Lace-leaf Japanese Maple Acer palmatum 'Seiryu'
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Acer palmatum var. dissectum 'Seiryu'
- Phonetic Spelling
- AY-ser pahl-MAY-tum
- Description
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The Japanese maple is a short tree in the maple family (Sapindaceae), native to southeast Korea and central and south Japan. Genus name is Latin for sharp in and palmatum means shaped like a hand referring to the shape of the leaves.
‘Seiryu’ or Lace-leaf Japanese maple is the only dissected form of Japanese maple that has an upright habit, growing 10 to 15 feet high and 8 to 12 feet wide. It prefers well-drained, acidic, humusy soils in full sun to partial shade. Provide afternoon shade in hot summer areas to prevent leaf scorch.
The lacey ornamental leaves are red-tipped in spring, green in the summer and gold in the fall. Insignificant flowers in spring are followed by winged samas.
Use in an Asian garden, in small spaces, in containers or as a specimen.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Aphids, scale, maple worms, leafrollers, and leafhoppers are occasional pests. Anthracnose, leaf scorch, and frost damage, especially from late frosts, can occur. It self-seeds easily so can spread and become weedy in the landscape.
The Clemson Cooperative Extension Home and Garden Information Center has a factsheet on common maple diseases and insect pests.
VIDEO Created by Elizabeth Meyer for "Trees, Shrubs and Conifers" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Japanese Garden at JC Raulston Arboretum
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Acer
- Species:
- palmatum
- Family:
- Sapindaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Grafting
- Stem Cutting
- Dimensions:
- Height: 10 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 8 ft. 0 in. - 12 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Vase
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- High
- Medium
- Texture:
- Fine
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 6-feet-12 feet
- 12-24 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 8a, 8b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Samara
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Red/Burgundy
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Insignificant
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Description:
- Small reddish flowers in spring
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Red/Burgundy
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Red/Burgundy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Shape:
- Pinnatisect
- Leaf Margin:
- Lobed
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- The lacy deeply dissected leaves are up to 2 inches long. In spring they are tipped with red, change to green then have yellow, red or orange tones in the fall.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Lawn
- Patio
- Small Space
- Walkways
- Landscape Theme:
- Asian Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Small Tree
- Specimen
- Problems:
- Weedy
