Acer palmatum 'SHAINA'

Japanese maples are the „créme de la créme“ of every garden. A majestic looking tree needs no pruning at all and we recommend letting it form its own shape.

If you google red-leaved Japanese maples I am sure that, amongst the oldest varieties such as Bloodgood and Atropurpureum, you will find this nice piece: Shaina. Unlike the previously mentioned cultivars Shaina is everyone’s love as it offers advantages that come in handy for gardeners-beginners.

Shaina has deeply lobed palmate leaves with 5 elongated, pointed leaflets, their shape resembles marihuana. The colour is reliable burgundy red – light red on new leaves to deep burgundy on mature leaves. Lower leaves and if placed in part shade they will turn deep green. That is why strongly recommend growing it in full sun.

It grows slowly about 2m tall and a little less wide. Pruning is not needed as it forms a dense and compact shrub even when young. It is an easy-care, hardy plant, which does not need much maintenance. For best leaf colouring it needs plenty of sun so make sure the roots are well mulched, too.

Japanese maples prefer acidic to neutral soil, moist but well drained, semi-fertile. Owing to its reduced size it is suitable for small gardens and front yards, too. Fully hardy to min. -27 °C (USDA zone 5b), plants older than 5 years may survive down to -29 °C.

Last update 28-11-2008; 01-02-2021