There is no such thing as THE Japanese maple. The species, which comes from Asia, is also represented in many varieties in this country. This point is crucial when it comes to describing the leaves. The shape and size are very similar, but the variety determines the play of colors.
What do Japanese maple leaves look like?
The Japanese maple (Acer palmatum) from Japan hashand-shaped, filigree leavesDepending on the variety, they are lobed several times to very heavily slit and often sawn at the edge. The color of the leaves can also vary depending on the varietydifferent shadesand changes with the seasons.
Is Japanese maple deciduous?
Yes, the Japanese maple sheds all of its leaves in autumn. That's why the tree is by no means boring. The bare, beautifully arranged branches also have a decorative value and are partly reddish in color.
When do the new leaves emerge in spring?
The leaves of the Japanese maple usually beginin April or May, depending on the location and variety. By June the Japanese maple will be completely leafy in the garden or park. The leaves emerge almost simultaneously with flowering. A few varieties sprout much earlier, for example 'Ukigumo', which comes back to life in February.
Which Japanese maple has the most beautiful leaf coloring?
As we all know, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. The following list of the colors of some varieties will make this more than clear.
‘Butterfly’
- Spring: pink
- Summer: green, creamy white edge
- Autumn: deep red
‘Golden Treasure’
- Spring: yellow-green
- Summer: lemon yellow
- Autumn: dark yellow with red spots
‘Herhaim’
- Summer: green
- Autumn: golden yellow
- Winter: bright red branches
‘Jerry Schwartz’
- Spring: pink to red
- Summer: purple-red, then greening, finally bronze-colored
- Autumn: scarlet
‘Koto-no-ito’
- Summer: yellow-green, red stem
- Autumn: yellow-orange to purple
‘Mizuho beni’
- Spring: yellow-orange, pink edge
- Summer: green-yellow
- Autumn: Mix of different shades of yellow, red and orange
‘Oregon Sunset’
- Spring: light red
- Summer: increasingly dark red to violet
- Autumn: bright orange-red
‘Phoenix’
- Spring: rose red to pink
- Summer: increasingly greenish from the middle
- Autumn: yellow-orange to red
‘Purple Ghost’
- Spring: purple-red, black leaf veins
- Summer: brighter, redder
- Autumn: strong orange, sometimes bright red
‘Tsumagaki’
- Spring: light yellow-green, edges and tips red
- Summer: lush green
- Autumn: intense red
‘Ukigumo’
- Spring: pale pink
- Summer: rich green, white and pink marbling
- Autumn: orange and gold tones
Are Japanese maple leaves edible?
Maple is generally considered edible, and not just the leaves. But the Japanese maple is far too beautiful to be eaten. In this country it is used exclusively as an ornament. In Japan, where it is widespread, its leaves and shoots are traditionally eaten. If you want to try maple, go for the native species. In contrast to Japanese maples, these grow impressively large and offer a correspondingly large amount of leaf mass. For example, you can prepare young leaves like spinach.
Can I use the Japanese maple leaves as decoration?
Whether fresh or dried, the leaves of the Japanese maple are beautifully shaped and usually shine in strong autumn colors. Of course you can pick a few specimens to use astable decorations or for crafts.
Tip
Planting Japanese maple as a bee-friendly tree
Decorative foliage is important to the gardener. The Japanese maple flowers are (almost) overlooked. But not from the nectar-seeking bees! They are happy about its flowers, which appear early in the year.
