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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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Soos Creek Botanical Garden


Our final stop on the garden tour was the Soos Creek Botanical Garden in Auburn, Washington. I had never heard of this place and it was spectacular. This garden has only been open to the public for ten years. I do not remember the man's name who created it but he is in his 90s now and still lives in the house on the property. Our tour guide said that he learned many of his gardening techniques and design principles in Europe.

The entrance to the gardens was a huge arch covered by the Golden Hops vine. Before we entered the gates, a dazzling display of dahlias were mass planted next to a nursery that is open on weekends.


And a touch of the whimsical - these clothes ornaments are made of metal -

 


Entering the garden area, I was impressed with the size of the hydrangeas. They were huge and so healthy looking -

 


 




 

 


 A wide vista of a large man-made pond awaits - 







 

The property slopes downhill to a wooded area with a gravel path that takes you down and then back up on the opposite side -











Back up to our starting point and a lunch overlooking the pond. A gorgeous garden and one that I want to visit again.

Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

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  1. Kris PetersonAugust 9, 2021 at 7:16 PM

    Beautiful! We don't see Hydrangeas like that down this way - not ever.

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  2. luv2gardenAugust 9, 2021 at 9:10 PM

    A lovely garden. The second to last photo of Cotinus and Telekia(?) is a stunning combination.

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  3. chavlinessAugust 10, 2021 at 8:12 AM

    I visited this garden years ago; it's so lush and inviting. What's the massive green plant at the side of the pond?

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    1. Phillip OliverAugust 10, 2021 at 8:21 AM

      You know, I'm not exactly sure. I will try to find the name.

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  4. Barbara H.August 10, 2021 at 9:52 AM

    All these beautiful gardens (including yours!) kind of boggle the mind.

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  5. Hoover BooAugust 11, 2021 at 1:45 PM

    Oh my goodness. Looks like heaven when everything here is so dried out and sunburnt. Refeshing!

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