Acer palmatum ‘Olsen’s Frosted Strawberry’ Japanese Maple

Olsen’s Frosted Strawberry is a stunning dwarf Japanese maple with striking colors that change throughout the year. Nurseryman Harry Olsen discovered it as a chance seedling of the ‘Aka shiatsu sawa’ Japanese maple cultivar and saw its potential. Its beautiful colors and slow growth make it an excellent focal point in the garden, especially for a small property. It also does well as a container-grown tree and bonsai.
The leaves are deeply lobed with serrated edges and a curled tip. They produce a kaleidoscope of colors affected by the changing seasons and climate, which may vary from year to year. The leaves emerge bright pinkish-red in the spring with reticulated red veins and soften to pale green “frosting” with burgundy undersides in the summer with a hint of pink when grown in the shade and reddish-brown in the sun. Fall brings out a bright yellow-orange-to-red color before the leaves drop. This little tree grows slowly at a rate of 4″-8″ annually, reaching about 4′-8′ in 10 years with a rounded, weeping shape.
Olsen’s Frosted Strawberry grows in full sun to partial shade. It needs protection from the bright, hot afternoon sun in the southern areas of its 5-9 hardiness zone, where morning sun and afternoon shade are best. It prefers moist, slightly acidic soil that must be well-draining. Japanese maples will not thrive in soggy, saturated soil that doesn’t drain. Water the tree at planting and weekly for a season while it is establishing. Container-grown trees will need more frequent watering since the smaller amount of soil in pots dries out more quickly than soil in the ground.
Companion plants for Olsen’s Frosted Strawberry need similar cultural requirements and thoughtful placement for color and texture around and under the tree for the best effect. They need light sun or shade and well-draining, slightly acidic soil. Trees, shrubs, and perennials planted nearby should not crowd the maple so it can have space to shine as a focal point.
Evergreens, such as rhododendrons, junipers, yews, hollies, mountain laurels, and Oregon grape hollies, provide a robust, dark green backdrop for the delicate-textured, light-colored maple.

Low-growing perennials, like dwarf mugo pines, wintercreepers, ferns, Virginia bluebells, astilbes, heucheras, foamflowers, Solomon’s seals, and anemones, provide some color and interesting textures under and around the tree. Groundcovers are a delightful carpet under the tree. Bugleweed, hostas, creeping phlox, creeping jenny, Asiatic jasmine, and blue daze will fill the space.