First, it's entirely possible the plants are mislabeled. Even coming tagged direct from the grower, it is an all too frequent occurrence. It's just human error - unfortunate but understandable. Second, as a nurseryperson myself, I can attest to the fact that the same trees/shrubs coming from different growers may have remarkably different appearances.

Having said that, the leaves in the last photo do not seem to be from Shindeshojo. They DO look too deeply lobed and there should only be 5 lobes. I can't see the pic clearly enough to confirm or contradict that count. And bark appearance is not necessarily that much of an ID factor - that can be influenced by growing conditions.

What's funny is that even on the nametag of Shindeshojo, it shows it with 7 lobes, lol. So it's a total mess up apparently. It's too bad, because I like the tree...but I don't really want to buy it without knowing what cultivar it even is.

With that said, can Shindeshojo take full sun? I've read some people say that because it leafs out early, they aren't the strongest plants in the north. I live in PA, in zone 6, but I have to say these last few winters have been ROUGH.

yup it not deshojo only have small leaf and it fat with 5 lobe. i have 3 of them i know what they look like.

Those little 'tails' on either side of where the petiole attaches to the leaf don't really count as lobes, so the photo tag may be ok. And Shindeshojo is very sun tolerant but I can't speak to how early it may begin to leaf out in your area or how your winters may affect that.

it might be different kind but it Shindeshojo mine i use for bonsai and it only have 5 lobe and i cut the leaf 2 x a year and my leaf only the size of my thumb 1 inch maybe

Alright, so it's safe to say it is not Shindeshojo, does anyone want to take a guess what it might be?

If grown for bonsai, the size leaf will NOT be typical for a tree grown in the ground. Typically the leaves will be about 2-2.5" in size. And if you look at all photos of 5 lobed Palmatum Group JM's, you will clearly see evidence of those little tails. They are not considered actual lobes. Also, newly emerging leaves may have a slightly different appearance than a more mature leaf - it is the difference between juvenile and adult foliage and nearly all cultivars of JM's exhibit this kind of growth, especially when young. Is it the second, larger tree that is in question? The coloring doesn't look quite right for Shindeshojo nor does the leaf sample you show. But I am not prepared to say with certainty that it is not just based on photographs.

With some 900 registered cultivars, many of which have very similar physical characteristics, even Japanese maple experts are reluctant to commit to an ID unless it is glaringly obvious. And this is not.

Agreed-- the leafed out trees you have pictured are not Shindeshojo. Hard to say what they are when they look so similar to many of the red uprights out there.

I've spent a long while this spring investigating the hardiness of Shindeshojo, because I'd like to plant one in-ground in a prominent spot in my 5b garden. I spoke with Diana at Topiary Gardens, who has an entire Japanese maple nursery in zone 5a. She was very helpful. She said Shindeshojo is a cultivar that does well for her in 5a when it's planted in a sheltered location, but it has some tip dieback when it's out in an open field. Both of her large Shindeshojos have been through the past couple of brutal northern winters, so I trust her experience when she says it's hardy. I'm going to plant it.

She also said Shin Chishio, (aka Chishio Improved) is not as hardy as Shindeshojo, and shows twiggier growth.

Finally, she suggested protecting young trees like Shindeshojo in the winter by giving them some wind protection. I put a loose plastic tube around my young Shindeshojo this winter, and it did fine in a pot (!!) here in 5b. Granted, I'd put some bubble wrap and hay around the pot, but still.... it's pretty hardy if it can make it through winter in a pot here in 5b.

As for sun exposure, I'd guess it can take quite a bit up in PA. I'm going to be planting mine in an area where it will get sun until mid to late afternoon.

Thanks all for the info. Yes I live in South Central PA, but I would be closing a location that is relatively open and unsheltered. How does one protect a tree like that from winter winds? I mean I understand protecting the main trunk but how would you protect an entire 5' tree?

She said you'll need to protect them less as they get older-- remember, she's in 5a, which is really borderline for JMs, and her unsheltered tree is growing in a field. I'd think a 5' tree in an open area in your zone would probably be fine. If you're nervous you could put it somewhere where it won't get direct north or north/west wind, but in zone 6 I wouldn't worry as much. My Shindeshojo is very young (only about 2' tall), so I'll be wrapping it with burlap for the next several winters.

Could any of you that are more knowledgeable on JMs help me out and click on the link below? This is the nursery where that Japanese maple comes from. The link shows the JMs that they sell. So I know that it's gotta be one of those.

http://www.bountiful-farms.com/catalog.html?0=japanese

Could any of you click that and tell me which JM it might be based on the above pics and looking at the cultivars they have available?

Thank you!

Don't hold me to it, but my first choice would be 'Skeeter's Broom', followed by 'Chishio Improved', based on the color and the deeply incised 5-7 lobed foliage.

Yeah gardengal, I was thinking Skeeter's broom as my #1 choice, and possibly "Shaina" as the next most likely...

Thanks!

I'm not sure about 'Shaina'.......I didn't notice any tufting or bunching of the foliage. But It is a possibility.

Suminagashi for me....you'll know if the smaller one is Shin deshojo or not straight away,it will always leaf out a spectacular bright red or pink,nothing like the larger one shown here