Acer palmatum Hoshi zora

Starry sky Japanese maple “Hoshi zora” has delicate 5 lobes star shaped leaves and is a chance seedling from Ryusen in Japan, with better colour. This cultivar exhibits a pronounced weeping habit, with branches cascading gracefully toward the ground. To achieve vertical growth, this cultivar requires staking, otherwise it tends to grow horizontally. Dwarf tree reaching 60 cm in 10 years, and a width of 1.5meters. In spring the bright green foliage emerge sometimes displaying subtle red or bronze undertones when exposed to sunlight. In summer the foliage matures to an emerald green. In autumn leaves transform into  a stunning bright orange, offering a vibrant display. The leaves are palmate, each ;lobe tapering to a sharp point. Notably the leaf undersides feature tufts of minute hairs and vein junctions. Prefers partial shade, in well drained acidic soil rich in organic matter. Minimum pruning required. Hoshi zora belongs to the matsumurae group, deeply lobed but not as feathery or finely divided as those in the dissectum group.