Bi hoo

Character & interest

The main appeal of ‘Bi hoo’ is the colour of its wood: on young branches (often the last 1 to 4–5 years), the shade shifts towards apricot / orange-yellow, very visible when the tree is leafless. It is an ideal cultivar to bring real winter interest to the garden, in the spirit of “coral bark” maples, but in a yellow version.

Colours

• Spring : yellow-green with a slight salmon/pink flush at first (depending on exposure).

• Summer : light green.

• Autumn : yellow to orange (sometimes deeper).

• Winter : golden-yellow / apricot shoots, sometimes tending towards orange.

Habit & vigour

Upright, bushy habit, fairly dense branching. Steady vigour.

Indicative size

Order of magnitude: 2 to 3 m (sometimes more in very favourable conditions). Some references indicate around 3 m after 10 years.

Exposure

Gentle sun / bright partial shade. Good light enhances both shoot colour and autumn colour; in hot situations, a little afternoon shade helps keep the foliage cleaner.

Origin & history

Cultivar of Japanese origin (often distributed under the spelling ‘Bihou’).