Acer palmatum Jerre Schwartz - Japanese Maple

Acer palmatum 'Jerre Schwartz', also known as 'Jerry Schwartz', is a dwarf variety of Japanese maple that is exceptionally well-suited for small spaces and container gardening. Its finely cut, highly ornamental foliage emerges in bronze in spring, turning to orange-pink in summer and then to vibrant orange in autumn. It has a very graceful habit with slender, upright branches and stems. This is a very hardy shrub that thrives in sheltered locations protected from cold winds and in shady spots. It dislikes drought and chalky soils, so it should be planted in light, moist, well-drained, and acidic soil.

Acer palmatum is native to eastern China, Korea, and Japan. Like all maples, it belongs to the Aceraceae family. The 'Jarre Schwartz' cultivar is distinguished by its finely cut, almost black lacey foliage. It is a small, slow-growing, upright and compact tree on a slender, short trunk with a dense, branching canopy. Eventually, it will reach a height of 1.5m (5ft) with an approximate spread of 1m (3.3ft), depending on growing conditions. Its deciduous foliage is composed of deeply cut palmate leaves with five distinct, narrow, lanceolate lobes, finely serrated along the edges. The insignificant flowers form small clusters in April, but the late summer fruits with red, curved wings add interest to the garden until they fall in the autumn.

Acer palmatum 'Jerre Schwartz' is best grown as a specimen on a shaded lawn or in ericaceous beds alongside Azaleas, Pieris, Rhododendrons, Hydrangeas, and heathers. It can also be trained into a beautiful bonsai with a flat crown. In shaded borders, plant early-flowering spring bulbs, hellebores, hostas, and Epimediums at its base. Despite its delicate appearance, this small tree is robust, as evidenced by some specimens that have been grown in large pots with minimal care for many years. It requires only a light, well-drained soil that is not too poor, preferably slightly acidic to neutral, and occasional watering during dry periods. Diseases such as Verticillium (caused by a fungus) are more likely to develop in constantly damp soil than in intermittently dry ones. It is worth noting that this variety performs well in hot climates if the tree is placed away from excessively hot sun and sheltered from the wind.