Japanese Maple Tree | Acer palmatum 'Butterfly'
As graceful as its namesake
Grown by Mike
Roots' Cotswolds Valley Nursery
Tree in a 3L Pot
30-40cm on arrival
Choose your size
Pre-order
Pre-order for delivery by Early November
Plant diary
- Flower
- Harvest
Japanese Maple Tree
Acer palmatum 'Butterfly'
- With its attractive green leaves and cream/pink variegation, 'Butterfly' is an acer that certainly soars high in our estimations here at Roots!
- Its deeply-lobed, palmate leaves are margined with splashes of either cream or pink, creating a striking effect overall and ensuring that, wherever it's planted, this shrub most definitely stands out
- The compact, shrubby nature of this tree makes it an excellent choice for smaller gardens (or to use as a feature plant in a large pot on your patio)
- Your acer will fare best in a sheltered position as prolonged exposure to strong winds can cause leaf scorch
- Low maintenance and easy to grow, this acer is perfect for gardeners with limited time on their hands!
What to expect
Supplied as
Height on arrival
Eventual height
Eventual spread
Habit
Hardiness
Spacing
Will this grow in my garden?
Can I grow this in a pot?
Yes, Japanese Maple Tree is exceptionally well-suited to pot cultivation. A 40-50cm pot is ideal. It can thrive in a pot long-term. Ensure good drainage and protect roots from freezing temperatures below -5°C.
How big does it get?
Acer palmatum 'Butterfly' typically grows to a compact height of 2 to 3 metres, with a spread of 1.5 to 2 metres, although it can be maintained at a smaller size with regular pruning.
How much sunlight does this need?
Japanese Maple Tree prefers dappled shade.
What kind of soil does this plant prefer?
Japanese Maple Tree prefers moist, well-drained, slightly acidic soil to thrive. Ensure the soil does not freeze below -5°C for optimal root health, applying a 5cm layer of mulch in winter.
How much watering does this plant need?
Japanese Maple Tree requires regular watering, especially during its first few years of establishment. Provide approximately 10 to 20 litres of water per week, ensuring the soil remains moist but well-drained. During hot weather above 25°C, increase watering frequency to prevent the roots from drying out.
Will this plant need pruning?
Japanese Maple Tree should be pruned while fully dormant in winter, ideally when temperatures are below 5°C, to prevent sap bleeding.
How hardy is this plant?
Acer palmatum 'Butterfly' holds an RHS hardiness rating of H6, making it fully hardy in the UK and able to survive temperatures down to -20°C.
The wider garden
Roots' Cotswolds Valley Nursery
Meet Mike
Tree-growing skills honed right across the globe
Having started out in Australia, studied in Northern Ireland and volunteered at an organic farm in Sweden, it’s fair to say Mike’s done his fair share of travel on his horticultural journey, so far! Having happily laid down roots here at Roots, Mike is the don behind our tree-growing operation, imparting each and every one of his globally-honed skills to benefit your garden. Grown in our purpose-built nursery, in the ideal climatic conditions of the fertile Vale of Evesham, we’re proud to supply only the happiest, healthiest and hardiest trees.
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