Description
Origin
The Acer pal. diss. ‘Inaba-shidare’ is a Japanese maple originating from East Asia. More specifically, the plant comes from Japan. The name ‘Inaba-shidare’ means ‘deep purple cascade’ in Japanese, a reference to the drooping branches and deeply colored leaves.
Characteristics
The Acer pal. diss. ‘Inaba-shidare’ is known for its graceful, drooping branches and deep purple leaves that turn bright red in the fall. The plant is a small to medium tree that can reach a height of 2 to 4 meters. ‘Inaba-shidare’ has seven to nine lobes per leaf and blooms in late May with striking red flowers. The seeds, called “samara”, are also present in autumn and are characterized by their wings which are at right angles to each other.
Maintenance
The Acer pal. diss. ‘Inaba-shidare’ thrives best in partial shade or filtered light and prefers well-draining soil that is moist but not overly wet. The tree is frost-resistant, but protection from strong winds is recommended as the plant is somewhat vulnerable. Pruning of ‘Inaba-shidare’ is usually done in late winter or early spring, before new leaves appear, to avoid sap bleeding. It is essential to fertilize the plant annually to promote healthy growth and color.
