Acidic / Chalky / Alkaline / Clay / Heavy / Moist / Well Drained / Light / Sandy
Japanese maple, Acer japonicum, is a maple native to Japan and southern Korea. A small deciduous tree growing to a height of around 5-10m, it’s a popular choice in small gardens. Japanese maples are known for their spectacular autumn colours, and there are many garden-worthy cultivars, which have been bred to produce an even more dramatic autumn show.
Acer japonicum 'Vitifolium' can be grown as a shrub or small tree. It's a vigorous, bushy cultivar with more deeply cut leaves than other cultivars, and it provides a dramatic splash of autumn colour. It's also smaller than the species, reaching a maximum height and spread of 4m x 4m.The Royal Horticultural Society has given it its Award of Garden Merit (AGM).
How to grow Acer japonicum 'Vitifolium'
Grow Acer japonicum 'Vitifolium' on its own as a feature in its own right, or among other plants in a mixed herbaceous border. It does best in moist but well-drained soil, in a sheltered spot where it's protected from the worst of the elements. Mulch annually with well-rotted compost, manure or leaf mould.
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Acer ‘Vitifolium’ and wildlife
Acer ‘Vitifolium’ has no particular known value to wildlife in the UK.
