Hanami nishiki
‘Hanami nishiki’ is a dwarf Japanese maple with a very compact, bushy habit, appreciated for its tiny leaves (sometimes only a few centimetres long) and its naturally dense silhouette. In spring it breaks bud bright to light green, often with a fine reddish edging, then becomes green in summer. Autumn is luminous, with orange and red tones. An ideal cultivar for containers on a terrace, and highly sought after for bonsai.
Character & interest
‘Hanami nishiki’ stands out for its small overall size and miniature leaves. The tight branching creates a well-structured little mass, very easy to showcase in a container. Its appeal isn’t only about colour: it’s above all about texture and scale (very small leaves), which is rare among Acer palmatum.
Colours
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Spring : vivid to light green, often with a red tint along the edges/tips of the lobes.
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Summer : a truer green.
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Autumn : orange, then orange-red / red (depending on conditions).
Habit & vigour
Compact, bushy habit, slow growth. The plant readily forms a small, dense dome, very suitable for containers.
Indicative size
As a guide: around 1.2 to 1.5 m at “garden” maturity (often given at 10 years), with a similar spread (variable depending on conditions and training).
Exposure
Bright partial shade or gentle sun. In a pot, a position sheltered from drying wind and scorching afternoon sun helps keep the foliage clean.
| Groupe MS | 11. Palmatum |
|---|---|
| Habit | Bushy |
| Vigueur | Lente |
| Taille 10 ans | Petit (1-2m) |
| Forme de feuille | Palmate |
| Couleur Printemps | Vert clair |
| Couleur Été | Green |
| Couleur Automne | Orange / Rouge |
| Exposure | Soleil / Mi-ombre |
| Size / Grade | C1, C1.5, C10, C2, C3, C5, C7.5, P9 |
