Lions Head Japanese Maple

Lion's Head Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum 'Shishigashira')
Height: 20 feet Spread: 15 feet Sunlight: Partial shade Hardiness Zone: 5b
 
Description: The Lion's Head Japanese Maple is an unusual and bold addition to the garden. It features deeply curled and crinkled bright green leaves held in close-knit bunches, adding unique interest. This tree develops its fall color much later in the season than most other varieties and prefers a sheltered location.
 
Ornamental Features:
Form: Upright and spreading habit.
Flowers: Subtle corymbs of burgundy flowers rise above the foliage in mid-spring before the leaves.
Foliage: Attractive green deciduous foliage that emerges red in spring. The crinkled palmate leaves are highly ornamental and turn outstanding shades of gold and crimson in the fall.
Bark: Rough gray bark and red branches add an interesting dimension to the landscape.
 
Landscape Attributes:
Open deciduous tree with an upright spreading habit.
Extremely fine and delicate texture that sets it apart from other landscape plants.
Low-maintenance tree; should be pruned in summer after leaves have fully developed to avoid 'bleeding' sap.
No significant negative characteristics.
 
Recommended Uses:
Accent
Shade
Mass Planting
 
Planting & Growing:
Grows to about 20 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 15 feet.
Low canopy with a typical clearance of 1 foot from the ground, suitable for planting under power lines.
Grows at a slow rate and can live for 80 years or more under ideal conditions.
Prefers a location that gets morning sunlight but is shaded from the hot afternoon sun. It will also grow in partial shade.
Avoid hot, dry locations that receive direct afternoon sun or reflected sunlight from surfaces like white walls.
Thrives in average to moist conditions and should not be allowed to dry out. May require supplemental watering during drought or extended heat.
Not particular about soil pH but grows best in rich soils.
Somewhat tolerant of urban pollution and benefits from being planted in a 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.