Acer palmatum ‘Shirazz’

Spring is a dazzling display as new leaves emerge a bright cherry red or bright pink with olive green. As temperatures heat up the red or pink is joined by cream and green, but unlike many variegated cultivars at least some of the pink color remains all summer long in all but he hottest climates. While sun brings out the best color This plant needs afternoon shade especially in hot climates. Fall color ranges from red to orange. Introduced by Duncan & Davies Nursery in New Zealand.

Description:

Acer palmatum ‘Shirazz’ is a great Japanese maple tree with fantastic color. In the spring, ‘Shirazz’ shows off a dazzling display of pink color on top of the dark red foliage. The pink edges to these leaves makes the foliage of ‘Shirazz’ one of the more remarkable sights to behold on a Japanese maple.

10 Year Size:

Height:  10-12 feet    Width:  4-6 feet

Acer palmatum ‘Shirazz’ grows to become a small to medium size Japanese maple at maturity. Shirazz is a fast growing tree, growing up to a foot per year, but it does not get too large at maturity.

Shirazz has a slender, vase shape that only reaches to about 6 feet wide. This allows Shirazz to be planted in a variety of locations, even in smaller areas.

COLORS:

Acer palmatum ‘Shirazz’ has some of the best color of any Japanese maple. In the spring, ‘Shirazz’ displays off a dazzling pink color on top of the dark red foliage. The pink edges to these leaves makes the foliage of ‘Shirazz’ one of the more remarkable sights to behold on a Japanese maple.

STRUCTURE:

Acer palmatum ‘Shirazz’ will develop into a medium, upright Japanese maple with a small canopy. Shirazz has a strong branch structure that is impressive in the landscape.

HISTORY:

Shirazz was introduced by Duncan & Davies Nursery in New Zealand.

HARDINESS:

USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: 5-9

AHS Heat Zone: 5-10

Sunset Climate Zone: 3-10, 12, 14-24, 28-37

Japanese maples such as Acer palmatum ‘Shirazz’ are hardy in most regions of the United States. The only areas where they will not work are areas of extreme cold or extreme hot temperatures. Areas of extremely high altitudes may also not work particularly well for Japanese maples. Japanese maples will also thrive better in areas of consistent rainfall. These zones are general rules, but exceptions do apply. Do your own research on your particular area before purchasing a Japanese maple, but Japanese maples are generally a very hardy tree.

SUN TOLERANCE:

The majority of Japanese maples are going to prefer some variation of morning sun and afternoon shade. While this is great in a perfect world, it is not realistic for every Japanese maple. Many Japanese maples can handle much more sun, such as Acer palmatum ‘Shirazz’. Shirazz can handle up to all day sun with little issues. However, better color will be maintained in the summer if given a break from the hot afternoon sun.

PLANTING:

Planting A Japanese Maple In The Ground:

All Japanese maples should be planted slightly elevated on a mound. This can be done by leaving a small portion of the rootball above ground level when planting. Dirt is then brought up to the sides covering up the majority of the roots. The end result is an elevated mound up to the base of the tree. The root flare where the trunk ends and the roots begin should be visible above ground level when planting is finished. A light layer of pine straw or pine bark mulch around the tree is all the mulch that is needed for a Japanese maple. Don’t pile too much mulch up against the trunk of the tree.

Planting A Japanese Maple In A Container:

Japanese maples like Shirazz work great as container plants. When planting a Japanese maple in a container, we typically recommend a 50/50 mix of soil conditioner and potting soil. This will provide a good growing medium for your tree while also allowing for proper drainage. You still want to plant your Japanese maple slightly elevated in the container with the root flare above the dirt level.

SOIL REQUIREMENTS:

Japanese maples like Acer palmatum ‘Shirazz’ prefer slightly acidic soils, but they are very adaptable to nearly any soil. We rarely recommend any soil amendments when planting a new Japanese maple other than possibly some soil conditioner or top soil to fill in here and there. The main thing to consider with soil is the drainage. Japanese maples love well draining soil. They like to get wet, but they don’t like to stay wet. This is another reason that we recommend planting Japanese maples elevated on a mound, so that the water can drain out from the roots of the Japanese maple tree.

WATERING:

Japanese maples like moist well draining conditions. They like good soakings, but then that water needs a chance to drain away. Japanese maples do not like wet feet. When you first plant your Shirazz, you should water no more than once or twice per week depending on the time of the year. Your Shirazz Japanese maple may need more water when planted in the summer versus if it is planted in the fall or winter. After a couple of months you can back off on the watering a little bit as the tree is getting established. There is no need to water your Shirazz while it is dormant unless there is no rain for several weeks. Your Shirazz should be able to live off of nothing but rain water after the first year in the ground. You can give it a drink again if there hasn’t been any rain for a couple weeks or so. Important: most people have more issues overwatering their Japanese maple than under watering it. Don’t kill your Japanese maple tree with kindness.

SPECIAL CARE:

There is very little special care required with Japanese maples, including Acer palmatum ‘Shirazz’ You want to fertilize your Japanese maple in the spring with an organic Japanese maple fertilizer such as Happy Frog. This will ensure that your Shirazz Japanese maple is receiving all the nutrients it needs to flourish in your yard.

PRUNING:

You can prune your Shirazz Japanese maple in the winter when the tree is dormant. This is the best time to prune a Japanese maple because the energy of the tree is not flowing as actively as it may in the spring or summer. Shirazz takes very well to pruning and can become an elegant tree over time with proper care. There are many different ways to prune a Japanese maple. As long as you only prune in the winter and never take more than a third of the tree off at any given time, then it is hard to go wrong. Pruning is all about your personal preferences and making your tree look good for you.