Bark – It’s Not All One Thing

When you think trees, you may not think bark. But on dreary days like today, sometimes the springtime color in the garden may need an extra lift. If you look to your trees to assist with that process, an Annie favorite that offers year-round seasonal interest is the Acer griseum, the Paper Bark Maple. On a recent nursery jaunt, I spotted a hybrid of the A. griseum and A. nikoense, the 'Ginzam' (Gingerbread™), which has that same coppery color but claims to grow a bit faster than the species. Although this hybrid lacks the Paper Bark Maple’s curly bark appeal, which for many is a big plus, not everyone prefers that shaggy look. Maybe just its rich, deep coppery tone situated correctly within the overall garden design proves to be enough. As Jeremy Piven reminds us, “We all have so many different elements inside of us and we're not all one thing.” So it is with trees. There may be certain elements that one may overlook and another adores. It’s just the beauty of growing living things!

Top image Acer griseum x nikoense 'Ginzam' Gingerbread™ Paper Bark Maple

Bottom images Acer griseum Paper Bark Maple in our garden in the snow and summer (Sorry, today's rain could be snow!)

All Images by Ann Bilowz

 
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