ACER SHIRASAWANUM 'MOONRISE'

I have six Japanese maples (acers) in my garden.  Katsura and Jordan are planted in borders but the others (Osakazuki, Orange Dream, Moonrise, Sango-Kaku) are in pots, still small. I plan to root prune them in the future, if and when necessary, to restrict their growth in the way that bonsai trees are restricted.  The latest addition is Acer shirasawanum 'Moonrise' which I have now planted in its plastic pot inside a heavier terracotta pot, surrounded by Melcourt Sylvagrow Pine Bark Mini Mulch for stability. Right now it is huddled in a little corner of my garden, safe from the icy winds and the blasting sleet and hail which we are getting here today high on the Pennines of West Yorkshire. 

Acer shirasawanum Moonrise in a Fiora frostproof terracotta pot

Moonrise arrived like a small tree although I had hoped for a more shrubby formation so I could easily grow it as a multi-stem tree.  I can still do that but it means dealing only with the growth above the graft. Below the graft is the rootstock which is acer palmatum and has quite a different habit. You can see in the photograph how the nursery has removed all side shoots from the rootstock.

Acer palmatum rootstock supporting Moonrise

The rootstock photograph was taken in my kitchen upon it being delivered, in case you were wondering.  

According to the Royal Horticultural Society, Acer shirasawanum 'Moonrise' is a compact, slow-growing shrub featuring deeply-lobed leaves that transition from bright red in spring to yellow-green in summer, and orange-red in autumn. It is noted for increased resistance to leaf scorch compared to similar varieties but requires moist, well-drained acidic to neutral soil in partial shade, sheltered from strong winds and intense sun.  RHS 

I noted my Moonrise was nearly all green on arrival so I asked AI the question: 

Acer shirasawanum 'Moonrise' frequently displays green foliage by late spring due to a combination of natural growth cycles, local climate, and environmental conditions. The plant's distinctive red or pink hues appear primarily on immature spring growth, which rapidly matures into a bright green characteristic of Moonrise. In the cooler, lower-light conditions typical of the English climate, this transition from the initial colourful phase to the green phase often occurs much earlier in the season than it would in hotter, sunnier regions. Furthermore, if the specimen was shaded at the nursery or kept in partial shade, it will naturally favour green tones, as intense sunlight is required to boost and sustain the red pigmentation. Finally, young or newly delivered plants frequently require a few seasons to fully establish their roots and build the energy needed to exhibit their complete, vibrant seasonal colour range.

Sleet and hail about 5pm on 13 May 2026