I started out with a bulldozer and pushed all the low spots up to the higher areas, in effect reversing all the settling since the last glaciers melted here about 14,000 years ago. Here's an old picture of me having fun on one. Yes, it's my garden and I planted all the trees except the older native trees. All the maples, but four, were started from seed by me starting about 35 years ago. I'm 70 now, and so far, in good health. I can still run a chainsaw, swing a shovel, and climb stairs. ;-) The garden will be going through a major transition this Fall and Winter. It's about time. Things have grown larger and faster than I had originally figured on. So now it's time for some serious editing, pruning and relocation. Thanks for the compliment. Much appreciated. All pictures, unless otherwise, noted are of my garden. Mike....near Maple Valley, Wa. Here is a link that might be useful: Pictures of my garden...mostly.

Oh, shoot. Come on over to my house. At last count, minus the bunch I lost from last fall's drought? I have at least 100. However, give Correllium a bit to settle. It's an amazing tree with beautiful leaves. Unusual in the least. It's one I won't let go if I sell off. I'm out Route 50 towards Annapolis, then towards Upper Marlboro. You're welcome to visit and I'd probably part with something to a good home. Oh - mine are saplins and 4-6 year grafts. Christine

I rcvd notice of this 'advance sale for preferred customers' email from Stonegate. I am a huge fan of this nursery. They take great personal care of their stock, and really know their stuff, and we have purchased MANY conifers and j maples etc from them over many yrs.Their tasteful pots etc are 30% off. You have to bring in a printout of the email to get the deal, which is for this wk.of 9/17. Then the sale is made public.If anyone wants to pursue this deal, contact me at cottonarboretumatcomcastdotnet! Also at 50% off--our Japanese maples. Some varieties we have in stock include: 'Sango Kaku,' 'Sherwood Flame,' 'Bloodgood,' 'Fireglow,' 'Shishigashira,' 'Crimson Queen,' 'Viridis,' and more. Also at 50% off--our large evergreens (8-14') including emerald green arborvitaes, white pines, spruces, firs, and hemlocks. Call for specific availablility. We have fresh perennials including Japanese Anemones, Monkshood, Heucheras, Ferns, Sedums, and Grasses. In addition, take advantage of all spring perennial inventory now 50% off regular retail prices! >> best, mindy www.cottonarboretum.com/

It doesn't offer the intense limey green, nearly chartreuse coloring of the Golden Fullmoon maple referred to above, but A. p. 'Osakazuki' is a good choice. It is a robust, well established cultivar that is widely available in commerce and gets to be a good sized tree in time (20' x 20'). Green leaves in season but absolutely stunning fall color - lots of reds and bronze and orange. Considered by many to offer the best fall color of any JM. The standard coral bark maple, A. p. 'Sango Kaku', is another possibility. Definitely will offer bright, grass green in-season foliage with some softer apricot-orange fall color. And then that intense red winter branch color. Maybe less of a sure bet regarding robustness, as this selection can present some issues, primarily more of a tendency to develop phytophthora in some climates. But a great tree nonetheless if a healthy clone is selected initially and in proper siting.