Seki no kegon

Character & interest

This cultivar stands out for a cascading silhouette that becomes more pronounced with age: when young, it can look semi-weeping, then becomes clearly weeping as it structures itself. The leaves, broad and rounded, give a very “lush” look and a softer feel than finely dissected weeping forms. Late in the season, the autumn color is often spectacular.

Colours

• Spring : green at budbreak.

• Summer : green (dense foliage).

• Autumn : yellow then orange, with transitions toward red (intensity varies with conditions).

Habit & vigour

Compact at first, then increasingly weeping (drooping branches). Moderate vigor: steady growth but a controlled size, with the drooping form becoming more prominent over time.

Indicative size

Observed orders of magnitude depending on sources and training:

• around 10 years: about 0.9–1.2 m tall for 1.8–2.4 m wide (often),

• longer term: generally 2–4 m tall, with a spread that can become significant,

• the original tree in Japan is described as remaining modest even after several decades.

Exposure

Gentle sun / bright partial shade. In hot climates, choose a position sheltered from harsh afternoon sun. Soil should be free-draining yet remain cool/moist in summer; avoid prolonged drought (especially in containers). Good cold tolerance.

Origin & history

‘Seki-no-kegon’ (also written: ‘Seki no kegon’, ‘Seki-no-kegon’) was discovered in 1970 in Fukushima Prefecture (Japan) as a natural seedling of a weeping Acer sieboldianum. The name pays tribute to its discoverer Mr. Kazou Seki and to the famous Kegon-no-taki waterfall near Kanuma, which gave rise to the full expression “Seki-no-kegon”.