Japanese Maple Orange Dream

A brilliantly coloured Japanese maple for a small garden, Acer palmatum Orange Dream is a large, slow-growing, deciduous shrub or small tree with a spreading, bushy but open habit, which looks particularly well against a building. The palmate leaves have pointed lobes and slightly serrated edges. They emerge yellow with a deep orange margin in spring, maturing to lime-green in summer, before turning bright yellow in autumn. Reddish-purple flowers look lovely against the spring leaf-colour, and are sometimes followed by winged, red fruits. Needs no routine pruning; if necessary, prune when fully dormant. Japanese maple Orange Dream holds the RHS Award of Garden Merit.

Growing notes:
Acer palmatum and its cultivars are slow growing and do not really require pruning, but will tolerate it if necessary - remove damaged, diseased or crossing branches - it is best done during the dormant months. Lower branches can be taken off to shape the canopy over time.

Japanese maples all require shelter from wind to avoid wind scorch. The very fine leaved cultivars need extra protection from wind and the sun. Despite being hardy, the fresh growth can be vulnerable to frost in the Spring. They all tolerate growing in a large container, some for a very long time.

• Cultivars with green or yellow foliage are best grown in dappled shade as full sun can scorch the leaves.
• Cultivars with purple or red foliage require some sun to fully develop their dark colour.
• Cultivars with variegated foliage require shade from the afternoon sun to prevent scorching.

Site: Sheltered
Soil: Moist but well-drained soil, preferably slightly acidic to neutral
Position: Best in partial shade; tolerates full sun in reliably moist soil
Season of interest: Spring to autumn
Hardiness: Very hardy
Height:  13’ (4m) Spread: 10’ (3m) in 10-20 years