Acer palmatum 'Ojishi'

Common Name: Ojishi Japanese Maple

Like ‘Shishigashira,’ the Female Lion’s Head Japanese Maple, this cultivar, named for the mythological male lion of Japanese drama, displays short branches loaded with small, densely packed, rich green leaves. They produce a sculptural quality that seems to develop features, so when the foliage turns burnt orange-gold in fall, a lion’s head and mane are easy to imagine. The leaves are slightly larger and less crinkled than ‘Shishigashira,’ with a red margin on the spring flush. Use this superb cultivar for small areas and for bonsai culture. (Iseli Nursery)