Acer palmatum Autumn Coloured Hybrids Mixed - Japanese Maple

This selection of Acer 'Autumn Coloured Hybrids Mixed', composed of hybrids from the palmate maple, is a real mix of surprises for curious gardeners. These small, twisted deciduous trees, symbols of wisdom and fervent passion, have an elegance unlike any other. The incomparable splendour of their autumn colouring, the texture and pattern of their leaves, all different, invites you to plant them without delay, in the garden or on the terrace. These maples can handle heat, but they need shade and protection from the wind that dries their foliage. They appreciate fresh, drained, humus-rich soils but do not tolerate limestone.

Originating from China, Korea and Japan, the Acer palmatum, also called smooth Japanese maple, is a small tree from the Sapindaceae family. It shows a compact, rounded habit, and low, strong, sinuate branches. Its adult size reaches about 3 to 4 m (9 ft 10 in to 13 ft 1 in) in height and spread, with fairly slow growth. The plants in the 'Autumn Coloured Mixed' selection are all derived from this species, which can take on very different aspects. Their delicate fern-like foliage, composed of leaves cut into five to seven dentate lobes, or of 7 and 11 lobes more or less dentate, evolves over the seasons. It is adorned with bronze green, or tender green, dark purple, gold yellow, scarlet and bright orange, from spring to autumn. The same branch can bear leaves of very varied shades and depending on the angle of view, the overall shade will change. Winter reveals their branches covered in a dark, almost black bark. These trees are monoecious, meaning that each individual has male and female flowers in different places. The winged fruits of the palmate maple are called samaras.

The venerable and graceful habit of the Japanese maple and its slow growth invite it to be chosen to brighten up a small urban garden, or the short grass meadow of a contemporary garden. It is a quintessential small tree for oriental and Japanese-inspired scenes, and the ideal candidate to try the art of bonsai. You can pair the small plants with Japanese azaleas and ferns, they like the same conditions. It is one of the best companions you can find for rhododendrons, which softens the somewhat chunky aspect and perfectly highlights the flowering. Place larger subjects in the background of ericaceous beds. Its light shade will be beneficial to pieris, azaleas and rhododendrons. At its base, plant a carpet of wood hyacinths and corydalis, creating a magnificent scene in spring.