Acer palmatum
'Ryugu'
Description
The Acer palmatum 'Ryugu' is a rare, dwarf Japanese maple cultivar known for its unique, variegated foliage and compact growth habit. It is well-suited for containers, small landscapes, and rock gardens.
Key Characteristics:
Foliage:
Tiny leaves emerge a pinkish-orange with a splash of hot pink in spring, transition to a variegated green and cream (or white) in summer, and finally turn bright red in the fall.
Growth Habit:
This is a true dwarf cultivar with a dense, globose, shrub-like form, growing at a slow rate of only 3 to 6 inches per year.
Mature Size:
It typically reaches a height and width of 4 to 6 feet.
Bark: The branches have a showy red color that provides year-round interest, especially in winter.
Hardiness Zones:
It is hardy in USDA zones 5 through 9.
Exposure:
It performs best in part shade to partial sun, as some shade helps maintain the best color.
The Acer palmatum 'Ryugu' is a rare, dwarf Japanese maple cultivar known for its unique, variegated foliage and compact growth habit. It is well-suited for containers, small landscapes, and rock gardens.
Key Characteristics:
Foliage:
Tiny leaves emerge a pinkish-orange with a splash of hot pink in spring, transition to a variegated green and cream (or white) in summer, and finally turn bright red in the fall.
Growth Habit:
This is a true dwarf cultivar with a dense, globose, shrub-like form, growing at a slow rate of only 3 to 6 inches per year.
Mature Size:
It typically reaches a height and width of 4 to 6 feet.
Bark: The branches have a showy red color that provides year-round interest, especially in winter.
Hardiness Zones:
It is hardy in USDA zones 5 through 9.
Exposure:
It performs best in part shade to partial sun, as some shade helps maintain the best color.
Form and Flower
Dwarf squatty upright. Slowly makes a dense vase or loosely rounded form suitable for almost any small space in the garden. Once established the annual growth should not exceed 3-5", under most landscape conditions.
Foliage and Fruit
At maturity, the small (not tiny) medium green leaves are splashed and speckled with light green, cream and pink. New shoots yellow with orange edge. In winter the new shoots display a dark red coloration. Fall color red-orange.
Size
Height 4 to 6' with similar spread.
Zone
5 to 8