{Our Golden Live Oak 'Quercus Virginiana Grand View Gold' in April}

Just have to share with you our biggest garden treasure and that is the very rare, I do believe it's perhaps the ONLY one within the USA... Golden Live Oak 'Quercus Virginiana Grand View Gold.

We had tea on the balcony and I took this photo just this afternoon.

To the right you see the brown foliage of our sick Italian Cypress...

But this Golden Live Oak ' Quercus Virginiana Grand View Gold' looks stunning every spring! 
We have it now for 20 years and it is not a tall tree, like the Quercus behind it.

This  Golden Live Oak ' Quercus Virginiana Grand View Gold' has been a big influencer for selecting our Benjamin Moore Golden Mist color for the exterior of the house.
Don't you love this sight?!
Photo is from April 16 in the morning.

This huge 'Magnolia Namnetensis Flore Pleno' is framing our home nicely, as does the semi evergreen oak on the other side of the house.
All the Pot Plants on the Patio dwarf in comparison...

Turning around makes you see the Golden Live Oak as well as the huge Magnolia Namnetensis Flore Pleno with in the back another huge oak tree... 
We got many different oak trees on our property!

Looking past the Magnolia, the Golden Live Oak comes into full view behind the retainer wall, with our Acer Negundo Kelly's Gold Yellow Box Elder.
Stepping back now... To the right you can see the road.

View from our driveway where the two (one already died) Italian Cypress struggle for life and our Windmill Palm.
Against a backdrop from the Quercus Virginiana Live Oak, a green form.

The Acer Rubrum, or Red Maple, gives its best red and the Acer Negundo Kelly's Gold Yellow Box Elder, to the left is also a show stopper!
The above photo is taken this afternoon, from the balcony.

Also our Canary Island Palm (in a pot) is visible here.

This last photo is from April 14, less sunny and thus looking less golden...
Hope you enjoyed our Garden Treasure!
Wishing you a lovely new week ahead and always thanks for stopping by.
In one week I also will find time again to visit you... SORRY!

🌴

Related links to our Quercus Virginiana Grand View Gold:

Adam Black (who tried several times to propagate this tree!), together with Jason A. Smith from the School of Forest Resources and Conservation University of Florida/IFAS did show one of my photos towards the bottom of their Pdf: Presentation University of Florida
{Golden Live Oak 'Quercus Virginiana Grand View Gold' in Sunshine at its BEST} | my previous post with more links below

google.com/+MariettesBacktoBasics

{# 1111 - Our Golden Live Oak 'Quercus Virginiana Grand View Gold' changing color}

Needless to say that it is in the spring that Our Golden Live Oak 'Quercus Virginiana Grand View Gold' is changing its color to look SPECTACULAR!
Our Golden Live Oak got planted on January 17, 1996... so it's 18 years old now.

This was on April 23... Glad we got these photos as we left for our Florida vacation on April 29...

Thought this is a perfect entry for my 1111th post!

From the front of the house, on the corner of the new tiled patio.

Front of the house with the striking GOLDEN Live Oak 'Quercus Virginiana Grand View Gold'...

Our Black Gum Nyssa Sylvatica to the right in the photo has not yet opened up its leaf buds.

Our Pot Plants on the Patio are growing in number.

Quite striking contrast with the different Acer trees we got.

One of our felines is sitting under the Palm tree.

The tree in the front is our Ulmus parvifolia - 'Drake' elm or Chinese elm.

And we are standing under the canopy of our Live Oak 'Quercus Virginiana'...

Exotic looking next to our palm (minus the Dish for our Satellite Internet)...

Drake elm in front and the Italian Cypress to the right.

Three Acers with best show of colors for spring.

From the left: Acer Negundo Kelly's Gold - Acer Rubrum and Acer saccharum Marshall or Sugar Maple tree. The very tree for the maple syrup!

Stepping back and looking now towards the street.

Sure enough there is always the presence of felines in our garden. Spunky is spotted to the left of the palm tree... Also a better view of our Drake elm to the right.

Our Spicy girl is walking on the concrete walkway.

Our Italian Cypress trees have grown quite tall.

