Acer palmatum 'Lileeanne's Jewel' EXTRAVAGANZA Japanese maple
size/type
medium-sized shrub,medium-sized shrub
usual height
1,5-2m
usual width
1,5-2m
leaves
deciduous broadleaf
colour of leaves
location
full to partial sun
soil type
acidic (peaty)
soil moisture requirements
evenly moist but well-drained
USDA zone (lowest)
5 (down to -29°C)
winter protection
for zone 5+6
for zone 7
categorized
Acer
Japanese maples are very decorative and usually low shrubs, occasionally small trees, with attractive foliage and picturesque structure. There are many varieties in various shades of green, chartreuse, golden and yellow, red to maroon, and even multicoloured (variegated). They originate from Asia (Japan, China, Korea), where they have been cultivated for at least two centuries or perhaps even longer, however, they were introduced to Europe only at the beginning of the 19th century, specifically to Great Britain in 1820. Interestingly, the botanist Carl Peter Thunberg described them much earlier, in 1784, because he undertook an expedition to Japan in 1775-1776, discovering new species and collecting seeds and plants. He named the tree Acer palmatum, referring to the leaf shape resembling a human hand with fingers, although it is said that they first reminded him of frog fingers, which is also one of its oldest Japanese names: kaede. The other is momiji (baby hands). The beauty of the colours and shapes of the leaves and trees is reflected in many arts, for example, in the oldest preserved collection of Japanese poetry from the 8th century, the Man'yōshū (Collection of Ten Thousand Leaves). The Chinese poet Wang Wei (699-759) celebrated their beauty in many of his works, and naturally, maples often appeared in ancient paintings, tapestries, porcelain, and wherever classic and traditional decorations associated with the symbolism of these maples were desired: beauty and elegance, serenity, endurance, vitality, and transformation.Description of the plant:
EXTRAVAGANZA is a Japanese maple variety with extremely attractive leaves. They are fine but not classified as dissectum (cut-leaf), they emerge bright pink with conspicuous white variegation and in full sun the pink colour intensifies and turns bright maroon. Unlike many other variegated maples, EXTRAVAGANZA thrives in full sun where it makes the richest colours. It can be grown in partial shade, too, where it will make a more distinct contrast between the newly emerging pink leaves at the tips of the branches and the mature, pale green marbled white leaves in the lower parts. In autumn they turn mostly maroon and amber orange.It grows moderately fast into a broadly funnel-shaped shrub of somewhat irregular but dense habit and slightly arching branches. Its mature height and width are estimated between 1.5 and 2 meters. Due to the vivid colour play on the leaves we recommend planning the companion planting carefully so that the plants do not clash with one another. In our bed we chose dwarf, mound-forming azaleas and rhododendrons as an understory, and single-coloured shrubs in the immediate vicinity.
This variety was found as a chance seedling by Jonathan Savelich in the nursery of his grandfather, a renowned breeder and grower of Japanese maples Del Loucks (1931-2015). Del was surrounded by plants all his life – as a young man when he worked in the family nursery and later as an adult when he founded his own company Del's Japanese Maples in Eugene, Oregon, USA, where he could fully focus on his lifetime passion for developing Japanese maples. He is unfortunately little known by name but his creations are famous worldwide. Among his most widespread varieties are for example Emerald Lace, Aka kawa hime, Coton Candy or Red Spider.
The original name of this variety in America was Lileeanne’s Jewel and it was named by Del’s grandson Jonathan after his daughter Lileeanne. The first plants were offered to the famous American Japanese maple nursery MrMaple in 2009. The variety immediately became a sensation among collectors, and as it had not yet been propagated, MrMaple offered only a few grafts on eBay. They couldn't believe their eyes when the price of one twig rose to $300. Now the variety is widely available in good quantities at standard prices, also here in Europe where it was given a trade name EXTRAVAGANZA and is propagated by the Dutch nursery Van Son & Kot from Kaatsheuvel in North Brabant. It was introduced in Europe for the first time in 2019 at the prestigious plant exhibition Plantarium in Boskoop where it was one of the eight nominees for the Press Award Plantarium 2019.
Japanese maples need constantly moist soil that has to be well-drained, acidic to neutral, and medium fertile. Keep it mulched all year round. It loves a location with high air humidity, e.g. at a river bank or near a pond but it is not a must. EXTRAVAGANZA maple withstands full sun in constantly moist soil, and naturally grows in partial shade, too. Full shade is not recommended. It is hardy to at least -29 °C (USDA zone 5), and is suitable for outdoor planters, too, if kept moist but without a saucer.
Last update 03-01-2023
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