Japanese Maple

About this plant

Elevate your landscape with the unparalleled beauty of the Acer palmatum 'Sangokaku' Portfolio Coral Bark. This exceptional Japanese Maple is truly a four-season spectacle, offering a dynamic display of color throughout the year. Its most striking feature is the brilliant, glowing coral-red bark on new branches, which intensifies during the winter months, providing a much-needed splash of warmth and color against a dormant landscape. In spring, 'Sangokaku' unfurls delicate, palmate leaves that emerge a cheerful chartreuse, gradually maturing to a vibrant, fresh green by summer. As autumn arrives, this captivating foliage transforms into brilliant golden-yellows, often edged with apricot, creating a stunning contrast with its signature coral stems. Its upright, vase-shaped habit provides an elegant silhouette, making it an ideal focal point for smaller gardens, courtyards, or as a sophisticated specimen in larger beds. Perfectly suited for adding year-round interest and refined elegance, the 'Sangokaku' Coral Bark Japanese Maple from A Cut Above is a testament to sophisticated garden design. Its relatively slow growth and manageable size ensure it remains a prized, architectural element in your outdoor sanctuary for decades.

Installation timing

When we're in season, outside of the winter months, our goal is to get your plants installed within about two weeks. That window gives us enough time to secure your plants from our supplier and find a spot on the schedule. Throughout the process we stay in touch through notifications and your existing client portal on the main A Cut Above website, which is separate from this landscaping plants shop.

Care & maintenance

Thrives in well-drained, slightly acidic soil. Protect from harsh afternoon sun in hotter climates to prevent leaf scorch. Water regularly, especially during dry periods, ensuring consistent moisture without waterlogging. A 2-4 inch layer of organic mulch helps retain soil moisture and regulate temperature. Prune in late summer to early fall to maintain shape and remove any dead or crossing branches; avoid heavy pruning in late winter/early spring to prevent sap bleed. Fertilize sparingly in spring with a balanced, slow-release granular fertilizer formulated for trees and shrubs.

Watering suggestions

Proper watering is the single most important factor in your plant's survival after installation. Newly installed plants have a limited root system and rely on you for consistent moisture while they establish.

• First 2 weeks: Water deeply every day (or every other day in cooler, wet weather), soaking the root ball and surrounding soil.
• Weeks 3–12: Water deeply 2–3 times per week, adjusting for rain, heat, and soil drainage.
• After establishment: Water deeply about once a week during the growing season, and more often in extreme heat or drought.
• How to check: Stick a finger 2–3 inches into the soil near the roots — if it's dry, it's time to water. Deep, less-frequent watering encourages strong roots; shallow daily sprinkles do not.
• Avoid: Overwatering (soggy, waterlogged soil) is just as harmful as underwatering and can drown roots.

Watering needs vary by plant, season, soil, and exposure. Because proper watering is the customer's responsibility after installation, please make sure you understand and can follow these suggestions before ordering.

Good to know: plants and trees purchased from and installed by A Cut Above include a one-year limited warranty from the date of installation. Because plant survival depends heavily on proper watering and care after installation, losses caused by improper care, neglect, animal or chemical damage, or extreme weather are not covered, and we must be given the chance to inspect a struggling plant before it's removed or replaced. Coverage is one replacement per plant. Read our warranty info.