The twenty second of the month is Garden Bloggers Foliage Day. Lots of the leaves have fallen already and the trees and other plants are just the bare skeleton which will last until March when they start sprouting again. Some plants though are hanging on to their leaves and giving a wonderful finale to the year before they finally fall.
The beech hedge at the side by the field is now assuming lovely colours before it eventually goes brown, these leaves will stay all winter and only drop when the new leaves come through in spring. I had to plant a hedge here because the easterly winter winds coming across the field was bitter and burnt the leaves of the evergreens at the other side of the garden, now the wind is filtered it does far less damage.
Another hedge, this time on top of the Devon bank in the fruit and vegetable garden. The Dormouse should like this one as it is a hazel hedge and I noticed a few hazel nuts a couple of months ago. The nuts have now vanished so I hope the Dormouse enjoyed them! This hedge was laid a few years ago and I think it is now time for its first trim.
Still holding on, I showed this Viburnum plicatus Maresii last month and the leaves are still there. Some of the leaves have still to change colour, they are lasting for such a long time.
Also by the field but down near the greenhouse, is a mixed hedge forming a tapestry of colour and texture. There is a holly, juniper, beech and cedar, with Betula jaquemontii and Cornus alba sibirica Westonbirt in front adding extra colour.
In the front garden is another beech hedge which helps to hide the Calor gas tank. These leaves will also be with us through the winter, but will have faded to brown. In front of the hedge is my camellia which was a lot taller and had a severe haircut when “he who shall be nameless” took the hedge trimmer to it because he thought it was a laurel and he was trimming laurel at the time! Fortunately I can see lots of flower buds so all is not lost!
I hope that now I have saved the best till last. This is the view from one of the spare bedrooms and what we see when we are passing the door.
The colours of all three acers have been deepening as the days have gone by. Neither of us can remember the leaves being such a deep colour before.
The view from the back bedroom window shows the deeper colours on the top of the tree, underneath the leaves are a much paler colour.
I wish I knew the name of this Acer, it was planted by the previous people and was only about 3 ft high when we moved in. The leaves are such a beautiful colour and I’m so pleased that they have hung on for so long, considering how much torrential rain and strong winds that we have had recently, each morning I have got up and expected to see them all on the lawn.
The leaves of Acer Sango Kaku in the woodland, are getting paler and paler each day. Usually the leaves of this Acer have dropped by the time the orange one colours up, I don’t often have all three acers in their autumn colours at the same time.
In this close up you can just about see the coral pink stems to the leaves so even when the leaves have fallen, there is still interest in the winter with the coloured stems.
Acer Osakazuki has finally reached the wonderful pink/red colour, but it has taken so long to do so. It is such a bright colour that it draws the eye and demands attention!
The leaves almost look as though they have a coating of wax. This little tree has lost its leader and each year it grows wider and wider. I keep hoping that another branch will take over as the leader, but so far no branches look as though they want the job.
Close to, the orange acer seems quite large, but get further away and you see that compared to the huge oak, ash and chestnuts, it is rather small. Even so, in spite of being small, all three acers certainly pack a punch in November!
I can never think of November as a dull dreary month when there is so much colour from the leaves. We have to thank Christina at My Hesperides Garden for encouraging us to appreciate the foliage that we have in our gardens. Do pay her a visit to see other foliage that is keeping the interest going in their respective gardens.
The acers look wonderful. I have one nameless, but also with great colours in the autumn, I would like some more acers, but I want to find the right spot for them, without to much wind.
Thanks Gitte, they are so good bringing colour to a dreary month! You’re right, they don’t like wind or too much sun, I hope you manage to find a spot where you can plant some more.
Sango kaku is beautiful, Pauline. I have never seen one this colour. The view of the woodland is amazing.
It is such a lovely little tree Rosemarie, I can never make my mind up which Acer is my favourite. I think Sango Kaku is such an unusual colour when it is wearing it’s autumn finery, the leaves look so delicate as if a puff of wind will blow them away.
