3 named cultivars

tree

Fullmoon Maple

Acer shirasawanum

The Story

Plant Bio

Acer shirasawanum, fullmoon maple, is a small deciduous tree native to Japan, reaching about fifteen feet with a rounded habit. Its leaves are nearly circular with nine to thirteen shallow lobes and finely serrated margins, held flat like small fans, and reddish flower clusters give way to paired samaras carried upright above the foliage rather than hanging below.

The upright samaras are the reliable way to distinguish it from Japanese maple, whose winged seeds hang downward. It colours brilliantly in autumn through yellow, orange and red, and the golden-leaved 'Aureum' — much the most widely sold form — needs afternoon shade or its foliage scorches.

Uses & Benefits:

Near-circular fan-like leaves with outstanding autumn colour, and upright samaras held above the canopy.

Stays small enough for a courtyard or large container, and tolerates shade well.

Supports imperial moth larvae; the flowers feed early pollinators.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Tree

Height

180 inches

Width

144 inches

Light

Partial Sun

Zones

5, 6, 7

Water

Moderate

Humidity

Moderate

Lifespan

Perennial

Native To

Japan

Toxicity

Non-toxic

Planting

How to Grow

Plant in spring in moist, humus-rich, well-drained soil.
Choose partial shade; protect golden forms from afternoon sun.
Shelter it from drying wind.
Keep the soil consistently moist but never waterlogged.
Mulch to keep the shallow roots cool.
Prune only in winter, and minimally.

Pro Tip

Give golden-leaved forms afternoon shade — the foliage that makes them worth buying scorches badly in full sun.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Plant in partial shade with moist soil 🌱
Shelter from drying wind 🌬️
Mulch to keep roots cool 🍂
Prune only in winter, sparingly ✂️

Don't

Expose golden forms to hot afternoon sun ❌
Let it dry out ❌
Prune in spring, when maples bleed ❌

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Prune
Water

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Small specimen tree for a shaded courtyardWoodland-edge focal pointLarge container planting

Companion Plants

HostaJapanese Forest Grass Hakone Grass Fern Hydrangea

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Fullmoon Maple questions

What zones can Fullmoon Maple grow in?

Fullmoon Maple is hardy in USDA Zones 5–7. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Is Fullmoon Maple deer resistant?

Yes — Fullmoon Maple is rated deer-resistant. Deer typically pass it over, though extreme hunger can override any plant's defenses.

When does Fullmoon Maple bloom?

Fullmoon Maple typically blooms in spring through late spring. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Fullmoon Maple need full sun?

Fullmoon Maple does best in part shade.