Murakumo

Character & interest

‘Murakumo’ is one of the Japanese maples sought after for a dark, stable colour through the season. It instantly adds contrast to a garden scene, especially when paired with light greens, golds, or variegated foliage.

Colours

• Spring : leaves emerge in purple tones (often already quite dark).

• Summer : deep dark purple-brown foliage.

• Autumn : shifts to vivid red with some yellow present (intensity varies with conditions).

Habit & vigour

Natural habit, steady growth. Moderate vigour.

Indicative size

Order of magnitude: 2 to 4 m ultimately, depending on conditions (in the ground vs container, soil, climate, training).

Exposure

Often described as holding well in full sun. In a hot climate or in a container, a position with gentle sun / bright partial shade remains preferable to limit summer stress.

Note (name & confusion)

“Murakumo” is also sometimes used for a green maple speckled with white; that is in fact ‘Marakumo’. The description above concerns the purple cultivar.