Buchholz Plant Introductions (Part 4)

The original tree of Acer palmatum 'Amber Ghost'

Acer palmatum 'Amber Ghost'

The previous Flora Wonder Blog, Buchholz Plant Introductions (Part 3), ended with the revelation that the original tree (of the Buchholz introduction) Acer palmatum 'Amber Ghost' is now growing at Iroki Garden, the arboretum/zoo of Michael Steinhardt, located in the Mt. Kisco area of New York state. His collection also contains many other Buchholz trees, some of which are original or champion cultivars, and I'm proud and relieved that they are safely and pleasantly housed in an endowed situation. As I have previously alluded, I would have preferred to keep all my trees...where they would follow me into the afterlife and the holy angels would water and tend to them, but doubting that I had that option, then Iroki was the next best situation.

Acer palmatum 'Amber Ghost'

So: the “Ghost Series” of Japanese maples, of which Acer palmatum 'Amber Ghost' is one of the founding members. The so-called “series” was not a term I coined; I think it arose after an article appeared in a Portland newspaper, The Oregonian, sometime in the 1990s. In the olde days the local fish-wrap actually had a garden section – now defunct – that appeared once a week. I remember (vaguely) when their female reporter showed up one morning with a dour-looking cameraman, he encumbered with heavy, dangling, shiny-black photo gear. The poor guy looked like his assignment was with a root-canal dentist and I took an instant dislike with his jaded demeanor. Nevertheless we trundled down to the lower greenhouses to document the various cultivars of the “Ghost maples.” It was spring and the maples showed off delightfully, and before long the sour-puss became hooked on the fantastic leaf patterns of each “ghost.” Suddenly I was energized too...that a professional photographer and I shared mutual enthusiasm over some weird maple leaves. Hey – pretty cool, shutterguy – look at my treasures! I didn't brag, but I almost wanted to say that I already had better photos than the ones he was about to take, but when the article appeared I was very impressed with his craft after all. It was then, perhaps, that I realized I was just a mediocre photographer, but one blessed with great subjects.

Acer palmatum EX 'Amber Ghost'

The “Ghosts” zoomed with popularity and I can still sell every one I produce, though some are propagated in greater quantity than others. I could argue that every one was “worthy” of introduction since they continue to sell 30 years later, but I obviously have my favorite(s). I don't expect any one to agree with my personal rating, but here they are in order, with #1 being my favorite:

1. Acer palmatum 'Amber Ghost' 1995 (approx. date of introduction)

2. Acer palmatum 'Purple Ghost' 1995

3. Acer palmatum 'Sister Ghost' 1995

4. Acer palmatum 'Grandma Ghost' 1995

5. Acer palmatum 'First Ghost' 1993

6. Acer palmatum 'Dark Ghost' 2015

7. Acer palmatum 'Uncle Ghost' 1995

8. Acer palmatum 'Baby Ghost' 1995

9. Acer palmatum 'Martha's Ghost' 1995

Acer palmatum 'Purple Ghost'

Hmm...my “favorite,” but based on what? The answer is: garden worthiness such as vigor, adaptability, disease resistance, toleration of summer and winter temperature extremes etc. Commercial appeal and ease of propagation are important factors of course. All ghosts propagate about the same (via grafting), but I can't really assess commercial appeal because our production numbers are relatively small and we currently sell out of all of them anyway. The cultivar name probably matters, though, for if I had unlimited numbers, I suppose that 'Purple Ghost' would outsell 'Uncle Ghost'. All plant names matter. Another criteria to be “favored” is just individual preference, such as most men have with women. Does one prefer blonde, brunette or red-haired, tall or short, petite, well-endowed or just medium?

Acer palmatum 'First Ghost'

Acer palmatum 'First Ghost'

Acer palmatum 'First Ghost'

Although I ranked 'First Ghost' at number 5, I must begin with it for the obvious reason – it was the first ghost to be named. It originated as a branch mutation while all the others were seedling selections. I had a miscellaneous group of stock maples in the Far East section of the nursery which included a couple of Acer palmatum 'Beni shigitatsu sawa' (formerly known as 'Aka shigitatsu sawa'). It was nearly dark as I approached one evening and I was puzzled to see a ghostly apparition hovering over one maple, and at first I assumed it to be a white plastic bag or somebody's tee shirt. How could I have missed the 2-to-3 year-old branch-sport before? I propagated the mutant portion and labeled it 'Ghost', but a few years later – before I had sold or given any away – I changed the name to 'First Ghost' to distinguish it from the other ghosts I was developing.

