kashima

I have a couple of Japanese Maples that I'll need to protect from the harsh Texas summer heat (I only get afternoon sun at the moment). The only shade mesh I've found in stores was at Lowe's but it's way too much for what I need (price and quantity) and it also blocks about 75% of light, which I...

Is it advisable to pluck the flowers off a Kashima? I'm growing this particular Kashima in an aquatic basket to encourage root development, so I'm not exactly in the refinement stage, but I'm still interested in the best way to work with the species. Thoughts?

Just picked up this fat kashima palmatum. The top is a jumble of options, I plan on trying for some cuttings. I bought it with the intent of some sort of sumo, but I'm not sure how far I should take it down. Thoughts on where to cut? I'm not afraid of starting from a stump, as that was the...