Full Moon Maple is a deciduous Japanese native that earns its name from the shape of its deeply lobed leaves, which unfold in spring like luminous green moons and transform to brilliant yellows and reds come autumn. This spreading small tree or large shrub typically grows 8 to 10 feet tall and spreads 20 to 30 feet wide, creating a sculptural presence in the garden. Hardy in zones 5 through 7, it thrives in full sun to partial shade and demands only moderate water and low maintenance once established. The plant's fern-like foliage and multi-stemmed habit give it an elegant, naturalistic quality that elevates any woodland or shade garden.
18
Partial Sun
Moderate
5-7
120in H x 360in W
—
High
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The leaves are the true star: rounded and palmate with 7 to 11 deeply cut lobes that create an almost fern-like texture, measuring 3 to 6 inches across. Newly emerged foliage displays that translucent quality typical of Japanese maples, catching spring light in ways that feel almost magical. Fall color shifts through yellow and red tones, and the plant often grows as a graceful multi-stemmed specimen, bringing layered structure and interest to the garden year-round.
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“Acer japonicum is native to the mountainous regions of Japan, Manchuria, and Korea, where it evolved in cool, sheltered forest understories. The 'Aconitifolium' cultivar represents generations of selection for the deeply dissected, aconite-like foliage that distinguishes it from the species type. Its introduction to Western gardens followed the broader nineteenth-century passion for Japanese flora, becoming a cornerstone of the Japanese maple movement and a sought-after specimen for collectors who valued its refined leaf architecture and seasonal color.”