Acer palmatum ‘Shishigashira’
Acer palmatum 'Shishigashira' is known as the lion's head maple. It has a distinctive, sculptural presence.

Acer palmatum ‘Shishigashira’ is known as the lion’s head maple. It has a distinctive, sculptural presence with a compact, vase-like habit and upright, non-arching branches clothed in tightly-packed, beautifully dissected, crinkly, small, bright green leaves. it also has amazing bark in olive green with horizontal silver striping. The stunning fall colour is gold and orange. Slow growing. 7′ tall x 4′ wide in 10 years. Japanese maples change through the seasons generally offering different colours and foliage patterns through spring, summer, and fall. We choose our photo to show the most distinctive characters but an internet image search will help you understand how each cultivar will change through the seasons. For the 2025 Rare Flowering Tree Pre-Order plants will be in 1g pots, branched and about 2 feet tall.
Common Name: Lion's Head Maple - [RFT Pre-Order]
Family: Aceraceae (The Maple Family)
Zone Hardiness: 5-9
Light: Full Sun, Part Sun, Part Shade
Height: 4-6'
Width: 3-5'
Primary Bloom Colour: Green
Secondary Bloom Colour: Red
Foliage Colour: Good Fall Colour, Green
Class: Deciduous
Type: Tree
Bloom Time: Spring
Soil Moisture: Average, Moist
Stem Colour: Green
Fragrance: No
Berries:
Benefits:
Deer Resistant: Unknown
BC Native: No
Native Habitat: Woods and thickets in a wide range of soils and exposures in lowland and mountains to 3000 metres.
Award: AGM
Geographical Origin: