Taylor

Character & interest

‘Taylor’ is one of those variegated cultivars with strong visual impact, with a very marked spring display and long-lasting ornamental interest thanks to its variegation. The foliage is often slightly wavy/crinkled, which enhances the texture effect. It is a superb variety, but it benefits from careful siting (gentle light, protection from drying winds) to keep the foliage clean.

Colours

• Spring : very luminous salmon-pink budbreak, mixed with lime green and cream.

• Summer : the pink fades (soft pink), while the cream/green variegation remains clearly visible.

• Autumn : return of lime / yellow-green tones (sometimes with pinkish nuances depending on shoots and conditions).

Habit & vigour

Generally compact habit; often described as upright (sometimes fastigiate depending on training), with slow to moderate growth.

Indicative size

Observed orders of magnitude depending on sources and training:

• around 2 m at about 10 years is frequently indicated,

• some references give an adult potential of about 2 to 4 m (depending on soil, climate, age and training).

Exposure

Bright partial shade is recommended, or gentle morning sun. Avoid scorching sun and drying winds, which can mark the lighter areas.

Origin & history

‘Taylor’ is an introduction developed in Boskoop (the Netherlands), attributed to D. (Dick) van der Maat, and presented to the public in the early 2000s (often given as around 2004).