Acer palmatum 'Shishio hime'

Shishio hime Japanese Maple

Acer palmatum ‘Shishio hime’ is a charming dwarf Japanese maple admired for its small, tightly layered leaves and compact, refined habit. Spring foliage emerges bright green, with leaves closely set along short internodes, creating a dense, textured appearance.

Through summer, foliage remains clean green with excellent substance. In fall, ‘Shishio hime’ turns golden yellow with orange highlights, providing warm seasonal color on a small-scale tree. Leaves are small, thick, and slightly cupped, contributing to the plant’s tidy, sculptural look.

The growth habit is compact, rounded, and slow-growing, making it ideal for limited spaces. ‘Shishio hime’ performs best in partial shade and prefers well-drained, evenly moist soil.

Size



Width: 4–6 ft



Height: 4–6 ft



Hardiness



USDA Zones: 5–8



Best Uses


Small gardens and courtyards



Container planting



Japanese or Asian-inspired gardens



Accent near patios or walkways



Collector or bonsai specimen

Plant type

Deciduous Tree, Japanese Maple

Height

4-6'

Width

4-6'

Hardiness zones

5–8

Sunlight

Partial Shade

Growth rate

Slow

Leaf color

Dark Red, Fern

Fall color

Orange

Soil

Clay, Loamy

Landscape use

Accent Plant, Container, Specimen

Shape

Globe Shaped

Deer resistant

Yes

Drought tolerant

No

10-year height

2'

10-year width

2'