Acer palmatum, also known as the Japanese maple, is a series of Japanese and wider Asian origin. The many different varieties, including deciduous shrubs and small trees, offer beautiful colour and shape of foliage, particularly in the autumn when shades of burnished gold, blood orange and deep purple are on show. Typically low maintenance and easy to grow, Acer palmatum varieties create dramatic impact in gardens of all sizes as feature plants in lawns, borders or as single specimens in a large container.
Acer palmatum Varieties
Acer palmatum ‘Beni-maiko’
Sun requirements: Full sun to partial shade
Soil: Any well-drained soil – acidic needed to thrive
Hardiness: Fully hardy (to -20 °C or below)
Size: Grows to 3m height x 3m spread
Acer palmatum Bloodgood
Sun requirements: Full sun to partial shade
Soil: Any well-drained soil – acidic needed to thrive
Hardiness: Fully hardy (to -20 °C or below)
Size: Grows to 4m x 4m spread
Acer palmatum Emerald Lace
Sun requirements: Full sun to partial shade
Soil: Any well-drained soil – acidic needed to thrive
Hardiness: Fully hardy (to -20 °C or below)
Size: Grows to 4m height x 4m spread
Acer palmatum Butterfly
Sun requirements: Partial shade
Soil: Any well-drained soil – acidic needed to thrive
Hardiness: Fully hardy (to -20 °C or below)
Size: Grows to 4m height to 1.5m spread
Acer palmatum Katsura
Sun requirements: Full sun to partial shade
Soil: Any well drained soil – acidic needed to thrive
Hardiness: Fully hardy (to -20 °C or below)
Size: Grows to 4m height and 4m spread
Acer palmatum Orange Dream
Sun requirements: Full sun to partial shade
Soil: Any well drained soil – acidic needed to thrive
Hardiness: Fully hardy (to -20 °C or below)
Size: Grows to 3m height x 3m spread
Acer palmatum Sango-kaku
Sun requirements: Full sun to partial shade
Soil: Any well drained soil – acidic needed to thrive
Hardiness: Fully hardy (to -20 °C or below)
Size: Grows to 6m height x 5m spread
Acer palmatum Shaina
Sun requirements: Full sun to partial shade
Soil: Any well drained soil – acidic needed to thrive
Hardiness: Fully hardy (to -20 °C or below)
Size: Grows to 4m height x 4m spread
Acer palmatum Wilson’s Pink Dwarf
Sun requirements: Full sun to partial shade
Soil: Any well-drained soil – acidic needed to thrive
Hardiness: Fully hardy (to -20 °C or below)
Size: Grows to 1.5m height x 1m spread
Growing Guide
Planting
Acers can be planted through the autumn and winter months and prefer a sunny location where they can be sheltered from harsh winds.
Watering
Water your plant well before planting. Whether you are planting in a border or container, ensure the space for the plant is as deep as the pot you bought it in. Carefully remove the plant from its container and position in the hole ensuring it is sitting straight, then back fill with a good quality multi-purpose compost. Acers do best in acidic soil. When planting in a container in particular include a mixture of ericaceous compost.
Keep it well watered during the first year, especially during any dry spells.
Hillier tip: Acers often do a large growth spurt in early spring, so give them a feed at this time to support their growth.
Pruning
The ideal time for pruning is during the dormant season between December and February, this will help you avoid weakening your plant as Acers are susceptible to bleeding. Offer your Acers a light prune to discard any damaged or dead shoots.
Hillier tip: Timing is important when it comes to pruning your Acer. If you look at the plant and see the leaf buds starting to swell then you can prune back to a strong bud to promote growth. This is most often in late February to early March.
Planting Ideas
Acer palmatum varieties make fantastic lawn specimens, simply planted in a good and relatively sheltered spot within your lawn.
If you are positioning them in your borders, try under planting with shade loving plants such as Hostas, Heucheras and Heucherella.
Alternatively they also make beautiful container plants positioned on a patio in a large pot.
If you are inspired by the simplicity of Japanese gardens, Acer palmatum varieties associate fantastically with careful use of stones, water and rocks. This can easily be done on a small scale if you do not have room for a large area of water.
Acer palmatum Fact
When growing conditions permit, certain varieties can comfortably live to more than 100 years old.
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