I didn't always like Acer palmatum. In fact, there was a time when I hated them because a few weeping varieties were extremely overused by developers. Throw an atlas cedar or other evergreen just left of center in a kidney shaped bed, add a weeping acer, some sword ferns, a rhododendron, and a few boulders, cover the whole thing with bark and voila - it's done. Once you start getting to know how many varieties exist and how beautiful they are throughout the seasons, it's easy to fall in love! Acer p. 'Amagi Shigure' is new to me this year and bears some similarities to others that I love but is quite vibrant right now.
A slow-growing, upright deciduous tree with bright brick-red leaves with prominent black veins. Fall color is vivid orange, red, and purple. One of the most exciting discoveries from Japan. Prefers sun/partial shade in well-drained soil. 6'tall x 3'wide in 10 years. Hardy to -20 degrees. USDA zone 5
O.K. I'm cheating and adding some more plants. A. palmatum 'Purple Ghost' which you may remember from a recent visit to Portland nursery...
Also looks nice in the rain! Bucholz & Bucholz, who introduced this one say basically the same thing as they did about the previous tree. This one grows to 8 feet tall though.
Another unusual Acer that has had my eye for the the last few years is A. palmatum 'Fairy Hair' Look here to see a images of the bright red fall foliage!
Breaking the rules again by adding one more cutie. This is the plant that came from Danger Garden in Portland with Alison last week. Danger is the delightful host of the Favorite plant meme. Make sure you check out her blog to see other favorites this month! Erythrina crista-galli (Cockspur Coral Tree) is only hardy to 15 - 20 degrees so I don't know if it'll ever make it into the ground. Loree overwintered it by cutting it back hard and storing it in her basement. It's pretty sweet in the pot she chose for it and I may just see if it'll take the same treatment next year. It flowers on new wood so we'll see what happens! How exciting to play with a plant totally new to me!
What is your favorite plant this week?
