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.
