Saoshika
‘Saoshika’ is a highly sought-after Japanese maple for its star-shaped foliage with a fine, delicate texture: when backlit, the leaves can look almost translucent. In spring, it starts yellow-green, often with carmine-red tips, then becomes light green in summer. In autumn, it offers a variable but often superb display, mixing yellow, gold, orange and sometimes red. An elegant cultivar, perfect in a container or in the garden.
Character & interest
‘Saoshika’ is a maple made for light: its fine texture creates an airy impression, especially beautiful when sunlight filters through the foliage. The leaves are often held fairly horizontally, which, with age, creates a very decorative layered effect.
Colours
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Spring : young leaves yellow-green, often with red tips (most pronounced in the first few weeks).
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Summer : light green foliage, then a deeper green.
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Autumn : bright yellow, gold, orange, and sometimes orange-red nuances.
Habit & vigour
Upright habit, rather open at first, then fuller over time (bushy silhouette). Vigour is generally good, but some feedback suggests it can be a little slower to establish at the beginning.
Indicative size
Order of magnitude: often around 3 m in some references, but it can reach 5–6 m in the ground under good conditions, with a substantial spread. As always, graft, training and soil can greatly affect the outcome.
Exposure
Gentle sun / bright partial shade. Light enhances the translucent effect, but protection from scorching sun and dry wind improves foliage quality, especially in a container.
| Groupe MS | 1. Amoenum |
|---|---|
| Habit | Érigé / Vase |
| Vigueur | Modérée |
| Taille 10 ans | Moyen (2-4m) |
| Forme de feuille | Amoenum |
| Couleur Printemps | Vert jaune |
| Couleur Été | Vert clair |
| Couleur Automne | Or / Orange |
| Exposure | Soleil / Mi-ombre |
| Size / Grade | C1, C1.5, C10, C2, C3, C5, C7.5, P9 |
