Issue #3

A.p  Ōmato

Actually this concerns all A.p. Amoenum cultivars .But I have picked out Ōmato as representative of this group and one I especially like.

All Palmatums are desinated into sun categories by leaf shape ( actually there are other parts to this as in size of leaf and fruit and how serrated the leaf is but i think mainly the leaf node depth is the determining factor) …basically how divided the nodes are from the base of leaf. These sub-types designated by leaf nodes are “dissectums” , “Matsumurae”, “Amoenum”, “Palmatum”, “Linearilobum” and “Other” ( “other”not like any of the aforementioned leaf shapes such as the cultivars Mama and Koshimino). In addition Vertrees has added “dwarf” to this mess which in my mind makes little sense other than keeping them separated an illogical way. This is confusing to say the least . Not only is one sub group called “Palmatum” like the species, but the difference ( to me ) is really hard to tell especially between leaves of Palmatum  and Matusumurae and to a lesser degree some Amoenums and  even some Linearilobums ( which with too much fertilizer or at a young age of leaves are more Matsumurae”ish”) To cap it off being dwarf has nothing to do with leaf shape or any other quality except size of tree. If this last paragraph doesn’t confuse you well yiou are “special”

But on the other side of this ID debacle thankfully many Amoenums are usually as obvious to the eye as Dissectums.  Amoenums are the largest leafs with very little seperation in leaf nodes.

The reality of these Jm’s with their unique but larger leaves is that most are  ignored by most folks with few exceptions .

Like  most things in life most folks have a predisposed ideas on just about everything … and  of what they “think” a JM should look like is no exception . Most folks like RED  ( green JM’s are much harder to sell in general with few exceptions)  Most always “red’ frillier ( dissected-  dissectum/lace/cut leaf) or more”separated” leave shape like most Bloodgood type uprights.

As a side note to these preferences and stereotyped mind sets.  A sexist as this sounds, in general more women like dissectums than men (who like upright traditional less frilly ( more manly ;>) leaf shapes). I often laugh to myself how stand – offish and close minded many men are towards dissectums ass well as both genders are to beautiful green cultivars. Similarly most folks men and women just past right by the Amoenums like they are just “Eh” not “real JM’s or at least NOT their “idea of what a JM should look like.. Amoenums are large leaved and not typically what most have seen or read about. They are the just not what most folks have set in their minds when thinking about buying or growing a JM

I have so many Jm’s I personally like those that are truly differnt, But the reality is the vast majority are similar in many ways and only subtly different to the eye of a true JM’ster ( IE addict) .. Thus I find the Amoneum leaf shape both pleasing, and a good way to add variety in my collection as a group of cultivars that stands out and that is not in the usual subtle way only recognizable to us “addicts:”I just find them very cool and special

Here is a late Aug full sun photo of an Ōmato

Ōmato comes out yellow green in spring …then turns green with a bronze shade ( depending on how much sun it gets) in summer and then a nice bright red in fall. It has good sun resistance and is very cold hardy. As with all Jm’s it does NOT like wet feet. Size depends on your location .. in northern areas i would say 12+ft in many years but in more JM friendly ares it is a large tree

Check out the Ōmato and other Amoenums and you well find a some really cool cultivars that are not just like what most others have.

Davidsans World Of Undiscovered Maples

Issue # 1

A. Siebilodianum Sode no uchi

Sieboldianum ssp.  Sode no uchi

This is truly a special tree that is virtually unknown . It is super hardy to zone5 at least. It also has fabulous color throughout the season with green starting in a very light shade and getting slightly darker  as the season progresses . All the while having yellow and red highlights … stunning!! . Sode no uchi  ends the season culmuinating in a spectacular display of red and yellow in mid  fall. While it makes it’s way through the season it shows little effect from sun, at least around here, ranking it as one of the most sun- worthy cultivars available . This is a very open tree with great structure and form that grows to about 8 feet but in no hurry to do so. If you ,live in a colder area and want a asain maple that actually looks like a Shiwasawanum Japanese maple. Then you finally have one you can grow without that overwhelming fear you will loose it during the first very cold snap. You casn find this tree available in my “other species from Japan” section.

