Acer shirasawanum 'Autumn Moon'
Shirasawa maple 'Autumn Moon'
A bushy tree or large shrub, up to about 6m high, with grey-brown bark, and rounded eleven-lobed leaves about 6cm across. Leaves are clear yellow or yellowish-green, but in full sun are green with yellowish veins; in both situations they are tinged burnt-orange and turn orange-red in autumn. Cream and pink flowers, in spring, are held in upright spreading clusters, and are followed by winged near-horizontal greenish-brown fruits about 2cm across
Size
Ultimate height
4–8 metresTime to ultimate height
20–50 yearsUltimate spread
4–8 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Brown Grey Silver | Cream Pink | Green Orange Yellow | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Brown Grey Silver | Green Orange Yellow | ||
| Autumn | Brown Grey Silver | Red Green Orange Yellow | Brown Green | |
| Winter | Brown Grey Silver |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or North–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H6Botanical details
- Family
- Sapindaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Spreading branched
- Genus
Acer can be deciduous trees or large shrubs with paired, often palmately-lobed leaves and small flowers followed by characteristic winged fruits. Many have fine autumn colour, and some have ornamental stems
- Name status
Accepted
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in moist but well-drained acidic or neutral soil in partial shade or full sun; for more advice, see Japanese maple cultivation
Propagation
Propagate by softwood cuttings
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Patio and container plants
- City and courtyard gardens
- Cottage and informal garden
- Low Maintenance
Pruning
Pruning group 1 (little or no pruning of trees and shrubs)
Pests
May be susceptible to Acer gall mite, aphids, caterpillars and horse chestnut scale
Diseases
May be susceptible to Verticillium wilt, Acer leaf scorch and honey fungus
Get involved
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