Acer palmatum 'Stella Rossa' (D)
A vigorous, pendulous, mushroom-shaped tree to about 3m tall and 4m wide at maturity. The 7-lobed, deeply and finely dissected leaves are 9cm long, with delicate, fine toothed margins, the emerging young leaves pinkish-red in spring, becoming dark purple-red through summer then bright red in autumn
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Size
Ultimate height
2.5–4 metresTime to ultimate height
5–10 yearsUltimate spread
2.5–4 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Pink Red | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Purple Red | |||
| Autumn | Red | |||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or West–facing or North–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H6Botanical details
- Family
- Sapindaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Bushy, Pendulous weeping
- 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 any moisture-retentive, well-drained soil in a sheltered position. Leaf colour is best in partial shade, although full sun can be tolerated if soil is reliably moist. Leaf scorch can be caused by lack of soil moisture or excessive exposure. See Japanese maples cultivation
Propagation
Propagate by softwood cuttings, layering or by grafting. Plants grown from seed are unlikely to come true, but may still be garden worthy
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Cottage and informal garden
- Patio and container plants
- Flower borders and beds
Pruning
Pruning group 1, only from late autumn to mid-winter
Pests
May be susceptible to aphids and scale insects, including horse chestnut scale
Diseases
May be susceptible to Verticillium wilt, Acer leaf scorch and honey fungus
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