Two oak trees next to each other in this photo. One is shedding all its leaves and this golden one just renews in the spring but is evergreen.

Do you like its GOLDEN leaves?

Related links where this stunning Quercus Virginiana Grand View Gold, can be seen:
Wow...I think this deserves a thread! Golden live oak! | GardenWeb discussion...
{Lush Green Garden} |previous post by me
{Golden Live Oak 'Quercus Virginiana Grand View Gold' in Sunshine at its BEST} | previous post by me
{Our Golden Live Oak 'Quercus Virginiana Grand View Gold' with Catkins} | Previous post by me
{Our Mrs. G. G. GERBING Azaleas} | previous post by me
{Our Patio Tiles in the Front} | previous post by me
{RARE Icicles in Our Garden} | previous post by me
{Energy Efficient GREEN Roofing Arrived} | previous post by me
{My Powder Blue Escada Jeans Suit} | previous post by me showing me in front of Grand View Gold
{Our Lovely Lilac Clematis 'Silver Moon'} | previous post by me showing young Grand View Gold

{Cloudy Day versus Sunny Day}| Previous post by me
{Blooms on our Windmill Palm - Trachycarpus fortunei} | previoius post by me 

{Our Golden Live Oak has LOTS of Acorns!} | previous post by me

{Our Different Oaks} | previous post by me

{My Silk Quilted Vest Creation and YOUR Opinion Requested...} | previous post by me showing golden oak

{Our Live Oak got a Haircut}| previous post by me

Mariette on Google+

{Our Mrs. G. G. GERBING Azaleas}

One of our prettiest Azaleas is for sure the Mrs. G.G. GERBING Azalea with its huge white flowers!

Again, during my garden tour on April 12, with perfect sunlight I could make these photos.

Are they not a dream?

In the back you see the red from our Acer Rubrum or Red Maple. 

Stepping back now so you can see the wooden bridge over our creek. One of 3.

To the left you see our Quercus Virginiana Grand View Gold and the Italian Cypress in front of the balcony, the Gazebo is visible as well. Next is our Acer saccharum Marshall or Sugar Maple tree.

To the right you see the Acer Rubrum or Red Maple more visible and also the Acer Negundo Kelly's Gold Yellow Box Elder to the right of the rubrum.

A bit closer and all 3 Acers you can see in the back as well.

Lovely contrast of colors against this pure white Azalea with its large flowers!

This really is the LOVELIEST time of the year!
The fall has its colors as well but not such lovely flowers...

Don't you LOVE them too?

Just a hint of green on those pure white petals.
Hope you too have Azaleas to enjoy in your garden!

Related links:
{ENJOY Our White Azaleas} | previous post by me
{Our Acer Trees in the Spring} | previous post by me

Related links where this stunning Quercus Virginiana Grand View Gold, can be seen:
Wow...I think this deserves a thread! Golden live oak! | GardenWeb discussion...
{Lush Green Garden} |previous post by me
{# 1111 - Our Golden Live Oak 'Quercus Virginiana Grand View Gold' changing color} | previous post by me
{Golden Live Oak 'Quercus Virginiana Grand View Gold' in Sunshine at its BEST} | previous post by me
{Our Golden Live Oak 'Quercus Virginiana Grand View Gold' with Catkins} | Previous post by me
{Our Patio Tiles in the Front} | previous post by me
{RARE Icicles in Our Garden} | previous post by me
{Energy Efficient GREEN Roofing Arrived} | previous post by me
{My Powder Blue Escada Jeans Suit} | previous post by me showing me in front of Grand View Gold
{Our Lovely Lilac Clematis 'Silver Moon'} | previous post by me showing young Grand View Gold

{Cloudy Day versus Sunny Day}| Previous post by me
{Blooms on our Windmill Palm - Trachycarpus fortunei} | previoius post by me 

{Our Golden Live Oak has LOTS of Acorns!} | previous post by me

{Our Different Oaks} | previous post by me

{My Silk Quilted Vest Creation and YOUR Opinion Requested...} | previous post by me showing golden oak

{Our Live Oak got a Haircut}| previous post by me

Mariette on Google+

{Our Patio Tiles in the Front}

When I did post about our Bay Window area's Patio Tiles, I did not show you the Front of our Home. So today I show you that part as well.
Our Pot Plants on the Patio are small in number; but growing!

