Acer palmatum 'Dissectum' – A Delicate and Elegant Weeping Japanese Maple
Acer palmatum 'Dissectum' is a highly valued weeping Japanese maple known for its finely dissected, lace-like foliage and graceful cascading form. This elegant tree offers year-round beauty, with vibrant foliage colours in spring and autumn, and a delicate weeping structure that adds sophistication to any garden. Its compact size and slow growth make it an excellent choice for small gardens, ornamental landscapes, and containers, providing both texture and movement.
Seasonal Beauty & Growth
Spring:
- In spring, Acer palmatum 'Dissectum' produces soft, fresh leaves that emerge in shades of bright green or reddish hues. The finely cut foliage gives the tree a lacy, airy appearance, adding a delicate touch to the landscape.
- As the season progresses, the leaves continue to mature, and the tree begins to take on its signature weeping form, with branches arching gracefully downward.
Summer:
- Throughout the summer, the foliage retains its green or reddish tones, with the finely dissected leaves offering a soft, textured look that complements surrounding plants.
- The weeping branches continue to cascade down, creating a graceful, flowing effect in the garden. The tree’s compact size makes it a perfect addition to smaller spaces or containers, where it can be admired up close.
Autumn:
- In autumn, Acer palmatum 'Dissectum' undergoes a stunning transformation, as its leaves change to brilliant shades of orange, yellow, and red. The warm colours offer a dramatic contrast to the cooler autumn landscape, making it a striking focal point in the garden.
- The vibrant foliage in autumn adds a fiery burst of colour that creates a stunning visual display before the tree sheds its leaves.
Winter:
- In winter, 'Dissectum' retains its delicate, weeping form, with the bare branches creating an elegant, architectural outline. The smooth bark adds visual interest against the winter backdrop, while the graceful weeping habit ensures the tree remains an attractive feature even in the colder months.
Structure & Form
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Height & Spread: Acer palmatum 'Dissectum' typically grows to a height of 1.5–2.5m with a spread of 2.5–3.5m, making it a compact and small tree. Its cascading branches create a rounded, flowing shape, perfect for smaller gardens, containers, or ornamental landscapes.
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Form: The tree has a weeping, cascading form with finely dissected, lace-like leaves. The branches arch downward, creating a soft, rounded structure that gives it a gentle, elegant presence.
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Growth Habit: Acer palmatum 'Dissectum' has a slow growth rate, allowing it to maintain its compact and graceful form. It requires minimal pruning, but occasional thinning may be necessary to maintain its open, airy habit.
Perfect for Various Landscapes
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Small Gardens & Courtyards: Acer palmatum 'Dissectum' is an excellent choice for smaller spaces, adding texture and movement without overwhelming the area. Its weeping form works beautifully in courtyards or as a statement tree in limited spaces.
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Ornamental Gardens: Its delicate, cascading branches make it ideal for ornamental gardens where it can serve as an elegant focal point, offering beauty in all seasons.
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Containers & Bonsai: Due to its compact size and weeping form, 'Dissectum' is perfect for container planting, whether on patios, balconies, or as part of a bonsai collection.
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Japanese & Zen Gardens: With its refined and delicate appearance, this Japanese maple is a natural choice for Japanese-style or Zen gardens, where it can provide a calming, tranquil atmosphere.
Growing Conditions & Care
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Position: Acer palmatum 'Dissectum' thrives in partial shade, though it can tolerate full sun if watered regularly. In sunnier spots, the foliage colour may be more intense, but the tree will need adequate moisture to prevent stress.
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Soil: Prefers well-drained, slightly acidic to neutral soil that is moist but not waterlogged. It thrives in fertile, loamy soils that allow for good root growth.
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Maintenance: This tree is relatively low-maintenance. It benefits from regular watering, especially during dry periods, but once established, it is fairly drought-tolerant. Pruning is minimal, with occasional thinning of the branches to maintain the tree’s graceful form. It should be protected from strong winds that may damage the delicate branches.
Why Choose Acer palmatum 'Dissectum'?
Acer palmatum 'Dissectum' is a stunning tree that offers exceptional beauty and elegance to any garden. Its finely dissected foliage and graceful weeping form make it a standout choice for ornamental gardens, small spaces, or containers. With its seasonal colour changes, from fresh green spring leaves to fiery autumn hues, this Japanese maple provides year-round interest with minimal maintenance.
Perfect Plant Combinations
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Perennials: Pair with perennials such as Hostas, Ferns, or Astilbes to create a soft, textured contrast.
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Evergreens: Combine with evergreen shrubs like Boxwood, Holly, or Yew to provide a year-round contrast to the deciduous foliage.
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Grasses: Complement with ornamental grasses such as Miscanthus or Carex for added texture and movement in the garden.
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Flowering Shrubs: Combine with flowering shrubs like Rhododendron, Azalea, or Hydrangea to create a colourful, layered garden that transitions beautifully through the seasons.
Acer palmatum 'Dissectum' is an elegant, low-maintenance tree that adds beauty, texture, and movement to any landscape. Its graceful weeping form and delicate, colourful foliage make it a perfect feature tree for smaller gardens, containers, or ornamental landscapes. With its seasonal changes and minimal care requirements, it is an ideal choice for gardeners seeking a refined, year-round specimen that offers both aesthetic and functional value.
Does the height include the pot?
No, we measure from the top of the pot to the tip of the plant except for some of the instant planted screens, in this case it will be stated in the description
How long does delivery take?
Most orders are delivered in just a few days, Smaller items are often sent with Parcelforce on a next day service, Larger items should allow up to 10 days due to the size of the items they often have to be sent on our own transport.
Where will you leave my plants?
We will leave your order at the front of your property, Parcelforce may
leave your items in a safe place if you let us know, Pallet couriers
will require a flat hard surface to deliver to, no gravel or soil, a
driveway or parking spot would be best. Most importantly Deliveries by
pallet courier will require access for a large truck (bin lorry sized)
to get near the delivery point. Deliveries sent on our own transport may come in a small van or larger truck.
