Acer palmatum 'OSAKAZUKI' Japanese maple
size/type
small tree,taller shrub
usual height
3-7m
usual width
3-5m
leaves
deciduous broadleaf
colour of leaves
flowers
less showy but noticeable
location
full to partial sun
soil type
acidic (peaty) to neutral
soil moisture requirements
evenly moist (dislikes drought)
USDA zone (lowest)
5 (down to -29°C)
winter protection
for zone 5+6
for zone 7
categorized
Acer
Japanese maples are very decorative and usually low shrubs, occasionally small trees, with attractive foliage and picturesque structure. There are many varieties in various shades of green, chartreuse, golden and yellow, red to maroon, and even multicoloured (variegated). They originate from Asia (Japan, China, Korea), where they have been cultivated for at least two centuries or perhaps even longer, however, they were introduced to Europe only at the beginning of the 19th century, specifically to Great Britain in 1820. Interestingly, the botanist Carl Peter Thunberg described them much earlier, in 1784, because he undertook an expedition to Japan in 1775-1776, discovering new species and collecting seeds and plants. He named the tree Acer palmatum, referring to the leaf shape resembling a human hand with fingers, although it is said that they first reminded him of frog fingers, which is also one of its oldest Japanese names: kaede. The other is momiji (baby hands). The beauty of the colours and shapes of the leaves and trees is reflected in many arts, for example, in the oldest preserved collection of Japanese poetry from the 8th century, the Man'yōshū (Collection of Ten Thousand Leaves). The Chinese poet Wang Wei (699-759) celebrated their beauty in many of his works, and naturally, maples often appeared in ancient paintings, tapestries, porcelain, and wherever classic and traditional decorations associated with the symbolism of these maples were desired: beauty and elegance, serenity, endurance, vitality, and transformation.Description of the plant:
The variety name of Osakazuki Japanese maple seems to refer to the third largest city in Japan, Osaka, which is renowned for its extensive vineyards that replaced cotton fields. There could be at least two reasons for choosing it – either in reference to its bright carmine red autumn leaves which correspond to the colour of Osaka red wine, or the shape of the individual leaf lobes whose shape resemble a typical Japanese plump wine glass. But the most accurate translation from Japan is ‘a large glass of saké’ and probably most importantly refers to slightly cupped shape of the large leaves.Osakazuki maple bears deciduous, 5- to 7-lobed, broadly palmate leaves that emerge chartreuse in spring, soon after they gain pale copper-orange hues, mature to dark green with thin red margins in summer, and turn bright carmine red in fall. In the spring appear small, drooping, maroon inflorescences.
It grows rather fast, making upright shrubs first and later changing the habit to a spreading canopy on a naturally multi-stemmed shrub or small tree. Compared to most modern varieties, expect a taller plant of around 4m in smaller gardens and up to 7m in parks and arboretums with unlimited root space. Osakazuki forms beautiful specimens that are often trained into multi-stemmed shrubs or trees where lateral branches of lower framework are often removed to the height of a man in order to gain a canopy above our heads. Those will offer a gorgeous sight even in winter when there are no leaves, and you will see the elegant structure of strong branches.
Japanese maples need constantly moist soil that has to be well-drained, acidic to neutral, and medium fertile. Keep it mulched all year round. It loves a location with high air humidity, e.g. at a river bank or near a pond but it is not a must. Osakazuki maple withstands full sun in constantly moist soil, and naturally grows in partial shade, too. Full shade is not recommended. It is hardy to at least -29 °C (USDA zone 5), and is suitable for large outdoor planters, too, if kept moist but without a saucer.
Last update 23-01-2023
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GLOSSARY
- STANDARD QUALITY - Plants of this group are 1st class quality with number of branches and overall density adequate to their size and age, considering they were container grown.
- DE LUXE QUALITY - This label guarantees a luxurious quality of manually selected plants that, compared to their height and age, are exceptionally dense and beautiful.
- EXTRA - These plants are usually mature and bigger specimens with exceptional overall appearance.
- STANDARD (as described in the plant form) means a tree with a trunk of 190-210 cm and a crown at the top, unless specified differently. The commercial size for trees is their girth measured in the height of 1m from ground.
- HOBBY - These plants are of the same quality as our standard-quality plants but younger and therefore cheaper.
- SHRUB - a woody plant with branches growing bushy from the ground level.
- HALF-STANDARD or MINI-STANDARD - a small tree with shorter trunk, its size is usually specified.
- FEATHERED - These are trees with branches growing already from the base of the trunk and up along the stem.
- GRASSES and PERENNIALS - Sizes given usually read the diameter of the pot or the clump, as specified.
