PlantFiles: Cutleaf Japanese Maple, Threadleaf Japanese Maple
Acer palmatum 'Orangeola'

This is a great tree for smaller places and has (so far) proven to be above average when it comes sun and heat tolerance for a Japanese maple in my neck of the woods.

This little tree hasn't let me down ever. It is deciduous, but comes back with the prettiest red lace leaves. It has two long draping very fine limbs, kinda like a bride's veil. That's it's nature.

The most difficult issue I've had with my 'Orangeola' has been finding a decent pot to put it in. I found something about the right size when I first took it out of its gallon pot after buying it almost 2 years ago. It's about time to repot it again, and I've had a hard time finding a pot that's wider than it is deep. Half wine barrels just don't do it justice. It seems very happy, oblivious to my mental anguish. I only wish I could have 10 more!

Orangeola, (like the Red Dragon) is a more 'columnar' growing japanese maple, so it works well in a space where you might need that shape. While not greatly 'showy' all on its own you'll see from the photo I posted that you can use its dark purplish color in Fall to contrast against a yellow Coral Bark for some dramatic effect.

LOW GRAFT

Cutleaf Japanese Maple, Threadleaf Japanese Maple
Acer palmatum var. dissectum 'Orangeola'
Family: Aceraceae (ay-ser-AY-see-ay)
Genus: Acer (AY-ser)
Species: palmatum var. dissectum
Cultivar: Orangeola

Category
Shrubs
Trees


Group
Dissectum (very deeply divided and dissected)


Height
12-15 ft. (3.6-4.7 m)
15-20 ft. (4.7-6 m)


Spacing
4-6 ft. (1.2-1.8 m)
6-8 ft. (1.8-2.4 m)


Hardiness
USDA Zone 5a: to -28.8° C (-20° F)
USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1° C (-15° F)
USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3° C (-10° F)
USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5° C (-5° F)
USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7° C (0° F)
USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9° C (5° F)
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2° C (10° F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4° C (15° F)
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6° C (20° F)
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8° C (25° F)

Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Sun to Partial Shade
Light Shade


Foliage
Grown for foliage
Deciduous
Burgundy
Good Fall Color


Other details
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater


Soil pH requirements
5.1 to 5.5 (strongly acidic)
5.6 to 6.0 (acidic)
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)


Propagation Methods
By budding


Seed Collecting
N/A: plant does not set seed, flowers are sterile, or plants will not come true from seed

This is one one the smaller Dissectum Group maples and alos one of the newset. Spring growth is orange-red, with summer leaves purplish-red with a green cast, becoming orange-red again in the fall. The branches are somewhat pendulous. It makes a handsome container plant.