A Colorful Conclusion

As 2011 draws to a conclusion, 

my Japanese maples have come to a colorful conclusion this year.

I was concerned that the heat and drought would take its toll on the maples this year.   A couple of the maples went into early dormancy and dropped leaves early, but most of the trees put on a great show despite the difficult summer they endured.

Every year this display gets even prettier as the maples grow in size 

and my collection grows in number.

Three new varieties were added to my garden in the past year.   Last December I added Peaches & Cream, in the spring of this year I added Shaina, and this fall I added Tamukeyama.

Unfortunately Peaches & Cream lost its leaves early this fall, but then when the temps cooled down a bit and we got some rain, it tried to rebound and started putting on several new leaves again.   Here's a picture of "spring" leaves in the fall (and notice the crispy leaf, as well).

Shaina is an upright dwarf variety that will only grow about 5 feet tall and wide.   It has red spring and fall color.

The latest addition is Tamukeyama.  I got this variety just because the name is so fun to say :-)   Tamukeyama is a weeping dissectum variety that will eventually grow to 8 feet tall and 12 feet wide.   Red spring color changes to green during the summer.   Here is Tamukeyama shortly after planting in October.

Then returning to red in the fall, here is Tamukeyama in December
(with Oshio-Beni and Red Select in the background).

Here are some of the other maples dressed in their autumn color.

The bright foliage of Viridis really stands out against the dark glossy leaves of the 'DD Blanchard' Magnolia

Sango Kaku (Coral Bark)

has varying shades of orange and yellow fall foliage and an added bonus of red bark during the winter

Fireglow

Suminagashi

Inaba Shidare

Orangeola and  

Mikawa Yatsabusa were transplanted last winter, but both adjusted to their new home without any trouble.

Red Emperor holds its color well through the summer.  

This was a gift from a friend.  

I have great friends, huh?!!

Bloodgood

I love how the fall foliage of the Oakleaf Hydrangea in the foreground makes a beautiful combination with the maple

Red Select

I have 23 Japanese maples in my collection as of now.    

As the year comes to a conclusion, I have come to the conclusion 

that I might just be addicted to Japanese maples!

(just a little bit?)

H'm...I wonder if I have room for a couple more...

Toni :-)