Acer palmatum ‘Shishigashira’

April’s Feature Tree

Acer palmatum ‘Shishigashira’ is also known as Lion’s Head Japanese Maple. It has dense tufts of deep green, crinkled foliage on each branch that resemble the mane of a lion, hence its common name.

Acer palmatum ‘Shishigashira’

Lion’s Head Japanese maple is an upright, slow-growing acer that is suitable for small gardens and can also be grown in a container. In ten years, it can be expected to grow to only six feet in height and four feet in width.

It is quite adaptable to a variety of soil types such as sand and clay, but will grow best in rich, well-drained soil.

‘Shishigashira’ in Spring

‘Shishigashira’ in Fall

In Spring, it opens with bright green foliage, and in Fall, one of the latest Japanese maples to turn, has a lovely golden-yellow foliage with shades of red-orange.

Whether placed in a garden with strong contrasting foliage plants such as Hosta, or grown in a pot, Acer plamatum ‘Shishigashira’ offers structural interest that only improves with age.