I've really gotten fascinated with the Japonicums lately, and was wondering what everyone's experiences were with these trees. How do they compare to Palmatums? Specifically: 1.) Cold tolerance vs. Palmatums 2.) Water requirements vs Palmatums 3.) Heat tolerance vs. Palmatums 4.) Light requirements / shade, sun tolerance vs. Palmatums 5.) Growth rate vs. Palmatums 6.) Pest / disease resistance vs. Palmatums 7.) Anything else I didn't think of!! :-) I was also wondering which specific varieties you've had the most luck with or are most impressed with. So far my favorite is Takinogawa. Thanks!
Fall color - that's one I forgot to put on the list, but a very important one. Thanks Krautz!! And they do have some incredible colors - my Vitifolium is unbelievable!
Another thing I like about the Japonicums is their flowers. I think they flower better than palmatums. Usually palm flowers are insignificant but Japonicums flowers are showy. Krautz
'Fairy Lights' is the best ! The color is insane . There is a 4-5' in Florence , Alabama . It stops traffic .
i prefere japonicum vs palmatum because is better for my USDA zone,but japonicum.have a few number of cultivar,and not exist one with purple leaves .i see again :verticilluim no attack,hot wind resistence ,dry resistence ,open soil no problem .i have Vitifolium ,Acutinfolium ,Ohgi no sen and my favorite Kaujaku nishiki.
I agree, japonicum is generally easier than palmatum disease-wise, light-wise, and soil-wise. Really just generally tougher. But of course less variety, and perhaps less elegant in habit. Although my Dancing Peacock put on a florescent display this fall, it's a hard argument when Mirte is glowing pink, Osakazuki flaring, Eddisbury orange, Chitoseyama brilliant red, etc etc! Alex I'm due to get a Kajuku nishiki in a couple of weeks too! :)
