Featured Garden: Steve's Japanese Maples
A Beautiful Tree Garden in Eugene, Oregon
Steve's Japanese Maples is a collection of 70 Acer palmatums, mostly all different varieties planted from 1 to 5 gallon containers. Most under 7 years old. Steve learned gardening from his grandmother and has had a gardening career his entire life. He seems to know a thing or two about trees!
How did you become a gardener?
My grandmother who raised me was always planting things indoors and out. I have always had a green thumb and starting doing gardening work since about 10 years old. Gained scholarships to Cal Poly State University, San Luis Obispo and degreed in Crop Science, I grew fresh market vegetables and marketed them throughtout college and after. Began my career in Outdoor Power Equipment sales and representing Lawn and Garden suppliers to retailers in Oregon the past 30 years. My passion is growing things and helping others do so for fun and profit. My wife and I enjoy finding new varieties of Japanese Maples throughout Oregon and finding new spaces to plant them in our yard. The collection has 65 different varieties at this time.
What is your favorite plant?
I love all plants but our biggest collection is Acer palmatum, Japenese maples. Why, there are so many varieties, colors, patterns, shapes, textures and Oregon seems to grow lots of varieties to choose from.
What's a favorite feature of your garden?
The japanese maples of course is our favorite feature because of all the variety in size, texture and color change through out the season. Combined with everygreens kike Rhodies, azaleas etc to add a splash of color in spring and greenery when all the maples have gone dormant. An assortment of seasonable bulbs fills the small empty spots. If you notice, all the beds are lined with concrete stack stones. All told there is 14 pallets place by hand by myself and friends.
What's your greatest challenge in gardening?
Finding more room for more Maples without tilling up my grass lawn, which the wife encourages. I like top mow!
What's your best tip for new gardeners?
The best tip is just trying it. If you like something try it. Reading, classes, master gardener courses for resources. Most importantly is ground preparation with a good soil amendment before plainting anything. These beds were amended with composted mint straw. Wonderful amendment and mulch but must be completely composted.
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