Acer palmatum Orange Flame - Japanese Maple

Acer palmatum 'Orange Flame' is one of the most sought-after varieties of Japanese maple. Its beautifully dissected foliage emerges in spring in shades of orange before turning green during the growing season. In autumn, it turns yellow, orange, and red in a magnificent combination of warm colours. A large bush with vigorous growth, it reaches a height of 3.5m (12ft) in 10 years with a spread of 2.5m (8ft) and an ovate to ovoid habit. Like other Japanese maples, it thrives in acidic to neutral soil, in full sun or partial shade, and sheltered from the wind.

Native to eastern China, Korea, and Japan, Acer palmatum is the origin of a multitude of horticultural varieties that compete in beauty. Japanese maple now belongs, like all maples, to the Sapindaceae family (formerly classified Aceraceae). It is hardy (-20°C (-4°F)), but it dislikes dry and cold winds, scorching exposures, and dry and chalky soils.

The 'Orange Flame' cultivar exhibits relatively fast growth compared to other species in the genus. Its habit is quite irregular, more or less ovoid or spreading depending on the individual, with a good foliage density. Reaching about 3.5m (12ft) in height in 10 years, it will reach a height of 4.5 or 5m (15 or 16ft) at maturity, with a width of about 2 to 3m (7 to 10ft), thus forming a highly visible mass of vegetation and making it suitable for solitary use.

In spring, this Japanese maple produces young palmate leaves with 7 deeply cut lobes, in a beautiful orange colour. They then gradually turn green, a colour they retain throughout the growing season. In autumn, the foliage explodes in a festival of yellow, orange, and red.

Acer palmatum 'Orange Flame' is not strictly speaking an acidic-soil plant, but it prefers humus-rich and moisture-retaining soils. It dislikes atmospheric drought and thrives in oceanic climates as long as it is protected from the wind. Elsewhere, it is important to ensure a certain level of humidity by mulching the soil above its roots and monitoring watering, especially in summer. In hot and sunny climates, it is best to choose a partially shaded exposure to protect it from the harsh rays of the sun. In small gardens, it can be used as a standalone plant on a lawn. It can also be positioned in the centre or even at the back of a mixed border or on the edge of large trees to provide some shade and protection against prevailing winds.

In mild climates, it can be happily paired with Loropetalum chinense 'Pipa's Red', whose purple foliage will complement the warm colours of the maple. Physocarpus opulifolius 'Amber Jubilee' will also be a good companion with its colourful and changing foliage throughout the year. A black elder with purple leaves will provide a strong colour contrast with foliage that is just as deeply cut as that of our 'Orange Flame' maple.