Acer palmatum Acer palmatum

Common Name(s):

Japanese Maple
Japanese Maple Cultivars

Phonetic Spelling

AY-ser pahl-MAY-tum

Description

The Japanese maple is a short tree of the Aceraceae family native to eastern Asia, 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. (for weeping varieties see: Acer palmatum 'dissectum'). Young leavesof this species are sensitive to frost and are not drought tolerant. Most cultivars are grafted and can be grown as single or multistemmed small tree. They may suffer leaf scorch with excess sun, wind, or drought. This tree is mildly resistant to damage by deer.

Also see cultivar Acer palmatum 'Sango-kaku'

Growth Rate: Slow to moderate

Form: Low; dense, rounded top; spreading branches; assumes a layered look

Texture: Medium to fine

Site: Light, dappled shade; evenly moist, well-drained soil; protect from drying winds

Cultivars:

Bloodgood - grafted plant
Burgundy Lace - grafted plant
Higasayama - grafted plant (pink leaf margins)
Moonfire - grafted plant
Novum - grafted plant
Redleaf
Sango Kaku - grafted plant (coral twigs)

Tags:

#purple #red #deciduous #orange #shrub #purple leaves #tree #maple #fall colors #red leaves #bonsai #yellow leaves #tsc #understory tree #dappled shade #cpp #samara #bronze leaves

Acer Palmatum samaras Bri Weldon CC BY - 2.0

Acer palmatum 'Crimson Queen' full tree Jim Lawrence CC BY-NC-ND - 4.0

Acer palmatum 'green cascade' leaf Jim Lawrence CC BY-NC-ND - 4.0

Cultivars:

Bloodgood - grafted plant
Burgundy Lace - grafted plant
Higasayama - grafted plant (pink leaf margins)
Moonfire - grafted plant
Novum - grafted plant
Redleaf
Sango Kaku - grafted plant (coral twigs)

Tags:

#purple #red #deciduous #orange #shrub #purple leaves #tree #maple #fall colors #red leaves #bonsai #yellow leaves #tsc #understory tree #dappled shade #cpp #samara #bronze leaves

Attributes:
Genus:

Acer

Species:

palmatum

Life Cycle:

Woody

Recommended Propagation Strategy:

Grafting

Country Or Region Of Origin:

Asia: Japan, China, Korea, eastern Mongolia, southeastern Russia

Play Value:

Sound

Wildlife Enhancement

Wind Shimmer

Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):

This tree is mildly resistant to damage by deer.

Dimensions:

Height: 15 ft. 0 in. - 25 ft. 0 in.

Width: 10 ft. 0 in. - 25 ft. 0 in.

Whole Plant Traits:
Plant Type:

Shrub

Tree

Leaf Characteristics:

Deciduous

Habit/Form:

Dense

Rounded

Spreading

Growth Rate:

Slow

Texture:

Fine

Cultural Conditions:
Light:

Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)

Soil Drainage:

Good Drainage

Usda Plant Hardiness Zone:

5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b

Fruit:
Fruit Type:

Samara

Flower:
Flower Color:

Gold/Yellow

Purple/Lavender

Red/Burgundy

Flower Description:

Flowers are small and red to purple. They are attractive if viewed closely but insignificant from a distance.

Leaves:
Leaf Characteristics:

Deciduous

Leaf Color:

Gold/Yellow

Green

Purple/Lavender

Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:

Gold/Yellow

Purple/Lavender

Red/Burgundy

Leaf Type:

Simple

Leaf Arrangement:

Opposite

Leaf Margin:

Lobed

Hairs Present:

No

Leaf Length:

3-6 inches

Leaf Description:

Leaves are 2 to 5 in., opposite, and simple with 5 to 9 lobes. Most are deeply lobed. Their color varies from green during summer to yellow, bronze, purple to red fall color (however, color varies with cultivar).