Acer palmatum dissectum 'Inaba-shidare' AGM

Dissected red foliage with a weeping habit. Colour lasts well during the summer. This small tree has an open,light and airy appearance. Brilliant crimson autumn colour. Expected height is 150cm in 10 years.

Good to know

Acers, or Japanese Maples, make excellent companion plants for rhododendrons. The taller growing varieties offer light dappled shade above rhododendrons, whilst the smaller growing maples provide a strong foliage contrast, especially when seen in a low umbrella habit. All acers have lovely new foliage in the spring, and most have fantastic autumn colour. In the wild, most Japanese maples grow in dappled shade in the fringes of woodland, out of strong winds.

They perform best in moist, but free draining soil, and the smaller growing varieties are lovely in pots. In general, the larger leaves varieties are more tolerant of wind than the cut-leaf dissectum types. Acers like sun, not shade, but most prefer light shade during the hottest part of the day.

Acers can grow in a quite random fashion which can be attractive but formative staking and tying is recommended to train new shoots when young. Spectacular effects can be gained by training the classic mushroom shape at different heights. This requires staking the leading shoot vertically from a young age to form the stem height you require, before allowing the cascade to form. Heavy pruning is best when the plant is fully dormant in winter, and light pruning to encourage more branching is done in early summer.

Plant acers with care and they will reward you for more than 100 years! Choose a good site and prepare it well. All require good moist, free draining soil, with a high organic content. For a guide to plant spacing, use the height we give in 10 years as a guide to the distance between each plant. Dig a hole at least twice the width of the pot and mix in plenty of good ericaceous compost to aid establishment. Acers are surface rooting, so plant no deeper than the top of the rootball. Add a teaspoon of granular slow release feed for a 3 litre plant, rising to a small handful for a mature plant. Acers are suitable for growing in pots and containers. Do not overpot; - for best performance, it’s best to re-pot every 3 years into a slightly larger pot with good drainage holes.

Please note: The dissectum (cut-leaf) cultivars are less tolerant to wind and require a more sheltered position, to prevent wind-burnt foliage. Water little and often during first season to prevent scorched leaves.

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The Basics

Ideal soil

Acidic soil, good organic content, pH 4.5-6.0. Inkarho range of rhododendrons will tolerate soils up to pH7.5

Sun or Shade

Light dappled shade is best for most varieties.

Shelter

Refer to hardiness rating. Give young plants protection.

Site Selection

Avoid close to trees, roots, invasive weeds, walls, hot patios, dry banks and waterlogged soils. Do not use weed matting or stone mulch.

Plant spacing

Use the height shown in 10 years as a guide to the distance between each plant. Allow room for plant to fill out. If planting closer for instant impact, be prepared to move plants after a few years.

Compost

• 3 litre pot, dig in 10-20 litres of ericaceous compost.
• 7.5 litre pot, dig in 20-30 litres of ericaceous compost.
• 70-80cm specimen, dig in 60 litres of ericaceous compost.
• 100-120cm specimen, dig in 120 litres of ericaceous compost.

Planting depth

Plant high in the ground, with the top of the rootball visible.

Feeding

Slow-release ericaceous feed recommended in March and straight after flowering.

Mulch

Recommended every few years.

Water

The key ingredient! Keep moist all season, especially the critical time at end of June for flower bud initiation. Tap water is better than no water. Heavy dose at least once per week in dry weather.

Drainage

Ensure good drainage in winter, especially with yellow flowering varieties. Avoid waterlogged sites.

Pruning

Rhododendrons and Camellias: Not normally required. Tidy wayward shoots after flowering.

Evergreen azaleas and Bloombux can be clipped into a low hedge.

Magnolias and Acers: Formative pruning when young to shape into a tree or bush.

Deadheading

Remove old flower-heads, particularly on young or weak plants.

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Size Guide

Delivery & Returns

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