Acer palmatum ‘Skeeter’s Broom’ / Japanese Maple
Price range: €135.00 through €140.00
Frequently Bought Together
Description
Quick Facts
- Common Name: Japanese Maple ‘Skeeter’s Broom’
- Botanical Name: Acer palmatum ‘Skeeter’s Broom’
- Plant Type: Deciduous ornamental shrub / small tree
- Mature Height: 2–3m
- Mature Spread: 1.5–2.5m
- Foliage Colour: Bright red in spring, holding well through summer; vivid scarlet/crimson autumn colour
- Leaf Shape: Small, finely cut palmate leaves; dense, upright habit
- Hardiness: RHS H6 (hardy in most UK & Ireland gardens; shelter improves performance)
- Soil Requirements: Moist, well-drained, humus-rich soil; slightly acidic to neutral
- Aspect: Part shade / dappled shade (morning sun ideal; shelter from harsh wind)
- Maintenance: Low
Description
Acer palmatum ‘Skeeter’s Broom’ is a wonderfully upright, compact Japanese maple that brings strong red colour without needing a huge footprint. In spring, the foliage emerges a bright, confident red and—unlike some red maples—holds its colour beautifully through summer when given the right conditions. Come autumn, it finishes with a vivid scarlet-crimson finale.
Its naturally dense, broom-like habit (hence the name) makes it a brilliant choice for adding vertical structure to borders, courtyards, and smaller gardens. It also performs beautifully in a large pot, where you can enjoy the fine leaf detail up close and place it in the best light and shelter.
Give it humus-rich, free-draining soil, consistent moisture, and protection from harsh winds, and it will reward you with years of reliable colour and calm, architectural presence.
Caragh Garden Notebook
Planting:
Plant in spring or autumn. Choose a sheltered position with dappled shade or gentle morning sun—this helps protect the foliage from scorching and wind-scorch. Dig a generous hole and improve the soil with leaf mould (or ericaceous compost if your soil is alkaline). Plant at the same depth as in the pot, firm in gently, water well, and mulch to keep roots cool.
Plant in spring or autumn. Choose a sheltered position with dappled shade or gentle morning sun—this helps protect the foliage from scorching and wind-scorch. Dig a generous hole and improve the soil with leaf mould (or ericaceous compost if your soil is alkaline). Plant at the same depth as in the pot, firm in gently, water well, and mulch to keep roots cool.
Soil Preparation:
Japanese maples love humus-rich, free-draining soil. They dislike sitting wet, but they also hate drying out. Improve heavy soil with compost and fine bark; improve sandy soil with organic matter to hold moisture. A yearly mulch keeps roots cool and feeds the soil slowly.
Japanese maples love humus-rich, free-draining soil. They dislike sitting wet, but they also hate drying out. Improve heavy soil with compost and fine bark; improve sandy soil with organic matter to hold moisture. A yearly mulch keeps roots cool and feeds the soil slowly.
Watering:
Water regularly in the first year, especially in dry spells. In containers, check moisture often in summer—pots dry quickly. Aim for even moisture rather than extremes.
Water regularly in the first year, especially in dry spells. In containers, check moisture often in summer—pots dry quickly. Aim for even moisture rather than extremes.
Seasonal Care:
Low maintenance. Prune only if needed, and do it lightly in late summer or when dormant (mid-winter), removing any dead, damaged, or crossing branches. Avoid heavy pruning—its natural shape is part of the charm.
Low maintenance. Prune only if needed, and do it lightly in late summer or when dormant (mid-winter), removing any dead, damaged, or crossing branches. Avoid heavy pruning—its natural shape is part of the charm.
Pests & Problems:
Leaf scorch is the most common issue—usually caused by wind, strong sun, or drying out. Shelter + steady moisture prevent most problems.
Leaf scorch is the most common issue—usually caused by wind, strong sun, or drying out. Shelter + steady moisture prevent most problems.
Design Notes:
Ideal for adding height and rich colour to mixed borders, courtyard gardens, and statement pots. Looks stunning with ferns, hostas, hellebores, hakonechloa (Japanese forest grass), and evergreen structure. Use it as a “vertical brushstroke” of red in the planting.
Ideal for adding height and rich colour to mixed borders, courtyard gardens, and statement pots. Looks stunning with ferns, hostas, hellebores, hakonechloa (Japanese forest grass), and evergreen structure. Use it as a “vertical brushstroke” of red in the planting.
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