Foliage like green lace
Deep divisions separate the leaves into very fine lobes, giving the crown an exceptionally light, feathery texture.
Acer 'Emerald Lace'® 19cm
Normal price
€37,00
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The legal guarantee concerns the plant’s conformity at delivery. It is not a guarantee of survival or growth for two years. Each issue is assessed taking into account the nature of the plant, its care and the conditions in which it is kept. Your statutory rights remain unaffected.
Acer palmatum ‘Emerald Lace’®
Lacy elegance that ripples in the slightest breeze 🪶
- Exceptionally fine laceleaf foliage
- Mounded crown with arching branches
- Intense red autumn colour
- RHS Award of Garden Merit
Acer palmatum ‘Emerald Lace’® spreads finely cut green leaves across flexible branches with arching tips. Each lobe is divided again into slender segments, admitting small glimpses of light through the foliage. This gives the crown movement and transparency even as it fills out. Fresh green growth deepens through summer, then changes to red with warm orange accents in autumn before the bare branch structure becomes visible.
Its vigorous mound-forming habit softens hard lines and brings movement to sheltered courtyards, borders and large outdoor pots. It is equally compelling as a low focal point or as a light visual bridge between stone, timber and foliage with a more solid texture.
The cultivar ‘Emerald Lace’ holds the RHS Award of Garden Merit (2012), an internationally recognised distinction for dependable garden performance.
What makes it special
‘Emerald Lace’ stands out through three genuinely different qualities, from the detail of each leaf to its mature outline.
Curves that create movement
Branches spread and arch naturally, forming a mounded outline that appears to flow over its base.
A warm autumn finale
Clear green moves into red, orange and deeper burgundy shades before natural leaf fall.
Why you will love it: It brings together the delicacy of lace, the presence of a generous mature crown and a spectacular autumn transformation.
In the garden & on the balcony Placement & plant combinations Above low planting
Above low planting
Allow the arching tips to spread above low perennials or beside stone. Keep the front open so taller plants do not conceal the movement of the fine branches.
Compatible planting
The rounded dark leaves of Heuchera make the fine green lace easier to appreciate. Golden grass echoes the arching branches, while the coppery fern adds warm tones. Keep the crown’s tips clear, in bright partial shade and soil that retains moisture without waterlogging.
- Heuchera ‘Obsidian’ — its glossy near-black rounded leaves act as a calm base for the fine green lace and red autumn colour
- Hakonechloa macra ‘All Gold’ — creates a low luminous golden-yellow base that makes the fine green lace and red autumn colour appear even deeper
- Dryopteris erythrosora ‘Brilliance’ — its orange-red new fronds repeat the warm tones and give an airy counterweight to the fine green lace and red autumn colour
Care at a glance
Light
Bright partial shade or morning sun; protect the exceptionally fine foliage from fierce afternoon sun and drying winds.
Watering
Water thoroughly when the upper layer begins to dry, maintaining even moisture without waterlogging; check pots more frequently in hot weather.
Climate & hardiness
Deciduous and hardy in winter cold; fresh growth benefits from shelter against late frost, hot dry air and extreme summer exposure.
Safety
An ornamental plant, not food. It is not intended for consumption; place it away from children or animals that tend to chew plant material.
Detailed careComplete care guideLight, microclimate, ground planting, pots, growing medium, watering, feeding, pruning and the winter cycle
Light & microclimate
Bright partial shade or morning sun; protect the exceptionally fine foliage from fierce afternoon sun and drying winds.
Planting in the ground
Plant in fertile, organic, acid to neutral soil that retains moisture yet drains freely. Keep the root collar level with the surrounding soil and allow the natural crown the space indicated by its mature habit.
Growing in a pot
Use a roomy, stable outdoor pot with unobstructed drainage holes and a structured growing medium that resists compaction. It can live for many years in a large, broad outdoor pot. Because it is vigorous and mound-forming, it needs periodic root checks and ample space around the crown.
