Japanese Maple

Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum) is a shrub in the Sapindaceae family. It is mainly grown in partial shade, shade, in acidic, fertile, moist, humus-rich soil, with a mature size around 1 m to 3 m. Its to be confirmed flowering and hardiness to -20 deg C make it a plant to match carefully with place and purpose.

Botanical identity card

Acer palmatumIn-house reference record

Exposurepartial shade, shade

Soilacidic, fertile, moist, humus-rich, Lourd

Hardiness-20 deg C

Mature height1 m to 3 m

Spread2 m to 2,5 m

Floweringto be confirmed

Foliagedeciduous

Planting distance0.80 m

Garden usesArbre, shrub habit, Haies, container, balcony

Gardener calendar

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Planting
Flowering
Leaf season
Care

best period possible depending on climate

The Chatelain’s Eye

With japanese maple, refinement is not rarity but accuracy: the right place first, then the quiet gesture. For Arbre, shrub habit, Haies, a well-trained plant is worth more than a forced one.

– Les Jardins d’un Chatelain

Portrait

A tree of nuance and silhouette, precious in sheltered corners with soft light.

In a character garden, japanese maple is first used to build a scene: Arbre, shrub habit, Haies, container, balcony. The position should be chosen before purchase, because the plant performs better when light, soil and mature size agree.

The reference record points to partial shade, shade and acidic, fertile, moist, humus-rich soil. Respecting that match is the quiet economy of good gardening: fewer corrections, less water and cleaner pruning.

Notable varieties

Variety or form	Useful character	Garden situation
Acer palmatum ‘Asahi-zuru’	to be confirmed – Etalé – 1 m to 1,5 m	container, balcony, Etalé
Acer palmatum ‘Atropurpureum’	to be confirmed – Etalé – 1 m to 1,5 m	container, balcony, Etalé
Acer palmatum ‘Bi Hoo’	to be confirmed – shrub habit – 2 m to 2,5 m	Arbre, shrub habit, Haies
Acer palmatum ‘Bloodgood’	to be confirmed – Etalé – 1 m to 1,5 m	container, balcony, Etalé
Acer palmatum ‘Butterfly’	to be confirmed – Etalé – 1 m to 1,5 m	container, balcony, Etalé
Acer palmatum ‘Crispifolium’	to be confirmed – Etalé – 1 m to 1,5 m	container, balcony, Etalé

The Chatelain Method

01 – Observe

Observe

Protect from dry wind and scorching sun.

02 – Diagnose

Diagnose

Dry tips show water stress or a site that is too hot.

03 – Correct

Correct

Mulch, water regularly and keep soil cool.

04 – Prevent

Prevent

Avoid hard pruning; only remove dead wood.

Frequently asked questions

When should Japanese Maple be planted?

Use the calendar above as the first guide. Outside frost, heatwaves and waterlogged soil, planting works best while the ground is cool and workable.

Which exposure is best?

Japanese Maple prefers partial shade, shade. In hot climates, shelter from the harshest sun reduces stress.

What soil does it need?

The reference data points to acidic, fertile, moist, humus-rich soil. Improve the planting hole before planting rather than correcting later.

Is Japanese Maple hardy?

Available data indicates hardiness down to -20 deg C, to be adjusted for wind, winter wet and plant age.

Sources and further reading