Acer palmatum 'Phantom Flame'

There are two other cultivars that closely resemble 'First Ghost', and I grow both of them: Acer palmatum 'Phantom Flame', discovered by Crispin Silva of Oregon (about 7-10 years ago) and A.p. 'Ghost Dancer', discovered by Dave Jarrell, also of Oregon. It's interesting that Silva named his maple “Phantom” as that is also kind of a ghostly name. The “Flame” part of the name is because its new growth is white but with a brilliant red edge to the new leaves. 'First Ghost' also displays a reddish leaf-edge, but possibly 'Phantom Flame' is more pronounced. If I had discovered the latter, I probably would not have introduced it... in deference to 'First Ghost' which is 20 years its elder.

Acer palmatum 'Ghost Dancer'

Acer palmatum 'Ghost Dancer'

The other cultivar similar to Acer palmatum 'First Ghost', A.p. 'Ghost Dancer', – a great name, I think – was discovered and named by Mr. Jarrell at about the same time as my introduction, but neither of us knew about the other's. What a remarkable coincidence then! I have seen references supposing that 'Ghost Dancer' is a member of the “Ghost series,” but rong.

I'll continue with #9, 'Martha's Ghost', which was abandoned by me almost immediately after it was propagated and introduced. No doubt some – perhaps the Mr. Maple company from North Carolina – still produce this cultivar, but I found no compelling reason to (re)produce it, and for the past 20 years I haven't had one in the collection at all. I don't remember much about it since I have no photo, so I can't even begin to provide a description. I regret admitting the above, that I was so mindlessly negligent, but I was just trying to make a living as a nurseryman and I had to make sharp business decisions. So that may explain why #9, 'Martha's Ghost', is my least favorite of all in the “Ghost series,” i.e. because I never made any money from it. It was named for an employee who worked here for a short time in a management position, but who ultimately...faltered, and maybe that's also why I discontinued with the selection.

Acer palmatum 'Baby Ghost' at Kubota Garden

Acer palmatum 'Baby Ghost'

I also don't grow Acer palmatum 'Baby Ghost' anymore, and since there hasn't been even one in the collection for the past dozen years, I rank it near the bottom along with 'Martha's Ghost'. I had no good reason to drop 'Baby Ghost' entirely; I just think it happened by accident. It was never as dazzling as the others but it was the most dwarf of the group, with a low spreading habit. Imagine my surprise when I stumbled upon it a couple of years ago at the Kubota Gardens in Seattle, which reaffirmed my description of its form. Their source for the tree is not certain to me, although I suspect it was from one of my Washington customers. I should probably make an effort to reacquire 'Baby Ghost', then I'll apologize for shunning it from the party.

Acer palmatum 'Uncle Ghost'

Number 7 on my list, Acer palmatum 'Uncle Ghost', is admittedly another introduction that, if never selected and produced, the world of horticulture probably wouldn't care less. And honestly, I have raised many other seedlings in subsequent years that equal or better 'Uncle Ghost'; but maybe I'm too harsh about my discoveries and I should just shut up and allow the market to evaluate them.

Acer palmatum 'Dark Ghost'

Acer palmatum 'Dark Ghost'

One selection that probably betters Acer palmatum 'Uncle Ghost' is A.p. 'Dark Ghost', but I actually regret its introductions because I previously announced to maple aficionados that I was done with more inclusions into the “Ghost series,” that I was now “post-ghost” and I should have left well-enough alone. Note that 'Dark Ghost' appeared about 20 years later than the others, and I now feel that I belittled the others, but too late to undo.

Acer palmatum seedlings from ghost cultivars

Acer palmatum seedlings from ghost cultivars

Acer palmatum seedlings from ghost cultivars

The following four introductions are by far the most commercially successful: Acer palmatums 'Grandma Ghost', 'Sister Ghost', 'Purple Ghost' and 'Amber Ghost'. Note that when I previously gave my approximate date of introduction, the original seedlings themselves were “discovered” five-to-nine years prior to the first commercial offering. If you set a seedling of interest aside for further evaluation, the tree must still impress you later...when you decide to name and propagate it. Remember my admonition that a final cultivar name should be established prior to propagation to avoid confusion later. Then, the market will decide if one should continue with it.

