Japanese maple (Acer palmatum) | seeds, 10 pcs.

FROST TOLERANT

• Latin name: Acer palmatum
• Danish names: Japansk løn, Japansk ahorn
  
• English names: Japanese maple, Palmate maple
  

Acer palmatum is the original species of Japanese maple – a small, deciduous tree that has been highly valued for centuries in Japanese gardens for its harmonious growth, fine leaf shape, and changing colors throughout the seasons. While the popular variety ‘Atropurpureum’ is known for its dark red leaves, the pure species typically has fresh green leaves in summer, which glow in shades of orange, red, and golden yellow in the autumn.

The leaves are deeply lobed with 5–7 pointed lobes and a light, almost transparent appearance. The branches grow elegantly and slightly upward-curved, giving the plant a natural, graceful shape. In the spring, the new leaves appear light green with a reddish tinge, while the summer foliage turns a deeper green, providing a calm, balanced expression in the garden.

Cultivation and requirements:

Acer palmatum thrives best in light shade to partial sun, where it gains color and shape without being scorched by too intense sunlight. It prefers a nutrient-rich, slightly acidic, and well-drained soil that also retains moisture.

The plant is fully hardy in Denmark, but should be sheltered from wind and drying out. It is excellent as a specimen plant, in pots, in Japanese-inspired gardens, or as a contrast to darker, evergreen species. In mild summers, it can tolerate full sun, but in hot and dry summers, it thrives best with light shade during the middle of the day.

Cultivation from seeds:

The seeds require cold stratification to germinate. They are placed in moist sand or peat moss and stored in a cool place for 2–3 months before sowing at 15–20 °C. However, we have already stratified the seeds, so this is not necessary. Should there be any difficulty getting the seeds to germinate, you can try stratifying them again. Germination may take several weeks, but the reward is unique plants with natural variation in leaf shape and autumn color.

Utility:

The Japanese maple is one of the most elegant ornamental shrubs one can grow – a symbol of peace, beauty, and the changing of the seasons. With its light growth and shifting colors, it brings both balance and poetry to the garden.

Acer palmatum is the perfect choice for those who want the original form of the Japanese maple – the green-leaved, more natural counterpart to the deep red Acer palmatum ‘Atropurpureum’. Together, they create a unique play of colors that transforms any garden into a living piece of Japanese art.