Acer Palmatum 'Shishigashira' is a slow growing tree and perennial plant that can be grown in USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 5A through 9B. It matures to an average height of 12 feet to 15 feet and an average width of 8 feet to 10 feet, depending on climate and other environmental factors. It prefers growing in a location that provides morning sun with afternoon shade or filtered sun and grows best when planted in loam, clay or silt soil that is well drained. The foliage is yellow, red, orange and medium green in color. It attracts visual attention and is resistant to deer, insects, diseases and heat.

Shishigashira Japanese Maple can be useful in the landscape along woodland borders, in containers or planters, in shrub borders, around decks, swimming pools, and other outdoor living areas, as an accent, as a focal point, in landscape beds or islands, to add property value, to accentuate entryways or in small groupings and also in rock or xeriscape gardens, theme gardens, cottage gardens or shade gardens.

More about our Japanese Maples...

Gardener Direct offers over 150 outstanding and unique varieties of Japanese Maple. We are testing and adding new varieties every year. Our container-grown maples are expertly grown from grafts with the utmost care. Before we offer them for sale, plants are fully rooted and well-branched in 2, 3 or 5 gallon containers. 

To determine hardiness and overall performance in the landscape, each variety of Japanese Maple has been field-tested in our trial gardens here in mid-Georgia. This means you can count on the specific information we provide about each plant.

More about the Golden Bark Japanese Maple...

‘Shishigashira’ is an upright, compact, slow-growing form that typically grows to 7-15’ tall over a number of years. Palmate, 5- to 7-lobed, crinkled, bright green leaves (to 2” long) grow in tufts along the stems. Foliage turns showy shades of gold and crimson in fall. Small reddish-purple flowers in spring are somewhat attractive on close inspection, but are not showy from a distance. Flowers are followed by samaras that ripen in late summer to fall. ‘Shishigashira’ means lion’s head, and this cultivar is sometimes commonly called lion’s head maple.

Japanese maples stand out best when they are planted as a single specimen or in small groupings. Use them to accentuate an entryway or as a focal point to draw attention to a certain area of the landscape or home. Be careful not too overcrowd your Japanese Maple. We suggest underplanting with dwarf, low growing shrubs or groundcovers.

Culture & Care

When provided the right environment in the landscape Japanese Maples are very easy to grow and care for, and long lived.

Soil - Japanese maples adapt well to many soil types provided there is good drainage. Consistently wet or soggy soils can be a killer.

Sun -  Some varieties will tolerate full sun. However, in their natural habitat, Japanese Maples are understory trees, growing in dappled forest sunlight and at the edges of partially shaded woodlands. Ideally they prefer to be grown in similar conditions, especially in the warmer climate of the Deep South.

Water - During the first two summers after planting a Japanese Maple, make sure to water enough to keep soil damp but not soggy. Constantly wet feet can cause serious problems. Proper planting method can ensure proper drainage over the long term. SEE: Detailed Planting Instructions For How To Plant A Japanese Maple

Pruning - When a specific variety of Japanese maple is planted in the right size space; where it have room to grow to mature size, rarely will it require pruning. That beings said, removal of damaged or stray branches that spoil the form of the tree can be performed almost any time of year. Heavy or major pruning is best left to professionals. If you hire someone to prune your Japanese maple make sure he/she has the credentials and ALWAYS check references.

Planting Your Japanese Maple

SEE: Detailed Planting Instructions For How To Plant A Japanese Maple in the Ground