Botanical profile
Acer palmatum 'Ojishi'
Latin name
Acer palmatum Ojishi
Common name
Japanese maple 'Ojishi'
Type
TREE
Family
Sapindaceae
Acer palmatum ‘Ojishi’, also known as 'Ojishi' Japanese maple, is a very distinctive dwarf selection, prized for its compact and stocky habit, combined with dense, rugged foliage with an astonishingly sculpted texture. The dark green, thick, curled leaves evoke a lion's mane, hence its nickname "lion's head maple." In autumn, they turn fiery red to orange-red, creating a vibrant focal point in restricted settings. Its structured and graphic appearance is ideal for Zen gardens, rockeries, containers, or as a specimen plant. Very slow-growing, ‘Ojishi’ develops a dense, miniature silhouette, perfect for manicured spaces where every form is highlighted. It prefers fresh, well-drained soil and partial shade, away from drying winds. It is a variety with character, compact, textured, and highly ornamental.
Plant information
Plant
identification
identification
Common nameJapanese maple 'Ojishi'
Latin nameAcer palmatum Ojishi
FamilySapindaceae
TypeTREE
Plant
description
description
Acer palmatum ‘Ojishi’, also known as 'Ojishi' Japanese maple, is a very distinctive dwarf selection, prized for its compact and stocky habit, combined with dense, rugged foliage with an astonishingly sculpted texture. The dark green, thick, curled leaves evoke a lion's mane, hence its nickname "lion's head maple." In autumn, they turn fiery red to orange-red, creating a vibrant focal point in restricted settings. Its structured and graphic appearance is ideal for Zen gardens, rockeries, containers, or as a specimen plant. Very slow-growing, ‘Ojishi’ develops a dense, miniature silhouette, perfect for manicured spaces where every form is highlighted. It prefers fresh, well-drained soil and partial shade, away from drying winds. It is a variety with character, compact, textured, and highly ornamental.
Soil
and care
and care
ExposureSun to partial shade
Soil
Moist, well-drained, slightly acidic
Watering
Moderate, cool and consistent soil
Fertilization
Gentle fertilizer in spring, low in nitrogen
Appearance,
season
and garden
season
and garden
Bloom period
Spring
Flower colorPale Red (Spring)
Foliage colorDeep green → fiery red (fall)
Habit / shape
Dense globule
Fruiting
Discreet red samares
Wildlife appealTRUE
Size
and facts
and facts
Height4 ft (1.2 m)
Spread3 ft (1 m)
Growth rateSlow
Hardiness zoneZone 5
Minimum temperature-20.2 °F
Foliage typeObsolete
PollinatorsSupports pollinators
PetsPet friendly
Plant availability varies with new arrivals, the seasons, nursery production and supplier inventory. Trees, shrubs, perennials, annuals and indoor plants may be offered for a limited time depending on their natural cycle and available stock. These pages are designed to guide and inspire your choices for the garden, landscaping, containers and indoor growing.
Safe for pets
Pets
Attracts or supports pollinating insects
Pollinators
