Acer palmatum Anne Irene - Japanese Maple

Acer palmatum 'Anne Irène' is a compact and bright variety of Japanese maple that is ideal for bringing colour to slightly dark areas in the garden or on a terrace. The bush has small leaves strongly cut on the edges, like lace. The leaves are tender green to yellow in spring, darker green in summer, before donning their orange autumn dress and ending in a reddish-purple colour. A refined and unique variety.

Native to eastern China, Korea, and Japan, Acer palmatum is the origin of a multitude of horticultural varieties that compete in beauty. The Japanese palmate maple belongs to the Sapindaceae family. It is deciduous in winter, relatively hardy, but only accepts limestone-free soils. The slow-growing 'Anne Irene' cultivar develops over time a bushy and flexible habit, as wide as it is tall. This small tree with flexible branches develops very pretty palm-shaped leaves from spring. In this variety, the foliage changes colour from spring to autumn. The leaves are opposite on the branches, measuring 3 cm to 6 cm (1.2 in to 2.4 in) long, and are divided into 7 narrow and pointed lobes. The lamina, with visible veins, has a finely cut edge that may resemble chervil leaves. The discreet flowering, of a purplish colour, takes place in May-June. The flowers grouped in small clusters sometimes produce winged fruits called samaras, measuring 3 cm (1.2 in) long.

Acer palmatum 'Anne Irene' grows best in acidic, moist, fertile, loose, and well-drained soil, preferably in a semi-shaded or dappled sunlight position, and sheltered from cold and dry winds. Compact but sculptural, it is suitable for small gardens, for ornamenting terraces and patios, as well as for large shaded rockeries. Azaleas, pieris, rhododendrons, wild camellias, and heathers will be its most beautiful companions. It can form a magnificent bonsai to be grown in a flat pot. Mix several varieties of Japanese maples to vary the colours and structures of the foliage; the effect is always dazzling at the end of the season. Shades of purple and red go wonderfully well with variegated foliage (dogwoods, elaeagnus), or golden yellow like in Gleditsia 'Sunburst', for example.