Broadleaf Deciduous Trees

Acer palmatum 'Shishigashira'

Lion's Head Japanese Maple

SapindaceaeJapan, Korea, China

At a Glance

TypeTree
HabitUpright
FoliageDeciduous
Height8–12 feet (2.4–3.7 m)
Width4–6 feet (1.2–1.8 m)
Maturity18 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

5 - 9
Zone 5
Zone 6
Zone 7
Zone 8
Zone 9
These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.
Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Attracts Pollinators
Container Friendly
Maintenancevery low

Overview

Acer palmatum 'Shishigashira' is a deciduous shrub or small tree reaching 8–12 feet (2.4–3.7 m) tall with a spread of 4–6 feet (1.2–1.8 m) over 15–20 years, forming a dense, upright columnar to vase-shaped crown. The cultivar name translates as "lion's head" in Japanese, referring to the tufted, crinkled leaf texture. Leaves are seven-lobed, 1–2 inches (2.5–5 cm) wide, with short, overlapping lobes densely crowded along the branches and margins that are ruffled and crinkled rather than flat — giving each shoot a tufted, bunched appearance unlike any other commonly cultivated A. palmatum. Foliage is medium to dark green through spring and summer. Fall color is gold to orange, lasting 2–3 weeks. Growth rate is very slow, 2–4 inches (5–10 cm) per year. The extremely slow growth and dense branching make pruning unnecessary for most of the plant's life.

Native Range

Acer palmatum is native to Japan, Korea, and China, occurring in mixed broadleaf forests at low to middle elevations. The 'Shishigashira' cultivar has been cultivated in Japan for several centuries and does not occur in wild populations.

Suggested Uses

Planted as a specimen or architectural accent in Japanese-style gardens, courtyard gardens, and mixed borders at 5–6 foot (1.5–1.8 m) spacing. The unique tufted leaf texture and narrow columnar form provide year-round structural interest. Suitable for containers of at least 15 gallons (57 L). Not suited to hot-summer climates, sites with overhead irrigation, alkaline soils, or exposed windy positions.

How to Identify

Acer palmatum 'Shishigashira' is distinguished from all other A. palmatum cultivars by its unique ruffled, crinkled leaves with short overlapping lobes densely packed along the shoots, creating a tufted lion's-mane texture. The upright columnar to vase-shaped habit and extremely slow growth rate are consistent traits. The leaf texture — crinkled and bunched rather than flat and spreading — is the most reliable identification feature at any season. Fall color is gold to orange rather than the scarlet of many other cultivars.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height8' - 12'
Width/Spread4' - 6'

Reaches mature size in approximately 18 years

Colors

Flower Colors

dark red
purple

Foliage Colors

dark green
green

Fall Foliage Colors

gold
orange
yellow

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~3 weeks
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Spring
Small dark red to purple flowers appear in pendant clusters in April–May as new leaves emerge. Individual flowers are 0.3–0.4 inch (8–10 mm) across. Samaras, 0.75–1 inch (2–2.5 cm) long, ripen in September–October.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

dark red to purple

Foliage Description

medium to dark green with ruffled crinkled texture; gold to orange in fall

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun
Partial Shade
Requires 3-8 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.0(Neutral)
357912
Soil Types
loamsand
Drainage
well drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

15–20 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Plant in moist, well-drained, humus-rich soil with a pH of 5.5–7.0 in partial shade to full sun in cool climates. Water weekly during the first two growing seasons; established plants tolerate brief dry intervals of 7–10 days but show leaf scorch under sustained drought or afternoon heat. Summer temperatures sustained above 85°F (29°C) cause scorch. The dense, tufted foliage can retain moisture and reduce air circulation — avoid overhead irrigation. Best suited to the Pacific Northwest, upper Midwest, and northeastern United States. No routine fertilization is required in humus-rich soils.

Pruning

No routine pruning is required. The very slow growth rate and self-maintaining columnar form mean pruning is rarely needed for 10–15 years after planting. Prune in late spring to early summer (May–June) after leaf-out only to remove dead or crossing branches. Avoid late summer or fall pruning. Do not attempt to alter the columnar form through pruning.

Pruning Schedule

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late spring

Maintenance Level

very low

Container Growing

✓ Suitable for container growing

Minimum container size: 15 gallons

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic