Maple trees are wonderful plants that look great in any garden, as long as the weather is mild and frost occurs. If you are looking for a species that also gives good shade and has very characteristic leaves, I am going to introduce you to acer cissifolium, much better known by the name of grape leaf acer.
With minimal care you can have it for many years without problems. I assure you 😉.
Origin and characteristics
Our protagonist is a deciduous tree native to Japan (specifically from southern Hokkaido to southern Honshu and Shikoku) whose scientific name is acer cissifolium, and the common fig-leaf maple. It reaches a height of between 5 and 15 meters, with a trunk that has smooth gray bark, and green trifoliate leaves that turn red in autumn., and with a reddish petiole up to 10cm long.
The flowers appear in hanging clusters, each with four petals and sepals. It is dioecious, which means that there are female flowers and male flowers in separate specimens. The fruit is a winged samara.
What are their cares?
If you dare to have a copy, we recommend that you provide it with the following care:
- Location: outside, in semi-shade.
- Earth:
- Pot: substrate for acidic plants. If you live in the Mediterranean, use akadama mixed with 30% kiryuzuna.
- Garden: it must be acidic (pH 4 to 6), well drained and fertile.
- Irrigation: 3-4 times a week in summer, somewhat less the rest of the year. You have to use rainwater or lime-free.
- Subscriber: from the beginning of spring to the end of summer it must be paid with organic fertilizers. In case it is in a pot, we will use liquid fertilizers so that the drainage continues to be good.
- Rusticity: withstands cold and frosts down to -18ºC, but cannot live in tropical climates. The minimum temperature must be below 0 degrees so that you can rest in winter.
What did you think of the fig leaf maple? Did you know him?