Lion’s Head Japanese Maple

Botanical Name: Acer palmatum ‘Shishigashira’

Common Name: Lion’s Head Japanese Maple

Mature Height and Width: 8–12' tall × 6–8' wide

Growth Habit: Upright, compact, and densely branched; forms a rounded to oval canopy with stiff, ascending branch structure. Internodes are short, creating a tight, architectural framework.

Foliage Description: Small, crinkled, heavily textured palmate leaves with tightly curled margins. Spring and summer foliage is rich medium green with a glossy surface. Leaves cluster densely along upright stems, creating a tufted appearance.

Flower Description: Small reddish-purple flowers in spring; not ornamentally significant.

Bloom Time: Mid-spring

Fall Color: Exceptional golden-yellow to orange with frequent red highlights; often one of the strongest fall displays among green Japanese maples.

Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade; tolerates more sun exposure than many palmatum cultivars in Zones 5–7 when adequately irrigated.

Hardiness Zone: USDA Zones 5–8

Notable Landscape Uses:
Architectural specimen for formal gardens; vertical accent in foundation plantings; courtyard focal point; collector gardens; structured element in Japanese-inspired landscapes; suitable for larger decorative containers.

Deer Resistance: Moderate
Not a preferred browse species, but compact new growth can be nipped, particularly in winter or high-pressure deer regions. Young plants are more susceptible and benefit from protection during establishment.