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Chilean Fire Bush - a hidden jewel in our garden

It is heartbreaking that this beauty is hidden in our garden but at least the hummingbirds have found it. Hidden because it is planted behind a 7 feet tall rose. I planted it there because I was under the impression that it would become a tree. It can indeed become a tree and there is one growing about a mile from our house that is around 20 feet tall.  In our garden, it is taking its sweet time and is only 4 feet tall after being planted seven years ago (2017). It did not begin to bloom until its fifth year and this is the first year flowering has been so profuse. Whenever I think about this plant, I always remember what the Gosslers said in their book "The Gossler Guide to the Best Hardy Shrubs". I quote it here: "Since this plant comes from southern Chile, we begin with a word of warning: it will not grow anywhere in the United States outside western Washington, Oregon and northern California. People wanting to grow E. coccineum in the eastern part of the country will
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Fall Color on Japanese Maples


The fall colors are just incredible this year and during the past week, it looks like the saturation filter has been dramatically increased. 

The most colorful has to be the maples. In the top photo of our front pathway, you can see 'Skeeter's Broom' on the left and 'Sango Kaku' (the Coral Bark maple) on the right. 

I've never seen color on 'Dancing Peacock' (in a pot) like this before -

Acer japonicum 'Aconitifolium' ('Dancing Peacock')

And 'Golden Full Moon', very small right now, is just getting started -

Acer shirasawanum 'Aureum' ('Golden Full Moon')

The color on 'Osakazuki' occurs very late, sometimes too late, but happens overnight - 

Acer palmatum 'Osakazuki'

And then it changes even more. The upper photo was taken three days ago, the bottom on yesterday - 



'Sango Kaku', better known as the Coral Bark Maple, so called because of the red stem color (on newer stems) -



'Skeeter's Broom' is one of the prettiest maples in front -




'Shaina' is a variety I recommend for tight spots -




'Ryusen' is a weeping variety -




'Ryusen' as seen from the back with the morning sunlight shining through it -




'Beni-Hime'


And finaly, 'Bloodgood', which was already here when we moved in -





Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy
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  1. Kris PetersonNovember 7, 2023 at 4:45 PM

    You have a LOT of Japanese maples! They make a gorgeous showing. My 'Sango Kaku' has yet to shown any color whatsoever but it isn't dropping any leaves yet either.

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  2. tz_gardenNovember 8, 2023 at 8:38 AM

    WOW! I can't pick a favorite, what glorious color. What a delight to come home to!

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  3. rebeccaNovember 9, 2023 at 11:23 AM

    Your and Michael's garden is just amazing.

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  4. AnonymousNovember 10, 2023 at 8:56 AM

    I love Japanese maples. There's no way to pick a favorite this time of year; they are all stunning in their own way. Didn't you use to grow Acer palmatum 'Geisha Gone Wild'...
    Chavli

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    1. AnonymousNovember 10, 2023 at 1:04 PM

      Yes I do have that one. I moved it from a pot to the ground and it is in way too much shade. I'm going to dig it back up and put it in a pot again so I move it to a better location. The fall color is still pretty good on it. I forgot to photograph it.

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  5. AnonymousNovember 20, 2023 at 5:40 PM

    Hopefully moving to Vancouver next summer. Your garden has given me such great ideas. I love that you identify the plant names in your videos!

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