Acer palmatum 'Ō-kagami' (P)
Japanese maple 'O-kagami'
A small, upright tree eventually reaching about 5m in height, with 5-7 lobed leaves to 11cm long, purplish wine-red when young then maturing to shiny. blackish-red before taking on green tints later in summer. Red and scarlet autumn colours follow. Inconspicuous red-purple flowers in spring may be followed by winged, purple fruits
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Size
Ultimate height
4–8 metresTime to ultimate height
10–20 yearsUltimate spread
2.5–4 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
Spring | Purple Red | Purple Red | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Summer | Purple Red Green | Purple | ||
Autumn | Red | |||
Winter |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or North–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H6Botanical details
- Family
- Sapindaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Bushy, 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. Suits container cultivation but attention to watering is needed in dry spells during the growing season. 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
- Patio and container plants
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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