A couple of years ago I was afraid I would lose the star of our rockery, our Japanese Maple, as a fungal infection got one of its main branches. After treating it promptly, and chopping back some overhanging trees to give it breathing space, it seems to have fully recovered. I’m so glad we could save it!
The grasses below the maple come into their own at this time of year, especially when the wind rushes through them.
The tall grass is Miscanthus sinensis, and the short one in front of it is a dwarf Miscanthus – ‘Adagio’, pictured again below. Adagio only grows to about 1.5 metres (under 5 ft), and starts flowering late summer. It’s one of my favourites because I can leave it standing all winter and it doesn’t get untidy or flattened (unless we have really heavy snow).
This grass (pictured below) at the top of the rockery has flourished this year after a slow start last year (planted spring 2011). It is very slow to grow in the early summer, but then suddenly shoots up at the end of August! However, I have noticed it is spreading, so will have to watch it doesn’t become invasive. It was sold to me as a carex, but I’m not sure about that. (Maybe you know what it is?)
Another very good plant for dry ground and autumn colour is the outstanding Persicaria amplexicaulis (Firetail)
It adds height and interest to the rockery in autumn when all other flowers are slowly dying back. The background leaf is a Euonymus fortunei ‘Emerald and Gold’ – beautiful all year round.
Note: All these photos were taken last week, and within days the garden has changed, with more golds and the acer’s leaves now falling…
Words and Herbs 
The Japanese Maple is beautiful! Glad you could save it.
So am I – it’s been a real picture this year! 😀
The colour of that autumnal maple is incredible! Mine don’t achieve as clear and deep tones: perhaps the type, perhaps a warmer climate!
I’m not sure if it’s a palmatum or japonicum, probably the former as these are more common in German nurseries. They do turn a beautiful colour.
I was just saying how fast fall is moving through the garden and trees….love that maple and the grasses…gorgeous colors
Yes, within the last few days our trees have dropped a lot of leaves. It’s always over too soon!
beautiful
Thank you – don’t you just love autumn?!
yes I do.
Love your maple – what a gorgeous colour! Your grass looks like an invasive species we call ribbon grass here – don’t know the botanical name, though. It is definitely pretty, if you can keep it contained!
I’d better look that grass up… I have enough invasives as it is! Thanks Melody!
Let me know if you find out what it is for sure…
Your rockery looks great. That Firetail is really eye-catching!
Thanks Susie – I love the firetail too. It does so well in that spot where the rockery is particularly challenging – shade from October to March, then hot sun the rest of the year.
Your maple is saying thank you!
How sweet! Perhaps you’re right! 😀
Your photos are gorgeous. We too have an Acer. I would be heartbroken to lose it. I’m so glad yours came back.
Thank you – they are wonderful trees aren’t they! 😀
That they are!
A beautiful together of plants, grasses, trees and colours!
Hi Uta! Thanks for your lovely comment – I never thought the garden would recover from the heat of summer. But it did!
Beautiful an wonderful! I’m impressed of your pics! Liebe Grüße, Luiserl
Vielen Dank Luiserl! I really appreciate your comment, since YOU are such a good photographer!
Liebe Grüße!
I love Acers, lovely colours. I said when we moved into out house last year, that I would plant one (had to leave ours behind in the previous garden), but haven’t got round to it yet.
I hope you have a good spot for one, as they really brighten a dull and foggy autumn day (like today!). Thanks for your comment Tina!
Your japanese maple garden is beautiful. I really like the colors and texture of the the garden this time of year. – http://mary-goingnative.blogspot.com/
Hi Mary – the grasses are wonderful this year. I’m surprised, as the summer was so hot and dry. But they all caught up with growth in September!
Ah, I wish we could grow Japanese maples here! They are so wonderful!
I agree with Melody, I believe your unknown grass is ribbon grass (Phalaris arundinacea) – there are all sorts of cultivars, including quite a few with variegated foliage. They are beautiful and very hardy, and unfortunately, extremely aggressive.
I suppose the Japanese maples are not hardy enough? Does ribbon grass flower? The pictures I’ve found all have lovely seed heads, but mine is showing no signs of flowering… Thanks Sheryl – I shall keep my eye on it and if it starts to spread it will have to go!
Your Japanese maple is simply wonderful. Such a vivid red! Of course it takes a great photographer like you to do it justice!
Thank you for such a flattering comment Simone! 😀
You´re very welcome!!!
The acer and grasses are a lovely combination – the acer leaves are more vibrant than many flowers. Beautiful!
Beautiful maple, one of my favorite trees of all time–yours is very nice. I’m glad you saved it!! 🙂
Cathy! What a garden!! Your Japanese maple is stunning and I am sure lends such a splash of colour this time of the year. It must be such a pleasure to be outside in your garden…Enjoy! Sharon
Cathy, your Japanese Maple in autumn colours is wonderful. I´m glad too that it has recovered – surely as you gave it much tender loving care…
As to the unknown green-white grass I think I have the same plant. It was given to me by a friend.
My grass is about 40 to 50 cm high, doesn´t flower, but spreads out and – sorry – I don´t know its
name. On occasion I`ll ask Johanna.
Thanks Elisabeth! Yes, sounds like the same grass. Hope we can find out the name.
Simply beautiful, glad you saved it too!
😀 Thank you!
Beautiful area, the acer looks fully recovered. It is amazing how you get attached to plants so you must be quite relieved.
You’re right, I do get attached to plants, but especially trees.
Beautiful bed! I have been mulling around doing a bed especially for fall, a Japanese Maple is a perfect centerpiece! Thanks for the inspiration!
You’re welcome! It’s very pretty in spring too, when the leaves unfurl and the tiny “flowers” bloom. 😀
Pretty photos Cathy. Love that spot you have and am glad you saved it. I want one here but only certain ones wil take what we in New England have thrown at us. We had a 4.0 Earthquake last week this weekend maybe a Hurricane, “Sandy” it is NUTS! 🙂
Now to go check out that yummy meal you posted 🙂
I’m so glad we don’t get bad storms very often – and no earthquakes either! We are pretty far inland, but we still get high winds sometimes. Love watching the trees then!
I bet! NZ has been having rough winds friends say but we can have very horrible storms here in the US
Never boring for our weathermen 😦