Acer palmatum 'Ornatum'

Ornatum being quite happy in its new spot: I have it sitting beneath my Koto no Ito and love the contrast between them:

 

Not just an Autumn tree is it Xi.

 

22st April 2022 and my Ornatum has woken and can now join in for another season on the forum.

 

5th May 2022 and now fully in leaf. Some people say that this cultivar is all, about Autumn, but I disagree. It is an all season maple IMO.

 

I got my Ornatum last year in late summer and wasn't altogether impressed with the colours, but I must say it's been a stunner this spring. This is definitely the season for it!

 

And Autumn colours are just amazing.
Summers not bad either.....
And then there is the structure of Winter...... dare I go on lol.

 

22nd May 2022 and a close up of the leaf on my Ornatum. This shows how it transforms throughout the season.

 

Still keeping that strong colour - it definitely likes the spot it's in this year!

 

A big Wow.......

 

17th June 2022 and not the colours of Spring that's for sure, but I do love the transition into Summer and Autumn with this cultivar.

 

"ORNATUM FG" very green this summer, it has rather good growth! looking forward to seeing him grow.

 

I continue to be blown away by the colours this year. Wow!

 

I second the WOW Xi.

 

You know, I was not super impressed by this last year. This year, what a different story: it's been consistently one of my top trees in every season. Completely turned me around in my opinion of it!

Alone...


And mingled with Osakazuki beside it. It's actually brighter than Osakazuki:

 

I was looking at some Ornatum and Orangeola yesterday but they have already dropped all their leaves.

The choice is between an Orangeola or Ornatum. I think they seem to be very similar so possibly not worth getting both if I want to save what little space I have for something else as well.
I'd guess the growth habit and leaf shape is virtually the same, the main difference being colour through the seasons.

Any opinions on which is better?

 

IMO C they are very different in Autumn colours. Habit is the same. Orangeola goes a deeper red /orange whereby Ornatum is more a yellow/ orange.
I have both and wouldn't want to do without either. So cannot advise on which one to choose I'm afraid.....
My Ornatum dropped all its leaves very early, so I don't have a photo to share this year.
I have recently put my Orangeola on the forum so you can see the colours.
Good luck with your decision, it's not an easy one.

 

13th July 2023 and my little Ornatum doing OK. Not much new growth this year..

 

4th September 2023 and my Ornatum has not grown much. Probably having a rest year.

 

3rd May 2024 and my Ornatum was damaged by some very fat pigeons, broke off half of the new top growth on one side. I will work on it...

 

That's a shame D. I lost half of my Garnet to a clumsy mastiff over the winter but I've also had pigeon issues in the past.

 

Ahh but that's your lovely pet, so it can be excused lol