I really wish I had some photos to share. First, I've been waiting and waiting for trees to leaf out. Finally, most have but they're so far behind that the first ones to leaf out have almost reached their summer color. It's been a bizarre, cold, and wet Spring. Secondly, if there has been a moment of sunshine when I was not in school, then I have been actually working in the garden. It's even raining right now. But I should have a free block of time on Wednesday. Should the weather permit, I will get some decent photos then. In the meantime... Tsuma gaki next to Purple Ghost is STUNNING. I would heartily recommend that color combination in Spring and anticipate I will still love it after the expected summer color changes. My Tsuma gaki has leafed out a very healthy green (almost a soft lime green) with maroon tips. I'm thinking that if it were planted in less sun it might be more yellow from inadequate sun (etiolation shall be my word of the day). And I'm thinking that if it were planted in a great deal more sun the leaves would be sun-bleached and therefore more yellow. Or maybe the soil I gave it isn't thin enough for the brightest colors. I'm speculating mine is planted where it will be very happy and might not get the yellow/red combination for which I was originally hoping. However, I love the current color combination next to the spring cranberry like color of Purple Ghost. And Tsuama gaki may get more vibrant as the tree gets comfortable in its new home or as the seasons change. Regardless, I look forward to the surprise. So now, as your eye marches down my "Acer Alley," it skips along from color to color. The only hitch in the line up is Orido nishiki. I've suddenly realized that IT is the problem. And I remembered that Orido nishiki wasn't originally purchased for that spot. I planted it there simply because I needed a tree that was already tall to block the neighbor's window from looking into my own window (and vice versa). And that has made me start thinking of the 14' Ukigumo I got from Charlie last winter. To have that white between Tsuma gaki and the deep maroon of Brandt's Dwarf could be breathtaking. So now my fingers are itching to swap them out. I've even picked out a better (theoretically) spot for Orido nishiki. I just have to convince my husband that we should do this (he HATES it when I move the trees around). Now let's talk about Aureum (shirasawanum). It's one of the ones that have yet to leaf out! It and Ukigumo (in it's pot) both took forever to start opening. Each are about 1/2-2/3rds of the way out. I'm speculating that the micro-climate on that side of the house is both cooler and shadier and that is contributing to their shyness. Oddly, my Red Dragon and my Red Filigree Lace that are planted on either side of the Aureum leafed out ages ago. Go figure. But what leaves are out on the Aureum do indeed glow. And I love its gnarly shape. Funny story... hubby and I were at the nursery getting Soil Soup and he found a "Full Moon Maple." He chased me down because he thought our garden could use some leaves shaped and colored like that. Even after I told him that we already owned one, he loved it so much he thought maybe we could use a small one, too. And the graft union was so low and so pretty I was tempted (for a moment I thought it might be a seedling, it was that good). But I left it at the nursery. End of the story, I'm very happy with both of those purchases. Thank you all for your help and recommendations. I've definitely added two new stars to my collection.
