Full Moon Maple

Full Moon Maple (Acer japonicum 'Vitifolium') has the largest, roundest leaves of any maple we grow, cut into nine or eleven lobes like a grapevine leaf. It is slow, settling at about 5m tall and 3.5m wide over many years. The reason to plant it is autumn, when the whole canopy runs through gold and orange to deep scarlet and holds that colour for weeks.

Why you'll love it

• Autumn colour that lasts. Gold, orange and scarlet across the entire canopy, held for weeks rather than days.
• Leaves the size of a hand. The broad rounded foliage has far more presence than a fine cut Japanese maple.
• Roots that stay out of trouble. Fibrous and non invasive, so it can sit near paving or a courtyard wall.
• Slow and well behaved. It takes many years to reach 5m, which makes it one of the few real trees for a small garden.

Where it works best

Feature planting. One tree in lawn or at a courtyard corner is enough. The layered branching is worth seeing bare in winter, so place it in view from inside.

Small gardens and light shade. At 5m by 3.5m it throws genuine summer shade over a seat or a small terrace, then lets winter sun back through once the leaves drop.

Pots and courtyards. A pot 600mm or wider suits its slow habit. Potted maples dry out and scorch quickly, so keep it out of afternoon sun and water consistently.

Growing Full Moon Maple in Australia

Position and climate. Morning sun with afternoon shade, sheltered from drying wind. This is a cool temperate and warm temperate tree, frost hardy and better for a cold winter. It is not a choice for the subtropics or hot exposed inland gardens, where the leaf edges brown by January.

Soil. Moist, free draining and rich in humus, slightly acidic if you have the choice. Work compost through the bed and mulch 75mm deep, because the surface roots dislike hot dry soil.

Water and feed. Deep water weekly through summer for the first three years, and in any heatwave after that. A slow release fertiliser in early spring is plenty; overfeeding pushes soft growth that scorches.

Pruning. Almost none. Take out crossing or damaged branches in winter while it is bare, and leave the natural vase shape alone.

What to expect when it arrives

We grow it in four advanced sizes: 400mm and 500mm pots, 45L and 100L. Even the smallest is a substantial tree, because this maple grows too slowly for small stock to make sense. The 100L is a specimen with real height on day one.

Arriving between late autumn and late winter it will be bare, which is normal for a deciduous maple and not a fault. Expect 20 to 30cm of growth a year in the ground, less in a pot. Advanced and large stock is freighted at cost, and trees are delivered Australia wide with delivery from $29.95. Every tree carries our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Read our Japanese maple care guide.
• Compare the season across autumn colour plants.
• Read our guide to creating a Japanese inspired garden.
• Browse other options in trees with non invasive roots.

Common questions

Will it colour reliably in a mild climate?

Colour depends on cool autumn nights. In cool temperate gardens the display is long and reaches deep scarlet, while mild coastal gardens see a shorter, more orange turn.

Why do the leaf edges brown in summer?

Almost always hot afternoon sun, drying wind or a dry root zone. Deep mulch, shelter and consistent summer watering fix it the following season.

Can I keep it in a pot long term?

Yes, and its slow growth makes that easier than with most trees. Use 600mm or wider and root prune every three or four years.

Will the roots lift paving?

Unlikely. The root system is fibrous and non invasive, which is why it works in courtyards. A metre of clearance from hard surfaces is still good practice.