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Coleton Fishacre - Inside the House

Coleton Fishacre has been described as "the perfect combination of the simple architecture and high standards of craftmanship of the nineteenth century Arts and Crafts movement with the modernity of the Jazz Age." I was told that there are not that many Art Deco style houses in the UK and this is one of the few private residences that are open to the public. Among the furnishings are Lalique wall lights, an eighteenth century Venetian chandelier and a carpet designed by Marion Dorn. Most of the furniture was designed by the architect of the house, Oswald Milne.   After Rowland and Freda Smith bought the house in 1949, they did not make many changes and the furnishings that they didn't use were stored. After the National Trust took over the property, they meticulously recreated the furnishings based on photographs that had appeared in Country Life magazine.   The library, pictured above and below, features a celebrated wind-dial map that was created by noted mapmaker Georg...

The Ugliest Winter Tree



My vote goes for Acer palmatum 'Shaina'. Don't get me wrong - this is a beautiful tree any other time of year (see photo below). During the winter months, the leaves cling to the tree and it is an unsightly mess. The leaves are also difficult to remove. I've tried using the rake but that doesn't work. The leaf blower didn't do a thing. Hand-picking is the best method although, as you can see, not too effective -



The new leaves are emerging and they will eventually push the old leaves off. It is just a matter of time -




Last May - 




Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

Comments

  1. It looks like it's worth waiting for, Phillip! Maybe the tree's leaves provide it with some winter protection?

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  2. Ugly now, yes, but soon it will be gorgeous!
    I thought it was an indication of stress, but heard there may be a benefit to the tree when it hangs on to its old foliage, something that quite surprised me. It is possible it has value when it regrows new foliage.
    So hang in tight, it won't be much longer.
    Chavli

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  3. Very interesting. It's certainly breathtaking in non-winter. The 'Emperor I' in the back gully here will cling somewhat to its dead foliage into winter but the Santa Ana winds are effective in pulling them off.

    Lagerstroemias always look dead in the winter and always surprise by leafing out just fine come spring. They fool me every year. You'd almost believe they have a sense of humor.

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  4. I initially hated the foliage on my Korean maples. But now I love having them as yet another color and texture in the winter garden. Though they usually have blown off by the time the new leaves arrive.

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    Replies
    1. Texture is an interesting way of looking at it - I must do that!

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  5. Texture, we all need texture in the winter garden. This tree is quite a beauty during summer.

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