Anatomy Lesson: Sizzling Border for Warmer Zones

Could you provide your zone? Also, with regard to the lake, is wind off the water an issue?

I've forwarded this to our Japanese maple expert. He'll get back to you!

Yes, we're in zone 9 too, and fall color is not easy to achieve here. So you have lots of all day sun? That's a tough one. Japanese maples prefer cooler temps overall and you might it a challenge to get the watering right, but why not try one? I would recommend Bloodgood Japanese maple which has more sun tolerance than other varieties. http://www.monrovia.com/plant-catalog/plants/26/bloodgood-japanese-maple/ Another maple that I think will do okay is Pacific Fire Vine maple, which is the same genus but not the same species (it's not a Japanese maple) . Again, that's pretty hot sun, but pickup a five gallon and give it a try. You just never know. http://www.monrovia.com/plant-catalog/plants/649/pacific-fire-vine-maple/ Have you considered a Ginkgo? That would do well and has glorious fall color. Does get very large though: http://www.monrovia.com/plant-catalog/plants/1322/autumn-gold-maidenhair-tree/ Finally, although we're not currently growing it you should be able to find a Chinese Pistache tree. Any good garden center such as Armstrong or Roger's will have it: http://www.monrovia.com/plant-catalog/plants/1985/chinese-pistachio/ I hope this helps a bit!