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Late Color - Part 2 - Page 2

© Marge Talt

'Bloodgood' starts red and stays red. Actually, the color is more burgundy during the growing season, finishing off a nice fiery red that explodes when the sun hits it. I've sung the praises of this lovely small tree in other articles, but it bears repeating. If you don't grow it - get one, you won't be sorry. Of all the red leafed maples, this one is noted for holding its color best all season, in sun or shade (although it really prefers some shade, especially in hot climates). Hardy from USDA zones 5 or 6 to 8, it will slowly grow to fifteen or twenty feet (4.57 - 6.09m) in height with a lovely layered form, similar to a dogwood (Cornus florida). You can grow it as a single stemmed tree or, multi-stemmed shrub. It makes a grand specimen or addition to a border.

The cut-leafed maples are some of the loveliest small trees on this planet. 'Inaba Shidare' keeps her red coloration well during the summer - many of the red-leafed ones will fade to green - and she finishes up with flames among the burgundy notes. 'Viridis' is a sharp, light lettuce green all season, ending as a shimmering mound of gold. Virtually all of the dissectum group are slow growers. Some are upright in habit; some weeping. All are expensive. I bought these two as tiny babies (matching my tiny budget) and have just waited for them to grow. 'Inaba Shidare' is in the ground and now a substantial mound; 'Viridis' is still living in a pot, waiting for the perfect home. They do well in containers for many years, making them good patio plants. If you're in a cold climate, don't forget to protect the pot and roots from freezing over winter.

Flame On

Heavenly Bamboo is no relation to true bamboo, but the stem and leaf formation is similar, and it is a heavenly plant. It's another shrub shade gardeners in USDA zones 6-9 should not be without. New leaves are coppery, turning blue-green for the season and ending up red. This is a variable trait, more sure in full sun than in shade, but my plant is in virtually total shade all day and produces color for me most years. Actually, mine will be evergreen if the winter is mild. If it's bitter, I've had the plant die back sharply, but return from the roots the next spring. Not only do you get fall color, you get berries, too. This is one plant that you do need to be careful pruning. Either cut canes off at ground level or carefully head some back, but don't shear it - it will look awful.

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