Nice weeping form of a small tree to 12' depending on soil, climate and culture. Fall color is a nice golden finishing up red. Kinran means woven with golden threads.
Re: Acer palmatum Kinran This crude photo gives an idea as to the mid Spring color I get on my Kinran. This shade of color will hold for me in a protected Western exposure until Summer.
I have owned Kinran for a few years now, but this is the first year I have grown it in full sun and the colouration seems much better for it. I find the mid-veins to be a golden colour rather than the green described by Mr Vertrees in his book, it does look as if the leaves have golden strings woven into them. I can't wait for a chance to observe the fall colour in its new location.
Last year I took several photographs of 'Kinran' leaves throughout the growing season, and thought the pictures of the changing colours were worth sharing. The plant I have shows the strongly defined midvein and flat leaf base described and photographed by J.D. Vertrees in the 2nd edition of "Japanes Maples", and also by Peter Gregory in the 4th edition. I have seen photos of "Kinran" on some American and Japanese websites that show a plant with similar colouration and prominent midvein but without the flat base to the leaf; possibly there are other slightly different clones with the same name - not surprising after nearly 300 years. The leaves are approximately 6-7 cm in size and the midvein starts off a cream/gold colour and gradually changes to a bright green before the whole leaf greens out. The first picture shows the newly emerged leaves and the last shows autumn colour. The four pictures inbetween show how the colour changes between spring and late summer. The name of each picture indicates the date it was taken.
Last year I moved my Acer palmatum 'Kinran' into full sun and it was very disappointing in that it was mostly green so the viens were not noticable. Last year I had the same problem with other red trees. My 'Kinrin' is about 8' tall and 10' wide and has been one of my favorite trees. I have it next to a Tsukushigata which makes for an interesting combination.
This year the tree was moved to a new location. The leaves are just now opening. I would guess this will be the home for this tree.
this year the tree has not had the great color of years it has been more on the green side and I have not seen the golden thread.
Here is the color late summer 2012. i still did not see the great golden thread colors this year in the tree as i have seen in other years past.
In late 2014 I ordered a Kihachijo, and it arrived just a couple weeks before frost so I planted it and left it alone. Last year it leafed out very red, then quickly faded to red-green. This didn't seem much like Kihachijo, but we'd had a very harsh winter and the plant was a new transplant, so I made a mental note to check on its coloration next year and let it settle in. This year it leafed out red again, with pretty distinctive coloring indicating it was not Kihachijo. The nursery agreed, and it's possible they mixed it up with the next tree in their alphabetical listing-- Kinran. To me, it looks like Kinran. They are sending a replacement, which is great because I've long wanted Kihachijo, but now I'm looking at the show Kinran is putting on and wondering-- is this typical? Because it's a stunning coloration. It's so much prettier this year than last. Do any of you have both? What are your thoughts on both trees, in terms of seasonal interest, form (we have a long winter, so branch/tree form is important to me), and leaf color? I'm trying to decide if the Kinran should stay right outside my window (as it currently is), or if I should replace it with the intended Kihachijo.
28th March 2021 and my young Kinran"s buds are swelling very nicely now, I do love the pale colour of the branches on this cultivar.
21st April 2021 and nearly a month on since my last posting, here is my Kinran with those hairy appearance new leaves starting to open. It looks just so fragile, but this is a strong cultivar.
8th May 2022 and my Kinran's leaves are now fully open. It has taken longer this year, so I hope the Spring colours last it's usual time.
15th May 2021 and the leaves to my Kinran are changing very rapidly, so I thought it would be good to show this.
Kinran makes a very satisfactory long term container plant, growing slowly and healthily if not over-potted or over fertilized. Mine seems to prefer to grow outwards rather than upwards and left to its own devices for many years has adopted a wide flat shape akin to a tabletop, around 75cm high by 150cm wide (2.5 x 5 feet). Full sun till around 3pm, photographs from 7th of July, leaf size up to 8cm long by 9cm wide.
27th May and my Kinran is having a slow start this year. Probably a rest year. But the leaves are so pretty.
9th June 2022 and the shapes of my Kinran leaves are fascinating me this year. It is a cultivar that really gets better with age, however small !!