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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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Hail To The No!

Rhododendron 'Blue Baron'


After yesterday's snowstorm, we had a bone-chilling day today with a few sunny spots. This afternoon, a freakish hail storm or so I thought - apparently it was graupel? A new term for me. Tomorrow's forecast? Snow in the morning but hopefully nothing like the one yesterday. 

Get a load of this -



Viewing the aftermath from yesterday's snow, it was comforting to see that the garden had rebounded nicely. I suppose that most of us underestimate the resiliency of plants even after working with them for decades. Our tendency is to panic and expect the worst but I now always think about a phrase that a co-worker tells customers - "Plants want to live!" 

I didn't spend much time outside today because it was cold and wet but I did get the Azara (Azara microphylla) upright again.

Yesterday -




Today! -



It wasn't bad at all. I picked it right up and used a large stake to secure it. I didn't feel any roots as I lifted it and I wonder about what kind of root system this tree has - apparently not significant which might explain why it fell. There is a section of bark off the trunk missing and I'm not sure if it were already like this - 



The Strawberry Tree (Arbutus unedo) received the most damage with at least three large limbs broken off. It was so full and lush and now there is an obvious hole on one side. There is really nothing to do about it except wait and hope for new growth to develop. 


By all accounts, a freakish April. Winter is reluctant to depart ways as the forecast for the next seven days looks chilly and wet.

Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy
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