Acer japonicum Vitifolium - Japanese Maple

Acer japonicum 'Vitifolium' or vine leaf maple is a medium-sized Japanese maple with a rounded habit, known for its large lobed leaves resembling those of a vine. Their bright tender green colour in spring, dark green in summer, and vibrant orange to crimson red in autumn is very intense and allows its use as a standalone specimen or to add warmth to a shady border. Vigorous and fast-growing, this cultivar can be planted in either full sun or shade, in non-chalky, rich, light, and moist but not waterlogged soil.

Originating from Japan, this small tree, which can reach 5 metres in height, is also called the "vine leaf maple". It is perfectly hardy, but does not tolerate high temperatures or windy exposures well. It is more robust and resistant to drought and full sun than its cousin, Acer palmatum, and has the same preferences for filtered light exposures and non-chalky, humus-rich, well-draining, and moist soil, especially in summer. The acidity of the soil affects the intensity of the foliage colour.            

The 'Vitifolium' variety is particularly prized for the vibrant colours of its autumn foliage. Initially shrubby, this Japanese maple forms a small trunk and well-rounded and wide-spreading branches, reaching 5 metres (16 feet 5 inches) in height and 3 to 4 metres (9 feet 10 inches to 13 feet 1 inches) in width. Unlike the palmate Japanese maple, its deciduous and opposite foliage is divided into 7 to 11 dentate lobes. It gradually changes from tender green in spring to dark green in summer, and then to intense orange and crimson red in autumn. The small purple flowers are borne in pendulous corymbs on long peduncles from May, followed by winged fruits that are 3 cm (1.2 in) long.

Acer japonicum 'Vitifolium' is ideal as a standalone specimen or in groups in ericaceous beds, accompanied by hydrangeas, rhododendrons, hostas, and ferns. While the Japanese maple is not strictly an ericaceous plant, it prefers humus-rich, moisture-retaining soil. Chinese azaleas, andromedas, hydrangeas, wild camellias, ferns, and heathers make beautiful companions. It can also be trained as a stunning flat-topped bonsai. Combine multiple varieties of Japanese maples to vary the colours and foliage structures, the effect is always dazzling at the end of the season. The tender green and dark green tones of its foliage pair beautifully with shrubs with purple foliage, such as rhododendron 'Wine & Roses' or the golden variegated foliage of certain large hostas and dogwoods.