Jordan

Character & interest

‘Jordan’ combines the “full moon” effect (broad leaves, short lobes, soft texture) with a very dynamic colour progression. Its main highlight is the lemon-yellow spring flush, but autumn is also highly decorative. A great choice if you are looking for a more vigorous—and often more tolerant—golden maple than some very delicate yellows, while still placing it in good conditions.

Colours

• Spring : very bright lemon yellow, sometimes with a fine pink/reddish edge depending on exposure and temperature.

• Summer : very bright lemon yellow, sometimes with a fine pink/reddish edge depending on exposure and temperature.

• Autumn : orange then red (intensity varies with climate and exposure).

Habit & vigour

Large shrub to small tree, rather upright and open. Moderate to good vigour; often reported as more vigorous than ‘Aureum’. A recurring horticultural hypothesis suggests a possible hybrid origin (A. shirasawanum × A. palmatum), which could explain this vitality, although it is not always formally established.

Indicative size

Observed orders of magnitude depending on sources and training:

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

• reaching about 3 m at maturity in medium-sized gardens,

• and sometimes more (approaching a broader small tree) in favourable conditions over the long term.

Exposure

Bright partial shade or gentle sun (morning). To keep a clean yellow and limit scorch, avoid hot afternoon sun, especially in warm climates or in containers. A sheltered position is recommended.

Origin & history

‘Jordan’ is consistently attributed to a selection from the Italian nursery Fratelli Gilardelli (Gilardelli Nursery, Italy). Several sources indicate it was found/selected by the Gilardelli family and named after their son (the name Giordano is often cited, with “Jordan” used internationally).