Japanese Maple

Acer palmatum Osakazuki

• Position: partial shade
• Soil: fertile, moist, well-drained, acid-neutral
• Rate of growth: medium
• Hardiness: fully hardy
• Pruning: none required
  
  This Japanese maple is grown mainly for its spectacular autumn colour, perhaps the best of all the maples. It has an open habit, and its large, seven-lobed, bright green leaves turn brilliant scarlet in autumn and last for several weeks. It prefers a sheltered, shady spot, and looks dramatic silhouetted against a tall hedge or modern building
  
  
• Garden care: Plant in a sheltered spot, away from cold winds. Dig in a hole twice the size of the root ball, add well-rotted organic matter and stake when young. Do not allow to dry out while it is getting established. Protect young trees from winter frost with a 10cm mulch of organic matter, taking care to leave space around the trunk of the tree.