful plants. What's your secret? Food? Selection? Expertise? TLC?

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  3. ksOctober 24, 2019 at 6:51 PM

    When I first moved to northern California from San Diego I went a bit mad for Asters-they were pretty much an unknown down in zone 10. This was 30 years ago, and in a former garden , but in the last few years I've been increasing my aster inventory. I concur with your opinion of 'Purple Dome' - I have 3 which is a big commitment in my small garden.

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  4. chavlinessOctober 27, 2019 at 7:41 AM

    You have a spread sheet? I thought saving the plant tags in a box (for 20 years) was a good system... My hat off to your commitment to organization!
    I do love Aster: little care and great rewards as it light up the garden in Autumn. I should consider later booming varieties to extend the bloom period even later into the season.

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  5. debsgardenOctober 27, 2019 at 5:41 PM

    What a wonderful selection! I especially like your Woods Purple, and I really like how it looks with the neighboring plants. It is a beautiful combination.

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