Acer Shirasawanum Aureum

Adult Acer Shirasawanum Aureum

Acer Shirasawanum Aureum is a wonderful V shaped stand-up Japanese Maple growing up to an adult height of 5 meters. The Aureum is also known as the ‘Golden Full Moon’ Maple, which is known for its uniquely coloured, fan-shaped leaves.

The Aureum is an excellent complement to any Japanese Garden. If you keep it in a pot it can be made into a patio feature or a courtyard feature. Unfortunately it does not enjoy full sun, infact it prefers shaded areas. With that in mind, it is ideal in the corner with its back to a wall.

If planted out it can reach a height of 5 meters with an equal 5 meter spread. It will reach maturity over 20 years and will look magnificent from 7 years upwards.

The Award winning Acer Shirasawanum Aureum is part of the Sapindaceae family. more info and is one of the most spectacular in the Dissectum class and it has been awarded the RHS Award of Garden Merit. It is native to Japan, China and Korea but it is hardy to the UK and European climates, it can withstand soil temperatures as low as -4, unlike most Japanese Maples where their root system freeze and never recover come spring.

Acer Shirasawanum Aureum Spring Leaf

Acer Shirasawanum Aureum Leaf Cluster

Acer Shirasawanum Aureum has deeply cut dissected leaves, "dissectum" meaning the leaves are deeply divided and not webbed leaves. These leaves can be sub-lobed into 7 - 9 leaves and upto 6 inches in length.

In the spring the leaves start a deep red purple colour with some leaves having green veins which look spectacular in the breezy sun. The green fades into the summer and the leaves go slightly more of a purple red. In late September / October the leaves finally transform into a bright red with an orange tint, stunning.

The trunk bark, if visible, is a paper bark type which is lime green with a ripped off white effect. Its main strong branches are a plain red brown colour which have either a yellow green or a red brown soft branch leading to the leaves which cascade down.