JAPANESE MAPLE HESSEI
| Article and pictures by David Marks. Acer palmatum ‘Hessei’ is a loosely formed Japanese Maple tree but dense enough to let its colour provide impact. It’s a medium sized tree reaching about 5m / 17ft at maturity but it does form a wide tree.This is definitely not a delicate Japanese Maple, it is one of the hardiest of all and the branches are more resistant than normal to wind and weather damage. |
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Hessei can easily be kept in check if it is pruned regularly. It is a good candidate for growing in containers in exposed areas. If left to its own devices it is an ideal size for medium and larger gardens but can be pruned to make is excellent for smaller gardens.
TECHNICAL DETAILS FOR ACER PALMATUM HESSEI
| Genus | Acer |
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| Species | palmatum | |
| Variety | ‘Hessei’ | |
| Light | Most conditions but requires some sunshine to maintain the early red colour. | |
| Hardy | Yes, one of the most hardy | |
| Soil | Most, but best slightly acidic and well-drained | |
| Height | 5m / 17ft at maturity | |
| Spread | 6m / 20ft at maturity | |
| Spread | Wider than it is high | |
| Colour | Red from early spring to mid summer then bronze turning to deep scarlet in autumn. | |
| Colour | Yes | |
| Bonsai | No |
LEAF FORM
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Leaf colour is an excellent red colour from mid Spring to mid summer, be sure that it gets some regular sunshine to maintain this colour. From mid summer to mid autumn it turns to bronzy colour. In mid autumn it turns to a very attractive dark scarlet.
Leaf form is variable, on the left the leaves are well-divided but in most cases they are even more divided and narrower. The edges are serrated. |
SUPPLIERS OF Hessei
HIPPOPOTERING
Online only
WEST COUNTRY NURSERIES
Online and:
Donkey Meadow
Woolsery
Devon
EX39 5QH
