Acer palmatum Orangeola - Japanese Maple

Acer palmatum Dissectum 'Orangeola' is a variety of Japanese maple that charms with its feathery foliage tinged with orange and its truly graceful, slightly weeping habit. Its finely dissected leaves change colour throughout the seasons but always retain their unique and beautiful orange hues. It is a deciduous tree, vigorous but of moderate size, well-suited for small spaces and container gardening. It should be placed prominently in the garden or on a slightly shaded terrace. Like other Japanese maples, 'Orangeola' thrives in fertile, well-drained, acidic to neutral soils.

Native to eastern China, Korea, and Japan, the Acer palmatum is the source of numerous, beautiful horticultural varieties. The Japanese maple belongs to the Sapindaceae family (formerly Aceraceae). It is relatively hardy but dislikes dry and cold winds, scorching exposures, and dry, chalky soils. The 'Orangeola' cultivar, although vigorous, exhibits relatively slow growth. This cultivar is one of the smallest in the Dissectum group, with finely serrated leaves. Its habit is naturally spreading, and its branches slightly trailing. Depending on growing conditions, it will reach approximately 2.50 m (8ft) in height and 2 m (7ft) in width. In spring this small tree develops palmate leaves divided into 7-9 distinct lobes, thin and finely toothed. Their spring colour is a bright and warm purple-orange. In summer, they are green, tinged with orange. Just before falling, the leaves take on a reddish-orange hue. The inconspicuous flowering occurs in May-June. The small clusters of flowers sometimes produce winged fruits called samaras, measuring 3 cm (1in) long.

Acer palmatum Dissectum 'Orangeola', with its natural elegance and precious coppery foliage, deserves a prime location in the garden or in a container on the terrace. Extremely decorative from spring to autumn, it makes a beautiful subject to place near a terrace or in a large container with clean lines. The Japanese maple is not strictly speaking an ericaceous plant, but it prefers soils rich in humus that do not dry out too much in summer. Chinese azaleas, andromedas, hydrangeas, wild camellias, ferns, and heathers will be beautiful companions for it. It can also form a magnificent bonsai. 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 orange tones are quite rare in the spring and summer garden and go wonderfully well with shrubs with purple foliage, such as certain Physocarpus, or with the variegated foliage of some dogwoods.