A.J. ‘Itaya’ is a Kingsville Nursery introduction from 1942. This is a wonderful cultivar for spring foliage and large abundant flowers. The leaves are almost an iridescent green in the spring as the tree leafs out with its drooping habit. As the season progresses they get rugose and curve upwards. My tree dose not get outstanding fall colors typical to other japonicums.
Fall color has not been very good on this cultivar for me. The first picture below is the tree still in a pot in fall with nice orange color. The next two are pictures when planted in the garden. I do not understand what causes the lack of orange color now that it is planted out. Both locations were in full sun. Ed
Resurrecting with some progress from my little Itaya Momiji throughout the year: Leafing out in April: June and July colour progression:
I've been really impressed by the colours on this little thing throughout spring and summer, and the bright autumn colours are just as special: I love this 'speckled look' on the leaves now:
