Acer Palmatum ‘Inaba-shidare’ 100cm Pot 240cm Height Outdoor Tree

Acer palmatum Inaba-shidare is one of the finest lace-leaf Japanese maples, admired for its striking, rich colour that holds well through the season and its graceful weeping form. Originally from Japan, it is particularly prized for its intensity of red, which is stronger and more consistent than many other red dissectum types.

Key Features:

• Foliage: Deeply dissected, lace-like leaves emerge a vivid crimson-red in spring, deepen to rich burgundy or purple-red through summer, and then turn brilliant scarlet in autumn. Unlike many red maples that fade to bronze or green, Inaba-shidare keeps its dark tones well into the season.

• Habit: Forms a stunning cascading mound, typically reaching 1.52 metres high with a spread of 23 metres, creating a beautiful layered dome.

• Bark: Young twigs are slightly reddish, adding subtle winter interest after leaf fall.

This cultivars elegant arching branches and consistent colour make it one of the best choices for a dramatic focal point in the garden, whether planted near water, over low walls or as a specimen in lawns and borders.

Detailed Care Guide for Acer palmatum Inaba-shidare

Position & Light

• Prefers partial shade or dappled sunlight.

• Can handle some morning sun, which helps intensify foliage colour, but needs shelter from harsh afternoon sun to prevent leaf scorch.

• Always plant in a sheltered spot away from strong winds, which can damage delicate leaves.

Shelter

• Important to protect from cold, drying winds that may shred the fine foliage.

• Avoid frost pockets where new shoots could be damaged in spring.

Watering

• Likes consistently moist, well-drained soil.

• Keep well watered, especially when newly planted or in hot, dry periods.

• A mulch of leaf mould or bark helps retain moisture and keeps roots cool.

Soil

• Prefers slightly acidic to neutral, fertile, humus-rich soils.

• Avoid very alkaline or heavy clay soils.

• If needed, plant in a raised bed or large container using ericaceous compost mixed with grit.

Feeding

• Feed lightly in spring with a balanced slow-release fertiliser or a specific acer feed.

• Avoid high-nitrogen feeds, which promote soft growth prone to frost and wind damage.

Pruning & Maintenance

• Needs very little pruning.

• Remove any dead, damaged or crossing branches in late autumn or winter while dormant.

• Minimal shaping can be done then to maintain its graceful dome. Avoid cutting back hard, which can spoil the natural cascading habit.

Pests & Problems

• Generally very healthy.

• May occasionally attract aphids on soft shoots.

• Leaf scorch (brown tips and edges) is often due to drought, strong winds or hot sun.

Container Growing

• Excellent choice for a large pot or half-barrel on a patio.

• Use ericaceous compost with added grit, and ensure good drainage with pot feet.

• Keep container-grown specimens watered and sheltered through winter, wrapping pots if very cold weather is expected.