Acer palmatum Crimson Princess - Japanese Maple

The Acer palmatum 'Crimson Princess' is a variety of Japanese maple belonging to the dissectum group, which presents typical features: a horizontally spreading habit with cascading trailing branches and deeply lobed and finely cut foliage. Similar to 'Crimson Prince', it stands out for its more intense and changing leaf colour. The leaves emerge deep purple in spring, then evolve to brick red and bronze-green in summer before turning bright red in autumn. Compact and slow-growing, it is an excellent choice for a large pot on the patio or for a small garden with little direct light. Plant it in a sheltered spot with afternoon sun in rich, light, moist, and slightly acidic soil.

Native to eastern China, Korea, and Japan, the Acer palmatum is the origin of numerous horticultural varieties that compete in beauty. The Japanese palmate maple belongs, like all maples, to the Aceraceae family. It is relatively hardy but dislikes dry and cold winds, scorching exposures, and dry and chalky soils. The 'Crimson Princess' cultivar shows a relatively slow growth like other Japanese maples but proves to be particularly robust. It has a spreading habit and trailing branches. Depending on the growing conditions, it will reach a maximum of 3 m (10ft) in all directions. Its palmate leaves are divided into 7-9 well-separated lobes, finely toothed. Inconspicuous flowering occurs in May-June. The flowers, grouped in small clusters, sometimes produce winged fruits called samaras, measuring 3 cm (1in) long.

The Acer palmatum 'Crimson Princess', with its beautiful foliage and natural elegance, stands out in the garden or when planted in containers on a patio. Extremely decorative from spring to autumn, it deserves a prominent place. The Japanese maple is not strictly a heathland plant, but it prefers soils rich in humus and not too dry. Chinese azaleas, andromedas, hydrangeas, wild camellias, ferns, and heathers will be its most beautiful companions. It can also be trained into a magnificent bonsai in a shallow pot. Combine several varieties of Japanese maples to vary leaf colours and structures, the effect is always stunning at the end of the season. The red, purple, and copper tones blend beautifully with shrubs with golden foliage like false cypresses or the blue-toned foliage of certain large hostas.