Stay tuned and check back for more “Undiscovered Japanese Maples” in the coming weeks

Issue #2

A.p. Ojishi

Davidsans World of Undiscovered Maples

Acer Palmatum Ojishi

The Ojishi is a rare dwarf cultivar not known to many . In common terms it is known as the male Lions mane or head. It is a relative smaller version of the more widely known Shishigashira which in common terms is known as the female Lions mane of head. It is special in every sense. It stays small but unlike many smaller dwarfs is not terribly bushy or stick like it is a “tweenner” , having a miniature branched bush look.The leaves go tightly all the up branches , similar to the Shishigashira . But seem to be both thicker and tighter. The above photo is one I have in my yard for 3 years that is probably 6 years old. As you can see the old growth is dark green and new a yellow green

It can be placed anywhere where space is at a premium and can take full sun or part shade or full shade with only the color effected ( less sun less color as with most JM’s).. it grows well without leaf burn anywhere.  . Each branch is full of small curly stiff leaves all from base to top each one with  great texture and form . It is super hardy I would think down below -20 and leafs out late avoiding late frosts or freezes. Ojishi holds it color well into late fall with a nice mix of yellow, red, and orange .

For anyone wanting a hardy dwarf of outstanding distinction and form, or anyone with a Shishigashira that wants a little brother to keep it company, this is the perfect tree for you. HIGHLY underrated,  unknown to most, and rarely available, Ojishi should be on your next list of “must have “dwarf Japanese maple cultivars.

Issue #3

A.p  Ōmato

Actually this concerns all A.p. Amoenum cultivars .But I have picked out Ōmato as representative of this group and one I especially like.

All Palmatums are desinated into sun categories by leaf shape ( actually there are other parts to this as in size of leaf and fruit and how serrated the leaf is but i think mainly the leaf node depth is the determining factor) …basically how divided the nodes are from the base of leaf. These sub-types designated by leaf nodes are “dissectums” , “Matsumurae”, “Amoenum”, “Palmatum”, “Linearilobum” and “Other” ( “other”not like any of the aforementioned leaf shapes such as the cultivars Mama and Koshimino). In addition Vertrees has added “dwarf” to this mess which in my mind makes little sense other than keeping them separated an illogical way. This is confusing to say the least . Not only is one sub group called “Palmatum” like the species, but the difference ( to me ) is really hard to tell especially between leaves of Palmatum  and Matusumurae and to a lesser degree some Amoenums and  even some Linearilobums ( which with too much fertilizer or at a young age of leaves are more Matsumurae”ish”) To cap it off being dwarf has nothing to do with leaf shape or any other quality except size of tree. If this last paragraph doesn’t confuse you well yiou are “special”

But on the other side of this ID debacle thankfully many Amoenums are usually as obvious to the eye as Dissectums.  Amoenums are the largest leafs with very little seperation in leaf nodes.

The reality of these Jm’s with their unique but larger leaves is that most are  ignored by most folks with few exceptions .

Like  most things in life most folks have a predisposed ideas on just about everything … and  of what they “think” a JM should look like is no exception . Most folks like RED  ( green JM’s are much harder to sell in general with few exceptions)  Most always “red’ frillier ( dissected-  dissectum/lace/cut leaf) or more”separated” leave shape like most Bloodgood type uprights.

As a side note to these preferences and stereotyped mind sets.  A sexist as this sounds, in general more women like dissectums than men (who like upright traditional less frilly ( more manly ;>) leaf shapes). I often laugh to myself how stand – offish and close minded many men are towards dissectums ass well as both genders are to beautiful green cultivars. Similarly most folks men and women just past right by the Amoenums like they are just “Eh” not “real JM’s or at least NOT their “idea of what a JM should look like.. Amoenums are large leaved and not typically what most have seen or read about. They are the just not what most folks have set in their minds when thinking about buying or growing a JM

I have so many Jm’s I personally like those that are truly differnt, But the reality is the vast majority are similar in many ways and only subtly different to the eye of a true JM’ster ( IE addict) .. Thus I find the Amoneum leaf shape both pleasing, and a good way to add variety in my collection as a group of cultivars that stands out and that is not in the usual subtle way only recognizable to us “addicts:”I just find them very cool and special

Here is a late Aug full sun photo of an Ōmato

A.p. Ōmato

Ōmato comes out yellow green in spring …then turns green with a bronze shade ( depending on how much sun it gets) in summer and then a nice bright red in fall. It has good sun resistance and is very cold hardy. As with all Jm’s it does NOT like wet feet. Size depends on your location .. in northern areas i would say 12+ft in many years but in more JM friendly ares it is a large tree

Check out the Ōmato and other Amoenums and you well find a some really cool cultivars that are not just like what most others have.