Northern & Central Midwest
October, 2005
Regional Report
Books
Saving and Storing Seeds
Seed Sowing and Saving, by Carole B. Turner (Storey Publishing, 1998; $19.95), is a wonderful guide to all the intricacies of what a seed is, does, and how to save and store them. The book is clear-cut, easy to follow, and even useful for children.
Favorite or New Plant
Fullmoon Maple
Fullmoon maple (Acer japonicum) is a lovely, small deciduous tree that's a great substitute for the more tender Japanese maple. The plant has an upright to spreading branching habit, and palmate leaves that are similar to the Japanese maple. This graceful maple has attractive, small purplish flowers in April followed by showy, red, 1-inch samaras in early summer. The foliage turns rich red in fall. Although it will grow in full sun, one of its best attributes is its shade tolerance. Fullmoon maple grows best on organic soil and doesn't respond well to exposed locations.
