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Although this could very well be a picture of me finding a new treasure at a favorite nursery, it's actually an illustration by David Catrow for a children's book called Plantzilla.

Friday, April 29, 2016

My Favorite Plants in the Garden ... This Month

My Favorite Plants...This Month is hosted by my pal Loree at Danger Garden on the last Friday of each Month.  For some reason I often loose track of the final Friday but this month remembered! How can one choose a few favorites from the explosion of growth and bloom happening in the garden right now.  I love them all but a group that wins my heart over and over is the maples, mostly Acer palmatum with their varied glowing colors that change several times during the summer before one last fireworks show in autumn.


While posting, I realized that this is only a small sample of the maples in my little garden.

Because of their popularity, a few of the more common varieties were overused in landscapes installed around new construction for a time.   I was not a fan and when we moved into our current house, inheriting a now rather large A. palmatum 'Bloodgood,' (not pictured) it nearly got chopped down.

I'm glad it stayed and those burgundy leaves (really hated them!) have grown on me.

The label on this one got lost at the nursery so I got it for a song.  The leaves start this sickly-looking color but turn candy apple red later on.

Just realized that I forgot to include images of Acer pseudoplatanus 'Esk Sunset' another stunner that I love. Here are some crazy strange leaves on an Acer palmatum 'Shiraz'

Uukigumo  looks its best where it can illuminate a dark corner. 


Forgot the name of this one but until I got 'Fairy Hair' which I also forgot to photograph, this was my laciest foliaged maple.


'Autumn Moon' sports autumn orange tones right from the beginning of spring.  

'Peaches and Cream'  


'Purple Ghost'

So, my favorite plants (this month) are the varied and beautiful maples.  Be sure to check out Loree's current faves by clicking here!

This weekend, I'll try to get some of the potted plants in the ground to make space for all the stuff in the greenhouse that wants to frolic outside this summer.  Too many plants!  Wishing you a productive weekend in your garden!


31 comments:

  1. Heading back to the states this weekend and I can't wait to see my garden after a 3 week absence. I never saw a Japanese maple I didn't like and I admire your collections. The Uukigumo is drool worthy.

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    1. So much change takes place at this time of year. Your garden will be full of surprises when you return! Ukigumo is ghostly white when the leaves first emerge. It's a beauty that would look great in your garden!

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  2. This is the time of year when all the maples in my neighborhood drive me crazy, why don't people prune them? I'll take my loppers out with me on my walk.

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    1. I see people pruning them with weed eaters all of the time. I like your idea of walk-by pruning.

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  3. Your collection of Japanese maples is indeed beautiful! You're right, at this time of year it's hard to pick favorites.

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    1. Isn't it amazing how much there is happening outside right now. The combination of the warm winter and some hot days have hardy fuchsias and roses blooming at the same time as tulips and the foliage is incredibly voluptuous!

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  4. How did I not realize you had so many Japanese maples? A fellow Portlander recently commented that she's planted 35 trees on her lot...that seems like a lot but I bet you've got that times 2!

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    1. Some are smaller than others but my garden is so cramscaped that it's hard to pick anything out of the amorphous blob of foliage. I've never thought about how many trees are there but a tree count would be a fun blog post!

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  5. An Acer is not just for Autumn, as you've clearly shown. Love them.

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    1. They're grand at any time of the year. Some have forms that are very ornamental in the winter especially with lichen/moss growing on the branches.

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  6. Oh, you do have some beauties! I love the maples too.

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  7. My favorite small tree--yours are so beautiful in the perfect climate for them.

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    1. We're very fortunate to live in this climate, even though I sometimes envy yours!

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  8. You have quite the collection! I love Japanese maples and would have a dozen more if I had more shade and water. I killed 'Purple Ghost' 2 years ago so, for now, I've confined myself to just the 2 trees hardy enough to survive our scorching summers.

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    1. Next time I'm envious of how beautiful your gardens are year round with those incredible agaves and other succulents, I'll remember to appreciate the maples, peonies, hostas, etc. that we are able to grow here. (Not much help in winter...)

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  9. Ukigumo looks so lovely lighting up that dark corner! You have quite the collection of maples. I still have a lot of plants to put in the ground, too. And I've been trying to finally catch up on weeding and edging the beds. No time to do both! I could use at least 5 more hours in the day, with energy to match.

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    1. I hear you about the extra hours and energy. what we really need is a larger garden staff!

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  10. Stunning collection! Acers are so garden worthy, changing all the time through the year then finish with a wonderful display in the autumn, you have some beautiful specimens.

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    1. I'm glad we share an appreciation for these lovelies.

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  11. I love Acers too, I had them for my Foliage Follow-up. I think your Purple Ghost looks darker than mine. I like the pale ones too, the one that turns red sounds really interesting, Peter.

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    1. They all have their charms and they're so varied. No wonder we love them!

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  12. What a beautiful variety of a plant I've admired but shied away from being under the impression (probably false) that they were difficult to cultivate...

    Being an amateur, and a lazy and frugal one at that, I have played it safe too long and really SHOULD "branch out"!

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    1. I'm a lazy amateur and sometimes try to be frugal. These are very easy in our climate and acidic soil but I understand they're not as easy in places that get really hot summers. Most are quite winter hardy and a lot of them can be purchased in one gallon pots so aren't horribly expensive.

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  13. Beautiful! Beautiful! Beautiful!! All the PNW blogs always make me want a Japanese maple!

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  14. I've just pulled out my last Jp. Maple. Not worth the cost and effort here but yours are just stunning.

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    1. Between your cold winters and hot summers, they'd be miserable there, a costly annual and a lot of work to haul into the garage each winter. If they didn't grow like weeds here, I wouldn't have them.

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  15. What a fantastic collection of acers you have, I love them. How could you contemplate getting rid of ' Bloodgood'? It is so beautiful. Acers have such beautiful spring leaves. Have you tried growing them from seed? You should get some interesting hybrids from your collection. I have three nice little acers from seeds that fell into my pocket.

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  16. PS. I just read your comment about trying to be frugal, Pinocchio. Sorry,I mean Peter.

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  17. That's a lot of maple gorgiosity to pack into one garden. Now I want them all.

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Thanks so much for taking the time to comment! I love to hear your thoughts.