Acer Palmatum Sangokaku 15 Litre Pot

Acer palmatum ‘Sango-kaku’ – Coral Bark Japanese Maple with Year-Round Interest

Acer palmatum ‘Sango-kaku’, commonly known as the Coral Bark Maple, is one of the most distinctive Japanese maples, valued for its vibrant stem colour and elegant, upright form. In spring, the delicate leaves emerge a fresh light green, often edged with a soft pink tint, bringing a gentle brightness to the garden.

Through summer, the foliage remains a clean, soft green, providing a calm backdrop to surrounding planting. As autumn arrives, the leaves turn warm shades of golden yellow, adding a final burst of seasonal colour before falling.

It is in winter that ‘Sango-kaku’ truly comes into its own. The young branches glow in vivid корал-red tones, intensifying in colder weather and creating a striking architectural feature when most of the garden is dormant.

Its upright, vase-shaped habit makes it ideal as a focal point in borders or lawns, where its structure and winter colour can be fully appreciated. Best positioned to catch low winter sunlight, the bark colour can be especially vivid against darker backgrounds or evergreen planting.

Thriving in a sheltered position with moist, well-drained soil, ‘Sango-kaku’ is both hardy and low maintenance, requiring minimal pruning to maintain its natural shape.

Elegant, luminous, and seasonally dynamic, Acer ‘Sango-kaku’ is an exceptional choice for adding structure, colour, and year-round interest to the garden.

Seasonal Highlights

Spring: Fresh green leaves with soft pink edging.
Summer: Light green foliage provides calm structure.
Autumn: Golden yellow display.
Winter: Bright coral-red stems create striking colour.

Key Features

Coral-red bark – Outstanding winter interest.
Elegant upright form – Strong architectural shape.
Seasonal colour – Interest throughout the year.
Light foliage – Soft, airy appearance.
Low maintenance – Minimal pruning required.

Perfect For

Feature planting – Year-round focal point.
Borders and lawns – Adds height and structure.
Winter gardens – Essential seasonal colour.
Japanese-style gardens – Classic ornamental tree.
Contrasting planting – Works well with evergreens.

Growing Tips

Sun/Position: Sun or partial shade; best colour in good light with shelter.
Soil: Moist, well-drained, slightly acidic to neutral soil.
Hardiness: Fully hardy in the UK; protect from strong winds.
Care: Minimal pruning; remove older stems occasionally to encourage vibrant new growth.

Looks Great With

Grasses – Hakonechloa, Miscanthus.
Evergreens – Taxus, Ilex, dark conifers.
Shade planting – Ferns, Hostas, Heuchera.
Winter stems – Cornus alba, Salix for seasonal contrast.