Georges acers - 2006

[ideasguy]

Heres the view from my dining room window where I do my software development. I'm not too popular in that location, but I like the view!

In front, shining like a beacon, is the unmistakable Aureum. It looks at its best when it gets close to darkness. It just illuminates the surroundings.

The tall purple leafed Acer in the background is 'Fireglow'
To the left of 'Aureum' is 'Trompenburg'
To the right of 'Aureum' is plain old 'Virides'
I wasnt too fussed about Virides before, but its developed into a really nice shape, and the spring leaves are just gorgeous this year.
They are so different, and so beautiful.

[ideasguy]

Heres a closer look at Aureum

First, heres a link to a piccy when it leafed out in 2001 (to my great relief)
http://www.ideasforgardens.com/cultivars/IGC00001/igc00001.html

and now on its 6th birthday:

[ideasguy]

And now a focus on Fireglow, the big plant inthe background

[ideasguy]

Then, the Acer on the right - Virides
I love that big cascade at the front.

[ideasguy]

Now for a few photos taken on Sat 18th November

Acer Shindeshojo is the star at the moment. It is looking absolutley gorgeous. Its turned a rich shade of pink.
This photo shows it from outside my French Windows from the "software development office".
It as looking so good, it inspired me to go on a photo shoot around the garden.

 

[ideasguy]

Here's that same Shindeshojo from a different angle.
You can see its companions:
Acer 'Aoyagi' (very pretty light green in spring and summer, butter yellow in this its fall glory. In my opinion, not a great impression in fall. Its excellent in spring and all summer).
and behind that, Acer 'Okagami' a strong growing, upright atropurpureum.

Actually, Aoyagi has lost most of its leaves. The purple leaves effect are actually from an Acer palmatum 'Atropurpureum' in the background, a great little plant I grew from seed. Every Acer from seed is a "Cultivar" in my book. No two plants are identical - I also think that depends on a number of other factors - in particular, where they are sited, Also, in pots ot open ground etc etc.

[ideasguy]

Heres a photo taken looking down what I call the Acer walk. (I plan to plant Acers on bot sides)
My house in the background, and looking down my driveway.
There are actually two trees here, both grown from seed.

http://www.flowergenie.co.uk/images/rimg0011s.jpg

and heres a closeup of the foliage:
http://www.flowergenie.co.uk/images/rimg0012s.jpg
 

[greenfinger]

George, how much acer species and cultivars do you actually grow? You seem to have a whole colony of them! Apart from those in the Acer Walk most of them are in pots. Are they to move them easier from one place to another and change the scenery in that way or does it have another reason? From which age do you plant them out in full soil?
There is a  bright blue flowering plant near some acers: what kind of plant is that?

[ideasguy]

Ha! I persuaded 3 of my work colleagues to share the postage costs and buy Acers from Barthelemy, Dorset, England.
We bought 28 of which 22 were for me.
One colleague described his two as "lollipops on sticks". They were VERY small, but boy, were they stunning. They were delivered to my home, so I got to see them all in mass. It was hard parting with 6 of them!
(As fate would have it, all 6 died on my colleagues)

Of my 22, I dropped one plant. It snapped at the graft - end of plant!
Another was broken when my dog and my sons pup had a playful "fight"
One died in leafout in spring 2001. I fussed over it too much!

Only 2 of the 22 are planted out. They are away up the garden.
I was told to repot them and grow them on so they had a root system before planting them out. I grew them on for about 2 years and moved them through pots until they had spread roots at least a 6in pot before I planted them.

Since I only get to see them when I'm at that part of the garden, I decided to keep the remainder in pots, as I can keep them close to my back door, outside my dining room wndow etc, etc i.e. where I can see them all the time! Also, of course, they can be easily moved about if one is looking particularly good.

A few are getting too big to move around. I'll have to either prune them hard, or plant them somewhere (or both)

As for species Acers, Ive grown them from seed and also bought 20 or so A. palmatum atropurpureum seedlings in the same batch as above, They were only £1 each. As they matured, I gave them to my family and friends, and kept "a few". They are everywhere!

The bright blue flower is a Pericallis hybrid. (Stunning!) The pink flower is a Hydrangea.
I raved about it on this thread in our beloved forum here:
http://www.flowergenie.co.uk/ideas/forum/index.php?topic=149.0