1) Acer palmatum ‘Beni otaki’                            Red Bamboo / ‘Beni otaki’ Japanese Maple

The Red Bamboo or ‘Beni otaki’ Japanese Maple is a medium-sized Japanese maple, with deep red-purple foliage from spring to summer, which becomes green with maturity. Autumn leaves turn a rich crimson. Acer palmatum ‘Beni otake’ grows into a lovely rounded shape and is more tolerant of sun than most other Japanese maples.

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2)   Stewartia monadelpha                                                        Orangebark Stewartia

The Orangebark Stewartia is an outstanding medium-sized tree for year-round interest. Its white, camellia-like flowers coat the branches in June and early July. The dark green foliage becomes a brilliant mix of rich red-orange and fire engine red in the fall. As the leaves drop, they reveal the beautiful cinnamon brown bark of the trunk and branches. No serious insect or disease problems are common to this tree. Perfect for small yards with full sun to partial shade.

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3)   Acer rubrum ’October Glory’                                          October Glory Red Maple

‘October Glory’ is a red maple cultivar that, as the cultivar name suggests, is perhaps best noted for its exceptional fall color. It grows to 40-50 feet tall with an oval-rounded form. Attractive red flowers appear in early spring before the foliage emerges. Flowers give way to red-tinged samaras. Glossy dark green leaves with red stems have 3-5 palmate-serrated lobes and are somewhat small at 2-4” across. Leaves retain good green color well into fall (longer than many other cultivars) and in more northern areas, are sometimes subjected to frost prior to acquiring fall color. Truly one of the last “showstoppers” of the season.

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4)   Oxydendrum arboreum                                                    Sourwood / Sorrel Tree

Oxydendrum arboreum, commonly called Sourwood or Sorrel Tree, is a deciduous understory tree that is native to the eastern United States from Pennsylvania to Florida and Louisiana. It is perhaps most commonly found on rocky wooded slopes in the Appalachian Mountains, often growing in combination with other Heath family members (e.g., azaleas and rhododendrons) that share the same acidic soil preferences. In cultivation, it typically grows 20-25 feet tall with a straight, slender trunk and narrow oblong crown.  In the wild, it may reach 50-60 feet tall. Gray bark on mature trees is fissured, ridged and scaly. Finely-toothed, glossy green leaves are reminiscent of peach.  Leaves produce consistently excellent fall color, typically turning crimson red. Waxy, white flowers bloom on slender, drooping, one-sided terminal panicles in early summer. Flower panicle stems remain in place as the flowers give way to dry capsules that ripen to silver-gray in September.  Capsules contrast well with the red fall color and provide continuing ornamental interest after leaf drop into winter.

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