Acer palmatum 'OSAKAZUKI' Japanese maple

The variety name of Osakazuki Japanese maple seems to refer to the third largest city in Japan, Osaka, which is renowned for its extensive vineyards that replaced cotton fields. There could be at least two reasons for choosing it – either in reference to its bright carmine red autumn leaves which correspond to the colour of Osaka red wine, or the shape of the individual leaf lobes whose shape resemble a typical Japanese plump wine glass. But the most accurate translation from Japan is ‘a large glass of saké’ and probably most importantly refers to slightly cupped shape of the large leaves.

Osakazuki maple bears deciduous, 5- to 7-lobed, broadly palmate leaves that emerge chartreuse in spring, soon after they gain pale copper-orange hues, mature to dark green with thin red margins in summer, and turn bright carmine red in fall. In the spring appear small, drooping, maroon inflorescences.

It grows rather fast, making upright shrubs first and later changing the habit to a spreading canopy on a naturally multi-stemmed shrub or small tree. Compared to most modern varieties, expect a taller plant of around 4m in smaller gardens and up to 7m in parks and arboretums with unlimited root space. Osakazuki forms beautiful specimens that are often trained into multi-stemmed shrubs or trees where lateral branches of lower framework are often removed to the height of a man in order to gain a canopy above our heads. Those will offer a gorgeous sight even in winter when there are no leaves, and you will see the elegant structure of strong branches.

Japanese maples need constantly moist soil that has to be well-drained, acidic to neutral, and medium fertile. Keep it mulched all year round. It loves a location with high air humidity, e.g. at a river bank or near a pond but it is not a must. Osakazuki maple withstands full sun in constantly moist soil, and naturally grows in partial shade, too. Full shade is not recommended. It is hardy to at least -29 °C (USDA zone 5), and is suitable for large outdoor planters, too, if kept moist but without a saucer.

Last update 23-01-2023