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Acer ‘Firecracker’ – deciduous ornamental tree or large shrub with small, dense, deep red-purple leaves on a compact, bushy dwarf maple. Grows to about 1m x 0.8m, ideal for patio pots and Japanese-style and woodland gardens. UK nursery-grown at St Annes, supplied in a 3L pot.
| Pot Size (L) | 3L |
|---|
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Bring spring foliage and autumn colour interest to your garden with Acer ‘Firecracker’. Firecracker is a dwarf Japanese maple with small, dark red-purple leaves crowded on short branches, giving it a neat, bushy shape. Its compact size makes it one of the best maples for a patio container, rockery or bonsai, and the leaves brighten to red in autumn.
Japanese maples are prized for their elegant shape and their foliage, which changes through the year from fresh spring shades to vivid autumn colour. Most stay compact and grow slowly, making them some of the best small trees for patios, courtyards and smaller gardens.
Acer ‘Firecracker’ grows best in dappled shade or morning sun, sheltered from cold drying winds, in moist but free-draining, slightly acidic to neutral soil. Pick a spot sheltered from strong, cold or drying winds and the hottest afternoon sun, which can scorch the delicate leaves. Add plenty of organic matter and avoid heavy, waterlogged clay. It is a good choice for patio pots, and also works well for Japanese-style and woodland gardens, specimen planting and Japanese-style gardens. Underplant with ferns, hostas, Japanese forest grass and spring bulbs, or set it among dwarf conifers and azaleas for an oriental look.
Water the plant well in its pot an hour before planting. Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and the same depth, loosen the soil at the base, and mix in some garden compost. Set the plant at the same level it sat in the pot, backfill, firm gently and water in thoroughly.
Keep the roots evenly moist, especially in the first two summers and for plants in pots. Mulch each spring with leafmould or bark. Feed sparingly with a slow-release fertiliser; overfeeding produces soft, weak growth. Water well in dry spells, mulch each spring and prune only lightly in winter. Container growing suits it well. Japanese maples need very little pruning. If shaping is needed, do it in late autumn or winter when the tree is dormant, removing only dead, crossing or badly placed branches. Leaf scorch from wind, sun or dry roots is the most common issue; aphids can occasionally affect young shoots.
Ideal for containers: use a loam-based compost with added grit, raise the pot on feet for drainage, and water with rainwater where possible.
Every plant is grown at our St Annes nursery in the North West, where it is raised in real British conditions. That means a tougher, well-rooted plant that settles quickly into your garden. This Acer ‘Firecracker’ is supplied in a 3L pot. Container-grown plants can be planted almost all year round, as long as the ground is not frozen or waterlogged; autumn and spring are ideal.
How big does Acer ‘Firecracker’ grow?
Acer ‘Firecracker’ typically reaches 1m x 0.8m (very slow-growing), depending on position, soil and pruning.
When does Acer ‘Firecracker’ look its best?
Its main season of interest is spring foliage and autumn colour, when it shows small, dense, deep red-purple leaves on a compact, bushy dwarf maple.
Is Acer ‘Firecracker’ hardy?
Fully hardy, though the new spring growth can be damaged by late frosts and cold winds.
How do I prune Acer ‘Firecracker’?
Japanese maples need very little pruning. If shaping is needed, do it in late autumn or winter when the tree is dormant, removing only dead, crossing or badly placed branches.
Add Acer ‘Firecracker’ to your basket today and enjoy spring foliage and autumn colour interest in your garden.
| Pot Size (L) | 3L |
|---|
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