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Acer palmatum ‘Katsura’ (Japanese Maple)

Japanese Maple 'Katsura'

AGM Award
Acer palmatum 'Katsura', Japanese Maple 'Katsura', Tree with fall color, Fall color, Attractive bark Tree, Golden leaves, Golden Acer, Golden Japanese Maple
Acer palmatum 'Katsura', Japanese Maple 'Katsura', Tree with fall color, Fall color, Attractive bark Tree, Golden leaves, Golden Acer, Golden Japanese Maple

Award-winning Acer palmatum ‘Katsura’ is a lovely deciduous shrub with striking foliage, season after season. Emerging golden-orange with pink edges in early spring, the delicate foliage of small 5 to 7-lobed leaves matures to bright green in summer before turning brilliant shades of orange and yellow in fall. ‘Katsura’ is a dense, compact Japanese Maple with a graceful vase-shaped habit that stands out boldly in the landscape. It is perfect for small gardens or containers.

  • Recipient of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society for its outstanding qualities
  • Grows up to 10-12 ft. tall and wide (300-360 cm).
  • A full sun or part shade lover, this plant is easily grown in moist, organically rich, slightly acidic, well-drained soils. Mulch helps retain soil moisture and keep roots cool. Best leaf color in partial shade, although full sun can be tolerated. A lack of soil moisture or excessive exposure can cause leaf scorch.
  • Perfect as a specimen plant in cottage gardens, city gardens, or Japanese gardens and containers.
  • Low maintenance, this plant needs little pruning. If pruning is necessary, prune during the dormant season and avoid pruning in spring when the sap is running. Fertilize in spring before the leaves emerge.
  • It may be affected by horse chestnut scale, aphids, and verticillium wilt.
  • Propagate by grafting or softwood cuttings.
  • Acer palmatum is native to Japan, Korea, China, eastern Mongolia, and southeast Russia.

Requirements

Hardiness 5 - 9
Heat Zones 2 - 8
Climate Zones 2, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, A3
Plant Type Shrubs
Plant Family Sapindaceae
Genus Acer
Common names Maple, Japanese Maple
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early, Mid, Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall
Height 5' - 9' (150cm - 270cm)
Spread 5' - 9' (150cm - 270cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Plant of Merit, Showy
Tolerance Rabbit
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Patio And Containers, Small Gardens
Garden Styles Traditional Garden, City and Courtyard, Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage, Japanese Garden
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Alternative Plants to Consider

Acer palmatum ‘Fireglow’ (Japanese Maple)
Acer palmatum ‘Ariadne’ (Japanese Maple)
Acer palmatum ‘Sumi-Nagashi’ (Japanese Maple)
Acer palmatum ‘Pixie’ (Japanese Maple)
Acer pseudoplatanus ‘Brilliantissimum’ (Sycamore Maple)
Acer ginnala (Amur Maple)

Recommended Companion Plants

Blechnum spicant (Hard Fern)
Pachysandra terminalis ‘Green Carpet’ (Japanese Spurge)
Hakonechloa macra ‘Aureola’ (Hakone Grass)

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While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
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Requirements

Hardiness 5 - 9
Heat Zones 2 - 8
Climate Zones 2, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, A3
Plant Type Shrubs
Plant Family Sapindaceae
Genus Acer
Common names Maple, Japanese Maple
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early, Mid, Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall
Height 5' - 9' (150cm - 270cm)
Spread 5' - 9' (150cm - 270cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Plant of Merit, Showy
Tolerance Rabbit
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Patio And Containers, Small Gardens
Garden Styles Traditional Garden, City and Courtyard, Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage, Japanese Garden
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Acer (Maple)
Guides with
Acer (Maple)
Not sure which Acer (Maple) to pick?
Compare Now

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