Again the Benjamin Moore paint in Golden Mist against the Sunset tiles that we used for the Patio.

You also get to see part of the Vintage Woodworks spindles, gingerbread and Fleur de Lys trim on the gable of the house.

Photos are from April 10, still no leaves on our Hibiscus syriacus Jeanne D'Arc. You find link below post...

The tile men also put +CERDOMUS ceramiche Italian tiles that were left over from our balcony, on the stairs since some of the bricks got chipped.

Our Black Gum Nyssa Sylvatica  - a Wildlife Friendly Shade Tree with flowers and berries is still bare as the leaves come very late.

You can see the Golden Live Oak 'Quercus Virginiana Grand View Gold' tot the right changing into its BEST color for the entire year.

Also the Red Japanese Maple (Acer Rubrum) next to it.

This photo also shows off the +Interlock Roofing in Aluminum Slate in Aged Copper color!

Guess by now we've completed our home!

Related links:
{Our Patio Tiles Are DONE!} | previous post by me
{Our Patio Tiles & Freeze Warning} | previous post by me
{Water Control Project Finished} | previous post showing you the tile sample on the concrete
{Our Hibiscus syriacus Jeanne D'Arc & Our Life in Italy} | previous post by me
{Our Home with Aluminum Interlock Roofing and Benjamin Moore Golden Mist Exterior} | previous post by me

Related links where this stunning Quercus Virginiana Grand View Gold, can be seen:
Wow...I think this deserves a thread! Golden live oak! | GardenWeb discussion...
{Lush Green Garden} |previous post by me
{# 1111 - Our Golden Live Oak 'Quercus Virginiana Grand View Gold' changing color} | previous post by me
{Golden Live Oak 'Quercus Virginiana Grand View Gold' in Sunshine at its BEST} | previous post by me
{Our Golden Live Oak 'Quercus Virginiana Grand View Gold' with Catkins} | Previous post by me
{Our Mrs. G. G. GERBING Azaleas} | previous post by me
{RARE Icicles in Our Garden} | previous post by me
{Energy Efficient GREEN Roofing Arrived} | previous post by me
{My Powder Blue Escada Jeans Suit} | previous post by me showing me in front of Grand View Gold
{Our Lovely Lilac Clematis 'Silver Moon'} | previous post by me showing young Grand View Gold

{Cloudy Day versus Sunny Day}| Previous post by me
{Blooms on our Windmill Palm - Trachycarpus fortunei} | previoius post by me 

{Our Golden Live Oak has LOTS of Acorns!} | previous post by me

{Our Different Oaks} | previous post by me

{My Silk Quilted Vest Creation and YOUR Opinion Requested...} | previous post by me showing golden oak

{Our Live Oak got a Haircut}| previous post by me

Mariette on Google+

{Our Acer Trees in the Spring}

On May 12, we had as usual a bright blue sky and it made our two Acer trees stand out even more so with their spring leaves. Have a look at our Acer Negundo Kelly's Gold Yellow Box Elder and Acer Rubrum or Red Maple:

To the left, Acer Negundo Kelly's Gold Yellow Box Elder and to the right Acer Rubrum or Red Maple.

That bright green and red does not stay all summer... but in the fall they both look striking again!

Acer Negundo Kelly's Gold - Yellow Box Elder with to the left Robinia pseudo acacia - Black Locust.

The tall one to the left is an oak tree an also the one to the right is another oak tree, the sawtooth oak.

In our climate, trees grow so fast and also very tall!

Don't you love this Acer Negundo Kelly's Gold?!

