Japanese Maples
Japanese Maples (Acer palmatum ) is a deciduous shrub or small tree reaching heights of 18 – 30 ft, often growing as an understory plant in shady woodlands. There are cultivars suitable for most cultural situations, including sun, shade, container growing, and bonsai. The majority do well between USDA zones 5 and 9. Japanese maples are small enough to fit into most gardens, and although they cannot be grown as houseplants, they will thrive in a pot on a patio. It may have multiple trunks joining close to the ground. In habit, it is often shaped like an upside-down pyramid (especially when younger) or takes on a dome-like form, especially when mature. The leaves are 4–12 cm long and wide, palmately lobed with five, seven, or nine acutely pointed lobes. The flowers are produced in small cymes, the individual flowers with five red or purple sepals and five whitish petals.
Japanese Maples have been grown in temperate areas around the world since the 1800s and has been cultivated in Japan for centuries. Numerous cultivars are readily available commercially and are a popular item at garden centers and other retail stores in Europe and North America. Red-leafed cultivars are the most popular, followed by cascading green shrubs with deeply dissected leaves. It is also a popular and appropriate choice for bonsai enthusiasts and has been used throughout the history of the art.
24″ Box – $200 – $250