As autumn approached this year I was looking forward to splashing photos of my beloved Japanese maples all over the blog. Then there was too much going on at home and in the world; they seemed out of place and the moment passed. So I will send all of you – the happy, the sad, the politically bruised, the new parents, the newly bereaved, the travellers and the homebodies, the ordinary and extraordinary people who drop into my blog – some maples for Christmas.
Below one of the nine maples that have seeded over the years beginning to grow in beauty.
And the alternative Christmas tree… 
Have a wonderful holiday season, and see you next year.
Green Writing Room 
A nice Christmas present, Hilary.
Happy Christmas to you.
And to you!
They’re gorgeous. I had one, once, like the red one but the dog ate it.
Have a wonderful Christmas and wishing you all the best for 2017.
Thanks, I have had several maples over the years that succumbed to this and that, but gardens are very forgiving and you can try again.
Oh my, Hilary – what is that gorgeous xmas present all wrapped up in the last frame ? – could it be a daughter ?
As for your maples – that is a truly impressive array ! I think I like most the one in the 3rd-last frame; but in truth there’s no point in having a favourite.
Have a terrific holiday season, and continue to look after yourself, OK ? – I need all those I admire to be constantly around !
XO
Spot on M-R, thats indeed daughter two. We have yet to hear why she elected to go feet-first through a tree wrapper. The Chicago pair (daughter one and son-in-law) rare in London now and the whole small family arrives on Thursday. I fall in love with each of my maples in turn as the seasons’s change, but your choice, Matsukaze is the best and mother of most of the seedlings.
Have yourself the perfect mixture of fun and relaxation over Christmas! Hugs from the other hemisphere.
They are lovely, aren’t they? At the house I grew up in, we had a grafted maple tree that was green at the top, and red at the lower level. I don’t know how common they were, nor whose idea it was, but everyone who visited commented on that strange maple. I think the alternative Christmas tree would get very tired 🙂
A house down the road from us had a field maple with two different sports – one peachy-leaved and one variegated, it always caught my eye. The alternative tree was already asking to come out by the end of the brief video from which I took this still image!
The Japanes Maple trees are beautiful, but I woul dgo with the alternative Christmas tree. Merry Christmas Hilary!
I am looking forward to the alternative tree (now net-free) and her sister and brother-in-law arriving here in a couple of days!
Have a great Christmas with your family.
Beautiful. Have a lovely Christmas x
Thanks, and to you too.
What magnificent maples, Hilary. Thank you and I wish you a wonderful Christmas too!
Thank you, maples are very good value on image when they are happy.
All the very best to you and yours, Hilary!
Christmas trees are in the eye of the beholder – so – who says Santa has to be a guy? haha
Eek, that’s pretty unsettling, but very clever! Happy Christmas.
Just trying to make you smile, Hilary!
You succeeded.
Thank you for your lovely pictures of maples,
and the human maple too.
My pleasure. Have a great new year!
Oh, I do love a good soothing, and those maples are marvellously soothey. Happy Christmas, Hilary, and here’s to good things in 2017 😀
2017? I agree and I hope you’re right, but if I’ve learnt nothing else this year, it’s best to assume that it can get worse. You may find me building a willow-cabin among my maples.
You may find me lying up against the outside of it, frantically meditating.
You can come in if you promise to make me laugh.
I like your alternative best 🙂 Bestest wishes to you Hilary and to your dearest people!
I’m rather fond of my alternative too and she has just arrived for Christmas. Best wishes to you and your family, Paula.
I love Japanese Maples! And your alternative Christmas tree is a hoot! I’m here and happy to email privately if you wish,(Contact Me page on my blog) Pauline Happy Christmas Hilary!
Happy Christmas! Thanks for being in touch. Family have just arrived, so I will be in touch in the New Year.
Awesome photos, Hilary. A very happy Christmas and New Year’s to you and yours as well!
Thank you Leigh. Hope your Christmas is wonderful too (ours in underway already) and the New Year is better than the last!
I love Japanese maples. Yours are gorgeous. Thanks for sending them along this Christmas season!
My pleasure, I’m glad you love these maple too.
How beautiful, what a wonderful tonic. I hope you had a good Christmas, and very best wishes for the new year.
We had a great Christmas and it is ongoing (hence no blogging) as we still have family with us.
What beautiful tree! That has to be my next Christmas Tree …:) Have a Happy New Year!
And to you too. Yes that Christmas tree came to stay and was greta company.
Happy new year Hilary. Maples are wonderful, even our humble Field Maple is appreciated. Our daughter no. 2 has gone back to HK with boyfriend in tow. Silence reigns but for the dog and Mrs Ha making (more) gingerbread. I think I might skip 2017.
I am thinking of skipping 2017 too. I spent yesterday with both daughters in London, and daughter 1 (from Chicago) is now staying with us again, so much sorting and no blogging!
Happy New Year, it sounds like you had a wonderful family Christmas 🎄. I love the colours on your trees, they need some as pretty as these in our student outdoor space.
I chuckled at your daughters photo it’s just the sort of idea 💡 I love 😄
Thank you. I am hoping for a wonderful New Year for you too, and I am sure we will be seeing you live, hopefully in February, but if not, then soon.
Absolutely love these trees! 😍
Thanks, so do I!
A wonderful post! I hope you are well and thriving, just like all the beautiful trees and alternatives you shared here.
We are fine, thanks for asking. A happy and healthy new year to you.
Haha the last picture is so cute!