Deciduous And Flowering Trees
Coral Bark Japanese maple
Acer palmatum 'Sango Kaku'
Coral-bark Japanese maple offers winter interest through the bright coral-red color of its young stems. Reddish spring leaves become light green in summer, then turn yellow to pale red in autumn. Its upright framework can reach about 20–25 feet tall and 15–20 feet wide, so choose a spacious position visible through several seasons. Sun can strengthen bark color, but hot, dry exposure may damage foliage. Maintain moisture in well-drained soil and prune sparingly in dry conditions. This cultivar is particularly susceptible to bacterial blight: investigate blackened or dying shoots rather than assuming every stem-color change belongs to its ornamental display.
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At a glance
- Mature height
- Typically 20–25 ft
- Mature spread
- Typically 15–20 ft
- Light
- Sun to partial shade
- Hardiness
- Hardy to about USDA Zone 5
The right plant, the right place
Make room for something good.
Use where the young red stems will be visible from a path, patio, or window in winter. The upright crown also provides a leafy specimen during the growing season.
Where to plant
Allow about 20–25 feet of height and 15–20 feet of width. Give the crown room and choose protection from strong wind, with adequate moisture where full sun intensifies bark color.
Through the seasons
Young stems provide coral-red winter color. Spring leaves mature to light green, then turn yellow to light red in autumn.
Southwest Washington gardens
Give it a good start.
Wind protection and summer moisture are useful in Northwest gardens. This cultivar is particularly susceptible to bacterial blight, so inspect blackened shoots and ongoing dieback promptly.
Soil, drainage & water
Provide moist soil with good drainage. Different soil textures can work if moisture is managed, but avoid allowing roots to become either persistently wet or severely dry.
A little care goes a long way
Growing well, season after season.
Prune minimally in dry, dormant-season conditions and avoid unnecessary wounds. Remove infected material after identifying the problem, and reduce overhead watering that keeps foliage and shoots wet.
Know what to look for
Common growing concerns.
Symptoms can have more than one cause. These notes are a starting point for observing your plant and improving its growing conditions.
Bacterial blight
Darkened shoots, spotted leaves, blackened veins, or dying branch tips can indicate infection.
Help your plant thrive
Avoid wounds and prolonged foliage wetting. Prune in dry weather and obtain a diagnosis for persistent shoot dieback.
Leaf scorch
Leaf edges can brown after heat, drought, or drying wind.
Help your plant thrive
Maintain summer moisture and mulch the roots. Use afternoon shade where exposure is too hot for the available water.
A little more inspiration
Keep exploring.
Acer palmatum 'Shishigashira', 1 - geograph.org.uk - 6785425.jpg
CC BY-SA 2.0 · Web-optimized
Lion's head Japanese maple
Acer palmatum 'Shishigashira'
Crinkled green foliage and an upright, sculptural outline distinguish this slow-growing Japanese maple, with gold, orange, and red autumn color in a sheltered garden.
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Japanese Maple
Acer palmatum
A versatile small tree with hand-shaped leaves, varied branching, and colorful autumn foliage; choose each species-grown Japanese maple for its individual form and character.
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Garnet Japanese maple
Acer palmatum 'Garnet'
Finely cut red foliage drapes over a broad, mounded framework, making 'Garnet' a colorful specimen for sheltered patios, garden edges, and generously sized beds.
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