I have designed a (sheltered) seaside garden in Marion Massachusetts USA in dark greens (hollies, oaks, rhododendron, purple plums). We'd like to add two japanese maples and want them to have dark green leaves, or at least green leaves rather than light green or chartreuse green. Any recommendations? Dirr indicates that there are dark green leaf colors (page 21 of Dirr's Hardy Trees and Shrubs - illustrated encyclopedia 1997)
Osakazuki or Shishi gashira( sin.Ribesifolium)in my colletion none acer is more dark green...with very beautifull autum coulor!
Thank you for your response. If you know of any growers in the Northeast please advise. Does Halka or Princeton Nurseries grow either of these maples?
Alex, OK for the Shishigashira, however my Osakazuki is not dark green in the Spring, it is more olive brown (which is also the description found in Maples for Gardens). It turns a rich (I would not say dark) green in May. I would suggest Hogyoku which has deep green leaves Spring and Summer and deep orange or yellow (depending on local conditions and exposure) Fall colors. It is also widely available from specialist nurseries. Gomero
Michael, I just did a quick walk in the garden and in addition to A.P. Shishigashira; you may want to look at A.P. Hogyoku, A.P. Kotohime, A.P. Omurayama, A.S. Junihitoye and A.S. Microphyllum. My brother lives in Chesterfield MA. And on a visit last month he took me to a nursery in Southwick MA (Anson Flower Farm and Nursery) that had a very nice selection of reasonable priced Maples. There maples ranged in size from two gal. post to mature trees with 3 to 4 foot root balls. Good luck with your search. Ed
I definitely vote for 'Shishigashira' and 'Hogyoku"... Beautiful, hardy, fascinating in the landscape. 'Shishigashira' is truly unlike what most picture when they think of JMs. It is odd in wonderful ways and a real conversation piece in the landscape because of its densly layered, crinkled, curly leaves and unusual habit. A lovely, and very dark green, it is, as is 'Hogyoku', less susceptible to the common JM plights than most, and well worth the investment for a large specimen (as they do grow relatively slowly to 20 feet). 'Hogyoku' is a little lighter green than 'Shishi...', but has neat star like leaves, is glorious in the fall, and almost effortless to grow; a faster grower than most maples to about 18-20 feet. Let us know what you pick. We like to shop vicariously. :)
