Acer palmatum 'Amagi shigure'

Also Known As

Amagi shigure Japanese Maple

Plant type

tree

size

H: 4'-6'
W: 4'-6'

planting zones

5a-9b

More Options

Acer palmatum 'Amagi shigure' plant details

Acer palmatum 'Amagi shigure' is a slow-growing broadleaf deciduous tree with burgundy, red and variegated foliage. Attracts beneficial insects and birds. Grows well with sun - mostly shade and regular water. Does well in acidic, average, rich and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something humidity tolerant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Acer palmatum 'Amagi shigure'

Plant type: tree
Plant family: sapindaceae
Foliage: deciduous burgundy, red and variegated
Mature size: 4 FT - 6 FT - wide, 4 FT - 6 FT - tall
Uses: fall color

GROWING CONDITIONS for Acer palmatum 'Amagi shigure'

USDA Zones: 5a - 9b
Sun exposure: sun - mostly shade
Watering frequency: regular
Resistant to: humidity
Soil needs: acidic, average, rich and well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

The new leaves in the spring feature bright red leaves with black veins that almost look like black variegation. As the summer progresses the leaves turn to purple before aging to orange in the fall. Trees grow upright and can eventually reach 10-15 feet tall, although most gardeners keep their trees around 7-10 feet tall with light summer pruning.
Care and Receiving Your Tree

Like with other plants that are shipped bare root, you should plant your tree as soon as possible. When planting be sure to spread the roots out a little so they are not clumped together at the bottom of the hole. Japanese Maples want the top of their root crown to be covered with just an inch of soil - be careful not to apply heavy mulch directly on top of the roots as this can suffocate them. Water heavily as soon as you plant your tree but after that be careful not to overwater this beautiful specimen - Japanese Maples prefer long but less frequent watering. During the growing season we water our established trees for two hours once per week, depending on the climate and how hot/dry the weather is (maybe a little more frequently during the hottest part of the year and less frequently during spring and fall when it is cooler). If you are growing your Japanese Maples in containers be sure to use a well-drained soil mix (not peat or compost based, bark based soils do best) and water whenever the soil starts to dry out.

Japanese Maples do best when fertilized in the spring, we recommend a slow release pellet like Osmocote Plus in April. Don't apply fertilizer later than mid-June because it will encourage too much late season growth that will not have time to harden off enough for winter. The exact formula doesn't matter too much, we usually use 15-10-10 but any other works fine for Japanese Maples. Osmocote is the brand we use because it releases steadily for several months and so there is very little risk of over-fertilizing your plants.

By: Red Panda Nursery

Reddish-pink leaves on this Japanese selection are highlighted by dark leaf veins when they emerge in spring. Distinctive reticulation lasts on the leaves throughout the year, and fall bring on a host of orange, red, and purple.

By: Conifer Kingdom

A new cultivar from Japan has become one of my [Sam I am] new all time favorite Japanese Maples ‘Amagi shigure’. We have had this beauty for a little more than two years. The growth habit is nice and tight and the color throughout the growing season is amazing. Although, my description of this maple cannot do it justice. The spring growth is fuchsia or a purple red in color. The reticulated leaves have dark green veins and edges, which almost look black. The spring color holds well during the summer and does not fade [at least not in my climate zone 8.] The color is so unique that it easily stands apart from other maples with similar coloration such as, Purple Ghost and Olsen’s Frosted Strawberry. Amagi shigure shows a moderate growth rate and becomes a small tree which shows off the color to the maximum. This graceful growth habit accentuates this cultivar in the garden. In the fall the fuchsia color darkens to a purple red. In 10 years the estimated height is 6′ with a width of about 4′. Once established this cultivar is hardy to -20 °F. USDA Zone 5. A true collector’s must. Limited availability.

By: Eastfork Nursery

Spring leaves open fuchsia or purple-red with prominent black veins. Wavy edges are also black. Holds its color well throughout the growing season. Fall color are vivid orange, red and purple. A newer introduction from Japan and still quite rare in this country.

By: Bloom River Gardens

A slow-growing, upright Japanese Maple with bright brick-red leaves with prominent black veins. Fall color is vivid orange, red and purple. One of the most exciting new discoveries from Japan.