Acer palmatum 'Beni hoshi'

Discussion in 'Acer palmatum cultivars (photos)' started by mjh1676, Apr 21, 2005.

  1. mjh1676

    mjh1676 Active Member Maple Society 10 Years

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    This is a second year plant obtained from the source last season. This cultivar was named and introduced by Dell Loucks of Dell's Japanese Mapes in Junction City, Oregon. This plant was gafted by Dell and is a fine red leafed dwarf that holds it red color into summer, but its eventually greens out with some red undertones.

    Mature plants at his nursery are around 2m after 15 years and very compact.

    These two photos were taken on 4/7 and 4/17/05. The lighter red leaves being the earlier photo.
     

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  2. mjh1676

    mjh1676 Active Member Maple Society 10 Years

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    New leaves on maturing spring growth. May 2005.
     

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  3. mjh1676

    mjh1676 Active Member Maple Society 10 Years

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    Just keeping the seasonal photos up to date. Here is a photo from today, 07/11/05.

    With the sun on the leaves they appear a little more yellow than they should. They are actually bronzing in the summer heat, a more orange rust color. I have seen mature specimens of this plant grown in full sun and with adequate water, it will bronze in summer without bruning.

    I like is a a good red dwarf selection.
     

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  4. mjh1676

    mjh1676 Active Member Maple Society 10 Years

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    Here is another in the color and seasonal series for this plant. From the above bronzed state I moved it into medium shade and achieved the nice deep green color in this photo. While the leaves would have held up in the sun, I wanted to make sure I would have something for fall color just in case. This photo is accurately colored and the new red summer growth in quite striking. This plants is not a prolific summer grower but will put out some.

    Photo 9/4/05
     

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  5. Gomero

    Gomero Well-Known Member Maple Society 10 Years

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    Nice thread Michael. Thanks for the effort to show the tree through the seasons.
    Regards

    Gomero
     
  6. yweride

    yweride Active Member 10 Years

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    Here is its fall color, taken 11/5/05.
     

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  7. mjh1676

    mjh1676 Active Member Maple Society 10 Years

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    Just a couple more phots. The color and characteristics seem consistent with last spring.
     

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  8. mjh1676

    mjh1676 Active Member Maple Society 10 Years

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    Just a follow up. I love the plant, but I wish it would grow faster!
     

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  9. krautz33

    krautz33 Active Member 10 Years

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    Beni hoshi in Pennsylvania
     

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  10. mapledia

    mapledia Active Member

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    Got this one from Del Loucks in 2005, and it struggled for a year or so because it was so tiny. It's doing fine now and is thriving, growing a lot.
     

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  11. Ron B

    Ron B Paragon of Plants 10 Years

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    According to Vertrees (Gregory), JAPANESE MAPLES 'Beni hoshi' means "red star."
     
  12. mapledia

    mapledia Active Member

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    Ron, exactly right. That's what Del Loucks said also. Nice to have everyone in agreement.
     
  13. luciley

    luciley Member

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    Nobody has said anything about Beni hoshi in years. Is this because it is such a weak grower that it has died out or people have lost interest. I have only had it a couple of years and I do like it but it has never ventured out of the greenhouse so I don't know how it performs in the real world. Also I have heard that a new name for it is Ruby Stars. What do you think?
     
  14. mattlwfowler

    mattlwfowler Active Member Maple Society

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    Mine doesn't seem overly weak, nor overly vigorous so I don't know about it dying out. One possibility is that there are so many other red dwarf cultivars, many of which have superior color retention, that it doesn't quite capture as much attention.

    I have heard the ruby stars argument from both sides. Some say they are the same plant, just a translated version. I have also heard that it is similar, but ruby stars was supposedly selected out as a seedling separately. I haven't seen ruby stars in person, so I wouldn't jump to any conclusions one way or another until proof is provided. However, they do look similar to me.
     
    Last edited: Dec 12, 2009
  15. luciley

    luciley Member

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    Well, I guess if you know that it was a selected seedling apart from Del's, then it is different, but I have them both and they sure are similar.
     
  16. mattlwfowler

    mattlwfowler Active Member Maple Society

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    Well now I have only heard that it was selected out as a seedling, I can neither confirm or deny this claim. Someone with better connections would have to tackle that one.

    My previous post was a bit unclear so I clarified it a bit.
     
  17. Kaitain4

    Kaitain4 Well-Known Member Maple Society 10 Years

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    I love my Beni hosi! I got a 4ft. one from Greers and couldn't be more pleased.
     
  18. luciley

    luciley Member

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    That is great news. Have you had it for a long time? How are your summers in Dickson? Is it in shade or sun?
     
  19. sasquatch

    sasquatch Active Member

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    May 2008 and May 2009
     

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  20. amazingmaples

    amazingmaples Well-Known Member 10 Years

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    Here is a Beni Hoshi which was used as a 'mother tree' for a Oregon nursery for over a decade or so. I also have a few Ruby Stars from another grower and thre is a noticable difference in color between the two trees. The Ruby Stars has a little more vibrant red/purple color to it. This comarison is done by two other trees which are growing next to each other so they have the same sunlight.
     

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  21. mapledia

    mapledia Active Member

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    I, too, have had both Beni Hoshi and Ruby Stars in my garden for several years. I've been told by various nurserymen that these plants are identical, but they certainly do not look identical in my garden. They are similar, yes, but not the same. In my garden, Beni Hoshi is a redder brick-like color with Ruby Stars being more purple, and the leaf shapes on mine also show slight differences.
    mapledia
     
  22. amazingmaples

    amazingmaples Well-Known Member 10 Years

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    I have sen a difference in color between the two trees but if I did not have them labeled I would not be able to tell which tree was which.
     

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  23. amazingmaples

    amazingmaples Well-Known Member 10 Years

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    the light looked great on the beni hoshi, I had to take a few photos of the it.
     

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  24. amazingmaples

    amazingmaples Well-Known Member 10 Years

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    Here is one of my beni hoshi planted in the garden. The shape of this one was a bit of a disappointment (it was not the tree I tagged) but it still looks good and in time I hope it gets its lower branches back.
     

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  25. Skippy

    Skippy Member

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    some pics of my Beni hoshi
     

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