Japanese Maple Garnet

Grown for its attractive shape and elegant, feathery garnet-coloured foliage, Acer palmatum Garnet is a small, slow-growing, deciduous tree (sometimes a medium-sized shrub) with a spreading, mounded habit, perfect as a specimen in the smaller garden. The leaves are beautifully dissected, holding their rich, brownish-red colour through spring and summer, and turn scarlet in autumn. In spring, small, rather insignificant, purplish flowers are followed by red fruits in autumn. Japanese maple Garnet can be grown in a large container in soil-based ericaceous compost, and is particularly beautiful planted where it can be reflected in a small pool. Do not allow the soil to dry out; give a thick mulch in spring. Japanese maple Garnet holds the RHS Award of Garden Merit.

Site: Sheltered – avoid a south-facing or windy site
Soil: Moist, moderately fertile, well-drained acid to neutral soil
Position: Leaf colour best in partial shade
Season of interest: All year, especially spring to autumn
Hardiness: Fully hardy
Height: 6’6” (2m) Spread: 10’ (3m) in 20 years