Spring in the Woodland Garden 2022
1) Bright Green Maples
Even the common color of green inspires hope and energy in spring. Here are two exceptional examples:
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- Acer palmatum ‘Shishigashira’, known as the Lion’s Mane maple, was so named for the curled, bunched up leaves at the ends of short, stout stems.
- Acer japonicum ‘Ed Wood’, located in the Signature Bed at the Graham Visitor Center, sports exceptionally robust foliage for a blast of color in both the spring and autumn.
2) Sunny Yellow Maples
There are many maples that emerge with bright, sunny foliage to liven up the lingering winter darkness.
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- A. palmatum ‘Tsuma gaki’, A. palmatum ‘Katsura’, and A. shirasawanum ‘Jordan’ all emerge early in the spring with golden foliage.
- Acer palmatum ‘Beni shigatatsu sawa’ emerges as an even lighter shade of yellow with bright green veins and red lobe tips, and is an excellent choice to brighten a shady spot in the garden.
3) Deep Red Maples
The second most common foliar color in Japanese maples is red. A portion of these trees emerge red and transition to green during the summer, while others remain red until fall.
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- Acer palmatum ‘Purple Ghost’ arrives in spring with brick red leaves containing dark purple veins, while A. palmatum ‘Crimson Carol’ displays the more traditional reddish-purple of red-leaved Japanese maples.
4) Radiant Pink Maples
Brilliant colors such as pink are relatively rare, but very much worth seeking out.
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- Acer palmatum ‘Beni maiko’ and Acer palmatum ‘Shin deshojo’, both relatively smallish trees, make a big impact with their iridescent color.
5) Exquisite Linearilobum Maples
The delicate nature of the Linearilobum Maples should be viewed in close quarters to fully appreciate the foliar color.
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- Acer palmatum ‘Beni otake’ and Acer palmatum ‘Villa Taranto’ are displayed side-by-side along Arboretum Drive in the Woodland Garden.