| Author | Content |
CapeCodGardener
Mid-Cape, MA
(Zone 7a)
April 25, 2008
09:10 AM Post #4861717
| A few years ago for an "important" birthday, I asked for a fernleaf Full Moon Japanese maple. Best birthday gift I ever had. The tree greets me with beauty every day. (No, I don't live Down Under; the date function of my digital camera was way off!)
Great article!
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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critterologist
Frederick, MD
(Zone 6b)
April 25, 2008
10:18 AM Post #4862049
| That's a spectacular tree! The texture of those leaves is just amazing... I've got a butterfly J. maple that I just love, although I confess we didn't choose it to "commemorate" anything (unusual, in our yard) but simply to be the centerpiece of a small side garden. It makes a much better focal point than the air conditioner! |
carrielamont
Milton, MA
(Zone 6a)
April 25, 2008
10:48 AM Post #4862170
| LOL, Jill, and what a beautiful maple! My husband thinks gifts have to be 'surprises', so they always are, and I smile graciously and kvetch on here! He would never buy me a tree, but then again, we would have to have something ripped out in order to plant it. x, Carrie |
critterologist
Frederick, MD
(Zone 6b)
April 25, 2008
11:07 AM Post #4862252
| Surprises are good, but they can be hard to place appropriately in a garden plan... I think my DH would be more likely to "surprise" me with a nursery expedition or a gift certificate to Bluestone or Brushwood than with a specific plant, but you never know... :-) |
gessiegail
Taft, TX
(Zone 9a)
April 26, 2008
12:36 AM Post #4865732
| Thanks , Jill for some new ideas. Although I can't plant the ones you mentioned, I am becoming very aware of how many trees need to be planted here. There are a lot of what most people consider shrubs that turn into beautiful trees here . One example is Duranta or Esperanza (can't remember the botanical name). Your article has inspired me to get to work next February. |
critterologist
Frederick, MD
(Zone 6b)
April 26, 2008
08:38 AM Post #4866388
| Cool! One shrub/tree I knew nothing about until I was making plans to do some planting while visiting a friend in TX last spring is Vitex, aka "Texas lilac." It bloomed on and off for her all summer, attracting butterflies and even a hummer or two right up to her window -- she was delighted with it. It has a nice scent to the foliage, too, as I recall. http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/1188/
I like scent in the garden... when I went back to the nursery to arrange the delivery of our new weeping cherry, I spotted a nice witch hazel and added it to the order. :-) |
critterologist
Frederick, MD
(Zone 6b)
April 26, 2008
08:41 AM Post #4866403
| Here's the PF link for Witch Hazel: http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/806/
There's a note that it'll grow well down into zone 9 Florida, so it might be another candidate for you to consider. The nursery guy told me the blooms really do smell sweet in winter, and it's not a fragrance you have to shove your nose in to notice... it'll waft right across the yard. I hope it's as pleasant as advertised, LOL! |
gessiegail
Taft, TX
(Zone 9a)
April 27, 2008
05:36 PM Post #4872761
| I love Vitex! I think I love purple with wanting duranta, orchid tree,etc.! |
