PLANT FINDER

Other Names:  Shin Deshojo

Description:

This small accent tree is renowned for its hot scarlet to fire-engine red spring foliage, considered the best among this species; fades to greenish-bronze over the summer months; shrubby growth habit is variable and atttractive

Ornamental Features

Shindeshojo Japanese Maple is primarily valued in the landscape or garden for its ornamental globe-shaped form. It has attractive green deciduous foliage which emerges scarlet in spring. The small lobed palmate leaves are highly ornamental and turn outstanding shades of orange and red in the fall.

Landscape Attributes

Shindeshojo Japanese Maple is a dense deciduous tree with a strong central leader and a more or less rounded form. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other landscape plants with less refined foliage.

This is a relatively low maintenance tree, and should only be pruned in summer after the leaves have fully developed, as it may 'bleed' sap if pruned in late winter or early spring. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Shindeshojo Japanese Maple is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Accent
• Mass Planting
• Hedges/Screening
• General Garden Use

Planting & Growing

Shindeshojo Japanese Maple will grow to be about 8 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 12 feet. It tends to be a little leggy, with a typical clearance of 2 feet from the ground, and is suitable for planting under power lines. It grows at a slow rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 60 years or more.

This tree does best in a location that gets morning sunlight but is shaded from the hot afternoon sun, although it will also grow in partial shade. Keep it away from hot, dry locations that receive direct afternoon sun or which get reflected sunlight, such as against the south side of a white wall. It prefers to grow in average to moist conditions, and shouldn't be allowed to dry out. It may require supplemental watering during periods of drought or extended heat. It is not particular as to soil pH, but grows best in rich soils. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution, and will benefit from being planted in a relatively sheltered location. Consider applying a thick mulch around the root zone in winter to protect it in exposed locations or colder microclimates. This is a selected variety of a species not originally from North America.