Japanese Maple buds! Looks like a camel's foot!

Looks nice and healthy Lori!

Thanks Tetra...I'm not as worried about it now...my cousin has "adopted" it for the winter and is going to put it in their unheated workshop for the winter months. I will wrap it up nice and cozy and when spring comes I'll collect it and hopefully by next autumn I will have a proper place for it.

Lori:

What an amazing shot!

Thanks, D1! Was worried that it was suffering but when I saw the lovely buds I was reassured. Its Acer palmatum dissucata "Red Dragon"...(could it be a dragon's foot?..nooo...no claws) It has a weeping habit and it is about three feet tall...I bought it for $20!!! Saw one it a fancy nursery up in Ottawa for $129.99!! It looked a little worse for wear but I snapped it up. It spent the summer in a large terra cotta pot. I've since read that they do much better planted directly in the earth...May have to leave it with my cousin, as the climate zone we've moved to is 4!

Lori:

I'm guessing it won't grow in USDA Zone 4. Maybe in all the acreage at your new property you'll be able to plant it in a protected spot.?

Will definitely be looking for just such a spot, D1. For now it is housed in my cousin's garage! It won't be subject to wind damage there.

Lori:

I wish you the best of luck with the maple! :>)

Thanks D1...fingers crossed!

Does this actually originate from Japan? Protecting it from the winters you have is probably best. Although I have some japanese maples in the garden and some in pots and we had a cold winter last year and they were o.k. but I suppose your winter's are a lot colder and longer than ours Lori.

Yes, Lindak, the Acer palmatum is native to Japan, China, some parts of Russia, and Korea. Not sure about some of the more exotic crosses coming from it. If it grows in parts of Russia (Siberia?) then it has to be cold hardy...where as some of the lovely ones I've seen on the I'net are tender. Just hoping to keep my little "dragon" alive!

Mine have lost their leaves now Lori but have been really pretty especially this Autumn.

My little bargain J-maple has had deep red leaves the whole growing season... I think I'd like to find another that has colour in the fall. We're moving to a different climate zone...going from 5b to 4a and I'm not sure about the hardiness of the maple under those conditions. It's "boarding" at my cousin's place this winter (zone 6)and may have to remain with her. will have to wait and see.
I have an Amur maple (Acer ginnala) I love it to bits but it really spreads keys everywhere...in the spring when it blooms it smells like a super lilac...gorgeous scent and the bees go mad for it.