Acer ‘Seiryu’ Japanese Maple

Acer ‘Seiryu’ is the only pinnately dissected form (laceleaf) of Japanese maple with an upright habit, not weeping. This deciduous shrub or multi-stemmed small tree offers year-round interest, with its lovely architecture, finely dissected lacy leaves, and ever-changing color. In early spring, Acer ‘Seiryu’ blooms in attractive, but insignificant, reddish-purple flowers as it begins to leaf out in intricate, red-tipped pale green leaves. As the young leaves expand, they become bright green. In early fall, the leaves begin to turn vibrant shades of orange and red and winged samaras replace the flowers. The flowers sustain pollinators, and the samaras support songbirds.

An Acer palmatum var. dissectum, commonly called Japanese maple, ‘Seiryu’ has an upright, outwardly spreading, vase-shaped habit and a moderate growth rate. This Japanese maple ranges in size depending on growing conditions, reaching between 10 feet and 15 feet in height and between 8 feet and 12 feet in width, with largest size occurring in optimal conditions. Acer ‘Seiryu’ is a perfect specimen plant, adding delicate texture and beautiful color to the landscape, and it fits nicely in a small urban garden or in a large container.

‘Acer Seiryu’ is highly adaptable and easier to grow than most Japanese maples. Japanese maple grows best in a sunny to dappled shade location with organically rich, moist, well-draining soil, having a slightly acidic pH. It tolerates a wide range of soils, including sand and heavy clay, but high pH soils may result in chlorosis, which is a yellowing or blanching of the leaves. It may require some afternoon shade in hot summer climates to prevent leaf scorch. Japanese maple is disease resistant as well as rabbit and black walnut tolerant, making it a favored understory plant.