Acer Palmatum Seiryu

November

There has been time for a leisurely judgement this year on which maple takes the crown. This trio has performed in more perfect harmony than ever before, finally arriving at something close to unison. On the left is Acer mono var. Mairyi, on the right Acer koreana, and in the centre a broad bush of A. Seiryu. The first colours in a medley of green and red (and often yellow, which is the colour named in most reference books). This year’s deep crimson is unusual. A. koreana regularly turns scarlet fairly early in autumn. A. ‘Seiryu’ holds its fire, not turning until the third week of October, then kindling into yellow, orange, scarlet, and this year crimson. The superlative A. ‘Osakazuki’ is a fierce red but by now has shed most leaves. A. ‘Seiryu’, year after year, fires up late and holds its tiny fine-cut leaves well into November.

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