Acer palmatum Katsura - Japanese Maple

Acer palmatum 'Katsura' is a variety of Japanese Maple that stands out in spring with its yellow foliage marginated with orange. The foliage fades slightly in summer before emerging again in autumn adorned with yellow and orange tones enhanced by vivid red. The bush will reach about 2.5 m (8.2 ft) in height in 10 years. With its dense and somewhat erect habit, its light foliage and changing colours, it is perfect for enriching small gardens from spring to autumn. Bonsai enthusiasts appreciate it a lot, as do the lucky owners of a semi-shaded terrace or balcony.

Originally from eastern China, Korea, and Japan, Acer palmatum is the origin of a multitude of horticultural varieties that compete in beauty. The Japanese palmate maple belongs to the Sapindaceae family. It is relatively hardy but only accepts limestone-free soils.

The 'Katsura' cultivar, which grows quite rapidly under good growing conditions, has an airy bushy habit and reaches 5 m (16.4 ft) in height with a 2.5 m (8.2 ft) spread at maturity. This small tree develops deciduous leaves, in the form of highly dissected palmate leaves. This variety is particularly special in that the foliage keeps changing colour. It emerges yellow marginated with orange in spring, the adult leaves turn green in summer while other young shoots appear pinkish. In October, all the leaves are variegated with yellow and orange and margined with red. The leaves are opposite, divided into 5 elongated and pointed lobes, and slightly dentate along the edges. Discreet flowering takes place in May-June. The flowers grouped in small clusters sometimes produce some fruits with curved wings, called samaras, 3 cm (1.2 in) long.

Acer palmatum 'Katsura' grows in slightly acidic, moist, fertile, flexible, and well-drained soil, in a sunny or semi-shaded position sheltered from cold, dry winds and heavy rains. Compact but truly elegant, this small tree is suitable for small gardens, and for ornamenting terraces and patios. Azaleas, pieris, rhododendrons, wild camellias, and heathers will be its most beautiful companions. It can form a magnificent bonsai to cultivate in a flat pot. Combine several varieties of Japanese maples to vary the colours and structures of the foliage; the effect is always dazzling at the end of the season. The colourful foliage of Japanese maples is enhanced by variegated, purple, or golden yellow foliage. Choose, for example, a variegated white dogwood, a mock orange like Philadelphus coronarius 'Variegatus', Midnight Physocarpus, or a golden yellow honey locust.