Japanese Maple ‘Oridono Nishiki’ / Japanese Maple
£140.00
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Description
Quick Facts
- Common Name: Japanese Maple ‘Oridono Nishiki’
- Botanical Name: Acer palmatum ‘Oridono Nishiki’
- Plant Type: Deciduous ornamental shrub / small tree
- Mature Height: 2–4m (slower and smaller in pots)
- Mature Spread: 2–3m
- Foliage Colour: Variegated green leaves splashed with cream and pink; fresh spring colour with soft blush tones, maturing to green-and-cream through summer; warm autumn reds and oranges
- Leaf Shape: Palmate leaves with fine lobes (classic Japanese maple shape)
- Hardiness: RHS H6 (hardy in most UK & Ireland gardens; shelter improves performance)
- Soil Requirements: Moist, well-drained, humus-rich soil; slightly acidic to neutral
- Aspect: Part shade / dappled shade (morning sun ideal; shelter from harsh wind)
- Maintenance: Low
Description
Acer palmatum ‘Oridono Nishiki’ is a Japanese maple with a painterly kind of beauty—soft variegation, gentle blush tones, and a canopy that looks different every time you pass it. In spring, new leaves often emerge with creamy-white markings and a delicate pink flush, as if the tree has been lightly dusted with colour. As the season settles, the foliage matures into a calm mix of green and cream, still bright enough to lift a shady corner without ever feeling shouty.
Come autumn, it adds another layer of interest, shifting into warm reds and oranges before leaf fall. The overall habit is elegant and lightly branching, making it a perfect specimen for borders, courtyards, and large pots where you can enjoy the detail up close.
Because variegated maples can be a little more sensitive, ‘Oridono Nishiki’ is happiest in a sheltered position with dappled light and consistently moist, free-draining soil—conditions that help keep the leaves looking fresh and unscorched.
Caragh Garden Notebook
Planting:
Plant in spring or autumn. Choose a sheltered position with dappled shade or gentle morning sun—this protects variegated foliage from scorching and helps keep the colours crisp. Dig a generous hole and improve the soil with leaf mould or well-rotted compost. If your soil is alkaline, add ericaceous compost to help keep conditions slightly acidic. Plant at the same depth as in the pot, firm in gently, water well, and mulch to keep roots cool.
Plant in spring or autumn. Choose a sheltered position with dappled shade or gentle morning sun—this protects variegated foliage from scorching and helps keep the colours crisp. Dig a generous hole and improve the soil with leaf mould or well-rotted compost. If your soil is alkaline, add ericaceous compost to help keep conditions slightly acidic. Plant at the same depth as in the pot, firm in gently, water well, and mulch to keep roots cool.
Soil Preparation:
Japanese maples love humus-rich, free-draining soil. They dislike sitting wet, but they also hate drying out. Improve heavy soil with compost and fine bark; improve sandy soil with organic matter to hold moisture. Mulch annually to conserve moisture and protect shallow roots.
Japanese maples love humus-rich, free-draining soil. They dislike sitting wet, but they also hate drying out. Improve heavy soil with compost and fine bark; improve sandy soil with organic matter to hold moisture. Mulch annually to conserve moisture and protect shallow roots.
Watering:
Water regularly in the first year, especially during dry spells. In containers, check moisture often in summer—pots dry quickly. Aim for consistent moisture rather than extremes.
Water regularly in the first year, especially during dry spells. In containers, check moisture often in summer—pots dry quickly. Aim for consistent moisture rather than extremes.
Seasonal Care:
Low maintenance. Prune only if needed, and do it lightly in late summer or when dormant (mid-winter), removing dead, damaged, or crossing branches. If you see any strong plain-green shoots, prune them out to maintain the variegation.
Low maintenance. Prune only if needed, and do it lightly in late summer or when dormant (mid-winter), removing dead, damaged, or crossing branches. If you see any strong plain-green shoots, prune them out to maintain the variegation.
Pests & Problems:
Leaf scorch is the most common issue—usually caused by wind, strong sun, or drying out. Shelter + steady moisture prevent most problems.
Leaf scorch is the most common issue—usually caused by wind, strong sun, or drying out. Shelter + steady moisture prevent most problems.
Design Notes:
A beautiful specimen for courtyards, woodland edges, and large pots. Pairs perfectly with ferns, hostas, hellebores, hakonechloa (Japanese forest grass), and dark evergreens that make the variegation glow.
A beautiful specimen for courtyards, woodland edges, and large pots. Pairs perfectly with ferns, hostas, hellebores, hakonechloa (Japanese forest grass), and dark evergreens that make the variegation glow.
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