Acer palmatum 'Ruslyn-in-the-Pink' - Ruslyn in the Pink Japanese Maple

This variety has rather large foliage for a dwarf that emerges pink, darkens to red and then purple, older growth is bronzy-green; progresses to deep crimson in fall; a visually stunning specimen for the garden or container

Height: 10 feet. Spread: 8 feet. Sun: full sun to partial shade. Hardiness zone: 4b.

Ornamental features

Ruslyn In The Pink Japanese Maple is primarily valued in the landscape or garden for its ornamental upright and spreading habit of growth. It has attractive purple-variegated dark red foliage which emerges pink in spring. The large lobed palmate leaves are highly ornamental and turn an outstanding crimson in the fall. The rough gray bark adds an interesting dimension to the landscape.

Landscape

Ruslyn In The Pink Japanese Maple is a dense deciduous tree with a strong central leader and an upright spreading habit of growth. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other landscape plants with less refined foliage.

This is a relatively low maintenance tree, and should only be pruned in summer after the leaves have fully developed, as it may 'bleed' sap if pruned in late winter or early spring. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Recommended for: Accent, Mass Planting, Hedges/Screening, General Garden Use, Container Planting.

Planting and growing

Ruslyn In The Pink Japanese Maple will grow to be about 10 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 8 feet. It tends to be a little leggy, with a typical clearance of 2 feet from the ground, and is suitable for planting under power lines. It grows at a slow rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 60 years or more.

This tree does best in full sun to partial shade. You may want to keep it away from hot, dry locations that receive direct afternoon sun or which get reflected sunlight, such as against the south side of a white wall. It prefers to grow in average to moist conditions, and shouldn't be allowed to dry out. It is not particular as to soil pH, but grows best in rich soils. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution, and will benefit from being planted in a relatively sheltered location. Consider applying a thick mulch around the root zone in winter to protect it in exposed locations or colder microclimates. This is a selected variety of a species not originally from North America.

Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder.