Acer palmatum 'BALDSMITH'

Baldsmith is a fantastic Japanese laceleaf maple. Its delicate deciduous foliage emerges a mixture of orange, salmon pink, and pale green in spring, and matures to medium green with red hues in summer. In autumn all leaves turn a breathtaking shade of vibrant carmine red.

It grows slowly but dense, forming a mushroom head with plenty of leaves along burgundy red branches. It is often grafted on green stems of acer palmatum to achieve a tree form. This way its arching branches create an almost weeping effect having more room to grow downwards. Non-grafted plants form wide yet compact shrubs about 2m tall and a bit more wide in full maturity. For best colouring grow it in full sun, though it can take some light shade where its red colour will be significantly less prominent.

Japanese maples need constantly moist soil that has to be well-drained, acidic to neutral, and medium fertile. Keep it mulched all year round. It loves a location with high air humidity, e.g. at a river bank or near a pond but it is not a must. Baldsmith is very hardy once its wood has hardened and withstands temperatures down to -29°C (USDA zone 5).

Last update 24-11-2018