A Proven Winners® ColorChoice® Flowering Shrub, Acer Metamorphosa™ is a dwarf Japanese maple. This deciduous shrub or multistemmed small tree offers year-round interest, with its lovely architecture, lacy leaves, and ever-changing color. In early spring, Acer Metamorphosa blooms in attractive, but insignificant, reddish-purple flowers as it begins to leaf out in intricate yellow-green leaves. As the young leaves expand, they develop pinky red margins that, in summer, fade to white with hints of reddish orange. In early fall, as the leaves begin to turn bright orange red, before deepening to red violet, winged samaras replace the flowers. The flowers sustain pollinators, and the samaras support songbirds.
An Acer palmatum, commonly called Japanese maple, Metamorphosa has an upright, outwardly spreading, arching habit and a moderate growth rate. This Japanese maple ranges in size depending on growing conditions, ranging in height between 5 feet and 13 feet and ranging in width between 3 feet and 10 feet, with largest size occurring in optimal conditions. Acer Metamorphosa is a perfect specimen plant, adding delicate texture and kaleidoscopic color to the landscape, and it fits nicely in a small garden or in a large container.
Adaptable and low maintenance, Metamorphosa grows best in a sunny to dappled shade location with organically rich, moist, well-draining soil, having an average to slightly acidic pH. It tolerates a wide range of soils, including sand and heavy clay, but high pH soils may result in chlorosis, a yellowing or blanching of the leaves. It may require some shade in warm climates. Japanese maple is disease resistant as well as rabbit and black walnut tolerant, making it a favored understory plant.
