Particularly fulfilling are the young leaves of an acer circinatum we had planted last spring. It was a lovely multi-trunked specimen that quickly leafed out after planting but the heat of summer was hard on it. Knowing how very small its root ball was (we think it was collected from the wild) we feared for its well-being. We pruned it and kept it well watered and mulched to help it cope, but it was clearly stressed through the year. This year we hope it will fare better and its bright yellow-green leaves with their reddish tips are a hopeful sign.
Also gorgeous are the new leaves of our young eucalyptus (E. pauciflora ssp. debeuzevillei.) The foliage comes out so reddish-orange that it looks almost like flowers from a distance. I chose this variety because it is supposed to be one of the hardiest eucs, and I'm delighted that it did so well over the winter. Based on last year's gains, I expect it to put on a foot or two more height this summer.
Go little tree!
