Sam, yours is a very beautiful Ukigumo variegation. My older Ukigumos here in my N California micro climate is predominantly white with more fu - like brushed on variegation. I looked at Peter Gregory's Ukigumo in his new pocket guide and his pic is all white mixed with some green, but all this shows the futility of hard and fast characterisation with such "variegates" in multiple micro-climates.
The unpredictable variety in all maples are part of the fascination. I never know what my plants will look like from one season to the next :)
All those Ukigumos look so different!, yours Whis4ey reminds me of A. Rubescens 'Red Flamingo' ( I am kidding ;-)). I agree that with some types of variegation, like Asahi zuru, Oridono nishiki, Butterfly,.... the variegation is quite variable from season to season while the speckled type of variegation seems more stable. Some Ukigumos show a lot of pink and some (like mines) very little, is it location or lineage?, I am inclined to think it is the second. Gomero
Hey again guys -- Here are the cultivars I'm currently drooling over most on ebay. I hope to buy 4-6 of these in late January or early February. I'm especially focusing on the ones with the asterisks. Asahi Zuru* Beni Hime Coonara Pygmy Koto No Ito* Fjellheim* Aka Shigitatsu Sawa* Butterfly* Shishi Gashira Oridono Nishiki* Flamingo Goshiki Kotohime Toyoma Nishiki Peaches and Cream* Ojishi* Filigree Grandma's Ghost Any of these I should be sure not to miss? Any I should run away from?
Amazondoc, curious as to what about these cultivars got them on "the list" for the year. I was planning on doing all of my plantings in fall, but don't know if I can wait that long. I am wondering how much more difficult they are to thrive if planted in spring (st. louis, zone 5b).
Some got on my list because they were variegated, some because they were small, some just because I thought they were pretty. :-) I didn't put any on the list that I'd have to spend more than $15 for. I can't tell you anything about planting in zone 5. In TN, I plant pretty much whenever -- just not in the hottest part of summer, if I can help it!
Seasons greetings to all. 'Matsugae' is a charming variegated cultivar. Amazon, on your list 'Aka shigitatsu sawa' is a really special plant. But like whis4 says back in post 27 every tree is at times amazing.
This is the same plant in August 2007 The first photograph with so much pink was August 2005 Maybe the difference is simply down to local climatic conditions in a particular year?
You guys are killing me with your pictures of Ukigumo (as I mentioned earlier). Mine is so green, with just a little spattering of color if I look really close. Why do you suppose that is? Is it a cultural thing, should I buy another one? I would have to mail order again, because I won't be able to find it around here. Any thoughts...? Kay
sam, post#33 is amazing. beautiful tree as I said. I agree wholeheartedly with you that variegates depend upon multiple factors. kaydye, do not despair. I have had Ukigumos do just like yours, ie almost no variegation and then the next year WOW. In fact in 2007 I had an 8-10 year Ukigumo produce no visible variegation that in 2006 was ablaze with white speckling. As sam & I have said, variegation is a function of genetics, micro- climate, annual variance etc etc.
