Katsura Japanese Maple
Acer palmatum 'Katsura.'
Acer palmatum 'Katsura.'
Foliage: Yellow/Green
Fall Foliage: Orange, Gold Fruit: Samara Habit/Form: Broad Upright Uses: Accent, Focal Tree, Small Space Gardens |
Zone Hardiness: 5
Plant Height: 15 ft Plant Width: 15 ft Light: Sun/Part Shade Growth Rate: Slow |
‘Katsura' is a dense, compact, cultivar that is most noted for its beautiful spring foliage. It is also one of the first Japanese Maples to leaf out in the spring. Small, palmate, 5-lobed leaves (to 1" long) emerge chartreuse with orange-tinted margins in spring, and mature to a light to yellowish-green for the summer. In the fall, a phenomenal display of vivid orange and gold prevails. Leaf lobes are lanceolate with slender tips and shallow-toothed margins. 'Katsura' typically grows in a vase-shaped form to 4-6' tall over the first 10 years, but gradually becomes more rounded with age as it matures. Small reddish flowers in spring are somewhat attractive on close inspection, but are not showy from a distance.
Sun Needs: Full sun/part shade. Important to think about light exposure. Too much light and/or heat can damage delicate leaves. Too little light and some of the more colorful varieties will take on an attractive greenish tone, but not the brilliant fall red/purple colors. For best color, most maples need a location with part day's sun. Morning sun and afternoon part shade is ideal.
Sun Needs: Full sun/part shade. Important to think about light exposure. Too much light and/or heat can damage delicate leaves. Too little light and some of the more colorful varieties will take on an attractive greenish tone, but not the brilliant fall red/purple colors. For best color, most maples need a location with part day's sun. Morning sun and afternoon part shade is ideal.