Acer palmatum 'Crippsii'

Does anybody have experience of growing acer palmatum 'Crippsii'. I have found it hard to find material on the Web about this cultivar. Also, Vertrees has very little to say about it and van Gelderen (MAPLES FOR GARDENS) points out that 'it tends to die back suddenly without any apparent reason'. (!!!)

I am interested in buying a green acer with the type of growth characteristics of Okushimo (curled leaves etc.) but am finding it difficult to get. However, I have seen some 'Crippsii' which, at first glance seems rather similar.

Any advice or comparisons regarding the two, or indeed any similar cultivars, would be appreciated.

JOS

 

Hi JOS:

I have not grown Crippsii but I have grown Kuri jishi
and Okushimo.

Based the the 4 pics below (be sure to click the link
below the first pic) this Maple appers in leaf structure
to be closer to being a Kuri jishi than an Okushimo is.
There are subtle yet noticeable differences in the leaves
of Kuri jishi and Okushimo upon close inspection. Aside
from the leaves of Okushimo being larger in size. Our
forms that we had for Kuri jishi never got over 3' tall
for us but our Okushimos got upwards of 12-15' tall.
The pics below show a larger sized shrub than our
forms of Kuri jishi would get.

http://www.esveld.nl/htmldia/a/acpcri.htm

As far as sudden dieback, that is a problem for these
type Maples. One thing you have to guard against is
not letting this Maple scorch real bad in late Summer.
My Okushimo that I had for 16 years did in its last
Summer and the leaf buds to overwinter never did
form properly. In the Spring it tried to send out some
new growth with what it had for leaf buds, the leaves
quickly shriveled up and then the plant shut down
completely by late Spring.

Try a Crippsii and see how well it grows for you.

Jim

 

Japanese Maples with odd-shaped leaves

Here are some photos made 8-27-04 of three krinle leaved cultivars of Acer palmatum. The first picture is of 'Okushimo'. The second is of 'Okushimo' flanked by two 'Kurui jishi' and the third photo shows a little 'Shishgahira' tucked in underneath.

 

Many thanks for the advice, Jim, and for the links to the Esveld site (which I have now bookmarked) and to Elmore for the photos. Apologies for the delay in responding but I have been away for several weeks.

I've just started my collection this year and am only coming across some cultivars for the first time. Anyway, based on what you say and on other material I've seen since, I think that a kurui jishi might suit me best (if I can locate one!). I think I also prefer the shape of the leaves. Also, I don't have a lot of room and intend to keep it in a container long-term and I think that a kurui jishi seems better for this. I'd appreciate any views on this.

Thanks, again

JOS

 

'Kurui jishi'

Yes, for a longer term in a container, I think 'Kurui jishi' does well. My oldest has been in a container since 1997 and it has performed better than a lot of other cultivars have, under similar conditions. Nice compact plant. Go for it.

 

Thanks for the advice - 'Kurui jishi' it is, then.

JOS

P.S. Had a look for it over the weekend but no luck. Picked up a nice 'Mure hibari', though. Will have to wait until Spring now.

JOS