Acer palmatum Ueno Yama - Japanese maple

Acer palmatum 'Ueno Yama' is a Japanese Maple with superb, deeply cut foliage that displays particularly attractive colours throughout the growing season. The young leaves are orange-yellow in spring, then bright green in summer. In autumn, it dons an orange to scarlet-red hue. This variety is very interesting because despite its light tones, it tolerates sunlight rather well. Of medium size, it develops an upright habit with flexible branches that sway elegantly in the wind.

The Maple, once classified in the Aceraceae family (named after its scientific name: Acer), now belongs to the Sapindaceae family.
Acer palmatum originates from Japan and Korea, where it forms small trees up to 8 m tall. It is a quintessential plant in Japanese landscapes, enlivening them with its deeply cut foliage that turns stunning autumn colours. Introduced to Europe as early as 1820, it is a favourite among bonsai enthusiasts and breeders who have produced numerous cultivars over the years.

Acer palmatum 'Ueno Yama' is a grafted horticultural variety, more tolerant of soil conditions. This Maple has a moderate growth rate (30 to 40 cm per year) and forms a small, upright tree, reaching approximately 3.5 m in height and 3 m in spread. Older specimens may develop slightly larger, up to 5 m tall. Its silhouette is truly graceful, with branches rising almost vertically before spreading to form a parasol-like shape. The species' characteristic leaves have a sculptural form, deeply divided into 5 to 7 lobes with finely toothed margins. These palmate leaves are borne on long petioles. In 'Ueno Yama', they emerge in orange-yellow tones that persist well into spring before turning to a vibrant green in summer. Then, as autumn arrives and temperatures drop, orange to scarlet-red pigments develop across the entire leaf. The tree is then at the peak of its beauty, offering a dazzling spectacle at the season's end. Planted in a lawn or by a water feature, the display continues as the leaves carpet the ground or float on the water.

Japanese Maple 'Ueno Yama' does justice to this group of highly ornamental plants with its ever-changing seasonal colours. Its sun tolerance makes it easy to place in the garden, provided the soil is rich in humus, moist, and well-drained. It pairs well with ericaceous soil plants, particularly Rhododendrons and Azaleas, to create a Japanese-inspired scene. In the same spirit, you could plant a Cryptomeria japonica 'Spiralis' nearby—a curious Japanese Cedar with spiralled branches. For a striking backdrop, add a screen of bamboo, and you’ll achieve a truly exotic setting.