Acer palmatum 'Butterfly'Japanese maple
A variegated cultivar with a narrow, luminous crown, ‘Butterfly’ produces small grey-green leaves irregularly edged with creamy white and pink. As the distribution of colours varies from leaf to leaf, the crown takes on a fragmented, dynamic texture reminiscent of a cluster of butterflies.
- Irregular variegation that makes the pattern of every leaf different
- Margins pink on emergence, creamy white in summer and magenta in autumn
- Upright, narrow habit, suited to courtyards and gardens with limited space
About this cultivar
Also known by its Japanese name ‘Kochō-no-mai’, it grows slowly as an upright shrub or small tree with fine branching. It generally reaches 2.5 to 4 metres in height and keeps a relatively narrow crown, often only 1.5 to 2 metres wide.Read moreShow less
Also known by its Japanese name ‘Kochō-no-mai’, it grows slowly as an upright shrub or small tree with fine branching. It generally reaches 2.5 to 4 metres in height and keeps a relatively narrow crown, often only 1.5 to 2 metres wide.
The small leaves have five to seven lobes and a green to grey-green centre. The creamy-white margins are distributed asymmetrically and are often tinged with pink in spring. This irregularity visually breaks up the mass of the crown and creates a light effect, even when the plant is in full leaf.
In autumn, the pale areas of the leaves take on scarlet or magenta tones, while the green areas turn yellow and orange. Small reddish flowers may appear in spring, followed by samaras that ripen to red.
It prefers bright partial shade, protected from strong afternoon sun and dry wind. The soil should be fertile, moist and well drained. To preserve the identity of the cultivar, any fully green shoots should be removed at their origin, before they come to dominate the variegated branching.
It is particularly suited to courtyards, entrances, small gardens and compositions seen up close, where the detail of the variegation can be appreciated. Dark green backdrops heighten the contrast of the foliage. A mature specimen from Diaplant immediately brings a luminous vertical presence and makes it possible to assess the distribution of colour and the quality of the crown in advance.
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