Usugumo

Character & interest

‘Usugumo’ stands out for its very fine variegation and the strong contrast between the pale leaf blade and the darker veins. The effect is especially visible up close, and it remains elegant from a distance thanks to the foliage’s constant brightness. It’s often considered difficult to propagate (grafting is reputedly tricky), which explains its rarity.

Colours

• Spring : young leaves salmon pink to pale pink.

• Summer : light green to green, with fine cream speckling/dusting (powdery dots); veins darker green.

• Autumn : variable depending on climate; often yellow to orange (usually less showy than the variegation).

Habit & vigour

Rather upright habit, forming a small tree over time. Low to moderate vigor: slow growth, especially in the first years, then more regular once well established.

Indicative size

Observed orders of magnitude depending on sources and training:

• about 2.4 m at around 15 years (slow growth),

• some catalogues list it around 1.5 m (depending on climate and training),

• in the long term, it can exceed these values in the ground, but it generally remains a moderately sized subject.

Exposure

Bright partial shade or morning sun with afternoon shade. The pale areas can scorch in harsh sun or drought: a sheltered spot and soil that stays cool in summer greatly improve foliage quality.

Origin & history

‘Usugumo’ is a Japanese selection associated with the Acer pictum group (also often sold as Acer mono or Acer pictum subsp. mono depending on authors and catalogues). It is described as more common in Japan than in Western trade and reputedly difficult to propagate, which contributes to its rarity.