Shishigashira Japanese Maple

20 Gallon

$699.99

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Shishigashira Japanese Maple

Acer palmatum 'Shishi gashira', Lion Head lapanese Maple

Unique Crinkled “Lion’s Mane” Foliage • Compact & Architectural Form • Award-Winning Specimen

$699.99

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Bay Area–Based Nursery

We specialize in plants grown and delivered in their original pots and soil.
Because of their size and weight, our plants are not suitable for long-distance shipping and are delivered locally to ensure health and quality.

While delivery is limited to our local service area, we’re happy to support garden design and plant selection remotely.

For local plant professionals, we’re always glad to connect and explore ways to support your customers.

Shishigashira Japanese Maple, or “Lion’s Head Maple,” is a unique and highly prized cultivar known for its distinct, crinkled, and densely packed leaves that grow closely along its branches, resembling a lion’s mane. It has a compact, upright form and excellent fall color, making it a conversation-starting specimen.

Instantly recognizable by its tightly curled, crinkled, dark green leaves that cluster closely on short stems, creating a dense, textured appearance.
Grows with a compact, upright, and often irregular form, adding great structural interest even in winter.
Fall color is a showy mix of gold, orange, and crimson.
A slow-growing, award-winning tree perfect as a focal point in a courtyard, Asian-style garden, or large container.

Knowing how we measure the size?

When browsing our plants, you may notice size terms such as Gallon, Multi, or Stand. These describe how a plant is grown, containerized, or structured at the time of sale — not just its height. Understanding these terms will help you choose the right plant for your space and expectations.

🌱 Gallon Size (Container Size)

Gallon refers to the size of the nursery container the plant is currently growing in (e.g. 1 Gallon, 5 Gallon, 15 Gallon).

A larger gallon size generally means:
- A more established root system
- A sturdier plant
- Faster visual impact after planting
Example:
- 5 Gallon: Ideal for residential gardens, easy to handle, good balance of value and maturity
- 15 Gallon: More mature, provides quicker results in the landscape

Note: Gallon size does not guarantee a specific height, as growth varies by species.

🌳 Multi (Multi-Trunk / Multi-Branch Form)

Multi indicates the plant has multiple trunks or main stems growing from the base.

Commonly used for:
- Ornamental trees
- Feature plants
- Japanese maples, olives, crepe myrtles, etc.
Why choose Multi:
- Fuller, more sculptural appearance
- Strong visual presence even at younger ages
- Popular for design-focused landscapes

🌲 Stand (Single-Trunk / Standard Form)

Stand (short for Standard) refers to a single, dominant trunk with a raised or naturally formed canopy.

Commonly used for:
- Shade trees
- Street trees
- Orchard and structural plantings
Why choose Stand:
- Clean, classic tree form
- Easier clearance for walkways and lawns
- Preferred for long-term structure and uniformity

🌿 Choosing the Right Size

If you want instant impact → larger Gallon, Multi form
If you want long-term structure → Stand form
If you want flexibility and value → mid-size Gallon containers

If you’re unsure which size or form fits your project, our team is happy to help you select the best option based on your space, timeline, and design goals.

Features:Foliage: Palmate, deeply lobed leaves with distinctive, crinkled margins that curl upward. The foliage is a dense, deep green during the growing season, turning a brilliant mix of gold and crimson in autumn.Flowers: Small, inconspicuous reddish flowers in spring.Fruit: Ornamental winged samaras.Habit: An upright, compact deciduous tree or large shrub with a distinctive, dense, and almost gnarled growth habit. Its branching is tight and layered, creating a unique, vase-shaped form.
Mature Height: 10-15 ft.
Mature Width: 5-12 ft.
Growth Rate: Slow to moderate
Light Needs: Partial shade (Afternoon shade is essential to prevent leaf scorch)
Key Advantages:Unique, crinkled foliage and dense, sculptural form.Excellent, vibrant fall color.Compact size ideal for small gardens and containers.Deer resistant.Low maintenance
Landscape Uses:Specimen tree for Asian-inspired or courtyard gardens.Container planting for patios and entryways.Focal point in a mixed border.Bonsai subject

Q: Why are the leaves curled?
A:This is a natural genetic mutation of the species. The curling and dense growth habit are its defining ornamental characteristics, which are highly stable and sought after by collectors.

Q: Why is Shishigashira called Lion’s Head Maple?
A: Its tightly curled, dense foliage resembles the mane of a lion.

Q: Is Shishigashira Japanese Maple suitable for the Bay Area climate?
A: Yes. It performs very well in Bay Area conditions with proper drainage and sun protection.

Q: How is Shishigashira different from other Japanese Maples?
A: It has thick, curled leaves and a compact upright form rather than flat or dissected foliage.

Q: Does Shishigashira Japanese Maple have fall color?
A: Yes. Leaves typically turn yellow to golden-orange in fall.

Q: Is Shishigashira Japanese Maple easy to maintain?
A: Yes. With correct placement and regular watering during establishment, it is considered low-maintenance.