Japanese Maple
Acer palmatum
A deciduous shrub or small tree known for its elegant, deeply lobed leaves that display vibrant red, orange, or purple coloration, particularly in autumn.
- Light
- Partial shade to full sun, about 4 to 6 hours of direct sunlight daily with afternoon shade in hot climates.
- Water
- Water deeply when the top few inches of soil become dry. Drought tolerance is low to moderate once established; avoid prolonged dry spells.
- Growth
- Perennial woody deciduous tree or large shrub, typically growing to a mature height of 15 to 25 feet with a rounded or umbrella-shaped canopy and moderate growth rate.
Care instructions
Provide partial shade to full sun with protection from harsh afternoon winds. Water deeply and regularly, keeping the soil evenly moist but never waterlogged. Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring.
Growing details
Sunlight
Partial shade to full sun, about 4 to 6 hours of direct sunlight daily with afternoon shade in hot climates.
Watering
Water deeply when the top few inches of soil become dry. Drought tolerance is low to moderate once established; avoid prolonged dry spells.
Soil
Well-draining, loamy or sandy soil rich in organic matter, with a slightly acidic to neutral pH range of 5.5 to 6.5.
Hardiness zone
USDA hardiness zones 5 through 8
Growth habit
Perennial woody deciduous tree or large shrub, typically growing to a mature height of 15 to 25 feet with a rounded or umbrella-shaped canopy and moderate growth rate.
Bloom season
Spring, featuring small, inconspicuous reddish-purple flowers grouped in small clusters.
Propagation
Propagated primarily through softwood cuttings taken in summer or by grafting desirable cultivars onto seedling rootstocks in late winter.
Common pests & issues
Susceptible to verticillium wilt, leaf scorch from intense sun or wind, and occasionally aphids or scale insects. Prevent by maintaining proper watering and avoiding overhead irrigation.
Similar species
Fullmoon maple (Acer japonicum) and Amur maple (Acer ginnala), which can be distinguished by differences in leaf lobe count, depth of lobing, and margin serration.