Shigure bato

Character & interest

‘Shigure bato’ is a texture cultivar: the strongly cut leaves create a fine, elegant look that reads well both up close and from a distance. It also stands out for a usually broad silhouette—sometimes almost as wide as it is tall—making it useful to create a “cushion” volume or a front-of-border accent.

Colours

• Spring : green, frequently with bronze/brown tips on the young leaves.

• Summer : a more uniform green.

• Autumn : turns yellow, often with orange nuances.

Habit & vigour

Bushy habit, rather spreading and naturally well balanced. Moderate vigour (semi-dwarf to medium depending on training), with a tendency to widen nicely with age.

Indicative size

Observed orders of magnitude depending on sources and training:

• around 2 m at 10 years is a frequently mentioned figure,

• some sellers report a size often under 2 m,

• other sources indicate that a well-established plant may reach ~1.8 to 2 m and spread as much or more in width.

Exposure

Gentle sun / bright partial shade. A sheltered position (dry winds, scorching sun) helps keep the foliage clean, especially on the young growth.