The original Acer palmatum 'Purple Ghost'

The above four cultivars arose at the same time and are daughters of the same mother Acer palmatum 'Kasagi yama'. At one point, what is now 'Purple Ghost' used to be called 'Kasag DG-92', and that's because of the parent’s name beginning, while “DG-92” meant that the original tree was (and still is) planted in the Display Garden, and grounded in 1992.

Acer palmatum 'Grandma Ghost'

Acer palmatum 'Grandma Ghost'

Acer palmatum 'Grandma Ghost'

Acer palmatum 'Grandma Ghost' displays delicious foliage, and it's especially fun to watch the leaves evolve throughout the seasons – slow-motion magic. In the Vertrees/Gregory Japanese Maples (2009), the description begins: “A small to medium-sized tree, this cultivar is one of the Ghost Series of netted variegates from the Buchholz and Buchholz Nursery, Oregon,” then ends with “It needs protection from the afternoon sun.” I take the admonition as a suggestion only, for I have seen trees in full sun also. But all maples appreciate some afternoon shade, as do plantspeople too.

Acer palmatum 'Sister Ghost'

Acer palmatum 'Sister Ghost'

Acer palmatum 'Sister Ghost' evokes lovely friendship in the garden, and I imagine all the other trees admire her feminine charm. She can look fresh all summer if well-sited (some shade) and provided adequate moisture. The cultivar is rather vigorous when grown in our white-poly greenhouses, and branches spread laterally, about three times in width versus height. Autumn color ranges from a marmalade hue to vibrant red, and on a particular tree the color show is not predictable from year to year, at least in my experience.

Acer palmatum 'Purple Ghost'

Acer palmatum 'Purple Ghost'

Acer palmatum 'Purple Ghost' is the champion of the series in terms of commercial appeal, and thousands are now in American and European gardens. The claim in Japanese Maples: “'Purple Ghost' is a seedling of 'Shigitatsu sawa', with the probable pollen parent of 'Kasagi yama'.” is not probably not, but definitely not correct.

Sam Hatch and Talon in front of Acer palmatum 'Purple Ghost'

'Purple Ghost' is a vigorous selection, growing into a dense, broad canopy, and it made a great row-run crop when we used to produce it in the field. Note that a specimen growing in a friend's garden, Sam Hatch – the “Maple Lady,” is already larger than the original tree in our Display Garden. I have preached many times before that horticultural production frequently produces a superior product than the (usually) abnormal original plant, and I never consider the latter to be the prototype when providing descriptions. Thankfully the 'Kasag DG-92' name has been dropped in favor of 'Purple Ghost', although some with the code name were released before I made amends.

Acer palmatum 'Amber Ghost'

Acer palmatum 'Amber Ghost'

Acer palmatum 'Amber Ghost'

The original Acer palmatum 'Amber Ghost' is also growing at Iroki Garden in New York, if I recall its history correctly. Most growers who produce the cultivar would rank its form and vigor at number one, and I suppose that is why I did also. However it's subjective to argue that it is superior to 'Purple Ghost' and the others.

One attribute of 'Amber Ghost' that I find fun and rewarding is its propensity as a mother tree to produce a plethora of off-spring with a wide variety of sizes and shapes. Leaf colors range from near 'Amber Ghost' duplicates, to laceleafs, strange talon-looking shapes, dwarves etc. The partial list below illustrates a mother's pride with her own fecundity:

Acer palmatum 'Sweet Lorraine'

Acer palmatum 'Sweet Lorraine'

Acer palmatum 'Sweet Lorraine'

Acer palmatum 'Blonde Beauty'

Acer palmatum 'Blonde Beauty'

Acer palmatum 'Shu shidare'

Acer palmatum 'Shu shidare'

Acer palmatum 'Strawberry Spring'

Acer palmatum 'Mini Lace'

Acer palmatum 'Mini Lace'

Acer palmatum 'Jubilee'

Acer palmatum 'Waveleaf'

Acer palmatum 'Bloody Talons'

Acer palmatum 'Bloody Talons'

There you have it. I've done my duty, but with the caveat that it's the best of my recollection. I'm humbled that my career was punctuated with the development of these maples. But I know, I know, Flora herself would like to take the credit.

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The Buchholz Plant Introduction-logue to be continued...