Acer Palmatum 'Linearilobum' 85cm Pot 300cm Height Outdoor Tree

Acer palmatum ‘Linearilobum’ is a distinctive Japanese maple celebrated for its narrow, strap-like leaves, which create a wonderfully delicate, thread-like effect. Unlike the broad lobes of typical Japanese maples, the leaves of ‘Linearilobum’ look almost like finely cut ribbons, offering a unique texture that stands out beautifully in the garden.

🌿 Key Features:

• Foliage: Leaves are deeply divided into long, slender lobes (almost hair-like), giving a light, airy appearance. They emerge bright red in spring, gradually maturing to reddish-green or bronzy green in summer, before turning fiery crimson-red in autumn, creating a striking seasonal display.

• Habit: Forms an elegant, upright small tree or large shrub, typically reaching 3–4 metres high, with a spread of about 2–3 metres, developing a softly rounded crown over time.

• Bark: Smooth grey stems add understated winter interest once the leaves fall.

Because of its unusually fine foliage, ‘Linearilobum’ adds movement and texture, contrasting beautifully with broader-leaved plants and providing a sense of delicacy in borders, woodland gardens or Japanese-inspired plantings.

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🌱 Detailed Care Guide for Acer palmatum ‘Linearilobum’

📍 Position & Light

• Prefers partial shade or dappled sunlight.

• Will tolerate some morning or early afternoon sun, which helps intensify its autumn colours, but needs protection from hot, harsh afternoon sun which can scorch the narrow leaves.

• Always plant in a sheltered position, away from strong or drying winds.

🌬️ Shelter

• Essential to protect from wind, which can damage or shred the fine, narrow leaf lobes, leading to browning at the edges.

💧 Watering

• Likes soil to be consistently moist but well-drained.

• Water thoroughly during dry spells, especially when newly planted or grown in containers.

• Apply a mulch of bark or compost each spring to retain moisture and keep shallow roots cool.

🪴 Soil

• Prefers slightly acidic to neutral, fertile, humus-rich soil.

• Avoid heavy clay or very alkaline soils. If necessary, plant in raised beds or containers using ericaceous compost mixed with grit for drainage.

🍽️ Feeding

• Feed lightly in spring with a balanced slow-release fertiliser or a specialist acer feed.

• Avoid high-nitrogen fertilisers, which produce soft growth more vulnerable to wind or frost.

✂️ Pruning & Maintenance

• Requires minimal pruning.

• Remove any dead, damaged or crossing branches in late autumn or winter when the tree is dormant.

• Avoid hard cutting back, which spoils its natural airy form.

🪲 Pests & Problems

• Generally very healthy and low-maintenance.

• May occasionally see aphids on new shoots.

• Leaf scorch (browned tips or edges) is usually due to drought, strong wind or intense sun, not disease.

🚰 Container Growing

• Works well in large pots, perfect for patios or smaller gardens.

• Use ericaceous compost with added grit, ensure good drainage by raising the pot on feet, and water consistently.

• In very cold spells, protect container roots by wrapping the pot or moving to a sheltered spot.