You only get to pick five...

Okay Gilligan, you're stuck on this island for years with no rescue in sight. Good news is that you, knowing it would only be a three hour tour, packed your five favorite Maples. Now they adorn the outside of your hut.

Fortunately "The Professor" was able to obtain wi-fi access with a few strategically placed coconuts and banana leaves so you are still able to access DavesGarden.com and communicate with your new found friends, who, coincidentally, are stuck on similar islands with THEIR five favorite maples. (who would have ever guessed this scenario??)

Which five did you choose??? Why did you choose them? Do they make your hut the best on the island? Just what was Mrs. Howell's first name? (no, "Lovey" doesn't count!)

I'd like to hear yours......of course, I must now beat my head against a wall to choose mine...I can, however, tell you that Tsukushi gata will be on the list...

So say you, Little Buddy...

Gee, Skipper, I don't know, but I think the big 'ol spider in the cave has some Acer shirasawanum 'Autumn Moon' hidden behind its nest. Also, I need to go and check that box that just washed up in the lagoon, It's pretty big and maybe there is something I can tie a hammock to inside of it.

By the way, since the professor got us wi-fi, I thought I'd google Mrs Howell's name. After looking at some cheezy flash graphics, I found http://www.gilligansisle.com/lovey.html says her name is "Eunice", can you believe it?! No wonder Mr. Howell calls her "Lovey".

Well, as a new JM grower, I only have 5- Garnet, Viridis, Inabe Shidare, Asahi Zuru & Aconitifolium (last 2 incoming)- my question would be what would be your NEXT 5? I have a small lot, .4 acres, most of the back is shaded by maples, beech, pine- I've just acquired 3 large, glazed Chinese pots- they are 25" tall, 25" at the top, smaller at the base-if I wanted to plant J. maples in them, would it be alright to fill some of the bottom w/ plastic soda bottles, & fill the upper 2/3rds with a planting mix? I think I would like to underplant these w/ black mondo grass, which is very slow-growing ( & pricey!-anyone have any ideas on how to increase it?) ...Linda (I really love seeing the new foliage of the 3 that I've planted leaf out-they are gorgeous!)

I haven't had very good luck with black mondo grass at all but I do use the other forms of mondo grass a lot. In darker shade it will remain in clumps for a very long time. In sunnier places it will spread to make a mat. I really like the clumping effect.

I think that my Aconitifolium is my favorite tree. I do love the Sango Kaku (coral bark maple) because it's interesting all season long. Also, I have it planted in front of a fence covered with dark green foliage and the pale green leaves stay that color all summer so that they are a stand out. You can't beat the red bark in the winter.

I like my Beni Fusigi because it stays small and the spring foliage is as bright as the raspberry colored fucshia that it sits next to. In the summer the leaves are an interesting texture and while they are tiny, new leaves add red to the green/red of the old leaves. Very nice. Takes full sun also.

My Koto No Ito is just a fantasy tree. It's so wispy and delicate - well you just have to see a Koto No Ito to understand, don't you think? The only thing I don't love is that it's fall leaves have to be removed by hand like the the leaves of the Aconitifolium.

I have a Bloodgood which is a great landscaping tree with fabulous fall color. It's hard to find a tree that will grow in as much shade as the Bloodgood will and not turn green. I imagine that there are other more interesting kinds of A. Palmatum that would fill the bill but this does it's job.

And I really appreciate my seedling maples because they are work horses. Whether it's a shady spot or the middle of a south facing patio they make the world beautiful by their presence. The seedlings are the oldest trees in my garden. One lived in a pot for 25 years before being put in the landscape 25 years ago. I have been lucky however to fail to run into a really huge one by surprise.

OOps I think that was six.

There are more interesting cultivars out there probably and it would be fun to experiment with more trees of differing kinds. I'm just plumb out of room!

"OOps I think that was six."

No problem Doss. Because of your continued contributions to the forum you should be granted a second hut!

Skipper, I'm having a little trouble opening that crate from the lagoon, and I had to stop in order to peddle the bike powering the professor's wi-fi, there has been a lot of people here on the island wanting to use it so I'll have to try again later. However, I did find this cool-looking tree out near the lagoon that has a sign on it that says 'Kagiri Nashiki'. It has little splashes of pink and white on green. It might be big enough for my hammock some day.

So Gary, fess up. What are your five favorites?

