Lace-leaf Japanese Maple Acer palmatum 'Seiryu'

The Japanese maple is a short tree in the maple family (Sapindaceae), 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.

‘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 is very ornamental with leaves being red-tipped in spring then gold in fall. 

It prefers well-drained, acidic, humusy soils in full sun to partial shade. In hot summer areas, it will do best with afternoon shade to prevent leaf scorch.

Use in an Asian garden, in small spaces, 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.

More information on Acer palmatum.