Acer palmatum 'Dissectum'Japanese maple

Known in Japan since before 1784 and formerly sold as Acer palmatum var. dissectum viride, ‘Dissectum’ represents the classic green form of the cut-leaved Japanese maples. It grows slowly, generally reaching 2 to 3 metres in height and spread; old specimens or those grafted onto taller stems can reach larger dimensions.

The crown first spreads horizontally and then descends in successive layers, taking on a rounded form, flattened at the top. When grafted onto a stem, the pendulous branches form an umbrella-like structure. As a low form, it creates a broad mass that naturally follows the contours of the ground.

The leaves normally have seven lobes, divided almost to the main veins and cut again into very fine segments. They emerge light green to yellowish green, turn mid-green in summer and change to yellow, deep orange and light red in autumn. Small reddish-purple flowers are followed by pink or red samaras.

It prefers bright partial shade, fertile, moist, well-drained soil and a position sheltered from dry wind. In Portugal, the most intense afternoon sun should be avoided. On mature specimens, watering should reach the whole spread of the crown, whose width often extends beyond the area close to the trunk.

It is suited to courtyards, Japanese gardens, water margins, banks and raised beds. Planting at a higher level allows the cascade of branches to be seen in its full extent. A mature specimen from Diaplant immediately brings a broad, layered crown, making it possible to select precisely the graft height, the diameter and the direction in which the branches fall.