Verkade’s jacus potus

Character & interest

A cultivar of texture and evolving colours: the leaf shape (narrow, “feathery”) brings a rare lightness among palmatums, and the plant offers several highlights (dark spring foliage, coloured flushes during the season, crimson autumn). It stands out even in an already rich collection, especially when placed at eye level.

Colours

• Spring : deep burgundy on the young foliage.

• Early summer : transition to green with peach/apricot nuances.

• Saison : on new growth, salmon to pink-red tones may reappear (contrast with older foliage).

• Autumn : crimson to bright red.

Habit & vigour

Rather upright habit, with a compact silhouette. Moderate growth (often more structured than “large and spreading”), making it easy to integrate in a small garden or in a pot.

Indicative size

Observed orders of magnitude depending on sources and training:

• often announced around 1.5 to 2 m,

• some cultivation notes indicate a long-term potential close to 2 to 3 m (depending on climate, soil, age and training).

Exposure

Gentle sun / bright partial shade. In a temperate climate, good light helps achieve crisp colours (and well-coloured new growth). In hot areas, afternoon shade and a sheltered position (dry wind) improve foliage quality.

Origin & history

‘Verkade’s Jacus Potus’ is attributed to Dave Verkade. It is generally presented as a selection from a seedling (chance seedling), and several sources indicate the name would refer to a family nickname. The cultivar is sometimes described as close—by leaf morphology—to “feathery” maples of the Hagoromo / sessilifolium type, while remaining more compact.