Acer palmatum ‘Kurenai jishi’ Japanese Maple

‘Kurenai jishi’ Japanese maple, also known as Red Lion maple, is a delightful, slow-growing dwarf tree that is a perfect addition to small spaces with its size and eye-catching colors throughout the seasons. It was discovered by the Japanese maple expert Masayoshi Yano, who named it ‘Kurenai jishi’, meaning red lion, and brought it to the U.S. in 2008.
‘Kurenai jishi’ only grows 3″-6″ a year, attaining a height of 4.5′ × 3′ in 10 years, making it an excellent size for rock gardens, fairy gardens, patios, containers, and even bonsais. The leaves grow tightly on the branches, giving the tree a compact, dense appearance. In structure and leaf density, it is similar to Acer palmatum ‘Shishigashira’ and is sometimes called “the red Shishigashira.”
In early spring, ‘Kurenai jishi’ leafs out with bright red, curled leaves that darken to red-purple as they mature. In summer, the leaves turn burgundy-red to purple in cooler climates but tend toward green or greenish-red in the warmer areas of its 5-9 hardiness zones. Then, before the leaves drop, the tree puts on a brilliant show of yellow, red, and orange hues in the fall.
Like all Japanese maples, ‘Kurenai jishi’ will grow in the sun or partial shade. It tolerates full sun better than many Japanese maples but prefers dappled shade or morning sun with afternoon shade, especially in warmer areas with hot summer sun.
The tree needs consistently moist, very well-draining soil with an acidic to neutral pH and rich in organic matter. Water the tree well at planting, then weekly for at least one season until it is established and has put on some new growth. But be careful—Japanese maples need moist soil that is never soggy or saturated. Avoid low-lying areas that collect water or have poor drainage.
Companion plants and trees surrounding ‘Kurenai jishi’ must have similar sun, soil, and water requirements, and they shouldn’t crowd the Japanese maple so it has space to shine. Trees, such as dogwoods, Chinese junipers, arborvitae, and dwarf spruces and pines, provide a dark green backdrop for the Japanese maple’s colorful leaves. In the spring and summer, shade-loving flowering shrubs, such as rhododendrons, azaleas, mountain laurels, Japanese flowering cherries, hydrangeas, and Japanese andromedas, add a pop of color nearby.
Foliage perennials, such as ferns, black mondo grass, and Hakone grass, add texture and movement around the tree, while flowering perennials, such as astilbes, coral bells, sedums, hellebores, and ground covers, like wild ginger, vincas, hostas, pachysandra, and ajugas, add color and interest under the tree.