I have to say that Acer japonicum 'Abby's weeping' has to be one of my most favorite fall colored tree. It is so striking with the dark green, dark red and dark purple.
that is, well... amazing. Maybe this will kick off the annual fall color thread. Unfortunately really not getting great color this year (so far?)
I have owned the tree for two seasons and each fall I become more and more impressed with its color. Last weeks colors were more interest but sad to say I did not get a photo. It is a fun combination to have it next to a Green Cascade or a Fairy Lights.
here are photos of an aconitifolium and the abby's weeping, the abby's weeping leaf seems to be 70% the size of the aconitifolium.
This is my zaaling - it was grafted last spring and has grown really well. It's nearly 3ft across already and the autumn colour was peachy a couple of days ago but it's getting a bit more fiery now.
Actually the 'Abby's Weeping' looks a lot like 'Kujaku nishiki' to me in leaf form. The exception (obviously aside from variegation, which mine has yet to show) is the fall color: Kujaku is a brilliant orange before going red. http://www.esveld.nl/htmldiaen/a/acjkni.htm has some pics, I have to say mine looks like the all white one, except green. ;) My Amur maples lost their leaves very early this year because of the drought, without much of a show, sadly. An atypical year, usually they go a good deep red. Always hard to pick a favorite but I tend to like those with a lot of variation between leaves. The painted maple Acer pictum is spectacular year in and year out. -E
This doesn't look like its going to be a spectacular fall. The native trees are pretty messed up from the lack of rain, and many have turned or dropped leaves early. Sugar maples are mediocre, and hickories are spotty and lack-luster. Japanese maples are turning much later this year for some reason. Not a lot of color yet. My best seem to be Acer pseudosieboldianum, with electric colors this time. Hopefully others will follow.