Rugose 5/9/08

Rugose has been described by Vertrees/Gregory as being an ugly duckling that finally turns into a beautiful princess the the autumn. Here it is in its ugly duckling phase. It is rather unusual, I think.

Baldsmith 5/3/08

Last year (2007) this cultivar looked simply awful and I thought it would die. But extensive pruning and some good fertilizer seems to have done the trick because it looks lovely this year. I see close similarities between Baldsmith and Watnong.

Amber Ghost 5/5/08

One of the good looking ghosts, I sometimes have a hard time telling the ghosts apart.

Alpenweiss 4/26/08

Similar to Higasa Yama, Alpenweiss has great spring foliage.

Skeeter's Broom 5/5/08

This is a pretty plant, dense like all brooms and exhibiting the truncated middle lobe characteristic of the brooms

Shishigashira 11/11/07

Truly a "Japanese" looking tree, Shishigashira is a star and a great focal point in any Japanese garden.

Sagara Nishiki 4/18/08

Sagara Nishiki is a favorite of mine because in mid-spring it develops rugose patterns on green and yellow leaves. In early spring is has a blush of pink that's quite lovely. I'm told that this cultivar is very similar to Nishiki Gasane, a cultivar I hope to obtain this year.

Wilson's Pink Dwarf 4/5/07

Always one of the best pink harbingers of spring, Wilson's pink dwarf is special. Wonderful pink leaves with gorgeous contrasting veins are most unusual. I do wonder if the term "dwarf" is applicable, however, since my tree is at about 6 feet now.

Baldsmith 5/3/08

This is a gorgeous plant that looked absolutely awful last year, went through extensive pruning, and VOILA this year it's looking fine. Go figure.

Autumn Moon 5/3/08

Always beautiful in the spring garden, Autumn Moon unfurls its leaves like little pale orange lanterns and then creates leaves of an unusual soft yellow with orange highlights. It's a beautiful tree.

Hippy Fin Mo 5/3/08

I've always felt this plant was a large version of Kurui Jishi, but no matter. It's an interesting plant.

Moon Rise 5/2/08

This is a dramatic large-leafed maple with good color throughout the year.

Fjellheim 5/3/08

This cultivar has sensational bright red stems and great leaf color as well, so it's interesting all year long.

Komachi Hime 4/26/08

This is a marvelous little shrub with great spring and autumn color. I think it's often overlooked, and that's a crime.

Ueno Homare 5/2/08

Ueno Homare is one of the greatest spring "true yellow" Japanese maples. It has a beautiful dignified and graceful growing habit and is a fabulous tree. In the autumn, all colors come out: yellow, gold, red, green and purple. It's a sensational addition to the garden.

Hana Matoi 4/23/08

There aren't that many variegated dissectums (what a shame that Toyama Nishiki, Beni Shidare and Goshiki Shidare make up this small group), but this is one that is also special. It's apparently a child of Toyama Nishiki, not a bad parent to have.