Hello all, I am just starting to acquire a small group of Japanese Maples (A. palmatum varieties). I am however finding it difficult to determine the origin of many varieties. The history behind where the varieties were found/started is interesting to me and helps me determine if it is a variety that I am interested in. All that said.... Would anyone be able to offer a suggestion/resource where this information is readily available? Secondly, I am interested in a red linearilobum variety that holds its color exceptionally well, can tolerate the sun in Zone 8B, and has an origin (variety was discovered and introduced) in Japan. Any help that any of you more wizened and seasoned plant aficionados can offer would be greatly appreciated. Sincerely, Tottenham Fan
You can check out the pages listed at Maple Resources - Online | UBC Botanical Garden Forums to see if anything there is helpful. Maybe some members can recommend specific ones to save you from looking at the them all, or maybe it would be interesting to check them out anyway.
Hi @Tottenham Fan and welcome to the maples forum. I see Wendy has pointed you in the right direction of the maple resources thread. If you are going to become an avid collector, then there is no better book to have in your home library than JD Vertrees Japanese Maples. I have added a link for you as one of the places to purchase.. https://www.wob.com/en-gb/books/j-d...4t13psc0C6YQXiSwTexoCLHgQAvD_BwE#GOR009191528
Thanks Derek. I do own the Vertrees book and on some varieties, he lists their origin... but not all :). Thanks for the advice. I see you are located in the UK. My wife and I are planning on visiting in 2024. Any suggestions for gardens that are a "must see"? Thanks, Tottenham Fan
FWIW, I have a flickr album of my favourite photos from a trip in 2010: England tour 2010 - favourites | Flickr. My collected albums from the trip are at Collection: England (flickr.com).
My suggestion is probably obvious, but Westonbirt Arboretum is a must for any maple lover. The old section and silk wood are wonderful in Spring and Autumn. Another is Sheffield Park in Sussex, wonderful tree walks and lakes. One further garden is Stourhead, one of the most picturesque gardens in the South of England. Hope that gives you a few to consider.
Wendy, Thanks for sharing your photos. Looks like you had a great trip. I'm guessing it was Spring since all the Rhody's and Azaleas were in bloom. My trip will most likely be a late summer early fall trip. We are trying to catch the (hopefully) end of the good summer weather. Of course, I will be watching a game of my team (Tottenham) play a match and watching football (soccer) is always more enjoyable when it is not raining. Thanks again for sharing. Tottenham Fan (Marc)
Derek, Thank you for the suggestions I will add them to my research for our trip and try to fit in at least one of them. We are really looking forward to the trip and hope that we will have enough time to do all the things we want to. Sincerely, Tottenham Fan (Marc)
I also love the linearilobums, and for reds I have Red spider, Beni otaki, and Red pygmy. For me, they hold their red color in that order. In fact, I could say Red pygmy is never even really truly red. It leafs out as more of a rusty red-orange color in my garden, and greens up pretty quickly by late spring. However, it might be my favorite of the three due to its form. It is a really cool shape.
Kines, Thanks for the advice. I have looked at those three varieties, but I believe all of them originated/were developed outside of Japan. I am really looking for plants of Japanese origin (were found and developed in Japan). Thanks again, enjoy your trees, happy gardening. ~Marc
Hi Marc, How about Shinobu ga oka or Saho no ito? Both Japanese origin. Maybe Enkan? MOW says it originates in Japan. Perhaps more easily available than the other two. Cheers, -E
Thanks Emery, Enkan was on my list, but the other two I have not heard of. I will do a little research. Thanks so much for the suggestions. ~Marc
