Acer palmatum Trompenburg - Japanese Maple

Acer palmatum 'Trompenburg' is a variety of Japanese maple with red foliage and vigorous growth. Its long, deeply cut leaves give a light appearance to this small tree, which changes from bright red in spring to purple in summer before turning scarlet red in autumn. This variety will thrive in all exposures, except for hot and windy situations that can damage its foliage. 

Originating from eastern China, Korea, and Japan, Acer palmatum is the source of many horticultural varieties that compete in beauty. The Japanese palmate maple belongs to the Sapindaceae family. It is relatively hardy, but it dislikes dry and cold winds, hot exposures, and dry and limestone soils. The cultivar 'Trompenburg', obtained in the Netherlands, shows rather fast growth for a Japanese maple. Its habit is upright, bushy, widening towards its top. It will reach, depending on growing conditions, an average height of 4 m (13.1 ft) with a spread of 2 m (6.6 ft). In spring, this small tree develops reddish young branches and bright red young shoots. They expand into finely cut palmate leaves with 9 distinct dentate lobes and slightly curled edges. In summer, the lamina darkens to purple. Just before falling, the leaves take on a beautiful red hue. Inconspicuous flowering occurs in May-June. The flowers, grouped in small clusters, sometimes produce winged fruits called samaras, measuring 3 cm (1.2 in) in length. 

Acer palmatum 'Trompenburg' deserves a prominent place in the centre of a bed or in a large pot on a terrace. Compact but truly elegant, this small tree is perfect for small gardens and for ornamenting terraces and patios. The Japanese maple is not strictly speaking an acid-loving plant, but it prefers humus-rich and moist soils. Azaleas, pieris, hydrangeas, field camellias, ferns, and heathers will be its most beautiful companions. It can also be shaped into a magnificent bonsai to be grown in a flat dish. Mix several varieties of Japanese maples to vary leaf colours and structures; the effect is always dazzling at the end of the season. Purple and red tones go wonderfully well with variegated foliage (dogwoods, mock orange, elaeagnus), or golden yellow like Gleditzia Sunburst for example.