Acer palmatum Pink Passion - Japanese Maple

The Acer palmatum 'Pink Passion', also known as Acer palmatum var. roseomarginatum is a superb variety of Japanese maple with remarkably colourful variegated foliage. When planted in a sunny location, it is purple-pink with bright pink edges in spring, turns purple-red in summer, and then dark red to orange-red in autumn. Its leaves are puckered and unusual. The bush has a spreading habit and its branches bend with age, which adds to its charm. Give it a prominent position, visible from the house, or in a pot in indirect sunlight.

Originally from eastern China, Korea, and Japan, the Acer palmatum is the origin of a multitude of horticultural varieties that compete in beauty. The Japanese palmate maple belongs, like all maples, to the Aceraceae family. It is relatively hardy but only tolerates limestone-free soils.

The 'Pink Passion' cultivar develops a spreading to rounded habit over time. Eventually, it reaches a height and spread of 3m (10ft) in all directions. This small tree has a brown to reddish bark and develops magnificent deciduous leaves, with palmate shape, divided into 5 to 7 ovate and acuminate lobes, puckered and rather unusual. They are a pretty dark pink with fuchsia edges in full sun. They can also be white, green, or brown when the tree is placed in partial shade. This foliage turns orange-red in autumn. The leaves are opposite on the branches, 10cm (4in) long. Inconspicuous flowering occurs in May-June. The purple flowers, grouped in small clusters, sometimes produce winged fruits, called samaras, measuring 3cm (1in) in length.

The Acer palmatum 'Pink Passion' grows in lightly sunny or partial shade positions, sheltered from cold and dry winds. It is sensitive to high temperatures and drought. It thrives in slightly acidic, moist, fertile, loose, and well-drained soil. With a very beautiful appearance, it is compact and suitable for small gardens, for ornamenting terraces, as well as for large shaded rockeries. Enhance its varied colours with low-growing perennials such as Heucheras with coloured foliage, for example, black Ophiopogons, or small hostas. In flower beds, add acid-loving plants such as wild camellias, heathers, and small Japanese azaleas. Plant it as a specimen or mix several varieties of Japanese maples to create a lively and vibrant range of colours.