Shishigashira Japanese Maple - Acer palmatum 'Shishigashira'

The Shishigashira Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum 'Shishigashira') is a distinctive upright cultivar celebrated for its unique crinkled, deeply lobed foliage and compact mounding form. Reaching 12-15 feet with dense, layered branching, this deciduous tree creates textural focal points through its exceptional leaf morphology and refined silhouette. Hardy through zone 5, the Shishigashira thrives in dappled shade with afternoon sun protection and wind shelter to preserve foliage integrity. Its deeply dissected, emerald-green leaves display pronounced crimping and undulation, creating remarkable three-dimensional texture that distinguishes it from conventional Japanese maples. The cultivar's spring foliage emerges with reddish tones, matures to vibrant green throughout summer, then transitions to golden-orange and crimson in autumn. The Shishigashira's naturally compact, densely branched structure makes it ideal for specimen positioning, container cultivation, and Japanese-inspired garden compositions. This selection demands consistently moist, well-draining, slightly acidic soil with organic enrichment and protective mulching. The Shishigashira exemplifies Japanese maple artistry through exceptional foliage texture and refined architectural form.