As early spring sets in, the First Flame Maple "Iseli Introduction" (Acer x pseudosieboldianum) in the viewing garden has begun it's transformation with a burst of crimson red.
As one of the first dramatic transformation of the season, the First Flame symbolically represents the beginning of a new garden season, one that I am hopeful will result in changes and new beginnings elsewhere in the garden.
The Dwarf Maples in the garden are only just starting to show sings of buds announcing the long awaited arrival of spring.
I have spent many years pruning these Maples and treating them more like outdoor bonsai. During the summer months visitors to the garden do not always see the intricate features of the pruning.
The Viridis Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum dissectum ‘Viridis’) in the Zen garden was planted back in 2009 when the garden was first built.
The one in the Dragon's Spine dates to 2010.
Both would have been much larger if left unattended, but I have diligently kept them under control via frequent pruning. As a result, they are not only beautiful in the summer, but throughout the year as each season highlights different features of each tree.
Soon they will be covered by a canopy that will hide the beauty which lies beneath as a new season of transformation begins.
This spring has been unlike previous season changes. March was much warmer, more like April, while April is turning out to be more like March. In addition, I've noticed that the Clumping Bamboo (Fargesia rufa) throughout the garden is surviving what was a fairly mild winter, at least in terms of snow fall.
Normally the harsh cold and heavy snow loads results in the existing shoots dying off and needing to be cut back in the spring. Doing so always makes way for new shoots to emerge and eventually take the places of the older shoots.
It has been many years since I have seen the bamboo make it through the winter intact, but intact it remains.
The one exception is the long bamboo edge along the stroll garden (not pictured). This area has an issue unrelated to the winter (maybe critters, poor soil, too much sun, etc.). I'm not sure what it is, but will need to investigate as the summer arrives.
In the meantime, the bamboo elsewhere is thriving and is enhancing the appearance of the garden early.
I am hopeful that new shoots will also emerge as summer arrives and help add to the fullness of the bamboo.
Only time will tell, but meanwhile I will enjoy the early start.