It's Showtime!

So now it’s autumn and ‘showtime’ for loads of spectacular trees we may not otherwise notice! Bayside shows off liquid ambers Liquidamber styraciflua  ‘Sweet Gum’, by the dozen, also Japanese maples Acer palmatum ‘Aureum’ and Ornamental Pear Pyrus calleryana among others. 

Liquidamber straciflua

I love Liquid ambers in particular with their rich colours, we had a huge specimen in my childhood garden, it glowed a spectacular red each autumn. These trees originated in Mexico and were introduced into England around 1681 as ornamental trees. However, in America they are grown commercially for timber and the gum is used in adhesives and perfumes (Reader’s Digest 1981).

Pyrus calleryana

Acer palmatum next to my Xanthorrhoea fresco.

This is a small potted Japanese maple in my garden. We were given the responsibility of looking after several pots for a friend as he moved interstate. Sort of permanent loan, that was 10 years ago. Most of them are still alive having survived the drought OK. I love the maples red stems and bare branches during the winter and of course the fresh bright green growth in spring. One was looking a bit stressed during the drought, so I decided to transplant it in the garden three years ago. That was quite a job as it was well and truly pot bound. Consequently I didn’t attempt the others!

Has been interesting comparing their progress. The transplanted maple looked a bit poorly at first, in fact I thought it was dying. A prune and silent offering to the ‘plant Buddha’ seemed to work. The following spring saw a flush of those lovely delicate new leaves, which made me very happy!

Meanwhile the potted specimens seemed happy enough with the occasional prune and regular feeds (yes, I confess to splashing ‘Seasol” about, maybe not with such gay abandon in future!). Last spring the potted maples displayed their usual red and orange autumn colours while the garden specimen was a uniform yellow. I thought it could still be acclimatising and will have a more colourful display next year. Alas, the same occurred this year, maybe the position is too shady? I’ll give it one more year then consider moving it again if the colour doesn’t improve!