Typically, the Japanese maple - regardless of whether it is green or red Japanese maple - has filigree, palmately fanned leaves that can be lobed or very heavily slit. In autumn, the rather small, shrub-like growing exotic shows impressive autumn colors. In this profile you can find out more about the fascinating ornamental tree.
What is a Japanese maple?
The Japanese maple (Acer palmatum) is a small, shrub-like tree with filigree, palmately fanned leaves. It comes from Japan, China and Korea, grows up to 3-4 meters high and shows an impressive color in autumn that varies from intense red to orange-red.
The Japanese maple – the most important information at a glance
- Botanical name: Acer palmatum
- Genus: Maples (Acer)
- Family: Sapindaceae
- Origin and distribution: Japan, China, Korea
- Location: sunny to partially shaded
- Soil: fresh humus or sandy soil, slightly acidic to neutral
- Growth: broad bushy shrub or small tree
- Growth height: up to 15 meters in its homeland, much smaller here
- Flowering and flowering time: red flower clusters between May to June
- Fruit: winged nuts arranged in pairs
- Leaves: green or red depending on the variety
- Autumn color: intense red to orange-red (depending on sunlight)
- Propagation: Cuttings
- Winter hardiness: hardy
- Toxicity: no
- Use: Ornamental plant in garden or pot
- Similar species: Japanese maple (Acer japonicum), golden maple (Acer shirasawanum)
Filigree Japanese maple fits in (almost) every garden
The Japanese maple has pretty, up to 20 centimeters long, deeply slotted or lobed leaves that - depending on the variety - are either green or red. Red Japanese maple, the 'Atropurpureum' variety is particularly popular, impresses in summer with picturesque bronze-purple leaves, whose color changes to a rich red in autumn. When it comes to green varieties, 'Ozakazuki' is particularly popular. The trees grow quite slowly and reach a height of up to three or four meters, although various dwarf varieties are also available commercially. The latter in particular are ideal for growing in containers. Depending on the sunlight, the summer green (or red) leaves turn bright orange to deep red in autumn.
Japanese maple for every taste
The Japanese maple is sometimes available to gardeners under the name 'Slotted maple', although it is also Acer palmatum. However, there are other Japanese maples that are very similar to the Japanese maple. These include, among others, the Japanese maple (Acer japonicum), which is native to the mountains of Hokkaido and Honshu, and the very rare golden maple (Acer shirasawanum). In this country, these three species are often summarized under the general term “Japanese maple”.
Tip
Traditionally, the Japanese maple heralds autumn in Japan, and it is also very often used in the ancient art of bonsai.