JAPANESE MAPLE NIGRUM

Article and pictures by David Marks.

A small sized Japanese Maple which is a slow grower. It reaches about 4m / 13ft high, slightly less in width after 35 years or so. This makes it ideal for medium and larger sized gardens.

Sometimes known as “Black Japanese Maple”, it lives up to its name with very dark purple foliage in spring (see leaf picture lower down page). Acer palmatum Nigrum turns browny green in mid summer and then finally turns a bright crimson in autumn. A good choice of Japanese Maple if you want colour for a long period of time.

Nigrum produces lots of winged fruits in autumn which are green at first contrasting with the deep crimson foliage. It has been awarded the RHS Award of Garden merit (AGM).

TECHNICAL DETAILS FOR ACER PALMATUM NIGRUM

Genus	Acer
Species	palmatum
Variety	‘Nigrum’
Light	Sun or part shade. Holds its spring colour best in full sun.
Hardy	Fully hardy
Soil	Most, but best slightly acidic and well-drained
Height	4m / 13ft after 30 years
Spread	3m / 10ft after 30 years
Spread	Compact shape
Colour	Deep purple at first, brown and green tones from mid summer turning deep crimson in autumn.
Colour	No
Bonsai	No

LEAF FORM

The picture on the left shows the leaves in April, click picture to see more. The medium-sized leaves have seven lobes which are serrated at the edges. When young the leaves have a faint white sheen to them.The stalks are short, red coloured throughout the season.

SUPPLIERS OF ACER PALMATUM NIGRUM
HIPPOPOTERING
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