The almost white foliage of the Acer is very striking, especially when you see it with the other Acers, how lucky there was one already as they are very slow growing. Apart from the gorgeous Acers I love the shot near the greenhouse with the birch and wonderful mix of foliage. they all work beautifully together. Thank you for joining in this month Pauline, I really appreciate all the support you give this meme. Christina
The previous people had planted four Acers Christina, but three died not long after we moved in, of coral spot. I looked it up in the couple of gardening books that I had then, which said to prune away the affected branch and cut back into good wood. I don’t know if the Acers didn’t like severe pruning, but by the next spring they were dead. The remaining one had coral spot on the trunk, so instead of cutting it back I got an old kitchen knife and scraped the bark away. The tree now has a scar where the bark was scraped, but apart from that it is very healthy, thank goodness.
I have been looking forward to seeing your Osakazuki in full flaming colour. It is wonderful. Your big Acer is a showstopper too. You are right if you have acers then the November garden needn’ t be dreary. A bit of sun would be nice though.
We have had quite a bit of sun Chloris, in between the wind and rain, making the leaves look like the glass in a stained glass window. I think Osakazuki has excelled herself this year, we think the colour is amazing, lovely to see on a dull November day. I wonder how long it will be before I find them all on the grass!
I was thinking deja vu as I read your post, especially when I got to the window shot! I suppose it’s not surprising that our views are quite similar. The acers really are stunning though, I am also on the lookout for more. The contrasting leaf colours look wonderful together.
Absolutely Jessica, we both had the same idea! The whole garden has rather a golden glow about it at the moment, but I’m sure that soon all the leaves will be blown away.
Oh those acers are stars Pauline and must make your heart skip when you see them. Much as I don’t like November it has some fine points 🙂
They do brighten up the November garden Anna and they are the first thing I check on when I get up. I just hope they last for a bit and don’t get blown away too soon.
Your acres are wonderful! What a delight it must be to pass by that view from the bedroom! Their fall color is only one reason acres have a special place in my heart. I think they are beautiful in every season. Your garden still has so much interest. At least the unfortunately pruned camellia has a nice shape!
The door to that bedroom is firmly open, we have to pass it to reach the stairs, so every morning I can check on the progress of the acer. They are lovely too in the spring when the new growth comes through, it is almost the same as the autumn colour for a while until they turn green.
I admit, I sorted the poor camellia out with secateurs, cutting back to a bud, as it had just been chopped straight across the top!
What a treat to have deeper than normal coloring on your Acers to enjoy as we head toward winter. Gorgeous foliage Pauline. Hope you’re doing well. Susie
The leaves are starting to fall now Susie, I don’t think they will last much longer. It has been a wonderfully colourful display by the trees and shrubs, but unfortunately it all has to come to an end sometime.
You did save the best for last Pauline. All three Acers are beautiful, but that peach colored one is incredible. What a nice view it makes out of the bedroom window. You have to forgive the “laurel” pruner. He meant well. At least the camellia still has lots of flower buds.
Yes, Jennifer, there are lots of flower buds on the lower half of the camellia, thank goodness!
The leaves from the acers are beginning to fall, I don’t think they will last much longer with all the wind we are haviong at the moment. We have had interest from the acers as the leaves started to change about a month ago, but it took them a while to reach their eventual colour, with the weather being so mild during October.
Pauline–Your unknown maple, reaching outward for the sun, looks as if it’s taking a bow. It certainly deserves its moment! I too wish you knew its name, along with its vibrant color, the leaf shape is quite pretty.
The orange acer is rather pretty isn’t it, it must be a form of Acer palmatum I think, by the shape of the leaves. I took the photos just in time, leaves are falling everywhere, making a colourful carpet on the grass!
What a beautiful bright glow you had from the maples! The colors are really outstanding.
Your dogwoods and birch by the greenhouse are looking nice too, I’m sure they will show up again as their color makes such a nice accent in winter. I’m reminded by your garden that I still need to add more color for autumn and winter, you’ve done such a nice job of it!
Thank you Frank, the dogwood and birches keep me going during the winter, until the snowdrops take over in February. There are just a few leaves left on the Acers now, all blown away by the wind!