Images Depict Mature Plants
Baby Lace Japanese Maple
Acer palmatum 'Baby Lace'
Baby Lace Japanese Maple is prized for its incredibly delicate, finely dissected foliage and stunning seasonal color shifts from soft reds to brilliant autumn hues. Ideal for small gardens, patios, rock gardens, and container plantings, it adds refined texture, dynamic color, and graceful structure to any landscape design.
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Baby Lace Japanese Maple Trees
Baby Lace Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum 'Baby Lace') is a truly unique and highly sought-after variety, celebrated for its incredibly delicate, finely dissected foliage and rich seasonal color transitions. In spring, its tiny lace-like leaves emerge in a vibrant mix of soft reds, greens, and pinks, creating a multi-tonal effect that adds exquisite texture to the landscape. Throughout the summer, the foliage deepens to lush green with subtle bronze highlights before bursting into brilliant shades of crimson, orange, and gold in the fall. Compact and slow-growing, Baby Lace typically reaches only 3 to 5 feet tall and wide, making it perfect for small gardens, containers, and intimate spaces.
Thriving best in partial sun to partial shade, Baby Lace Japanese Maple prefers rich, well-drained, slightly acidic soil to support healthy growth and vibrant color. Its compact size and intricate leaf structure make it an excellent choice for patios, shaded borders, rock gardens, and Japanese-inspired landscapes. The tree’s artistic, mounded form adds a refined, sculptural quality to outdoor spaces, while its finely textured leaves create beautiful contrasts with broader-leaved shrubs and perennials. With some protection from intense afternoon sun and regular watering, Baby Lace remains healthy and vibrant throughout the seasons.
Perfect for gardeners seeking a rare and visually captivating specimen, Baby Lace Japanese Maple delivers unmatched elegance and dynamic beauty in a small, easy-to-care-for package. Its delicate foliage, graceful habit, and brilliant seasonal transitions make it a treasured addition to any garden or landscape design. Whether planted as a focal point in a courtyard or showcased in a decorative container, Baby Lace offers timeless charm and year-round interest, making it a standout choice for collectors and landscape enthusiasts alike.
| Hardiness Zone: | 5 - 9 |
|---|---|
| Mature Height: | 3 to 5 feet |
| Mature Width: | 3 to 5 feet |
| Classification: | Small Tree |
| Sunlight: | Part to full sun |
| Habit: | Deciduous, densely branched |
| Foliage: | Reddish green to cream variegated |
| Soil Condition : | Any well drained soil |
| Water Requirements: | Water the plant well until established |
| Uses: | Extremely attractive when used as a focal point or a specimen planting, very slow growing |
How to Care for Baby Lace Japanese Maple
Be sure to read our planting instructions to ensure a healthy and happy Baby Lace Japanese Maple Tree for years to come!
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How Do I Plant My Baby Lace Japanese Maple Tree?
To plant your Baby Lace Japanese Maple tree successfully, select a location that offers partial sun to partial shade, ideally with morning sunlight and afternoon protection. This helps preserve the delicate lace-like foliage and prevents leaf scorch, especially in warmer climates. The soil should be rich, slightly acidic, and well-drained to promote strong root development and vibrant seasonal color. Dig a hole twice as wide and just as deep as the root ball, ensuring the crown of the tree sits slightly above ground level to prevent water pooling. Gently loosen the roots if they are circling, place the tree in the hole, and backfill with a mixture of native soil and organic compost to enrich the planting area. Water thoroughly after planting to settle the soil and remove air pockets. After planting your Baby Lace Japanese Maple, apply a 2–3 inch layer of organic mulch around the base, keeping the mulch a few inches away from the trunk to prevent rot. Mulching helps retain soil moisture, regulate soil temperature, and suppress weeds, all of which support healthy growth. During the first growing season, be sure to water consistently to keep the soil evenly moist but not soggy. With thoughtful site selection and careful planting, your Baby Lace Japanese Maple will establish quickly, rewarding you with its unique, finely textured foliage and vibrant, multi-tonal color transitions throughout the year.
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How Do I Water My Baby Lace Japanese Maple Tree?
Watering your Baby Lace Japanese Maple properly is essential for maintaining its delicate, finely textured foliage and promoting healthy, steady growth. During the first growing season, water deeply two to three times per week, making sure the soil stays consistently moist but never waterlogged. Focus on slow, deep watering at the base of the tree rather than frequent, shallow watering, which can lead to weak surface roots. Using a soaker hose or drip irrigation system ensures the root zone receives even moisture, helping your Baby Lace establish a strong foundation and vibrant canopy. Once established, your Baby Lace Japanese Maple will require less frequent watering but should still be monitored closely during hot, dry periods, especially in summer. Check the top few inches of soil regularly—if it feels dry, it's time to water thoroughly again. Applying a 2–3 inch layer of organic mulch around the base helps retain soil moisture, regulate root temperature, and minimize evaporation. Proper, consistent watering will support the tree’s elegant cascading form, vibrant seasonal color changes, and overall long-term health, making your Baby Lace a stunning and resilient centerpiece in any garden.
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How Do I Fertilize My Baby Lace Japanese Maple Tree?
Fertilizing your Baby Lace Japanese Maple tree properly helps maintain its delicate lace-like foliage, vibrant seasonal color, and steady, healthy growth. In early spring, before new growth begins, apply a slow-release, balanced fertilizer, such as a 10-10-10 formula or one specifically designed for Japanese maples. Spread the fertilizer evenly around the tree’s drip line, keeping it several inches away from the trunk to avoid root burn. After applying, water thoroughly to help the nutrients penetrate the soil and reach the roots. Avoid using high-nitrogen fertilizers, as they can lead to overly fast, weak growth that detracts from the tree’s natural, compact form. To further support soil health, you can supplement with organic compost or well-aged mulch, which not only provides slow, natural nutrition but also helps maintain the slightly acidic soil conditions that Baby Lace Japanese Maple prefers. If your tree is planted in sandy or nutrient-poor soil, consider a second light feeding in mid-summer to promote continued vigor. Always fertilize moderately, as overfeeding can stress the tree and diminish its fine, delicate foliage. With careful, consistent fertilization, your Baby Lace will thrive, showcasing its unique multicolor leaves and graceful weeping habit, making it a breathtaking focal point in your garden.
How and When Do I Prune My Baby Lace Japanese Maple Tree?
Pruning your Baby Lace Japanese Maple should be done thoughtfully to preserve its delicate, cascading form and promote healthy, vibrant growth. The best time to prune is in late winter to early spring, just before new leaf buds begin to swell but after the risk of severe frost has passed. Begin by removing any dead, damaged, or crossing branches using clean, sharp pruning shears. Lightly thinning crowded areas helps improve air circulation and sunlight penetration, reducing the risk of disease and promoting a fuller, more colorful canopy. Always make clean cuts just above a bud or branch junction to encourage healthy, natural regrowth. You can also perform light touch-up pruning in early summer once the foliage has fully emerged, which allows you to better see the tree’s shape and make fine adjustments. Avoid heavy pruning in late summer or fall, as it can stimulate tender new growth that may not harden off before winter. When pruning your Baby Lace Japanese Maple, the goal is to enhance its naturally elegant, weeping structure without drastically altering its unique silhouette. With careful, minimal pruning each year, your Baby Lace will maintain its breathtaking lace-like foliage, vibrant color transitions, and refined structure, making it a standout feature in any landscape or container garden.
