Acer p. Shishigashira #3

‘Shishigashira’, commonly known as Lion’s Head Japanese Maple, is prized for its thick, curled foliage and unusually dense branching, giving the tree a strong, architectural presence. The deep green leaves are tightly packed along the stems, creating a textured canopy that holds its form beautifully through the growing season before turning warm yellow to orange in fall.

Its naturally compact, upright habit makes it well suited for small gardens, foundation plantings, and specimen use, where structure and texture are just as important as color. Best performance comes from part shade or filtered sun, with protection from hot afternoon exposure and consistently well-drained soil.

While Japanese maples are not a primary nectar source, the dense branching provides light cover for songbirds, and its tidy habit makes it a reliable, low-maintenance ornamental in Midwest landscapes.