Acer palmatum ‘Osaka Zuki’ is a striking Japanese maple admired for its vivid autumn foliage, with large lobed leaves turning brilliant crimson-red. It features graceful branching and offers a showy presence in gardens, thriving best in sheltered locations with dappled light. The cultivar develops a broad, elegant form and is an excellent choice for creating vibrant seasonal displays.
Synonym: Acer palmatum var. amoenum, Acer japonicum (misapplied)
Plant Biography
Native to Japan, Acer palmatum has been cultivated for centuries for its elegant form and leaf colour. The ‘Osaka Zuki’ cultivar emerged from horticultural breeding to enhance autumnal red hues and resilience in garden settings. In its native landscape the Japanese maples has cultural significance, often planted in temple gardens and celebrated in seasonal festivals. The name ‘palmatum’ refers to the hand-like spread of the leaf lobes, while ‘Osaka Zuki’ hints at the variety’s origins near the Japanese city of Osaka. Today, it is cherished worldwide, particularly for its reliable, vibrant autumn display.
Soil: Moist but Well Drained
Soil that allows water to drain at a moderate rate, without the water pooling.
Growth Rate: Slow
This plant is particularly slow to grow, even during growing season.
Final Size: Medium
Final size will be suitable for a table, plant stand, or large strong shelf.
Water Requirement: Medium
Once it is established, this plant is likely to only require watering during drier periods.
Toxicity: Pet friendly
There is no reported toxicity to pets and humans.
Maintenance: Low
Minimal skill or input needed beyond the basics, a very independent plant.
Situation: Part Shade
Enjoys several hours of direct sunlight but may enjoy dappling or shade at midday.
Eventual Height: 4-6m
The plant's ultimate height in typical growing conditions.
Eventual Spread: 3-4m
The plant's ultimate spread in typical growing conditions.
Hardiness: Hardy
Survives unprotected in an average winter. May need protection in extreme long frosts.
Habit: Deciduous
Sheds all its foliage annually, so for a period of the year it will be without foliage.
Lifecycle: Perennial
This plant is persistant and does not die off after flowering. It will return each season indefinitely, if provided with suitable growing conditions.
Expert Tip
Plant in a position with access to bright but filtered light, such as alongside taller shrubs or trees that offer dappled shade. 'Osaka Zuki' serves as a striking focal point near water features, patios, or viewed against a backdrop of evergreens. Pair it with woodland perennials and ornamental grasses to highlight the leaf colour and shape throughout the seasons.
Care & Size Guidance
Position Acer palmatum ‘Osaka Zuki’ in a sheltered spot with partial shade to protect leaves from scorching.Provide consistently moist but free-draining, slightly acidic soil and mulch annually to retain moisture and insulate roots.
Water regularly during dry spells, especially in the first few seasons after planting. Minimal pruning is needed; remove any dead or inward-facing branches in winter. Over time, expect a compact tree reaching 4-6 metres tall and up to 4 metres across.
Feeding and Repotting
Apply Trees & Shrubs Growth Fuel, a controlled release fertiliser, once yearly in very early spring or late winter. Replenish mulch each year to maintain soil conditions. Re-pot container specimens every 3-4 years to refresh soil and check root health.
To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.
Functional
Always active
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes.The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.