Finally, leaves of the weeping ‘Whitewater’ redbud (Cercis canadensis ‘Whitewater’, below) are showing splashes of creamy variegation. The leaves emerged green and stayed green until recent weeks when several began to turn.

I’ve had no previous experience with ‘Whitewater’, but mottled leaves of a ‘Silver Cloud’ redbud (below) with similar foliage coloring come out immediately after flowering in April, so I was a bit puzzled. Only one of two ‘Silver Cloud’ planted years ago remains after the long established redbuds began leaning badly and both were cut to the ground. One grew multiple branches from the roots that have been pruned to two. While it once arched over this area of the garden, the shrubby redbud now stands behind taller shrubs.

‘Whitewater’ was planted in spring in a prominent position at the entry to the rear garden. I expect it will grow wider to require smaller neighbors to be moved within a few years, but transplanting is routine in this garden. Half of a vigorous clump of ‘Miyazaki’ toad lily (Tricyrtis hirta ‘Miyazaki’) was dug when the redbud was planted, and within a few years its cascading branches will obscure much of the rest of the clump.

After a dry, relatively cool May that slowed the early growth of the large leafed Japanese Rice Paper plant (Tetrapanax papyrifer ‘Steroidal Giant’, above), with recent rain and heat its growth has jumped. From knee high it’s grown to shoulder height in a few weeks. with more to come, I expect. In two springs a single plant has grown into a clump that should fill a half shaded void within a few years. Already, expansion into a nearby Oakleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia) has been chopped out, so I have no doubt that its future spreading will be easily controlled.