Umegae

Character & interest

‘Umegae’ belongs to those cultivars whose main appeal is the depth of colour in summer: a “chocolate red” that is rarely matched, and that contrasts beautifully with lighter branches, decorative samaras and golden or fresh green foliage nearby. It’s a cultivar with presence, without being invasive.

Colours

• Spring : purple-red / burgundy, sometimes with a lighter-vein effect (very decorative on young leaves).

• Summer : dark brown / chocolate to purple (rich tone, often very deep).

• Autumn : colours vary with conditions, frequently orange with transitions towards crimson red.

Habit & vigour

Upright habit (often quite narrow when young), then more flared with age. Slow to moderate growth depending on exposure and how cool the soil stays.

Indicative size

Observed orders of magnitude depending on sources and training:

• around 2 m at about 10 years (often cited in collections),

• often closer to 2.4 m × 1.5 m at around 10 years in some catalogues,

• in the long run, a small tree in the 4–5 m range is regularly mentioned.

Exposure

Gentle sun / bright partial shade.
A bit of sun often helps intensify the dark tones, but it is best to avoid scorching and windy situations.

Origin & history

‘Umegae’ is generally presented as an old Japanese cultivar, already mentioned in horticultural lists from the late 19th century (often around 1882 according to several references).