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Japanese Laceleaf Maple Acer palmatum var. dissectum

Previously known as:

  • A. palmatum f. palmatididum
Phonetic Spelling
AY-ser pahl-MAY-tum dis-SEK-tum
Description

The Japanese laceleaf maple is a short tree in the Sapindaceae (soapberry) 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 and palmatum means shaped like a hand, referring to the leaves.

Japanese laceleaf maple is an attractive deciduous shrub or small tree with a low spreading shape and distinctly divided lacy leaves.  The size and leaf colors vary greatly with cultivars.

This tree prefers moist, organically rich, slightly acidic, well-drained soils and grows well in sandy loams. Plant it in full sun to partial shade but where it will get some afternoon shade. Makes a good dappled shade understory plant.  

New foliage may scorch in full sun locations in hot summer areas, particularly if soils are not kept consistently moist. Mulch helps retain soil moisture and keep roots cool. Avoid hot and dry sites and protect from strong winds. Pruning is best kept to a minimum, but if needed should be done in late fall to mid-winter. Spring or summer pruning often results in significant bleeding.  

It works well as a specimen plant near a patio or entryway or planted in groups on the outskirts of a landscape or rock garden.

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. High pH soils cause chlorosis. See potential insect and disease problem fact sheets to the left.

The Clemson Cooperative Extension Home and Garden Information Center has a factsheet on common maple diseases and insect pests.

VIDEO created by Andy Pulte for “Landscape Plant Identification, Taxonomy and Morphology” a plant identification course offered by the Department of Plant Sciences, University of Tennessee.

 

More information on Acer palmatum.

Profile Video:
See this plant in the following landscapes:
Part Shade Garden, Durham County Mountain Ridge Top Garden - East Lawn and Lower Drive Border Asian Garden- Zen Garden Mountain Ridge Top Garden - North Lawn and Upper Drive Border Mountain Ridge Top Garden - North Woods Mountain Ridge Top Garden - West Lawn and Border Patio Room Japanese Shade Garden Koi Pond & Water Garden
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Crimson Queen'
  • 'Ever Red'
    Deep maroon
  • 'Garnet'
  • 'Green Mist'
  • 'Inaba Shidara'
    Large maroon leaves
  • 'Ornatum'
  • 'Red Filigree Lace'
    Finely cut lobes, purple-red color
  • 'Seiryu'
  • 'Tamukeyama'
  • 'Virdis'
  • 'Waterfall' - green leaves
'Crimson Queen', 'Ever Red', 'Garnet', 'Green Mist', 'Inaba Shidara', 'Ornatum', 'Red Filigree Lace', 'Seiryu', 'Tamukeyama', 'Virdis', 'Waterfall' - green leaves
Tags:
#weeping#deciduous#small tree#water garden#specimen#purple leaves#slow growing#red leaves#feathery leaves#showy leaves#low maintenance#fall interest#large shrub#nighttime garden#copper leaves#pond garden#rock garden#self-seeding#pollinator plant#Japanese garden#Asian garden#larval host plant#deciduous tree#fall color red#fall color orange#imperial moth#container plant#weed#landscape plant sleuths course#wildlife friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Crimson Queen'
  • 'Ever Red'
    Deep maroon
  • 'Garnet'
  • 'Green Mist'
  • 'Inaba Shidara'
    Large maroon leaves
  • 'Ornatum'
  • 'Red Filigree Lace'
    Finely cut lobes, purple-red color
  • 'Seiryu'
  • 'Tamukeyama'
  • 'Virdis'
  • 'Waterfall' - green leaves
'Crimson Queen', 'Ever Red', 'Garnet', 'Green Mist', 'Inaba Shidara', 'Ornatum', 'Red Filigree Lace', 'Seiryu', 'Tamukeyama', 'Virdis', 'Waterfall' - green leaves
Tags:
#weeping#deciduous#small tree#water garden#specimen#purple leaves#slow growing#red leaves#feathery leaves#showy leaves#low maintenance#fall interest#large shrub#nighttime garden#copper leaves#pond garden#rock garden#self-seeding#pollinator plant#Japanese garden#Asian garden#larval host plant#deciduous tree#fall color red#fall color orange#imperial moth#container plant#weed#landscape plant sleuths course#wildlife friendly
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Acer
    Species:
    palmatum var. dissectum
    Family:
    Sapindaceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    Makes a good dappled shade understory plant.
    Life Cycle:
    Woody
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Japan, Korea, and China
    Wildlife Value:
    Members of the genus Acer support Imperial Moth (Eacles imperialis) larvae which have one brood per season and appear from April-October in the south. Adult Imperial Moths do not feed.
    Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
    Sandy loam soil
    Dimensions:
    Height: 6 ft. 0 in. - 12 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 9 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Shrub
    Tree
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Rounded
    Spreading
    Weeping
    Growth Rate:
    Slow
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Medium
    Texture:
    Fine
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
    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:
    High Organic Matter
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Available Space To Plant:
    6-feet-12 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Fruit Type:
    Samara
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Purple/Lavender
    Red/Burgundy
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Umbel
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Description:
    Small reddish-purple umbles in spring (April) give way to two-winged samaras which ripen in late summer to early fall. While the flowers are attractive close up, like most maples they are not showy from a distance.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Orange
    Purple/Lavender
    Red/Burgundy
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
    Orange
    Red/Burgundy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Opposite
    Leaf Margin:
    Dentate
    Lobed
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Palmately veined, green leaf (2-5" long) has 5 to 7 but less frequently 9 toothed lobes that are deeply cut to the base of the leaf. Dissectum means deeply cut in reference to the deeply cut, feathery nature of the leaves. Young leaves that emerge in early spring can be subject to frost damage.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Patio
    Small Space
    Walkways
    Landscape Theme:
    Asian Garden
    Fairy Garden
    Nighttime Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Rock Garden
    Water Garden
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Border
    Specimen
    Attracts:
    Moths
    Pollinators
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Rabbits
    Problems:
    Weedy