@Fairygirl 😊 I must say that it’s the elegant asymmetry of Japanese acers that I find so attractive, as is the case with so many examples of japanese art described as ‘wabi sabi’ that has inspired so many European artists since the days of Van Gogh
“… While the Western idea of an exquisitely made object centers on perfect symmetry and completeness, Japanese aesthetic focuses on asymmetry and incompleteness …”
While some trees such as yew have a habit that lends itself to topiary, ‘training’ an acer into a regular shape seems to me to be denying one of it’s essential and most attractive characteristics.
However, different folk see things differently … it’s not my garden and it’s a very good thing that we’re not all alike 😃
Please excuse that little diversion …. it’s a particular interest of mine. 😊
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Everything in its place I think, with mine and @Fairygirl gardens, anything cut in neat balls just doesn’t fit, ok for town gardens but not for wild country gardens.
Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor.
Wild and villagey here. I have 5 in pots, occasionally a very wet spell,they were about a foot high when I bought them,and found it was sun and wind they dislike. Just this second taken pictures. The dark one is in a bed,but garden is north facing although plenty of sun it's sheltered from wind andmid day sun,yes I DID rotate. Heyho arthriticy fingers
Haha, Fairy read that and first thought,oh, because I said I lived in some where warm,THEN realize the upside down!! Funny, because I don't put personal details on FB,and it does actually say I live in Melbourne!!
I've just noticed that the OP has stated the plants are of a reasonable size, so they shouldn't need much protection, although again, it depends on the variety. Out of the wind is about all they need, while the foliage dies back, and up off the ground if on a hard surface. A greenhouse shouldn't be necessary. The one I have here certainly hasn't and it's not exactly balmy here, even in what I call mild winters. I don't know anyone who keeps them undercover unless they're tiny plants.
I'm not sure about the Derbyshire reference though - have I missed something?
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Melbourne is a town in Derbyshire, near the Leicestershire border, and birthplace of Thomas Cook. The Johnny come lately Melbourne in Australia is named after this one via Viscount Melbourne, Prime Minister in the 1830s.
Posts
https://katherinthesky.wordpress.com/2013/02/17/wabi-sabi-traditional-japanese-concepts-of-beauty/
Please excuse that little diversion …. it’s a particular interest of mine. 😊
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Also - pruning is to remove anything damaged or dead, of course.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I love topiary @Lyn , but only when the right shrub/tree is used.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Derbyshire isn’t warm!
Out of the wind is about all they need, while the foliage dies back, and up off the ground if on a hard surface.
A greenhouse shouldn't be necessary. The one I have here certainly hasn't and it's not exactly balmy here, even in what I call mild winters. I don't know anyone who keeps them undercover unless they're tiny plants.
I'm not sure about the Derbyshire reference though - have I missed something?
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...