IT'S CALLED CORAL BARK MAPLE FOR A REASON

THE SCARLET BRANCHES OF ACER PALMATUM SANGU-KAKU, THE CORAL BARK MAPLE LOOK RADIOACTIVE ( IN A GOOD WAY)  IN THE GARDEN ON A SUNNY MORNING

As I write this, the snow is falling outside in that 'perfect Hollywood' way, as if a set designer directed the staff to create a scene where the largest flakes come floating down, (and settling gently on every little twig and bud), it's beautiful. I should go and take a picture but I just poured a new cup of coffee and I can't work from home today which sucks.  We are getting 4 - 5 inches this morning, and the streets are white,  I need to leave for the dentist this morning, which is a half an hour away near Boston, and then I need to drive another hour to Rhode Island where my office is, for a meeting, so there is little time in my schedule to dilly dally. It's easier for me to share some images from this weekend when it was sunny outside.

IN WINTER, COLORED SHRUBS LOOK LIKE SNOW PASTRY, HERE, PINUS 'LEMON CREME' ( I MADE THAT UP)

After our blizzard last week, ( and the snow we are receiving today), the potted shrubs on the deck are under so much snow, that their containers are completely covered making the shrubs look as if they are planted in the ground. Nothing looks as impressive as this small potted Coral Bark Maple. As I sit indoors ordering shrubs and trees, I discovered another Japanese Maple, this one with bright golden yellow branches Acer palmatum 'Bihou' available at Klehm's Song Sparrow Nursery. I know, it's $60.00 but their plants are so carefully grown and perfectly shipped that I have no problem paying for quality when it is honest quality, ( large container grown plants shipped well). These branches are so beautiful that I almost can't wait to see what this planting will look like on a sunny winter morning next winter!

ACER PALMATUM 'BIHOU' WITH GOLDEN BRANCHES IS ON MY WISH LIST FOR A WINTER PLANTING FOR NEXT YEAR, IT IS AVAILABLE FROM KLEHM'S ONLINE, WHERE THESE LAST TWO IMAGES ARE FROM. IT WILL SELL OUT QUICKLY.

A PURPLE WITCH HAZEL? IT'S OUT THIS YEAR FROM A SELECT FEW ONLINE SOURCES. HAMAMELIS VERNALIS 'GRAPE FIZZ™' - IT'S ON MY MUST-GET LIST.

 My point is that few of us consider what a tree or shrub looks like when it is viewed in January under a blanket of deep snow.  I particularly love the grey and gold motif here, which is something I really didn't think about....no wait, I totally planned it, but I know something....this year I am planning to grow many more small shrubs and trees in containers after viewing my new KLEHM'S SONG SPARROW NURSERY catalog that arrived today.