Well, I have just started out and have bought two so far that would be on the list. First one is Shindeshojo. It's new leaves are a beautiful red that I am trully enjoying. The second one I purchased (the next day) is Orangeola. The name drew me in, but I also read that it stands up to our heat very well. Both were planted under the Elm trees close to where my hammock is going.

My third choice is Osakazuki. It is the one I am buying next. It will go on the north side of my house close the the front where it can get large and still be protected from our intense midday sun by the two stories. I just love the bright green leaves of the original palmatum, but this one sounds perfect with it's bright red fall foliage and large red flowers. I'd also like Hogyoku, too, which is similar.

My fourth choice is Orange Dream. I really wanted this instead of Orangeola, but it gets a bit taller than I want for the space and I decided to stick with the safer choice. I love the spring foliage I saw at the nursery and may just go back and buy one if I find a place for it.

Last, is one that is not really an option for me right now, but I can dream right? It is Aureum. I love the "full moon" leaves, but they don't do very well down here where it's so hot.

Can you tell I prefer the non disectum's and don't really care for burgandy?

Oh, and one more since I don't know if I really would repurchase Orangeoa in a dreamworld - Crimson Prince sounds like a beauty. Oh and 'Beni kawa'!

Yum! I've caught the bug. There is one more place that I can put an Acer Palmatum so I'm going to Carlmont today to look. I'll see what they have to say.

Uh-oh! :)
Which one really sparks your interest, doss?

I think that's what Carlemont is going to tell me. I really like Germaine's Gyration. It would have afternoon shade now but a tree that is giving it a shade is not likely to live longer than the maple. So I'm sort of stuck. Hopefully I'll get some good advice. The space I have available is 10X10 and I want a bush or a mound.

I can't do it! I can't pick five. I like some of those I've heard already. I had forgotton about Orange Dream's spring show. Orangeola's are gret - it's what's outside my patio doors as we speak. You can never go wrong with a Germaine's Gyration. Were you at the SF Garden Show? We had one of our GG's in the first booth as you entered the floor. They did a real nice job of uplighting it.

Okay - Here's my five (for today)
Tsukushi gata
Inaba shidare
Autumn (not full) Moon
Kurabu yama
Oshio beni

No wait...er...maybe...well...let's go with this for now.

You like COLOR!!!

I wasn't at the garden show. I'll bet it was beautiful.

Oooh, I like Autumn Moon, nurserydude. I just read a few webpages that said it might be more heat tolerent than the original Acer shirasawanum. If I ever want to take a chance with a shirasawanum, that will have to be it.

Autumn moon will take more heat, the only problem (for me, at least) is that it bronzes up when exposed to sun and you loose some of that nice contrast when the secondary growth occurs in late summer.

Skipper, I found one of those Acer Shirasawanum "Aureum" potted up out on the front patio of the shack and it just arrived this spring. That makes three so far, so I have to find two more.

I just met nurserydude at the nursery and we picked out a Villa Taranto to go in my last spot.
http://www.carlmontnursery.com/product.asp?product_id=593

I'm a happy castaway!

oooh, nice one doss!

Pics, please!

OK Largosmom
Koto No Ito
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/84947/index.html
Bloodgood (be sure to see the second page of photos for fall foliage)
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/55472/index.html
Aconitfolium
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/58180/index.html
Beni Fushigi
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/78105/index.html
Sango Kaku
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/31538/index.html
Autumn Moon
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/97254/index.html
Garnet
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/77188/index.html
Inabe shidare
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/77192/
Viridis (I love this one too)
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/55719/index.html
Tsukushi gata
http://www.carlmontnursery.com/product.asp?product_id=556
Shindesojo
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/84971/index.html
Asahi Zuru
http://www.carlmontnursery.com/product.asp?product_id=621
Orangeola
http://www.carlmontnursery.com/product.asp?product_id=571
Osakazuki
http://www.carlmontnursery.com/product.asp?product_id=544
Aureum (not easily grown)
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/58335/index.html
Beni Kawa
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/78106/index.html
Crimson Prince
Couldn't find this one. Anyone else?
Germaine's Gyration
http://www.carlmontnursery.com/product.asp?product_id=584
Tsukushi gata
http://www.carlmontnursery.com/product.asp?product_id=556
Kurabu Yama
http://www.carlmontnursery.com/product.asp?product_id=538
Oshio beni
http://www.carlmontnursery.com/product.asp?product_id=545
Autumn Moon is on this page
http://www.fantasticplants.com/Japanese%20maples%20photos.htm

Everybody else would you post when you put up your list? That would be great.

