Emmett’s pumpkin

Character & interest

‘Emmett’s Pumpkin’ is first and foremost a cultivar with volume and presence: large rounded/palmate leaves, a small-tree habit, and an autumn transformation that is clearly visible from a distance. It is an excellent choice to create a focal point at the back of a border or near a terrace, with a particularly intense autumn scene.

Colours

• Spring : yellow-green to light green, often with a bronze / russet veil (sometimes red-orange at the very beginning of budbreak).

• Summer : clear green to deep green (more uniform).

• Autumn : deep orange with red flashes (a very characteristic “pumpkin” effect).

Habit & vigour

An upright to spreading small-tree habit, with moderate to good vigour. The silhouette broadens with age and responds well to training as an accent tree (lightly showcasing the trunk and main framework branches).

Indicative size

Observed orders of magnitude depending on sources and training:

• about 2.5–3 m tall at around 10 years, with 1.5–2 m spread depending on training,

• about 2.5–3 m tall at around 10 years, with 1.5–2 m spread depending on training,

• in the long term, it can become a broader small tree depending on soil, climate and age.

Exposure

Gentle sun / bright partial shade. Several references indicate it appreciates a sunny exposure (especially in a temperate climate), but as with many Japanese maples, a sheltered position (dry wind, scorching afternoon sun) helps keep foliage clean and supports steady growth.