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‘Shishigashira’
("Lion's Head") is an architectural upright cultivar with distinctive crinkled deep green leaves and compact, dense branching. Mature specimens develop a characteristic widening mid-trunk. Autumn delivers a majestic display of golden yellows with hints of red and orange, evoking a lion's mane. Reaches 8–12 feet; thrives in sun or shade. Exceptional for bonsai and containers. A unique, outside-the-box selection.
Japanese maples are among the most versatile and admired ornamental trees, prized for their elegant form, refined foliage, and year-round visual interest. Suitable for both garden planting and bonsai cultivation, these trees adapt beautifully to a wide range of landscapes and growing styles.
Japanese maples are available in a wide variety of natural forms, including:
Their graceful branching structure provides beauty even in winter once leaves have fallen.
Cultivars display a remarkable range of ornamental traits, including:
Leaf shapes range from finely dissected laceleaf forms to broader, classic palmate leaves.
Japanese maples are highly valued for bonsai due to their fine branching, ability to reduce leaf size, and responsiveness to pruning and training. At the same time, they perform exceptionally well as garden trees—whether planted in the ground, grown in containers, or used as focal points in Japanese-inspired landscapes.
Typical Japanese Maple growth form
We offer Japanese maples in several size categories. Measurements are approximate and provided as a general guideline.
| Size Category | Height | Trunk Diameter | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4" Liners | 6–12 inches | ¼–½ inch | Young plants ideal for training, bonsai, or growing on |
| Standard 1-Gallon | 6–24 inches | ¾–1½ inches | Well-established plants suitable for landscape or container growing |
| 1-Gallon Extra Large (XL) | 12–48 inches | ¾–2 inches | Grown for a longer period, resulting in better branching, thicker trunks, and a more mature appearance |
Please note: Plant size and form will vary depending on the cultivar purchased. Dwarf varieties will naturally be smaller and more compact than standard varieties, even within the same pot size.
Grown in Canada, for Canada. All our Japanese maples are cultivated and shipped from our Canadian nursery with care, ensuring they arrive healthy and ready to thrive in your climate.
