Acer palmatum 'Matsukaze'
Japanese maple 'Matsukaze'
Vigorous, broad, shrubby tree to about 4m tall with graceful, cascading branches. Leaves emerging in spring are bronze-red to purple-red with bright green veins, then developing into rich green in summer, following on to deep red and crimson in the autumn
Buy this plant
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 | Purple | Bronze Red Purple | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Green | Green | ||
| Autumn | Red Purple | |||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or North–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H5Botanical details
- Family
- Sapindaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- 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 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. Acer leaf scorch can be caused by lack of soil moisture or excessive exposure. See Japanese maple 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
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.