Description
Acer palmatum 'Katsura' shrub 125+ cm C15 | Japanese maple
This Japanese maple shrub, Acer palmatum 'Katsura', is offered in a compact shrub form with an upright, branching and bushy silhouette. It gives the garden a clear shape without the full visual presence of a large tree. The decorative, hand-shaped leaves bring changing tones of orange, red, yellow-green and green through the growing season, followed by a spectacular display of autumn colour. This is a deciduous, broad-leaved shrub rather than an evergreen plant. Small red-purple flowers appear in April and May, although the foliage and seasonal colour are its main ornamental features. With a mature height of approximately 400 cm, it creates a strong but balanced presence as a specimen plant, in a border or in a container. The branching habit helps it keep a compact appearance, making it suitable for sheltered patios and smaller garden compositions where a defined focal plant is wanted. In UK gardens, choose a sheltered position away from strong winds and harsh afternoon sun. It benefits from humus-rich, well-drained soil that stays lightly moist without becoming waterlogged. This Japanese maple shrub is part of the acer genus and is offered specifically in shrub form.
Key features of Japanese maple (Acer palmatum 'Katsura')
- Decorative foliage: The hand-shaped leaves show orange, red, yellow-green and green tones. Their seasonal changes lead to notable autumn colour, giving the shrub interest beyond spring and summer.
- Spring flowering: Modest red-purple flowers appear in April and May. They add a seasonal detail, while the foliage remains the main ornamental feature of this Japanese maple shrub.
- Position in the garden: Grow in partial shade or sun, with protection from harsh afternoon sun and strong winds. The shrub is sensitive to strong winds, so a sheltered position is important in exposed UK gardens.
- Soil and structure: Use humus-rich, acidic to neutral soil with an open structure and good drainage. The soil should remain lightly moist and should not dry out, but excess water must be able to drain away.
- Growth habit: The plant develops as an upright, branching and bushy shrub with a compact garden presence. It is also suitable for the container plants category, where its defined shape can be enjoyed on a sheltered patio or terrace.
Uses of Japanese maple shrub in the garden
- Specimen plant: Use this Japanese maple shrub as a focal point where its hand-shaped foliage and branching outline can be seen clearly. Its compact, bushy silhouette gives structure without the visual weight of a full-sized tree.
- Borders and Japanese-style gardens: The shrub works well in a border or as a feature in a Japanese-style garden. Its changing leaf colours and spectacular autumn display create seasonal interest while the upright habit adds height and definition.
- Containers and patios: The shrub form is suitable for a container in a sheltered position. This makes it useful for patios and other garden spaces where a compact specimen plant is preferred over a larger tree-like form.
- Hardiness: It is supplied with an approximate hardiness range of -28.9°C to -23.3°C, corresponding to USDA zone 5. For UK gardens, it still benefits from shelter, protection from strong winds and soil that remains consistently moist without becoming waterlogged.
- Plant combinations: Pair it with shade-tolerant, moisture-loving planting that does not compete aggressively for water. Woodland-style perennials, grasses and low groundcover can complement the shrub where partial shade, moisture and good drainage are available.
Acer palmatum 'Katsura' is particularly suited to gardeners seeking a compact focal plant with seasonal colour for a sheltered border, Japanese-style garden or container.
