Sumi nagashi

Character & interest

‘Sumi nagashi’ is a cultivar with real character: a dense, dark red with an elegant, deeply cut leaf (Matsumurae type) that immediately gives a strong, graphic presence. It is also appreciated for its performance in oceanic climates and its ability, over the years, to form a beautiful, well-branched small tree.

Colours

• Spring : purple-red (often glossy).

• Summer : very dark maroon (can appear almost black in gentle full sun).

• Autumn : bright red / crimson.

Habit & vigour

Vase-shaped when young, becoming more spreading and rounded with age. Moderate to good vigour (more “small tree” than dwarf), with generally strong branching.

Indicative size

Observed orders of magnitude depending on sources and training:

• often 3 to 5 m at maturity (with a spread that can become similar),

• some catalogues indicate ~4 m (height and spread) as a guideline,

• in very favourable conditions and over time, larger sizes may be seen.

Exposure

Gentle sun / bright partial shade. In sun (non-scorching), the colour can become darker; in partial shade, the foliage often stays more “purple/red” and less blackened.

Origin & history

‘Sumi nagashi’ is a long-established Japanese cultivar (often listed as dating from around 1930 in some catalogues). Its name is sometimes explained by the word “sumi” (associated with charcoal/ash), referring to the very dark summer foliage, especially in a sunny position.