2006 (Greenview) Bought the first in 05 and loved it so much I got another. The original seemed to be afflicted with Verticillian wilt, died very suddenly with branch dieback (2008)after being very healthy for years. The second one is looking good.
2009 (Enchanted Gardens) The first one died, I have no idea why. It looked great all summer. New is planted in the same location. If it dies, it's the site, probably too dry (under two shagbark hickories).
The fall picture is of the 08 that died.
2009 (Enchanted Gardens) This is my fourth try with this one. First one was fine, then I moved it and it died in winter. Second and third seemed to get Verticillium wilt, dieback of branches. The one I have now seems very healthy, but is planted where I lost an A. palm. Shishigashira this spring. I think the Shishigashira died from too much moisture in heavy soil. 2009 set record rainfall.
2006 (Byles)This is another great japonicum. It just can't grow fast enough for me. Glenn Herold has one a few years older than mine and it is outstanding.
I have been teaching in an urban middle school for more than 20 years now and still enjoy it, but I love my summers because it's gardening time. I have lived at my current home for almost 22 years and have about 2 acres. Probably one of the acres is garden. It is a pretty shaded area and most of the plants are shade tolerant. We have lost some large red oaks in 2011, and this has added some sun to dark areas and opened up new growing possibilities.