Acer palmatum (Dissectum group) 'GREEN GLOBE' Japanese maple
size/type
medium-sized shrub,small tree
usual height
2-4m
usual width
2-3,5m
leaves
deciduous broadleaf
colour of leaves
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:
Green Globe is a cut-leaved variety of Japanese maple from the Dissectum group. Its leaves are almost identical to Dissectum variety but its habit is very different. The fine, lace-like leaves are deciduous, deeply incised, and firmer compared to older varieties whose foliage is rather pendent. They emerge soft green with bronze hues and turn fiery shades of orange and red in autumn. Along with new leaves appear small, garnet red flowers.It forms a strong, evenly upright and spreading habit with a strong framework of non-arching branches. It grows slowly but in maturity can reach about 4 m in height and a bit less in width. Which rates him the tallest among dissectum maples, yet it may take some 30-40 years to grow so high. Its natural habit is dome-shaped to globose and can be pruned or trimmed to shapes, ideally in frost-free periods of winter.
Green Globe Japanese maple is happy in full sun as well as in part-shade. Its leaves are not prone do sunscorch and if you see dry and curled leaf tips, it is very likely not due to lack of moisture but a manifestation of a disease (moniliosis or anthracnose) which needs to be cured.
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. Green Globe 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 outdoor planters, too, if kept moist but without a saucer.
Last update 27-02-2023
