Buy Acer palmatum 'Shishigashira'

(Lions Mane Maple) has small deep green leaves that are twisted and crimped at their margins. The leaves will form clumps on the plant making an artistic effect. In fall, the foliage turns deep yellow-orange. Our 40-year old plant is 15' X 8' without any pruning.

An old variety with rich glossy-green foliage is crinkled and incredibly tightly packed. Growth is very stubby. Fall color is gold to red.

Shishigashira Japanese Maple has a densely packed dark green leaf structure that adds a unique texture to your landscape. Its leaves are rolled, giving an even denser look to its already dense growing habit. This cultivar makes a great addition to a large or small landscape. Shishigashira Japanese Maple has a reddish-orange fall color that will make a scene in the garden.

Compact, ?stubby? growth makes this (6-12') variety ideal for bonsai, containers and small landscapes. Bright-green, very crinkled foliage is 7-lobed and densely packed on the short twigs; different and very attractive. PSh/M

A slow growing variety very popular for bonsai use, Lion's Head Japanese Maple produces tight tufts of foliage with sections of trunk between branch sets, making this one of the most distinctively shaped cultivars. The leaves are also often ribbed or curled in a very attractive manner, and the small size of the leaves in one of the aspects that lends plants to be sought after for bonsai.

Shishigashira is an older cultivar in the palmatum category. A medium sized tree with a most unusual characteristic – the leaves are small and crinkled around upright branches. In Japanese the name translates to Lion’s Head’ or Lion’s Mane based upon a mythical lion in Japanese drama because of its shape and growth habit. Bunched up, heavily curled leaves grow at the end of short stout shoots [say that 3 times, lol]. The foliage is deep green and firm to the touch. The tree structure is stiff – branches and leaves do not wave in the wind, as with most maples. This maple loves full sun and does not burn. Shishigashira is considered a slow growing tree suitable for bonsai enthusiasts. However, over fertilization may lead to rapid growth and an overall leggy look which is not desirable. Shishigashira like other Japanese maples benefits from some pruning to shape the tree, as well as removing any dead branches. We’ve pruned annually to keep our Shishigashira, in our display garden, around 6′ tall and wide. The dark green foliage turns to orange and finally scarlet red in the fall. The estimated height in 10 years is 12′. Shishigashira like other Japanese maples benefits from pruning to shape the tree. Once established this cultivar is hardy to -20 degrees, USDA zone 5.

Outstanding, closely packed deep-green leaves in summer plus wonderful warm golden-orange tones laced with rose and crimson in fall make this a unique and highly regarded cultivar. Perfect for large and small gardens, great in containers and ideal for bonsai. This selection is the more common form and is also known as 'Mejishi' or the "female lion".

Lion's Head Maple is one of the world's most unique Japanese Maples. The interesting small crinkled leaves make 'Shishigashira' immediately recognizable. Fall color is gold to orange, and a beautiful red. It will stay green longer than other Japanese maples, but when the fall color arrives, its brilliant! In the winter, the tree's skeletal structure is attractive, as is the green bark. The name refers to Shishi, the mythical lion of Japanese drama. Growth Rate medium, 6-12" annually

'Shishigashira', commonly known as "Lion's Head" maple, has tufts of crinkly green leaves which emphasizes the plant's character. This unique maple does fairly well in full sun with minimal sunburn. Fall color is gold with rose and crimson tones. Shishigashira can grow to 8 feet.

This tree is one of a kind! Tightly curled leaves growing on short shoots give this tree a very unique "clustered" look. Considered by most to be a dwarf. The summer color is a nice, rich green. Fall is a complete explosion of bright yellow-orange. Also, this tree is often used for bonsai because of its slow, compact growth habit.

Acer palmatum 'Shishigashira' - A dwarf green curly leaf Japanese Maple. Plant grows in a v-shape with small green leaves that are curled. Stems are compressed with many leaves per branch. Fall color is burnt orange. Great plant for Bonsai!

The name means "Lions Head" in Japanese. Slow growing, but not a dwarf; 18-30 ft. at maturity. Branches firm, stout, congested with leaves and branchlets. Leaves crinkled, stiff, green; reddish to yellow, to golden brown in fall.

Palmatum Group - green. Unlike any other Japanese maple, this slow small grower has curled, kinky leaves emerging in thick patches the length of the stems. Leaf color is green, and it holds this color longer into the fall than the other maples. Then, when other maple colors have faded, it bursts into glorious colors of orange-red. Shishigashira makes a compact upright tree from 10 to 15' tall in time. Slow growth makes this excellent for bonsai and containers. Name translates as 'Lion's Head' or 'Lion's Mane'.

Upright, dense growth with crinkled overlapping leaves, fall gold w/rosy tones, good in containers. Zones 6-9.

A small tree, very slow-growing to 15', with very small crinkly leaves set densely on the branches. Fall color as you see here. zone 6

PALMATUM, green. Syn. 'Cristatum' or 'Ribesifolium'. A most unusual, slow growing form with small, curly, leaves are densely set close to the stems. The foliage is held longer into the fall; when other maples are showing fall color, 'Shishigashira' remains as green as summer. One day, after all others have faded, it bursts into colors of gold, orange and red. Fall coloration and intensity are influenced by the tree's location. Popular for bonsai use.

Stout upright branches have avocado-green bark and crinkled, bright green leaves in clusters held tightly to the branches. An outstanding, vase-shaped specimen tree, suitable for a large container if so desired. Deep red in fall. 7-15' T x 5-12' W