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Mark A. Miller
Aceraceae
ACER palmatum 'Bihou'
Bihou Japanese Maple, Japanese Maple
This entry has yet to be reviewed and approved by L2G editors.
The beautiful and ubiquitous Japanese maple is a garden staple. A native of eastern Asia, this medium-sized deciduous tree has a broad rounded canopy and packs a powerful punch when it comes to ornamental value. Its palmate foliage may be green, purple or burgundy-red, depending on the cultivar, and can turn vivid shades of yellow, bronze orange or red in fall. Like all maples, it bears inconspicuous flowers in the spring. These are followed by red or green helicopter-like fruits called samaras. In winter, the stark gray branches and elegant habit of a mature Japanese maple will add interest to any landscape.
This adaptable tree prefers sites with rich, well drained soil and full sun to partial shade. It self-sows with efficacy, but this should not dissuade anyone from planting it. Some favorite cultivars include the purple-red leaved ‘Bloodgood’ and red-twigged ‘Sango-kaku.’ Japanese maple is versatile in the landscape and may be grown as a feature plant, in a mixed border or trained for bonsai.
8 - 2
6 - 8
A3, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Tree
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial Shade
15'-50' / 4.6m - 15.2m
15'-40' / 4.6m - 12.2m
Late Spring, Early Summer
Eastern Asia, China, Japan, Korea
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Well Drained
Clay, Loam, Sand
Medium
Oval/Rounded
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Insignificant
Red, Purple
Red, Green
Green
Yellow, Red, Purple, Orange, Gold, Dark Red, Bronze
Red, Green, Gray
No
Single
Yes
Matte
Smooth
Container, Feature Plant, Foundation, Mixed Border, Topiary / Bonsai / Espalier
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