Acer palmatum 'Koto-no-ito'
Family - Sapindaceae
Category - Shrub
Season of Interest - Spring, Summer, Autumn
Hardiness - H6
Height - up to 3m
Location - The Pond Garden
Description: Deciduous, medium to large Shrub or Dwarf tree with an upright habit. The deeply Divided palmately lobed leaves are composed of long, narrow lanceolate leaflets with toothed margins. The leaves emerge bright golden yellow in spring and mature to rich, dark green. Small reddish-purple flowers are produced in Corymbs in mid to late spring and are followed by samaras with pink tinged wings. The foliage turns glowing shades of yellow to red in the autumn.
'Koto-no-ito' translates to 'Golden Old Harp' in Japanese and is in part a reference to the seasonal leaf colour.
Flower:
Small, reddish-purple flowers in pendant corymbs are produced in April to May and are followed by attractive samaras with pink-tinged wings.
Flower colour: Red
Flower shape: Small flowers held in corymbs
Flowering time: April, May
Foliage:
Deeply Divided, palmately lobed leaves are composed of five to seven, long, lanceolate, nearly linear, leaflets with Dentate margins. The leaves emerge bright golden yellow in spring before ageing to rich deep green and finally turning glowing shades of yellow to red in autumn. The leaves are held in opposite pairs on the branches.
Foliage Senescence: Deciduous
Foliage Shape: Palmately lobed
Autumn Colour: Yellow to red
Propagation:
Grafting.
Cultivation:
Best in sun or shade in rich, moisture retentive, but well drained soil. Will benefit from a sheltered position.