Acer palmatum - Japanese Maple

The Acer palmatum, also known as the Japanese maple, is a bush appreciated for its palmate leaves, stunning with a beautiful tender green that dazzles in autumn.

Originally from eastern China, Korea and Japan, this hardy Japanese maple forms a spread, rounded crown, with young branches covered in brown bark. It develops beautiful deciduous leaves, tender green, opposite, palmate, 5 to 10cm (3.9 in) long, divided into 5 to 9 toothed lobes, which turn into gorgeous shades of orange-red in autumn. The beautiful red flowers grouped in small clusters in April are insignificant, but the red fruits with curved wings, 3cm (1.2 in) long, create interest from September onwards.

The Acer palmatum grows best in acidic, fertile and well-drained soil, in a semi-shaded and sheltered position from cold and dry winds. High temperatures cause leaf burn, which can lead to the leaves dropping quickly. Mulch, water and shower the foliage on hot evenings. Winter pruning is limited to balancing the branches. Treat against scale insects and verticillium wilt.

The Acer palmatum is ideal as a standalone tree on a shaded short grass meadow or as shade in heather beds accompanied by azaleas, pieris, rhododendrons and heathers. It can also form a magnificent bonsai.