Acer palmatum 'Firecracker' (Dissectum Group) syn. Acer palmatum var. dissectum 'Firecracker'

Acers (or Maples as they are commonly known as) are trees and shrubs grown mainly for their colourful foliage. Many varieties are the trees and shrubs responsible for spectacular Autumn colours. There are many different types of Acer, from the smaller types, such as the very popular Acer palmatum (Japanese Maple) grown in many gardens, to the large maple trees that can grow up to 45 m in height. Most species have palmate leaves that are lobed (usually 3 - 9 lobes). The flowers, which are green, yellow, orange or red, in racemes, umbels or corymbs, appear in early Spring, and are followed by fruit, - samaras - or "helicopters", "whirlybirds" "maple keys" or "polynoses" due to the way they spin as they fall in Autumn. Acer palmatum (or the Japanese Maple) are a species of Acer which originate from parts of Japan and South Korea. They are smallish deciduous trees with deeply-lobed leaves which turn red, orange and yellow in autumn. The flowers are red in spring. They have a compact tidy habit that negates the need for heavy pruning. They reach maturity in 10 to 20 years. The Dissectum Group is a specific cultivar group within the species of Acer palmatum, which have finely cut leafs. They are often called the Cut Leaf Japanese Maple, Thread Leaf Japanese Maple or Lace Leaf Japanese Maple. 'Firecracker' has deeply dissected purple leaves on red stems. In Autumn the leaves turn bright red.

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  Full sun to partial shade

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  Occasional watering

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  Frost Hardy: 23F (-5°C)

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  Light and free draining