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
That wonderful redbud is a beauty. I've been wanting the variety Rising Sun for a while but with a small suburban lot I haven't been able to commit the space to it. I chose to plant Golden Spirit Smokebush instead. A smaller variety of the gold smokebush is out now but from what I can tell the leaves are not as round which is part of its appeal. And I can't fault you for that catalpa. Another beauty! The leaves are utterly delightful. Here in the deep south of Georgia this tree seems to be one of the first to lose its leaves in the fall and the last to grow new leaves in the spring but it is such a great tree one can't help but long for it. Again my space is limited so I admit these from afar and have thought about growing the Nana variety which is hard to come by. I've seen these planted in Dutch gardens with aplomb.
ReplyDeleteI can identify with the limited space! I actually just got 'Rising Sun' a few months ago and have it in a pot but it doesn't seem to be happy. I hesitate to cram it into the ground somewhere but that may be what I do. Have you seen 'Flamethrower'? I know that one will be tempting if we get it next year. You will love the 'Golden Spirit' smokebush. It is lovely.
DeleteSuch useful info! I'm always curious about what attracts visitors' eyes. I've got that cotula and the silene growing in my garden right now and will attest to their good looks. Not that my silene is anything like yours yet! I love golden-leaved trees too -- the leaves on that catalpa are luscious!
ReplyDeleteHad I toured your garden, I'm sure I'd have pestered you relentlessly for names of plants. All those you've shown here deserved the attention they received. The only one I have in my garden is the Cotula, which is a rampant spreader here.
ReplyDeleteThat Acer is very attractive. The Cotula is a darling. I can see why people were asking about all of these. I wish Michaleangelo would grow in semi shade. I would have to have it.
ReplyDeleteNo wonder they were getting asked about. All gorgeous. Did you survive all the open days? They can be hectic!
ReplyDeleteThe variety of plants you have are amazing. And I completely understand the visitors' curiosity. They are beautiful specimens. I love the Germander. Just gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteIs the hedge Maple really a "hedge" size or is that just a term. I would love a short hedge of that somewhere in the garden.
ReplyDeleteLinda, it can get 10 feet or more or at least that is what I read. An older established one that I saw in another garden was about 5 feet tall. It was probably trimmed. I will have to do a lot of that to keep mine down. I don't have a lot of room for it to expand.
DeletePhillip I am totally in love with your garden .. it would be my dream garden in fact.
ReplyDeleteI'm a bit of a wild child gardener .. I see a plant I love and plant it helter skelter ?
You asked about the blue "ground cover" , yes it is a campanula . I can't remember the specific cultivar. I have another one "Waterfall" that cascades and climbs but the flower isn't as neat and delicate as the one you like, although that shock of blue is still present. Night Heron is a plant I would absolutely love to have in my shade section, I have been looking for it. I am surprised to see a gold version of redbud, it belies the name ? LOL .. I understand your need for Golden Catalpa it is beautiful .. and indeed I have pollarded larger trees for my small gardens .. I would love a Gingko Biloba .. I love the leaf structure and that shock of stunning gold in the Autumn. Gardeners will always chase their dream plants. Gorgeous plants & trees !
"everybody seems to ask about a particular plant...and it will always be one you least expect." I know what you mean. Rose Campion in my garden - go figure: the easiest to grow, self-sowing, least photogenic with the smallest flowers.
ReplyDelete-Ray
If I was near enough to tour your garden, I'd probably question every single plant! They're all so unique and uncommon.
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