Acer palmatum 'Fairyhair'

This is a wonderful time of year to enjoy fall color in our gardens.  Whether it is foliage, bark, berries or flowers, we are fortunate to live in an area that has such diversity.  In my own garden, one of the most spectacular fall red foliage plants I have is Acer palmatum 'Fairyhair'.  In the spring and summer, this plant has tiny green leaves that are extremely narrow and visitors often comment on what a beautiful container plant it is.  I have had it on our deck in a large pot for about four years and it looks good at any time of the year.  However, this fall, I think the red foliage color is much more intense than I remember in previous seasons.  This is a slow growing Japanese maple and is thus readily adapted to growing in a container.  It might be hard to find but is well worth the search and many garden centers specializing in Japanese maples would probably carry it.    

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Chestnuts

“Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire” is a traditional Christmas song and the words come to life at Allen Creek Farm in Ridgefield, WA.  Here on 20 acres of what was a hayfield, Carolyn and Ray Young started a chestnut farm in 1999 by planting 800 trees.  While classified by the USDA as a nut, Carolyn says a chestnut is really a grain that happens to grow on a tree. 

High in fiber, low in fat and gluten-free, chestnuts are quite healthy.  According to Ray and Carolyn, chestnuts should ideally be kept refrigerated at the grocery store (which does not often happen) and they are best if eaten within about three weeks from harvest.  Some restaurants will offer chestnut dishes during this window of harvest which is now through December.  I have not seen them readily offered for sale and to my knowledge I have personally never eaten a chestnut.  I think that will change very soon! 

For more information and to order chestnuts either fresh or dried, chestnut flour and other chestnut products; www.chestnutsonline.com 

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The Layered Garden

The two acre Pennsylvania garden of David Culp is called Brandywine Cottage.  David has written a new book on his garden, "The Layered Garden" published by Timber Press.  As the title implies, this book will give the gardener ideas on the design technique of layering plants.  Whether you have an existing garden or are starting a new one, David gives basic lessons in how to choose plants so that as one passes its peak, another one will take over.  The book is full of ideas on how to select plants and maintain them and has superb color photographs throughout.  There is a wonderful chapter "Signature Plants Through the Seasons" that will guide you through ideas on creating a four-season garden.  David was a guest on my show of October 27, during 10:00am hour and you can hear the interview from the podcast on this page.  David will be coming to Portland for a lecture through The Hardy Plant Society of Oregon and is speaking on "The Layered Garden".  His lecture is on Sunday, November 4, Hoffman Hall, Portland State University at 1:30pm.  Tickets are available at 1-503-224-5718.

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Mum-vember Chrysanthemum Display

For over 1,300 years, the chrysanthemum has been a very special flower in Chinese culture.  Along with plum, bamboo and orchid, the chrysanthemum is revered in China as one of the “four gentleman of flowers” and is a symbol of longevity and integrity.  For centuries, chrysanthemums have been used medicinally and as a source for tea and wine.  As part of this tradition and culture, Portland’s Lan Su Chinese Garden will be presenting special displays of chrysanthemum flowers throughout the month of November.  There will be over 500 potted plants of a wide variety of shapes, colors and sizes on display.  In addition, this year’s display will feature prize-winning blooms from the National Chrysanthemum Show.  Lan Su Chinese Garden is located at 239 NW Everett (corner of NW 2nd)  in Old Town/Chinatown Portland.  Regular admission fees apply.   

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