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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

The Garden of Reuben Hatch


I've really missed visiting gardens this year. I know that many of the HPSO gardens are open by appointment and I keep trying to put some on my schedule. A few weeks ago, a co-worker introduced me to Reuben Hatch at the nursery and suggested that I go see his garden. He was kind enough to invite me over. It turns out he just lives down the road from us, less than a mile away!

Mr. Hatch is a very interesting man. He once operated a rhododendron business on his property. I only saw a few rhododendrons in his garden but he has a great collection of plants, many of them rare and unique.

The first tree I noticed when I stepped out of the car was this deciduous magnolia with fuzzy leaves planted next to the driveway. He said that it was from South America.



He has many interesting varieties of Japanese Maple. This one is 'Peve Starfish' -



A view of the front garden -



The small variegated tree in the center of the photo is a Dove tree (Davidia). The variety is 'Lady Sunshine'.

A closer look -





He has the green Davidia as well -




Speaking of variegated leaves, this dogwood was stunning. (And I can't recall the name) -



A hedge maple (Acer campestre 'Carnival') was incredibly beautiful. My photo doesn't adequately capture the beauty.  I want one! -



And, lo and behold, the largest Embothrium coccineum (Chilean Flame Tree) that I've ever seen. Mine is still under 1' (after 3 years!) but it is showing some activity this year. Mr. Hatch said they should be grown in a pot for a while before going into the ground. I believe he said this one was 15 years old. I hate I missed the blooms.



This Japanese Maple was especially beautiful with the morning sunshine coming through the leaves. He did not remember the name of it. It was a stunner.



This one is 'Geisha Gone Wild' and an unknown rose in the foreground. We have 'GGW' and it is currently our favorite maple. Ours is small and in a pot.



Another beauty -



And this cherry tree with the most lovely bark -


As you can see, there is quite a collection of interesting conifers -








As well as ornamental grasses -






As well as some amazing phormiums (New Zealand Flax) -


One had even bloomed -


Thank you Reuben for sharing your amazing garden! 

Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

Comments

  1. What inspiration and so close to home. You can possibly keep an eye on your favorites. I too like that 'Carnival' maple and the tall skinny weeping blue spruce. Those would be on my most wanted list.

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  2. It's funny what's hiding in plain view just a mile down the road. It's a fantastic garden and seem to have my favorites: conifers, Japanese maples and grasses. I don't think I ever saw a fermium in bloom.

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  3. Wow, is that a garden, and how lucky you are to have found it. Thanks for sharing it. I so miss seeing other gardens and this one is a gem.

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