Acer palmatum 'SEIRYU' Japanese maple
size/type
taller shrub,taller shrub
usual height
3-5m
usual width
3-4m
leaves
deciduous broadleaf
colour of leaves
location
full to partial sun
soil type
acidic (peaty)
soil moisture requirements
evenly moist but well-drained
USDA zone (lowest)
5 (down to -29°C)
winter protection
for zone 5+6
for zone 7
categorized
Acer
Japanese maples are very decorative and usually low shrubs, occasionally small trees, with attractive foliage and picturesque structure. There are many varieties in various shades of green, chartreuse, golden and yellow, red to maroon, and even multicoloured (variegated). They originate from Asia (Japan, China, Korea), where they have been cultivated for at least two centuries or perhaps even longer, however, they were introduced to Europe only at the beginning of the 19th century, specifically to Great Britain in 1820. Interestingly, the botanist Carl Peter Thunberg described them much earlier, in 1784, because he undertook an expedition to Japan in 1775-1776, discovering new species and collecting seeds and plants. He named the tree Acer palmatum, referring to the leaf shape resembling a human hand with fingers, although it is said that they first reminded him of frog fingers, which is also one of its oldest Japanese names: kaede. The other is momiji (baby hands). The beauty of the colours and shapes of the leaves and trees is reflected in many arts, for example, in the oldest preserved collection of Japanese poetry from the 8th century, the Man'yōshū (Collection of Ten Thousand Leaves). The Chinese poet Wang Wei (699-759) celebrated their beauty in many of his works, and naturally, maples often appeared in ancient paintings, tapestries, porcelain, and wherever classic and traditional decorations associated with the symbolism of these maples were desired: beauty and elegance, serenity, endurance, vitality, and transformation.Description of the plant:
Seiryu is a Japanese maple variety from the dissectum group. Its delicate leaves are deeply cut like a lace, deciduous, they emerge yellow to lime green with red tips in spring, mature to soft green in summer, and turn fantastic shades of gold, orange and red in autumn. It grows rather fast into a wide-open vase shape with dense branching in full sun. In partial shade it exhibits slightly less dense branching. Seiryu is the Japanese name for one of the four constellation symbols of Chinese astronomy and translates as Azure Dragon (Qīnglóng – 青龍). It is one of the five dragon gods who represent earth power, where the Azure Dragon symbolizes the east and the spring. It is widely used in the media, in feng shui as well as in popular culture. It is a recognized symbol in the cultures of Japan, Korea, Vietnam and especially China where it was featured on their national flag during the Quing dynasty from 1889 till 1912. Many of its depictions match in complexity and detail in the spread paws with claws, in which the breeder of this maple variety may have seen such a resemblance to its leaves that he named his variety after this symbol.
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. Seiryu 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 02-01-2023
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