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So far, it has been charming, as are all Acer palmatum, and most politicians, but is that really enough or should it lose its deposit? It has coloured red for autumn. Is it my imagination, or is this a rather careful red in a genus that can burn like a hot curry? A korma among the vindaloos? Purple new foliage develops greenish undertones through summer before the autumn colour develops. Slow growing but it uis becoming spectacular. Gordon Harris says: "A clone which will eventually reach about 5.4m (18ft) and be rounded in shape. The leaves are purplish red with tones of green becoming more green as the season advances." Mr Maple says: "'Azuma murasaki' leafs out in the early spring as a bright cherry red on a heavily divided leaf with large round lobes. As the leaf matures, it turns to a deep violet with cherry red new growth. In the sun, 'Azuma murasaki' will fade to a green by mid-summer blushed with orange to red highlights. In heavier shade, this Japanese maple will turn to rich green in these mid-summer months. In the fall, it will turn to a bright fiery red. 'Azuma murasaki' grows upright while the exterior branching are more pendulous giving this Japanese maple tree a unique shape. In 10 years, it will reach about 10 ft in height. This old Japanese maple was first recorded in the Sekihin Binran in 1882. "Azuma" is an old term to describe this selection's origin in eastern Japan while "murasaki" describes its spring colors of purple-red." |
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| 4th June 2006 | ||