Watering & cool roots
Water thoroughly when the upper layer begins to dry, maintaining even moisture without waterlogging; check pots more frequently in hot weather. An organic mulch helps buffer sudden changes in moisture and temperature.
Feeding & clean foliage
A light application of balanced fertiliser in early spring is usually sufficient. Avoid excessive nitrogen and late feeding, which encourage soft new growth.
Pruning & the winter cycle
Pruning is rarely necessary. Remove only dead, damaged or awkwardly crossing branches after leaf fall and before midwinter. A bare crown in winter is entirely normal. During hard frost, protect the pot as well, as roots in pots are more exposed to cold than roots in the ground.
Development over timeGrowth and seasonal habitArching laceleaf crown
First establishment
Early new shoots may temporarily extend beyond the rest of the outline. Finely cut leaves already show the cultivar’s character while its branching is still developing.
The natural habit becomes clear
As lateral branches lengthen, flexible tips arch and the foliage spreads in loose layers. The outline remains more fluid than a strictly spherical crown.
A mature seasonal rhythm
With maturity it repeats its distinctive colour cycle each year: bright green from spring through summer and red-orange in autumn, followed by natural leaf fall.
Mature habit & dimensions
in the groundHeight 2.5–4 mSpread 2.5–4 mArching laceleaf crown
Main branches rise before arching outwards. Finely divided leaves hang along their slender tips; this is not a solid, clipped globe.
Form through time
two viewsDeciduous
In leafFinely divided leaves follow the arching branch tips.
WinterLeaves fall to reveal the branching framework.
Finely cut foliage falls after turning red in autumn. The arching tips remain woody and visible; the next flush clothes this framework again.
Mature scale: 2.5–4 m high and 2.5–4 m wide. Eventual growth depends on soil, microclimate and available space.
History & origin Cultivar origin From a North Carolina seedling
‘Emerald Lace’ began as a chance seedling grown by David Sabo in North Carolina, USA. Its exceptionally finely divided green foliage and flexible branches distinguished the selection.
Del Loucks helped introduce it to the nursery trade. Sabo’s selection became established as a distinctive green cultivar in the Dissectum Group, combining vigorous growth with red autumn colour.
Greenleaf for Plant NerdsScience nobody asked forBotanical details for anyone curious about what lies behind the plant’s appearance
Division within each lobe
In the Dissectum Group, the main lobes are not merely narrow: they are further divided into fine, toothed segments. The entire lacy outline still belongs to one leaf rather than several independent leaflets.
Frequently asked questions
Six practical answers covering light, seasonal colour, pots, mature size, pruning and winter leaf fall.
01How much sun will it tolerate in Greece?
Bright partial shade or morning sun; protect the exceptionally fine foliage from fierce afternoon sun and drying winds. A sheltered microclimate matters just as much as the number of hours of light.
02Why does its colour change through the year?
The natural transition begins in bright green and peaks in red and orange during autumn. Timing and intensity vary with light, temperature and microclimate.
03Can it remain in a pot?
It can live for many years in a large, broad outdoor pot. Because it is vigorous and mound-forming, it needs periodic root checks and ample space around the crown.
04How large does it become and how quickly?
In a suitable position in open ground it reaches approximately 2.5–4 m in height and 2.5–4 m in spread over 10–20 years. Microclimate and available root space influence the rate.
05Does it need pruning to hold its shape?
Usually not; its natural architecture is central to its beauty. If cleaning is needed, work after leaf fall and before midwinter, removing only what is necessary.
06Is a leafless winter crown normal?
Yes. All the finely divided foliage falls after turning red in autumn. The woody arching tips remain and should not be removed merely because they are bare.
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Every order is prepared with care so your plant arrives upright, secure and safe.
Individual protection
Plants in pots with a capacity of 3 litres or more are placed in individual boxes that hold the pot securely and reduce the risk of tipping over.
Sturdy packaging
We use reinforced cardboard designed to protect against impacts and vibration during transport.