There was ample doubt that the Japanese maples would reveal any fall color this year as a result of the exceptional drought conditions. Overnight it seems they began showing their beautiful red hue. Soaked by a light drizzle, they were irresistible and I was coaxed from my warm kitchen to take a few shots. Even the drought stressed leaf tips are beautiful in this moment...looking more like soft feathers than a leaf in decline.
In an effort to simplify my winter preparations in the garden, I planted hostas in containers this spring to avoid having to haul the pots into the garage for winter storage. They fared well through the summer, escaping snails and getting ample moisture in the containers. Again, seemingly overnight this hosta changed from a light green to yellow...
This shot was taken yesterday and the image below was taken today...
Isn't that transformation amazing? I love the ever changing mood of the garden. While there aren't many flowers blooming at the moment, my garden is full of sublime fall foliage.
Little pops of yellow and deep crimson are making the views from the windows extra special this week.
Another reason to steal quick glances out the window! His red head goes nicely with the maple foliage, don't you think?
Oh yes, they are still very beautiful. A happy mind always gets beauty whatever is the condition around them, and your compositions make them more so! and that bird with the red cap is like a Bird Santa! Lol
ReplyDeleteAh, this would have been a perfect post for Foliage Follow-Up! My Japanese maple is at peak color too. I took pics today and will have them up on Friday.
ReplyDeleteThese colors are gorgeous! Who needs flowers with these beautiful shades?
ReplyDeleteThat red head is a stunner.
Lovely to actually see fall still going on somewhere...those maples are gorgeous with the woodpecker...
ReplyDeleteYour foliage is stunning! I love the shape and texture of the Japanese Maple leaves! Mine have fallen already but I can enjoy them again through your gorgeous photographs.
ReplyDeleteI liked your comment about the garden having an ever changing mood. That is so true at this time of year. The maple photos are really pretty the way the light hits the leaves.
ReplyDeleteJeszcze masz co oglądać w ogrodzie, jeszcze są kolory. Wspaniałym dodatkiem jest kolorowy ptaszek :-). Pozdrawiam
ReplyDeleteNow that fall color has left us behind up north, it is delightful to enjoy yours. The Japanese maples are so lovely and I like your description of their declining leaves as soft feathers!
ReplyDeleteI love the super-lacy leaves -- do you know what variety that is?
ReplyDeleteAlso, I'm not sure what you're saying about the hosta pots. You're not bringing them in for the winter (since they're quite cold-hardy), so are you saying you planted hostas *instead* of something more tender that would have had to be brought in? Or is it the pots themselves that you didn't want to leave outside? I'm not understanding this morning!
O the maple pics are so pretty! Delicate and leafy:~)
ReplyDeleteYou do have a pretty view out your kitchen window!! Pretty colors to view. :)
ReplyDeletei've been amazed, too. didn't expect any color, but those couple of frosts/freezes brought out so much in the trees that have leaves. :)
ReplyDelete@Alan, yes I added hostas because they are cold-hardy in lieu of something more tender and I wouldn't have to move them inside for the winter. I planted one the prior year as a test case and it did fine through our summer and winter so I added more last spring. The test case variety didn't produce such nice fall color. I'm sorry to say I don't know the variety of the maple.
ReplyDeleteI noticed your wall art in the last picture. Very cool looking!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the insight on the holly fern. Based on your advice and others, I think they will be less temperamental than coral bells.
The Japanese maple is gorgeous! I featured one in my post today. I've had good luck with hostas in pots - have grown several of them for years in the same pot. Cute downy woodpecker.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos of the Maple! A Japanese maple is on my Christmas wish list!
ReplyDeleteIt sure was a relief to see at least some color on the maples this year after the summer we had. Just wish it would last longer. I'm fixin' to do a post to show my maple color of a couple weeks ago, but it is almost already gone by now. I did a couple hostas in pots this year, too. It does help with the slugs :-) We are enjoying a nice slow soaking rain today! The plants are singing :-)
ReplyDeleteVery pretty fall colors. I have noticed that my pear tree is looking very pretty and autumn-y right now. Just in time for Christmas! haha
ReplyDeleteYour Japanese maples are very pretty. Mine went through its red phase a couple of months ago. Amazing overnight transformation of the hostas! The garden is ever-changing!
ReplyDeleteAll very beautiful! I love the shot of the bird at the feeder! Seems like a good time of year to be in Austin!
ReplyDeleteGoodness hostas are hardy with me, I don't think I could cope if I had to bring them in under cover as well as other plants.
ReplyDeleteLove your watery maple leaves
I'm trying to cherish the last colors left in my garden because I know it won't be too long before the only colors will be white and gray. That's probably why I enjoy the birds so much during the winter.--They're such a wonder contrast :)
ReplyDeleteThe color on that hosta is amazing! I don't have any because of all the deer but you did inspire me to think in containers. Phenomenal pics.
ReplyDeleteI *love* fall! It's my favorite season by far and I love the way you captured the deep amazing colors that fall in South Texas brings. Summer is finally over!! Lovely post as always, Cat :)
ReplyDeleteI love the first collage, Japanese maple leaves are so beautiful shaped. I think they are the most beautiful leaves I know. I would one to have it in my little yard.
ReplyDeleteHi Cat, The final act of Japanese Maples is always spectacular. Nothing beats them for intense fall color. Hostas also close the show with a beautiful golden yellow that gives you a whole new sense of appreciation for them.
ReplyDeleteLove these autumn photos, the woodpecker is wonderful next to that tree. You can see how his colouring would blend right in to the bark.
ReplyDeleteWhenever I see photos of maples I always wish I had one. They seem so delicate that it's amazing how adaptable they are. Gorgeous photos, as usual! Thanks for your kind comments on my last post. :o)
ReplyDeleteDear Cat, It is always a joy to read Joyce's poem. Your photos are so like poetry themselves. Beautiful!
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