Crimson Prince:
http://www.worldplants.com/crimsonprince.htm

I meant to say thank you doss for adding all the pics!

This message was edited Apr 7, 2006 10:13 PM

Ahhh...Crimson Prince....

Imagine a Bloodgood or Emperor I that actually retained a nice v-shape, grew consistently from branch to branch, and held it's color well throughout the summer.

To me it's the Okushimo of reds, as far as growth habit...

Doss you made a good choice although I think germains would do fine in full sun if your shade tree had kaputed...I just bought one and plan on putting it in more or less full sun so I'll let you know... but from what I have read and it being green it should do fine...but as usual it depends on how hot your summers get and it most likely would do BETTER with afternoon shade!! David

David, being in zone 9 it's always better to err on the side of caution when considering exposure. I can grow things in the shade here that you would probably not be happy there. I've lost too many grafted trees to full sun to take a chance anymore. :-( I hope that your Germaine is very happy!

Wow, and I was thinking of pics of the new one, LOL. I've not as many as you do...but give me some time [wink].

Laura

OK, I'll put forward what I'm considering for my next 5 & you can tell me if I'm confused...I think I will plant the Asahi Zuru in a container & the Acontifolium in the ground. I would like 2 more for containers & I'm considering 'Peaches & Cream' & 'Germaines Gyration'-is this a good idea? The other trees that I would like to find space in the yard for are-Kinran (based solely on picture), Shishigashira, & maybe Autumn Moon. I have a compact yard that backs to a county park, & I'd like to keep it fairly open...Thistle

LOL those aren't all mine - they are everyone's.

You have to play fair and post a photo of the Shishigashira! :-)
http://davesgarden.com/pf/showimage/93796/

The Asahi Zuru will be a rather large tree but you can plant it in a container until it outgrows it and then place it in the ground.

The Aconitifulium definitely in the ground. Germain's Gyration is perfect for a shady pot. I saw one at the Carlmont Nursery and fell in love. Peaches and cream is supposed to be a tight compact plant. I've only seen the Aconitifolium.

Maybe someone with more real life experience has seen these trees in person?

I'm really an internet junky. :-)

Thanks for the info, sorry I can't do the Gilligan's lingo,I'm a few years out of practice. I think I'm on the right track, I work at a garden center that has a good variety of Japanese maples, but they're priced a bit higher than I'd like (even with my employee discount). If I can get in a few good plants this spring & nurture them over the long, hot summer, I'll be happy...& if I can get them to grow in containers, I'll be even happier.....I just want to figure out a free-draining container mix-I'm looking 2/3 pine fines, 1/3 soil conditioner (Espoma or Permatill, basically rock), a little bit of peat &/or compost, would this work, if I drill lots of drainage holes in my pots?

Are you worried about root rot? Remember it's going to be in a pot and chances are it will dry out in a day's time with regular potting mix.

OK, haven't got much on it yet, but I'll start a new thread for it and try and take some pics this spring. All I have is buds, but rain clears out tomorrow, and leaves started to open today.

largosmom,

your sense of humor had me rolling on the floor.

"Thank You"

Dax

I'm getting into the maples more and more and grafted these as some of which are currently pushing (growing):
Acer palmatum 'Emperor I' 'Wilson's Pink Dwarf' ' 'Emerald Lace'
Acer circinatum 'Little Gem
Acer shirasawanum 'Autumn Moon'
Acer japonicum 'Green Cascade' 'Acontifolium' 'Palmatifolium'

and others I'm sure I'm just forgetting about.

Plus growing from seed lots of stuff:
No germ yet - Acer pseudosieboldianum
(2) seedlings from Acer palmatum 'Seiryu'
A couple flats of Acer palmatum seeds I purchased.

D.

Aw, shucks, now ya got me blushing!

I still haven't finished looking around the island for something tall enough to hold my hammock. There are a bunch of darned "Mosquitos" running around here making a buzz too. We might have to ask the ladies to put on their "Honeybee" act and see if we can scare them off and I can go back to looking for the "perfect" maples. Hmmm, all these insects are making me think of 'Butterfly'! I've only seen some really nice pictures, but it looks nice!

You "got" character in your blood largosmom! You'd be a good P*I*M*P or at least 'Joe Camel' at that!

'Butterfly' is nice. Probably not a serious collector without one.

