Acer palmatum 'Alpenweiss'

Here is a cultivar that resembles 'Higasa yama', Acer palmatum 'Alpenweiss'.

 

I believe to be from a Seedling of Higasayama. Not as tall and leggy as Higasayama. My plants are about 5 years old. I am still evaluating it.

 

Re: A. palmatum alpenweiss

Nice looking plant (my Higasayama is all eaten up by bugs!!). Alpenweiss is also proposed here in Europe, do you know its origin?

Kind regards,
Gomero

 

I admit to placing Higasa Yama in "the Top Five" of my garden's maples, and the only reason I acquired an Alpenweiss was because it was said to resemble Higasa Yama. This spring (2008) was the first time I'd seen Alpenweiss' early growth, and what a delightful surprise. The spring growth is at least as good, if not better than, Higasa Yama. This photo was taken April 26, 2008 of a 2-year old plant.

 

Agree mapledia, very nice photo. Tree is in sun from late morning to early evening , doesn't seem to burn in this climate. Upright, vase shaped, narrowly branched green stems , somewhat twiggy, fair amount of twig dieback this winter, H 4m {12'} x W 3m.{9'} at around 12 years old. It's been fascinating to watch the leaves change as they develop. Pics May 22-27/09. Last pic from below the leaves.

 

Very attractive. How does it differ from Higasayama?

 

Vertrees/Gregory say that "This maple is very similar to but smaller than the outstanding old Japanese cultivar 'Higasa yama' and is thought to be even more colorful as the buds open in the spring." This has certainly been my experience, though Alpenweiss is relatively new to my garden so I've had little time to observe it. Thank you, chimera, for the excellent series of photos of this marvelous plant.

 

It seems more spreading than the 'Higasayama' here, which is narrowly upright, although maybe that is because 'Higasayama' is more shaded. They both throw out .5-1m {18"-3'} top growth stems once in a while. It seems the Higasayama furled "popcorn effect" leaves are more striking at that stage and the leaves more crinkled and cupped when unfolding. The pink edged leaves are more intense and defined on the 'Alpenweiss' it seems, and there is less reversion to solid green branches, so far. There are some solid green leaves spread individually in pairs throughout the tree. Different enough trees that both may be worth growing though, kind of like a flowering shrub at the stage shown. A little concerned about putting up these photos that may seem so alike as a group, yet the leaves are at different growth and colour stages. Mapledia, thank you, nice to be able to share them.

 

Thank you both for the informative replies.

 

Full tree , June 14/09.

 

here some pictures of my alpenweiss.

pict 1 : 15 april
pict 2,3 : 20 october

 

mine have similar look to Elmore pics, this beautiful pics above are more similar to my Higasayama..
ciao

 

This is a nice tree for its spring colors

 

here are some photos of my Alpenweiss in July 2011

 

here are some fall colors 2011

 

April 30, 2013 (Portland, Oregon)

 

7 years since the last posting about Alpenweis, so I ordered one and I will update the forum over the next few years on how it goes.

 

8th October 2020 and my new little Alpenweis has just arrived moments ago. Obviously not much to look at atm, but this is the ideal thread to follow it's progress.
Very excited to see how this compares to Higasayama.

 

This is my 'Alpenweiss'. It's looking very lovely this spring! It was hard trying to capture how nice the colors are.

 

And now your profile photo D. I can see why, as I think it's going to be a very special year for this one looking at it. Great shape as well. My Alpenweis is budding up nicely, so photos to follow soon.

 

I hope so D. Im having a hard time trying to decide if i want to start training it for bonsai or let it grow into its full potential.

I cant wait to see your pics. Im sure you will be pleased with this one.

 

It's budding up nicely D, but -4° C tomorrow and -3°C tonight. Think mine are going to be knocked back rather a lot.
Hope you avoid this weather pattern over the pond.

 

D i just took my trees back out the greenhouse due to freezing night temp the past 3 nights (low 20 degrees F). Here in the NE US we arent totally safe until mid to late May.

 

Think it's going to be a worrying few weeks D, fingers crossed for us all.

 

8th April 2021 and my Alpenweis seems to have coped with the severe frost from two nights ago.
I'm looking forward to seeing the leaves unfurl, but not too quickly as there are more frosts forecast for this weekend.