Wednesday, November 07, 2007
Acer Japonicum Aconitifolium
If Acer Green Waterfall, shown yesterday, is like a bed of glowing coals, Acer japonicum 'Aconitifolium' is the whole bonfire: all summer it sits peacefully, cloaked in attractive dark green leaves, then suddenly one day in November it just lights up in Halloween colors of bright orange and yellow. Being a japonicum, it is hardier than the far more common palmatum species of Japanese maple; I've never had so much as a twig die back in winter so far, and it seems fairly tolerant of dry weather, too. However, it apparently doesn't tolerate direct afternoon sun (my tree is in a pretty shady spot). It will reach 10' X 10' eventually, which I am greatly looking forward to: it should be absolutely spectacular in the fall; however it is slow-growing, so my little five foot tall tree has a long ways to go. Aconitifolium refers to the fact that the broad leaves of this maple look like those of aconite (monkshood). I would think it would be an excellent choice for areas of the upper midwest that might be chancy for the more tender palmatum Japanese maples.
// posted by IBOY @ 6:45 AM 
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Those colors are gorgeous, and I love your description of the plant. Thanks for sharing it!
# posted by 
: November 07, 2007
: November 07, 2007
That is absolutely gorgeous! I so admire Japanese Maples. If you have more, please continue with descriptions of their hardiness, size, etc. I hope to be able to add some of this color before too long! (Next Spring????) ;-)
What is the zoning on this? My husband desparately wants a Japanese maple, but the ones that we have seen will not survive our zone 4 winters.
Do you do anything to protect your palmatum during the winter? I just bought a bloodgood (I think) for cheap cuz the nursery couldn't sell them this year--I think because of a late freeze that killed so many this spring, so folks are turned off.
Genie & Shady... thanks for your comments.
Sylvana & Benjamin... Aconitifolium, being a Japonicum rather than a palmatum, could probably survive 4b with a little winter wind and sun protection (it also needs partial shade in the summer). I grew Bloodgood (palmatum) in 4b in my first garden without problems, too. There is a selection of Bloodgood (Robinsons selection) that is supposed to be hardy to 4a... I grow it here in 5a with never so much as a brown twig.
Don
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Sylvana & Benjamin... Aconitifolium, being a Japonicum rather than a palmatum, could probably survive 4b with a little winter wind and sun protection (it also needs partial shade in the summer). I grew Bloodgood (palmatum) in 4b in my first garden without problems, too. There is a selection of Bloodgood (Robinsons selection) that is supposed to be hardy to 4a... I grow it here in 5a with never so much as a brown twig.
Don
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