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Acer palmatum 'Aoyagi' (P)

Japanese maple 'Aoyagi'

An upright, wide-topped, deciduous tree to about 8m tall, with striking pea-green bark and stems, the colour most intense in winter. Bears 5 lobed fresh green leaves, 5cm long and wide with serrated margins and a tapered to a long, sharp point , turning deep yellow in autumn. Inconspicuous hanging clusters of small, purple-red flowers in spring are followed by red-flushed, winged fruits

Synonyms
Acer palmatum 'Ukon'
Acer palmatum 'Yukon'
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Size
Ultimate height
4–8 metres
Time to ultimate height
10–20 years
Ultimate spread
2.5–4 metres
Growing conditions
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green Purple Red Green
Summer Green Green Red
Autumn Green Yellow
Winter Green
Position
  • Full sun
  • Partial shade
Aspect

East–facing or North–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H6
Botanical 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 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 layering in autumn, grafting in late winter or softwood cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Wildlife gardens
Pruning

Pruning group 1 from late autumn to midwinter only

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

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