In Japan, there’s a long-established tradition of going to see Japanese maples when their leaves are at their reddest, in autumn. There’s even a word for it, momijigari, meaning ‘red leaf hunt’.

Acers are trees and shrubs grown mainly for their colorful foliage. Many varieties are the trees and shrubs responsible for spectacular Autumn colors. There are many different types of Acer, from the smaller types, such as the very popular Acer palmatum (Japanese Maple) grown in many gardens, to the large maple trees that can grow up to 45 m in height.

Acer palmatum (or the Japanese Maple) is a species of Acer that originate from parts of Japan and South Korea. They are smallish deciduous trees with deeply-lobed leaves which turn red, orange, and yellow in autumn. The flowers are red in spring. They have a compact tidy habit that negates the need for heavy pruning. They reach maturity in 10 to 20 years.

Like other Japanese maples, Acer palmatum ‘Orange Dream’ thrives in partial shade. For best results grow in moist but well-drained soil and shelter from cold winds.

A more common problem is damage to the foliage from wind. Plants in pots have a higher risk of suffering from this. To resolve this, move pot-grown acers to a more sheltered spot. The ideal windbreak is a hedge as it will filter the wind – solid walls and fences can cause gusts of winds to be stronger and more damaging.