Acer shirasawanum 'Red Dawn'

The large deeply-lobed leaves of this 10-12' upright tree are red!: they open red, change to red-maroon in summer and then to crimson-red in fall; from Talon Buchholz, it may be a hybrid with A. palmatum. S-PSh/M

Red Dawn is a new shirasawanum cultivar from Talon Buchholz in Gaston, Oregon. Shirasawanum maples are known as “full moon maples” can be identified by looking at the flowers and subsequent seed pods [samaras]. If they point up rather than hang down then it is a shirasawanum – palmatum species hang down. This is a red leaf shirasawanum cultivar which is rare because most of the full moon maples are lighter colors of green and gold. In April the dark red leaves are beautiful, but the maple was named for its crimson fall color, which is electric crimson red. Red Dawn has a lovely shape and growth habit not too big and more like a tree than a bush. Height in 10 years 9′ with a 4′ spread. This cultivar can handle full sun to partial shade, but mostly sun is recommended. It is a strong growing maple perfectly suited for cold winters. It is a perfect maple for a small sunny garden as the centerpiece. Once established hardy to -20 degrees, USDA zone 5.

Red leaves emerge in spring with unique elongated lobes. Quite different from other shirasawanum cultivars. Late summer new leaves are more palmatum-like. Fall color brings incredible brilliant reds. Photo taken late May.

A-ser shir-ah-sa-WAN-um Red Dawn is a very upright selection that will grow to about 12 feet in height. The leaves are deeply lobed with pretty red color in spring, red-maroon color in summer and then a stunning crimson in fall color. Growth Rate slow

This vigorous upright Japanese Maple is probably a hybrid between Acer palmatum and Acer shirasawanum. Deeply cut leaves are purple-red in spring, later turning to purple-green. Fall color is Red/Orange.

Though some list this as a selection of shirasawanum we are confident it is a hybrid. It looks much more like palmatum than the former but no matter because the coloration is fantastic. Red, wine, and a little silver from the hair on the leave all combine to make a outsanding plant. It seems nicely upright too.

The long, almost translucent leaves of this true purple-red Full Moon maple emerge with brilliant shades in spring, soften to purple-green in summer and finish with incredible red in fall. New growth is brighter than the mature foliage, and seed set is abundant.

Red over yellow spring growth turns gold for summer, lime-green in shade. Fall carmine-red over yellow. Zones 5-8.