The stems of the Coral Bark Japanese Maple give the tree its name – a bright coral red that is a highlight of the winter garden, when the world is starved for color and vibrancy. Lit by the sunlight of late afternoon, which grows happily longer by the day, these stems look brilliant against a blue sky.
In the spring, the chartreuse leaves of this tree complete the show with a stunning shade that complements its bright bark. Holding that thought while the winter limps onward is a test of mental fortitude, but rather than force the matter, I’m going to appreciate the stems bare against this February sky.
