Katsura
‘Katsura’ is a Japanese maple highly valued for its luminous spring flush: the young leaves emerge yellow-orange with a pink to orange margin, then turn light green in summer before warming up to orange and orange-red in autumn. Its habit is upright, often vase-shaped, with steady growth. An excellent choice for containers as well as small gardens if you want a true “wave” of colour in spring.
Character & interest
‘Katsura’ is one of the best cultivars for a very bright spring effect without using variegated foliage. The budbreak colouring is usually very consistent from year to year; the plant then “calms down” in summer before intensifying again in autumn. Its well-structured silhouette suits both container display and planting in the ground.
Colours
-
Spring : yellow-orange leaves, often with a pink/orange margin.
-
Summer : light green to green foliage.
-
Autumn : orange to orange-red tones (sometimes with yellow as a transition).
Habit & vigour
Upright habit, often vase-shaped in the first years, then becoming rounder with age. Moderate to good vigour, steady growth.
Indicative size
Typical range: often around 2–3 m in many gardens, but it can reach 4–5 m (or more) with age in the ground depending on growing conditions.
Exposure
Bright partial shade or gentle sun (morning). In a sunnier position, foliage holds better if the soil stays cool (without excess water) and the site is protected from drying winds.
| Groupe MS | 3. Aureum |
|---|---|
| Habit | Upright |
| Vigueur | Modérée |
| Taille 10 ans | Moyen (2-4m) |
| Forme de feuille | Palmate |
| Couleur Printemps | Jaune orangé |
| Couleur Été | Vert-jaune |
| Couleur Automne | Jaune / Orange |
| Exposure | Soleil / Mi-ombre |
| Size / Grade | C1, C1.5, C10, C2, C3, C5, C7.5, P9 |
