High 47 F
Low 45 L
Rain--yes
Well, the rain gauge is not working but it has rained and the rain did, in fact, interrupt the morning walk. It has been dark, dreary and chilly all day but as I look out the window, the Acer japonicum aconitifolium is a beacon in the garden and the one bright spot
in the garden on this grey day. This tree never fails to color up and at a time when many of the native trees have lost their leaves. Here is a picture of the whole tree
which is still small. It was given to me by a friend when it was just a few inches high. I always think of him when this tree puts on its' pumpkin color. Since this tree pulled me out into the garden on such a nasty day, I decided to take pictures of the other Japanese maples I have collected. It is not a large group but they are all pretty colorful at this time of year. This is the foliage 
on the Acer shirasawanum 'Aureum'. It has a pretty red stem and most of the leaves have dropped at this point. This next tree is Acer palmatum 'Omurayama'. 
The leaves are a delicate pale yellow. 
It is starting to put on some size and should reach fifteen feet tall someday. This next Acer is A. palmatum 'Osakasuki'. 
Gee, it is interesting to note that I actually wrote down these names when I planted these in 1999. This one is very slow growing and only three feet tall. 
I guess it probably doesn't like this spot. I will have to keep a closer eye on this one. I have some of the dissectums, both red 
and
green. 
They add so much texture to the garden it would be hard to live without them. I almost forgot about the Acer griseum.
This tree is not thriving either but it is alive and about eight feet tall.
Perhaps it needs more sun but the foliage is bright and the bark is cinnamon, peeling, and wonderful. There is always something that shines in the garden, even on a nasty day. It just takes getting outside to find it. What is shining in your garden today?
Check out other fall colors over at Dave's Home Garden at http://thehomegarden.blogspot.com/2008/09/garden-blogger-fall-color-project.html
Most of you know that my fall colors are in Foster, Rhode Island.
