Acer palmatum ‘Nuresagi’
The herons in VanDusen always fly by Nuresagi Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum ‘Nuresagi’) in spring. This is the tree named after them. The Japanese cultivar ‘Nuresagi’ means ‘Wet Heron’’ in English. The name comes from the blue cast created by silver pubescence covering the deep red leaves that emerge in spring. This reminded the Japanese living in the 19th century of a wet heron. 'Nuresagi' was listed in nursery catalogues as early as 1882.
'Nuresagi' is a small tree with a rounded spreading crown. Its lobed palmate leaves are burgundy-coloured in spring and summer, while in fall they turn a striking scarlet red. Attractive white striations appear on the bark of older trees. Nuresagi flourishes in elevated well-drained soil and likes full sun or partial shade.
Our one and only ‘Nuresagi’ was planted in the Japanese Garden in 2012. The photos show its colors in summer (burgundy) and fall (scarlet red). The emerging leaf bud picture in April reminds us of a wet heron.
Text and photos by Hughie Jones