I with I knew my Maples better. Conifers.....I'm dialed in on!

So I'll say you need one of these for sure:

Picea omorika 'Pendula Bruns' - Take Care! ~Dax

Dax, that is just stunning. How old is that speciman?

Thistle5 -
Definitely do the Germaines Gyration. They are something to behold. Just remember that they will outgrow most dissectums, but that's a good thing.

I also happen to "love" the Autumn Moons. Just give it the same exposure as the G.G.

As for the Gilligan's lingo, I have sent the entire 47 DVD set your way for review, so you'll be caught up in no time...

You work in a Nursery that sells Maples but the price is too high? Suck up to the vendors. (heh..heh...) Get to know your suppliers and talk it up with them. Are you involved with the buying at all? Even if not, they get the same commission regardless of who they sell to. Ask them if they could "throw one on the truck" that you'll pay the driver cash for. You get it wholesale, they make the sale, and your nursery does not ever see it, thus no sales tax or overhead charges. I've got a yard and deck full (granted I now do the buying) that I have never paid more than wholesale for. It's one of the "perks" of working at a nursery.

To all of those that have purchased from me in the past, please disregard EVERTHING I just said ;o)~

Now you tell me, Gary! :-)

I just found one more last spot and bought a Tsukushi gata. I may have room for one more small tree but I'm going to have to talk to my tree man about where the Sango Kaku can go. I'm getting rid of a sort of sad looking olive tree to do it. Eventually I'll have to part with some iris because they won't have enough sun but - oh well.

Here's a photo of the Tsukushi gata sitting in the nursery.

Dax, do you think your Emperor I is pushing now cause it is in a warmer greenhouse or do new grafts keep the timing of the root stock material for few years? Just curious as I haven't learned much about grafting & propagating.

I need to have 5 in the ground before I can comment on my favorites. The 5 I will have this year in beds are: Bloodgood, a seedling green palmatum, Seiryu, Aconitifolium, Green Cascade, A. shirasawanum Aureum, & Crimson Queen. Next year, my Acer pseudosieboldianum, and A. shirasawanum Micorphyllum should be large enough and hopefully I will have an Autumn Moon and Virdis too.

Well, I got my 2 newest maples yesterday- 'Acontifolium' & 'Asahi Zuru' from Della at http://nurserygirl1.tripod.com/index.html- they are so beautiful!

I've been moving them around the yard, trying to find the best spot for them. Doss, I think your advice is right-the Asahi Zuru is larger than I expected it to be, is in a large pot at the S/W corner of the house right now, but will probably be planted in an east-facing corner of the front yard, in front of a magnolia & oak, which will provide afternoon shade. The Acontifolium will be planted in the back, about 5' out from the neighbor's stockade fence, which is our s/w border, I think it will still get plenty of morning sun, but be shaded by both the fence & the mature maples to the north of it.

Nurserydude, you're right, I should try to work a deal with my place's suppliers, but I've been lucky enough to find Della's (thanks to this forum) & I also can get good deals at the garden center on post (my husband is in the military). I get plenty of other deals at work, lots of unusual perennials that I couldn't find locally, supplies, plus I really like working there, I think I've picked up alot of plant knowledge & materials in the last year. I have also placed a large plant order with LazyS nursery (delivery around the 17th, my birthday's coming up!), they're pretty close to me & they have a great plant list-no maples in this order, but other shady shrubs & perennials-I'll post when I receive it, I think I will be very happy with the plants I've selected-my yard is filling out wonderfully, thanks to all these resources! Thistle

Sounds like it's in hand, Thistle.

One suggestion. If there is any room for the aconitifolium to be planted 7 feet from the fence it might be better. You don't want your neighbor hacking half of it off on the other side of the fence, which they have a right to do. If not, mine is planted 3 feet from my house and I've kept it under 7 feet - although I wish that I could let it be in it's full glory. If I'd only known what I know now.......

My neighbors have 8 redwood trees planted too close to my fence and I'd trim the limbs off if it wouldn't ruin the look of the tree. They are encroaching and I'm afraid that I'm going to have to do it anyway. Luckily they grow fast when young and slow down.

I sent Mountain Maples an email several days ago and haven't heard from them. I wonder what's up? That's OK. I've decided to wait on that tree.

Edited to say that their email ended up in my bulk mail folder - sorry Mountain Maples.

This message was edited Apr 23, 2006 8:37 AM