Coral Bark and Turning Leaves

The Coral Bark Japanese Maple, or Acer palmatum 'Sango-kaku', is a graceful new addition to our garden this year.  While accompanying me on a trip to the plant nursery, Mr. Red House saw this tree and fell in love with its beautiful red bark.

 

In the spring, the leaves emerged a spring green rimmed in coral.

The delicately cut leaves then turned entirely green for summer.

Now with the promise of cooler weather ahead, a few of the leaves of the Japanese maple are starting change their colors again.  I can't wait to see it in its fall glory!

I love the leaves of this maple.  Usually the most prized feature, however, of this maple is not the beautiful foliage, but the bark.   The more mature bark is brown..

 

while the newer growth is red and can intensify to a brilliant salmon color in cold weather.

According to NC State's records on the Coral bark Japanese maple, my little bitty sapling can eventually grow to 20'-25' and 15'-20' wide.

That means I might be moving it a little further from the house this fall... (I seem to have a reoccurring issue with measuring!)  Hopefully I can find a spot in view from a window where I can enjoy those beautiful leaves and bark year-round!

Linking with Digging today for September's Foliage Follow-up.