Japanese Lanceleaf Maple Acer palmatum var. dissectum
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- A. palmatum f. palmatididum
- Phonetic Spelling
- AY-ser pahl-MAY-tum dis-SEK-tum
- Description
-
Japanese lanceleaf maple is an attractive deciduous shrub or small tree with a low spreading shape and distinctly divided lacey leaves. It is in the Sapindaceae family, and it is native to Japan, Korea, and China. The size and leaf colors vary greatly with cultivars. 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. 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.
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.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: It is subject to no serious insect or disease problems. Young leaves that emerge in early spring can be subject to frost damage. High pH soils cause chlorosis.
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 landscapes:
- Part Shade Garden Patio Room Part Shade Garden Asian Garden- Zen Garden Part Shade Garden Asian Garden- Zen Garden Part Shade Garden Japanese Shade Garden
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Crimson Queen'
- 'Ever Red'
Deep maroon - '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'
- 'Crimson Queen', 'Ever Red', 'Green Mist', 'Inaba Shidara', 'Ornatum', 'Red Filigree Lace', 'Seiryu', 'Tamukeyama', 'Virdis', 'Waterfall' - green leaves
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Crimson Queen'
- 'Ever Red'
Deep maroon - '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'
- 'Crimson Queen', 'Ever Red', 'Green Mist', 'Inaba Shidara', 'Ornatum', 'Red Filigree Lace', 'Seiryu', 'Tamukeyama', 'Virdis', 'Waterfall' - green leaves
- Tags:
-
-
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: 8 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 10 ft. 0 in. - 12 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Shrub
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Rounded
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Medium
- Texture:
- Fine
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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:
- 5b, 5a, 6b, 6a, 7b, 7a, 8b, 8a
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Fruit:
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Samara
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-
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.
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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.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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-
Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Patio
- Small Space
- Walkways
- Landscape Theme:
- Fairy Garden
- Nighttime Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Rock Garden
- Water Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Border
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Moths
- Pollinators
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Rabbits
