Acer palmatum 'Chuguji'

Also Known As

Chuguji Japanese Maple

Plant type

tree

size

H: 6'-10'
W: 4'-8'

planting zones

5a-9b

More Options

Acer palmatum 'Chuguji' plant details

Acer palmatum 'Chuguji' is a slow-growing broadleaf deciduous tree with green, red and variegated foliage. Attracts beneficial insects and birds. Grows well with sun - dappled 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 'Chuguji'

Plant type: tree
Plant family: sapindaceae
Foliage: deciduous green, red and variegated
Mature size: 4 FT - 8 FT - wide, 6 FT - 10 FT - tall
Uses: bonsai, container plant, fall color, small tree, upright habit

GROWING CONDITIONS for Acer palmatum 'Chuguji'

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

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

Chuguji' is a lesser-known Japanese Maple variety with light green to yellow leaves tipped in red. Trees look their absolute best in mid to late spring when the colors are most vibrant but also develop lovely shades of yellow, red, and orange in the fall. Plants grow more compact with a denser branching habit than many other Japanese Maples, and although 'Chuguji' will eventually reach 7-10 feet tall it tends to stay around 3-4' for several years. Because the leaves are small and colorful this is an excellent variety for a Japanese Maple bonsai.

Light colored Japanese Maples like 'Chuguji' look fantastic when planted with blue-hued plants like Blue Spruce or Blue Cypress.

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.