Acer palmatum Dissectum - Japanese Maple

The Acer palmatum Dissectum is a Japanese maple with a broad habit, reaching just over 1.60m (5 ft 2 in) in mature height, with light green foliage, finely dissected, turning orange in autumn.

Originating from Eastern China, Korea, and Japan, this hardy Japanese maple gradually forms a broad, flat silhouette, with a brown bark. It develops beautiful deciduous leaves, light green turning orange in autumn, opposite, palmate, 5 to 10cm (2 - 3.9 in) long, deeply lobed, finely serrated. The reddish flowers grouped in small clusters in April are insignificant, but the red fruits with curved wings, 3cm (1.2 in) long, are interesting from September onwards.

The Acer palmatum Dissectum grows best in a preferably acidic, moist, fertile, well-drained soil, in a partly shaded and sheltered position from cold and dry winds. High temperatures can cause leaf scorch, which can make the leaves fall quickly. Mulch, water, and mist the foliage on hot evenings. Winter pruning is limited to balancing the branches. Treat against scale insects and Verticillium wilt.

The Acer palmatum Dissectum grows slowly, making it suitable for small gardens, as well as shaded rockeries, accompanied by azaleas, pieris, rhododendrons, and heathers. It can also be trained into a beautiful bonsai with a flat canopy.