Nothing beats Japanese maples for center of attention drama and vivid fall color. It's also a good time to think ahead to next year's very first flowers, and the critters who are already making plans for your garden, too. And if you're craving some inspiration, care to take a virtual stroll through Chanticleer with us?
If you've ever stopped in your tracks upon seeing a tree glowing orange and red, there's a good chance it was a Japanese maple. Plenty of them fit a smaller garden, and the dwarf varieties do beautifully in a pot, where they naturally slow down once the roots fill the space. In our guide, you'll learn how to site, water, and prune yours, and how to choose a variety that gives you the look you want. Photos by Richard Bloom.
Pull Up a Chair at Chanticleer
Dan Benarcik looks after the plantings that greet every visitor at Chanticleer, the Pennsylvania public garden. He's also a woodworker who teaches people who have never held a drill to build their own garden furniture, and he brings that same encouragement to gardening. On Thursday, October 8th, in "A Walk Through Chanticleer: Inspiration, Creativity & the Art of Seeing a Garden," he leads you through the garden's distinct areas across the seasons and shows you what to look for, so you come home with things worth borrowing for your own yard. Dan will take your questions live before the session wraps up.
Live Webinar
A Walk Through Chanticleer: Inspiration, Creativity & the Art of Seeing a Garden with Dan Benarcik
Thursday October 8th at 6pm Eastern, 3pm Pacific.
$20 USD
Reply Included.
“Pots are a great way to try Japanese maples—you can move them around to see what kind of light conditions they like in your garden.” —Steph of Hooked & Rooted (watch a video of her garden here)
Turn Winter White into Garden Delight with Snowdrops
Snowdrops are winter’s bravest bloom—tiny but unstoppable. They generate their own warmth, pushing through frozen soil and snow to flower when gardens are still asleep. Plant them once, and each late winter they’ll multiply into shimmering drifts of white, announcing spring’s return. For beauty when you need it most, nothing feels more magical—or hopeful—than snowdrops.
Want to win free flower bulbs? Get a head start on your planning & planting: Enter to win $100 in bulbs on our Instagram post by clicking here.
Cooler days change who's busy in your yard. Squirrels are stashing food for winter and will happily dig up bulbs you just planted. Hungry grubs are chewing on lawn roots right now, and voles start nibbling tree bark as other food gets scarce. Even houseplants that spent the summer outdoors can bring tiny fungus gnats inside with them. Find out what to watch for and how to deal with each one safely and naturally.
How Much Joy Can One Plant Bring?
It seems like you can go out to dinner these days and, without even trying, spend $100 for two—or a whole lot more.
But what if, instead of one of those dinners, you bought a Japanese maple?
One dinner gives you a nice evening. A Japanese maple can give you joy every time you walk into the garden—for years. Spring leaves unfurl, summer brings beautiful foliage and form, and then comes that spectacular fall color.
If you’ve ever thought about adding a Japanese maple to your garden, here’s your chance. Monrovia has put together a terrific buyer’s guide that walks you through what you need to know. Click here to see it.
Right now is the best time of year to plant! That’s your cue!
—Jim Peterson
Pictured above: Our Japanese Maple providing beauty through the year.
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