Acer palmatum
Deciduous Tree

USDA Zones: 5 - 8
Light: sun - partial shade
Form: Rounded/Oval
Height:  20 feet
Width:  20 feet
Height at 20 years: 10 feet
Flower Colors: some varieties have deep red or purple leaves
Bloom Time: late spring
Special Features:
Attractive Foliage
Containers
Fall Color
Winter Interest

This versatile Japanese maple is popular for its fine-textured leaves and good fall color. The dissectum group has deeply-lobed leaves. The species grows 15 to 25 feet tall and wide, but smaller cultivars are available. It may be grown as a single-stemmed small tree or large multistemmed shrub. It can be used as a specimen, border shrub, container plant, and even bonsai.

Notable Varieties
Hundreds of cultivars are available, including the following:
'Bloodgood' is upright with large, leaves that are red in spring, purple in summer and crimson in autumn. The seeds have red wings.
Acer dissectum 'Filigree' has leaves edged with white and yellow, and gold fall color.
'Okagami' reaches 10 feet tall. New growth is reddish, turning dark red, then green, then red in fall.
'Waterfall' is slow-growing with cascading branches; it reaches 8 feet tall and 10. The fall color is yellow.

Care
Protect from strong wind and late spring frosts, and water well during dry periods. Provide shade, if possible, during hot weather. Mulch to keep the soil moist.

Planting
Plant balled-and-burlapped or container-grown plants in full sun to partial shade in moist, slightly acidic, well-drained soil rich in organic matter.

Pests and Diseases
Verticillium wilt can cause rapid death.