Strawberry spring
A Japanese maple with strawberry-pink spring foliage, crossed by a very graphic network of dark green veins. The season continues with cream to soft green tones, often with a pink re-flush on summer growth, then a warm orange to red finish in autumn. Upright habit, well-suited to smaller gardens and container growing.
Character & interest
‘Strawberry Spring’ belongs to the ghost/reticulated maples: the leaf blade stays light while the veins stand out strongly, giving a very crisp, readable pattern. Interest peaks at budbreak, but the cultivar keeps presence all season thanks to its shifting tones.
Colours
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Spring : bright pink to strawberry-pink, with very pronounced dark green veins.
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Summer : the pink softens into cream/light green tones, sometimes with new flushes returning to pink.
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Autumn : orange to red, often warm and well contrasted.
Habit & vigour
Upright habit, fairly compact and easy to read. Medium to good vigour (a good balance for a highly coloured cultivar).
Indicative size
About 1.8–2.4 m tall and 1.2–1.8 m wide at around 10 years, depending on conditions and training.
Exposure
Best results in gentle sun or bright partial shade—ideally morning sun with light afternoon shade in hot situations. Too much light can reduce the “pink” effect and mark the foliage; too much shade reduces contrast.
Origin & history
Cultivar selected by Talon Buchholz (Oregon, USA), identified as a seedling of ‘Amber Ghost’.
| Groupe MS | 14. Reticulatum |
|---|---|
| Habit | Érigé compact |
| Vigueur | Modérée |
| Taille 10 ans | Petit (1-2m) |
| Forme de feuille | Matsumurae |
| Couleur Printemps | Rose vif / Blanc |
| Couleur Été | Vert / Crème |
| Couleur Automne | Orange |
| Exposure | Mi-ombre |
| Size / Grade | C1, C1.5, C10, C2, C3, C5, C7.5, P9 |
