The tree pictured on Worldplants site looks quite different than other pics found as does the description on greergarden site, so some confusion. Doesn't seem to be much information on this cultivar found so far, any further information appreciated.
I got mine from Eastwoods. There seem to be two plants with similar names - Yama hime and Yura hime. Vertrees describes Yura hime as : 'Dwarf Group - green. The foliage lies closely over this small shrub, appearing as a covering of feathers. The small leaves have five very long, narrowly elongate-ovate lobes. The lobes are seeply separated and terminate in long, tapered points. The margins are finely toothed. The thin leaf stalks are as long as the leaves. Leaf color is strong light green, but the fall color is not outstanding." The description from Eastwoods for Yama hime, which caught my eye was this: "ROUND DWARF • 2-3' • 6-8 • SUN TO PT SHADE Very rare dwarf has delicate, long lobed, red leaves that appear almost frilly because they are serrated and do not lie flat." (See picture below from the Eastwoods web site) The plant I got seems to be closer to this description, although it is anything but red right now! More of a mud color! Greer Gardens describes Yama hime as: "10', PALMATUM, green. Narrow scarlet leaves appear in the spring then turn green upon maturity on this semi-dwarf Japanese maple. The second flush of growth is dark red set against the spring flush of forest green.The fall foliage is red-orange." This seems like a closer description to what I bought. I'm seeing the tiny red new growth. I wonder if yours is Yura Hime - it looks fluffier, lighter green, etc. like Ventrees describes. Regards, K4
Hi K4. My plant came from a retail nursery here and I see a similar plant sold on ebay at times as 'Yama hime'. Thank you for your information. Would be nice to know the original origination of both of our plants. Mine doesn't seem to match the 'Yuri hime' here www.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/forums/showthread.php?t=7115 shown by MJH, but seems similar to Bryan and Carls. Just more confusion it seems. Will let you know if I find anything more definite.
Thanks C. Unfortumately neither of us may really have a 'Yama hime'. I'm finding a trememdous amount of confusion and cross-naming of cultivars in this industry. There doesn't seem to be any kind of certification process, which I think the Maple Society should seriously consider sponsoring. Customers pay big bucks for these trees, and we should have some assurance that we're getting what we pay for. Regards, K4
