Aka Shigitatsu Sawa Rare Reticulated Japanese Maple Acer Tree - Live Plant

Bring extraordinary color and intricate foliage to your garden with Acer palmatum ‘Aka Shigitatsu Sawa’, a highly sought-after Japanese maple prized for its beautifully reticulated leaves, refined structure, and incredible seasonal color. This unique cultivar is a standout choice for collectors and gardeners looking for something truly different from the typical red or green Japanese maple. In spring, the new foliage emerges in rich shades of crimson, burgundy, and reddish-pink before developing its signature coloration. As the leaves mature, the bright green to yellow-green leaf tissue becomes beautifully overlaid with contrasting dark green veins and subtle pink and red tones. This intricate veining creates a delicate, almost painted or netted appearance that makes ‘Aka Shigitatsu Sawa’ especially impressive when viewed up close. As summer progresses, the foliage gradually transitions toward deeper green while retaining its distinctive veining and layered coloration. In autumn, the leaves put on another spectacular display, developing shades of brilliant red, crimson, and warm scarlet before dropping for winter. The combination of spring color, intricate summer foliage, and vibrant fall color gives this cultivar exceptional ornamental value throughout the growing season. ‘Aka Shigitatsu Sawa’ develops into a graceful, upright to rounded tree with an elegant branching structure. Its moderate size makes it an excellent specimen for Japanese-style gardens, woodland gardens, courtyard landscapes, patios, entryways, and other areas where a unique ornamental tree can serve as a focal point. This cultivar performs best in filtered light, morning sun, or partial shade, particularly in areas with hot summers. Protection from intense afternoon sun and drying winds will help preserve the delicate foliage and reduce the possibility of leaf scorch. Whether you're building a collection of rare Japanese maples, creating a tranquil Japanese-inspired garden, or simply looking for an exceptional specimen tree, Acer palmatum ‘Aka Shigitatsu Sawa’ offers a combination of color and foliage detail that is difficult to match. Its unusual reticulated leaves make it a true collector's maple and a beautiful companion to darker-leaved Japanese maples, conifers, ferns, and other shade-loving plants.

Key Features:

• Plant Type: Deciduous ornamental tree
• Sun Exposure: Part shade
• Mature Size: 8-12 feet tall and wide in 10+ years
• Hardiness Zones: USDA 5-9
• Soil Preference: Well-draining 
• Watering: Moderate; keep soil evenly moist, especially during establishment and periods of summer heat

Please Note: 

**Each plant is unique and may vary slightly in size, color, or shape from the photos shown.

**All photos are representative of each plant's typical growth habit, color, & features and may not depict the exact crop available at time of purchase

**All trees are GRAFTED (unless otherwise noted in listing title)

Why You’ll Love It: Acer palmatum ‘Aka Shigitatsu Sawa’ is one of those Japanese maples that demands a closer look. Its intricate reticulated foliage gives every leaf an almost hand-painted appearance, while its changing colors throughout the seasons provide year-round interest. This is an exceptional choice for Japanese maple collectors, bonsai enthusiasts, and gardeners who appreciate unusual and hard-to-find cultivars. Plant it as a focal point or pair it with deep red, purple, or evergreen foliage to make its unique coloring really stand out.