Sunday, October 18, 2009

Acer brilliance.

Today's photographs are of Acers, which currenty provide the main colour in our garden. First up is this little beauty which is especially lovely. Petite, fragile even, and not too showy. And she sits in a quiet corner, giving the impression of not wanting to be noticed. Don't know her name, and there are so many varieties that I've no chance of finding out. You have to be close up to appreciate her looks.

The second photograph is of an altogether more striking lady - (I always think of Acers as female). She's an Acer Palmatum dissectum viridis, and sits in her own place in lawn, where we can see her from most windows in the house. I suppose she's a bit 'chunky' in shape, but is my long term favourite

Third photograph is of one of the bigger Acers that are dotted around - and there's another 'viridis' undereath it. We' grow quite a few of these, and through familiarity, its easy to forget how stunning they can be. When visitors speak admiringly of our Acers, its always these large 'purpereas' that draw comment.

And the most 'showy' of all is this one - about ten feet tall and growing. The photograph doesn't make clear that there are two of the yellow Acers in the photograph, as well as the little stunner that featured above in the background. Acers have a reputation for sometimes dying for no real reason, but not in our experience. We also find them to be completely hardy. Acers come in such a range of sizes, shapes and colours that they should find a home in every garden. I probably blogged about Acers, when they were at their best a year ago, but it may not have been the same ones - except perhaps the viridis which has long held a special place in my affection.


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