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

Acer palmatum ‘Shishigashira’, often called the Lion’s Head Maple, is a distinctive and highly ornamental Japanese maple. Unlike the typical lace-leaf or broad palmate forms, ‘Shishigashira’ is renowned for its unique, crinkled foliage and upright, architectural habit.

🌿 Key Features:

• Foliage: Small, tightly packed leaves with a curled, crinkled texture and rich deep green colour through spring and summer. In autumn, they put on a spectacular show, turning vibrant shades of gold, orange and scarlet, often with multiple colours on the same tree.

• Habit: Forms an upright, compact, bushy small tree or large shrub, growing slowly to around 2.5–4 metres high with a slightly narrower spread. Its growth is dense, giving it a sculptural look that’s especially prized in Japanese gardens.

• Bark: Smooth grey-brown branches add quiet winter structure.

Its unusual foliage and tight habit give ‘Shishigashira’ a strong architectural presence, making it a standout specimen in borders, courtyards, or pots. It’s also highly valued for bonsai.

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🌱 Detailed Care Guide for Acer palmatum ‘Shishigashira’

📍 Position & Light

• Prefers partial shade or dappled sunlight.

• Can tolerate some full sun (especially morning sun) which helps intensify autumn colour, but protect from hot afternoon sun that may scorch the leaves.

• Needs a sheltered site, away from strong winds.

🌬️ Shelter

• Important to avoid exposed spots. Strong winds can damage leaves or dry them out, leading to browning.

💧 Watering

• Likes soil to be consistently moist but not waterlogged.

• In hot spells or if grown in a container, water regularly to prevent stress.

• An annual mulch of bark or compost in spring helps retain moisture and protect shallow roots.

🪴 Soil

• Prefers slightly acidic to neutral, fertile, well-drained soil enriched with organic matter.

• Avoid heavy clay or very alkaline soils. If your soil is unsuitable, grow in raised beds or containers with ericaceous compost mixed with grit.

🍽️ Feeding

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

• Avoid high-nitrogen fertilisers which encourage lush, soft growth that’s more vulnerable to damage.

✂️ Pruning & Maintenance

• Needs minimal pruning.

• Remove any dead, damaged or crossing branches in late autumn or winter while dormant.

• Avoid heavy pruning, as it can spoil the natural compact structure.

🪲 Pests & Problems

• Generally free of serious pests or diseases.

• May occasionally attract aphids on young shoots.

• Leaf scorch (browned edges) is usually a sign of drought, strong winds or intense sun, not disease.

🚰 Container Growing

• An excellent candidate for growing in large pots, which helps control size and allows placement in an optimal sheltered spot.

• Use ericaceous compost with added grit for drainage, raise pots on feet, and water consistently.

• In very cold weather, protect container roots by wrapping the pot or moving it to a sheltered position.