Acer palmatum 'Rikuzen shidare'

Rare Weeping Japanese Maple From Japan

Zones 5-9

‘Rikuzen shidare’ is a selection of Japanese maple with the large green leaves of the Acer amoenum. The habit is unlike many with such large leaves. ‘Rikuzen shidare’ is extremely weeping. Like many amazing selections from Japan, this tree originated at a temple. Noticed by many as being unique, the original tree stood at temple in the Rikuzen province of Japan. From what I can best understand, in 2011, a tsunami hit the area and destroyed the original tree. Luckily some nurseryman had grafted this selection, which saved this tree from being completely lost.

Unlike ‘Ryusen’, ‘Rikuzen shidare’ has leaves similar to the size of ‘Osakazuki’, but instead of turning red in the fall, ‘Rikuzen shidare’ turns to bright shade of yellow. When we visited Minoh Park in Japan, we learned something incredible about Japanese maples with yellow fall color. According to expert Setsuko Hisakuni, the Japanese maples with large leaves and yellow fall color make the best fried maples leaves, known as momiji tempura. Apparently, the red fall color creates a bitter taste, which the Japanese maples with yellow fall color avoid. While not everyone has room to grow a large growing green Japanese maple with yellow fall color to try to grow your own tree for fried momiji tempura, the smaller weeping habit of ‘Rikuzen shidare’ allows anyone to grow their own in a smaller container. We recommend staking ‘Rikuzen shidare’ for the best shape.

The main photo is 'Rikuzen shidare' in a 15 gallon size container showing fall color in Japan.

Limited Quantities Available !! As we have over a thousand cultivars of Japanese maples, we often do not have many of each cultivar. We recommend that you buy the Japanese maples you want immediately as we often sell out of certain selections.