Related links:

{Cloudy Day versus Sunny Day} | previous post by me showing also Acer Negundo Kelly's Gold and Acer Rubrum

{Our Robinia pseudoacacia - Black Locust} | previous post by me showing the tree that is to the left of the Acer Negundo, while it is in bloom...
{Our Acer - Maple Trees} | previous post by me with fall color

Mariette on Google+

{Cloudy Day versus Sunny Day}

In our garden things look more golden and bright on a Sunny Day, versus a Cloudy Day. But we do need the cloudy days and the rainy days, for keeping our trees, shrubs and plants alive. The last couple of days have yielded some long awaited rains. Not enough yet, as the soil has a very poor water holding capacity but any amount of rain helps. Let's look at the same trees on a cloudy day, followed by a sunny day... We ourselves probably look different too on our sunny days! Sunshine makes us all feel happy and light, putting a spring in our step. Cloudy days and rain do drag us down and make us feel heavy... Or is anyone feeling the opposite?

• The watering hose is always on standby for when it does not rain. This is such a cloudy day with heavy overcast and the trees do have different colors. The 'Quercus Vigriniana Grand View Gold' to the right is not looking real golden... With our Palm tree it looks quite exotic.

• The Grand View Gold looks a bit tarnished...

• Our Acer Negundo Kelly's Gold Yellow Box Elder on a cloudy day, next to the Acer Rubrum or Red Maple.

• Our Acer Negundo Kelly's Gold Yellow Box Elder on a cloudy day...

• Again on a cloudy day, but a bit closer with our 3rd bridge in view as well.

• Our Acer Negundo Kelly's Gold Yellow Box Elder on a SUNNY day!

• Acer Negundo Kelly's Gold Yellow Box Elder on the left and the Acer Rubrum or Red Maple to the right in full sunshine... Our 3rd bridge across the creek is visible here too.

Below you can see our newest, replaced 1st bridge across the creek.

• We end with a '24 karat' Golden Live Oak, Quercus Virginiana Grand View Gold,  on a SUNNY day...

Quite a difference... 

Related link:

Book an Event: Garden Tour | Mariette's Back to Basics Events

Related links where this stunning Quercus Virginiana Grand View Gold, can be seen:
Wow...I think this deserves a thread! Golden live oak! | GardenWeb discussion...
{Lush Green Garden} |previous post by me
{# 1111 - Our Golden Live Oak 'Quercus Virginiana Grand View Gold' changing color} | previous post by me
{Golden Live Oak 'Quercus Virginiana Grand View Gold' in Sunshine at its BEST} | previous post by me
{Our Golden Live Oak 'Quercus Virginiana Grand View Gold' with Catkins} | Previous post by me
{Our Mrs. G. G. GERBING Azaleas} | previous post by me
{Our Patio Tiles in the Front} | previous post by me
{RARE Icicles in Our Garden} | previous post by me
{Energy Efficient GREEN Roofing Arrived} | previous post by me
{My Powder Blue Escada Jeans Suit} | previous post by me showing me in front of Grand View Gold
{Our Lovely Lilac Clematis 'Silver Moon'} | previous post by me showing young Grand View Gold

{Blooms on our Windmill Palm - Trachycarpus fortunei} | previoius post by me 

{Our Golden Live Oak has LOTS of Acorns!} | previous post by me

{Our Different Oaks} | previous post by me

{My Silk Quilted Vest Creation and YOUR Opinion Requested...} | previous post by me showing golden oak

{Our Live Oak got a Haircut}| previous post by me

Mariette on Google+

{Our Acer - Maple Trees}

Just this week our Acer Saccharum Marshall or Sugar Maple tree, was at its very best! So here I want to share some of its photos and also the Acer Palmatum Sango-Kaku that is in the wood garden, across the creek.

• This is our Acer saccharum Marshall or Sugar Maple tree. The very tree for the maple syrup!
• To the right, the yellow leaved tree is our Ginkgo biloba tree.
• Pieter has repaired our wooden bridges and treated with wood preserving oil.

• To the left is our Red Maple or Acer Rubrum. Two of our wooden bridges are visible here.

• The above photo is taken three days before the rest, notice the change in color...
• Our wooden bridge, repaired and treated with wood conservation.

• Three days later in full color, this was November 10. Our center bridge visible, covered with fall leaves.

• A view from across the pond...

• This is the Acer Palmatum Sango-Kaku or Japanese Maple 'Coral Bark'

• We do have other Acer - Maple trees but they don't have such lovely fall colors due to the hot and dry summer. 
• Hope next year things will look better again.

Mariette on Google+