Acer PALMATUM 'HOGYOKU' - Japanese Maple 'Precious Gem', Palmate Maple 'Hogyoku', Fan Maple, Smooth Japanese Maple.
Can be grown in bonsai style!
Maple is a genus of deciduous trees and shrubs in the Sapindaceae family, comprising over 120 species and numerous ornamental forms. Natural habitats span Europe, Asia, and North America, with the greatest species diversity observed in Eastern Asia. Maples are found in mixed forests, on mountain slopes, in river valleys, and in park landscapes. The second genus in the family, Dipteronia, is native only to China.
The plants have a rounded or broad, dense crown and large palmate-lobed leaves with radiate venation. In autumn, the leaf blades acquire vivid shades of yellow, orange, purple, or reddish-brown, making maples some of the most ornamental trees of the temperate climate. The shoots are typically light-colored, with various bark shades on young growth.
The flowers are small, yellow-green, gathered in loose inflorescences and appear in early spring - simultaneously with the leaves or slightly earlier. The fruit is a double samara consisting of two winged seeds that separate upon ripening and are dispersed by the wind. The root system is primarily shallow, which facilitates rooting but makes the plant sensitive to soil compaction.
Maple propagates by seeds and suckers. Most species are light-demanding, tolerate urban environments well, and are characterized by longevity: the average lifespan is 150-200 years, and individual specimens can reach an age of 300-500 years. Thanks to their ornamental appeal and hardiness, the genus is widely used in landscape and park gardening worldwide.
Japanese Maple 'Hogyoku' is a compact deciduous shrub or small tree 3-4 m (10-13 ft) in height, distinguished by a dense rounded crown and expressive seasonal leaf coloration. The leaves are 5-7-lobed, richly green in summer, with a smooth texture and distinct veins. In autumn, they take on the cultivar's characteristic bright tones - fiery orange, copper, red, and golden, forming a dense "glowing" crown. The shoots are slender, light brown or greenish.
Flowering is observed in spring. The flowers are small, dark red, gathered in raceme-like inflorescences, and ornamental upon close inspection. After flowering, paired samaras form, ripening by summer; their pinkish-red coloration highlights the brilliance of the foliage.