About
Acer palmatum 'Beni-kagami' is a robust large shrub or small tree, reaching heights and widths of up to 8 meters. Its deeply lobed leaves, featuring seven distinct parts, emerge with a purple-red hue in spring, transitioning to a darker maroon red during the summer months, and finally displaying a vibrant scarlet in the fall. When cultivated in shaded locations, the leaves may exhibit green undertones. In spring, this cultivar produces small red flowers, which are succeeded by bright red, winged fruits in the autumn.
About the genus
Acer consists of deciduous trees or sizable shrubs featuring pairs of leaves that are frequently palmately lobed. These plants produce small flowers that give way to distinctive winged fruits. Numerous species display vibrant autumn foliage, while certain varieties also exhibit decorative stems.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Full sun, Partial shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained
- Aspect
- West-facing, South-facing, East-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H6
Plant details
- Plant type
- Shrubs, Trees
- Habit
- Bushy
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Height
- 4-8 metres
- Spread
- 4-8 metres
- Time to full height
- 10-20 years
- Suggested uses
- Architectural
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Grow in a moist but well-drained soil. Water in summer if necessary. Leaf colour is best in partial shade, although full sun can be tolerated. Leaf scorch can be caused by lack of soil moisture or excessive exposure. See Japanese maple cultivation
- Pruning
- Pruning group 1
- Propagation
- Propagate by grafting or softwood cuttings
- Pest resistance
- May be susceptible to Acer gall mite, aphids, caterpillars and horse chestnut scale
- Disease resistance
- May be susceptible to Verticillium wilt, Acer leaf scorch and honey fungus