Mikawa Yatsubusa Dwarf Japanese Maple

Botanical Name: Acer palmatum ‘Mikawa Yatsubusa’

Common Name: Mikawa Yatsubusa Dwarf Japanese Maple

Mature Height and Width: 6–8' tall × 4–6' wide

Growth Habit: Compact, upright to broadly pyramidal form with exceptionally tight, layered branching. Dense, architectural structure with very short internodes creating a stacked, shingled foliage appearance. Slow growing.

Foliage Description: Small to medium palmate leaves (5–7 lobes) held densely along stems. Spring foliage emerges bright green with slight reddish edging, maturing to rich medium green in summer. Leaves overlap tightly, creating a textured, tiered look unique to the cultivar.

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

Bloom Time: Mid-spring

Fall Color: Brilliant yellow to orange, often with warm golden tones; color develops evenly across the canopy.

Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade; benefits from some afternoon protection in hotter exposures to prevent leaf scorch.

Hardiness Zone: USDA Zones 5–8

Notable Landscape Uses:
Architectural specimen for small gardens; focal point in foundation beds; ideal for Japanese-style or collector gardens; accent in courtyard plantings; suitable for large decorative containers; valued for its distinctive layered structure.

Deer Resistance: Moderate
Not a preferred deer browse, but tender new growth may be sampled in spring or during food scarcity. Dense branching does not prevent browsing if pressure is high. Young plants should be protected in heavy deer areas.