Coral Bark Japanese Maple Acer palmatum 'Sango-kaku'

The Japanese maple is a short tree in the Sapindaceae (maple) family, native to southeast Korea and central and south Japan, and noted for having many aesthetically pleasing forms. Weeping as well as upright varieties exist, and the species is well noted for its beautiful deep red and orange summer color that deepens into the fall.

Acer is Latin for sharp in and palmatum means shaped like a hand referring to the shape of the leaves.

Coral Bark Japanese maple is a slow to moderate growing small to medium-sized woody tree that produces coral red winter bark.  Plant it in full sun to modest shade, in moist, well-drained soil.  It tolerates a range of soil types including sand and heavy clay.  The foliage will retain a light green-yellow color through spring and summer and in the fall it will turn bright yellow. The color intensifies in cold weather to almost salmon and though produces its best color in full sun, new foliage may scorch. This cultivar is drought tolerant. 

Plant it in a garden that needs winter interest or in a small space, courtyard, patio, or Asian garden.  It is occasionally called called ‘Corallinum’. 

VIDEO Created by Elizabeth Meyer for "Trees, Shrubs and Conifers" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.

More information on Acer palmatum.