Acer palmatum 'Firecracker' ~ Firecracker Maple

Firecracker Maple is a dwarf deciduous tree with an arching crown.  Its deeply cut, lacy palmate foliage emerges a bright ruby that turns maroon by late spring and deep green by summer before turning crimson in fall.  Small, non-showy but attractive umbels of red flowers bloom in spring followed by samaras. Grows best in rich, moist, slightly acidic well-drained soils. 

MAINTENANCE NEEDS: Low maintenance.  Water regularly.  Mulch in southern climates to keep roots cool.  Keep pruning to a minimum and prune in fall or winter.  Potential issues include stem canker, leaf spots, fusarium, wilt, botrytis, anthracnose, and root rots.  Potential insect pests include aphids, scale, borers, root weevils, and mites.  Chlorosis may occur in high pH soils

LANDSCAPE USES: Group Plantings or Specimen Tree, Naturalized Areas, Woodland Gardens, Privacy Screen, and Street Tree.

COMPANION PLANTS: Azalea, Black Mondo Grass, Rhododendron

IMAGES: MrMaple.com Friends, Acer palmatum "Firecracker"

*As plants have ranges in appearance they may not appear as the images shown.