Acer palmatum
Japanese maple
Common names: Fächerahorn
Photo: Kurt Stüber [1] · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Source
This description was machine-translated.
Description
The Japanese maple (Acer palmatum) is a delicate dwarf shrub with finely cut, hand-shaped leaves that blaze in bright red, orange, or yellow in autumn. It grows slowly and remains compact even after many years, making it ideal for small gardens, containers, and front yards. In late spring, inconspicuous, small reddish flowers appear, providing a welcome food source for insects. Cultivars such as 'Atropurpureum' or 'Dissectum' add deep red or finely dissected foliage to the garden.
Care instructions
Plant the Japanese maple in a partially shaded, wind‑protected spot, as full midday sun and drafts can quickly brown the delicate leaf edges. The soil should be humus‑rich, loose, and kept evenly moist; the plant does not tolerate waterlogging. Water regularly during the first few years and on hot summer days, and apply a mulch layer to retain moisture around the roots. Prune only when necessary in late autumn or winter to avoid bleeding wounds, removing only dead or crossing branches. Young plants benefit from light protection in their first winter with a layer of leaf litter or frost cloth around the base of the trunk.
Soil & site
Soil pH
Soil type
well-drained, humus-rich, loamy, lime-avoiding
Feeding
Light feeder
Pruning
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