Acer palmatum 'Lionheart'

This is Acer palmatum 'Lionheart'.

 

Here are a couple leaf shots of a Lionheart I have had for 2 years now. The plant stands about 3-4ft tall and has not shown a great deal of vigor or shown enough growth to evaluate its supposed tendency to be "MORE" upright than most dissectums. This plant is in partial shade >50% and has a pleasing leaf that is on the large side for a deeply divided plant.

 

The leaves are indeed on the large side, and it will throw out some leaves that have this unusual structure. I am still evaluating it's upward tendency as well, but I have noticed that new young shoots tend to hold upright better than most.

 

I would like to see photos of a Lion Heart showing the whole tree so you can see its form. Since it is supposed to be the only upright red dissectum, it would be nice to see what its form looks like. If you've seen one red dissectum leaf, you've pretty much seen them all.

 

I would too, but mine is still small.

 

This thread http://www.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/forums/showthread.php?t=17628 has a picture of the whole tree, though I'd be curious to see how it's grown since the picture was taken. Also, as someone mentions in that thread, I'm curious to see the fall coloration too.

 

May 2009

 

So does this cultivar hold its red or does it green out? Anybody have any fall color reports or pictures? I have an opportunity to get a nice sized one, but I'm on the fence.

 

Here you go...this photo is from the end of June. I guess that doesn't say much when considering our climate differences, because the only tree I have that holds its color all summer here is Hefner's Red. If memory servers right it holds better than Garnet and Orangeola. Red Select and Tamukeyama were similar as far as color retention in medium sun. My Inaba shidare held a bit better for a little longer but it is in partial shade. Red dragon held much better, but it is also in morning sun. Red filigree lace held better, but Beni kumo no su and Red feathers were similar in retention. Crimson queen has been too variable for me to nail it down, but one of my three strains lost its color at about the same time, but the other two held up a bit longer. Hope this helps :)

 

Thank you, Matt. That is very helpful. I really like the comparisons, it'll give me something to chew on for awhile. In the meantime, I think I'm going to hold off on this one.

 

this is a great tree in a tall form

 

here is the tree with fall color

 

here is the spring color for the same tree

 

Here is my Acer palmatum 'Lionheart' at the start of leafing out and in Summer 2020.
Holds it's colour well in full sun.

 

An update on my Lionheart on the 10th July 2020. Quite apt as I'm reading about the Crusades atm. Time on my hands in retirement, lol
This is having no troubles at all in the sun. If you live in a hotter climate, then do consider this cultivar. It makes a lovely weeping dome shape in around 10 years.

 

As can be seen, this cultivar does perfectly well in full sun. Updated today 22nd July 2020 after requests to keep Summer photo diary going.

 

After a nights rain this is how my Lionheart rewards me first thing in the morning. 24th July 2020.

 

More rain but very heavy this time. Really flattened my Lionheart, but another photo opportunity not to waste.
24th July 2020.

 

August 5th 2020 without rain this time. No matter the weather this cultivar performs for me and it will for anybody else who purchases this cultivar.

 

August 6th 2020 and extreme heat is forecast over the next few days, so I thought I would post photos of my dissectums before and after to show how they cope. This I feel can be useful for people considering buying a particular variety.

 

11th August 2020 and the heatwave continues, trying to update as many as I can as requested, even if they are not looking too good. Important to do this I feel.
At least I'm up to date with my Lionheart. Still looking pretty IMO.

 

15th August 2020, lots of rain at last, the leaves have freshend up so quickly. My misting I carry out in the evenings in hot weather was of no use this year when temperatures were in the mid 30 C 's for many many days. It just evaporated so quickly.
My Lionheart is so very good in 2020. Not a problem in all conditions and now sparkling in the Summer rain.

 

All the colours are appearing now on all my maples and as promised I will keep the photo diary going to show the transformation. So much rain now and new growth, the new shoots are loving this weather at last.
Amazing colours now emerging on my Lionheart. Photo 23rd August 2020.

 

August 29th 2020 and Autumn colours are very fast approaching. It even feels like we are in October today rather than August. 7° C at the moment.
A dry day and some sun and my Lionheart is loving it.

 

Well it's the last day of August 2020 and as we have had a lot of rain and cooler weather here in England over the past two weeks, all my maples are doing well for the time of year.
Changing rapidly now, so am making sure the diary is up to date as requested.