Does anyone recognise this Acer?

[The Gardener]

When I went to visit the Beth Chatto Garden last June, I took loads of photos, but this pink Acer just jumped out at me (not literally, of course  ) because of its stunning colour.  As usual when you desperately need to know the name of something, there was no label to say what it was, and I would love to have this.  As it was June, it's obviously not autumn colours, so one can only assume that it's naturally this colour.  Anyone know which variety it is?

[ideasguy]

As a first guess, I'd say it is Acer 'Shindeshojo'

Heres a photo on Billys Fujiyama Garden web site:
http://www.fujiyamagarden.com/Shindeshojo.html
and heres another from that same great man (alias Whis4ey)
http://www.gardenbuddies.com/forum/messages/4310/1158669.html
on the garden buddies forum (gets around, doesnt he  )

I have 'Shindeshojo' and I'd say it is without doubt the most interesting of 28 different named cultivars which I bought ( a few were for friends who shared the order, and some suffered "accidents")
The leaves change continually the whole season from spring to autumn. Unlike many of the other acers, there is never a period when it looks unattractive or uninteresting.
As in the lower photo in Billys web page, the plant has a tint of green evident in the pinkish foiliage. Its this hue which make this plant so special. It has smaller leaves than the Acer palmatum  atrpurpureum varieties.

Ive a LOT of photos of my Shindeshojo at different stages. One day soon I'll pull them together. I'll find one for here.

Now, you've got my attention! You've been to Beth Chatto's garden!!!!
Theres a special section on the forum for Gardens in England. Perhaps, (please!) you could tell us more about your visit?

[The Gardener]

Thanks George - it certainly looks like Shindeshojo.  Now all I have to do is track one down.......

[ideasguy]

If you are VERY patient, you can buy a one year old graft here.

Barthelemy & Co  (IFG)
262 Wimborne Road, West Staplehill
Wimborne, Dorset, England
BH21 2DZ         Tel:- 01202 874283

Thats where I bought mine.
They cost me £7.50 each.
Think it has risen slightly.

They dont send them out until about May. They have to wait to make sure they leaf out after winter.
Maybe its just because they like the look of them.

Try 'Wilsons Pink Dwarf' Chrissie, if you want to push the boat out. Its very slow growing, but a lovely plant.

My favourite purple dissectum is 'Tamukeyama'
Its not as fragile as the other dissectums, and has a lovely mound/weeping habit. I still have mine in a large pot at the back door where I can see it every day. It arches right down to the ground.

"Whis4ey" buys half grown ones! But, as you know, they are more expensive as they put on the years.
 

[The Gardener]

Thanks for the info - I'll bear it in mind.  What I'd really like is to visit somewhere where all these lovely Acers are on show so that you can see what they look like before you buy.  Most garden centres sell Acers, but only a very small selection, and usually the same ones every time!  Oh, and it would have to be fairly local to me as I have no sense of direction and get hopelessly lost just going to the shops

[ideasguy]

You are quite right about the limited selection. You've got to got the specialists to get a wider range of cultivars.

What I'd really like is to visit somewhere where all these lovely Acers are on show so that you can see what they look like before you buy.

I'd take the risk of getting lost if theres a good collection to be seen! 

[ideasguy]

Heres a photo of my Acer 'Shindeshoho' Chrissie
Does this remind you of the plant you seen?

Acer 'Shindeshojo'

[The Gardener]

It wasn't exactly like that George.  The one I saw was much pinker, and the leaves were a bit more like a dissectum variety, daintier and more toothed.

[ideasguy]

The leaves look different when they are very young, Chrissie (more delicate looking).

Heres another suggestion. Check out Acer 'Wilsons Pink Dwarf'
Its got finer leaves. Mine is VERY slow growing. I'll lookup my photos.

[whis4ey]

Have a look at Acer Palmatum 'Ariadne' which is a very pink colour early in the season
Maybe it was that?
http://www.fujiyamagarden.com/Ariadne.html

[The Gardener]

Yes Billy, it certainly looks like it could be Ariadne.  Thanks for the suggestion.  Well, with all the suggestions made so far, I have a choice of lovely pink Acers to choose from, even if none of them are the exact plant!

[whis4ey]

It could also be Aka Shigitatsu Sawa or even Kasagiyama
Both are similar plants
The leaf size from the photograph suggests the latter

[The Gardener]

I finally found a Shindeshojo in a local garden centre.  It was a good sized plant, about 2 1/2 feet high (not including the pot) and was £24.99, which I thought wasn't a bad price for an Acer.  It has those gorgeous pink leaves in spring, and has now matured to green with a red flush on the edges of the leaves.  Lovely!

[ideasguy]

Thats a good sized plant for the money, Chrissie. Mine would be about the same height or perhaps slightly bigger, and I bought it in 2000. I wouldnt sell mine for that amount!! As I said above, its one of my favourites.

Now you can see it in the flesh, does it look anything ike the one you photographed at Beth Chattos garden?
Give it a whole season. If its like mine, it changes like the chameleon MANY times from spring to autumn. I'd recommend it highly.

[The Gardener]

No George, I'm sure it's not Shindeshojo at Beth Chatto's.  I photographed it in June, and it was still bright pink.  My Shindeshojo had lost its bright pink leaves by then, and in any case, they were a deeper pink than the one at Beth Chatto's.  Still, I'm very pleased with this one!

[ideasguy]

Have you decided where to plant it, or indeed if you are going to plant it or grow it on in pots?
Ive decided to keep all mine in pots. I cant decide where to plant them, so at this stage its easier to move them about to where I like them best, at that particular period in time 

[The Gardener]

I've planted it in a pot at the moment, mainly because there's no room left in the garden!