Two-tone spring growth
New five-lobed leaves open lime green, with a red flush along the serrated margins that defines their delicate geometry.
5
Acer 'Anne Irene'® 19cm
Normal price
€24,00
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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 ‘Anne Irene’®
- Lime-green spring foliage with red margins
- Yellow-green summer foliage
- Yellow-orange autumn colour
- Upright, slow growth
Acer palmatum ‘Anne Irene’® brightens a planting with foliage that changes from spring through autumn. Fresh yellow-green leaves open with fine reddish edges, while summer retains a luminous yellow-green canopy. Warmer yellow and orange shades arrive towards the end of the season. The delicate palmate leaves leave glimpses of the branches between them, creating a small tree whose appeal combines colour, transparency and a succession of details worth looking at closely.
Its upright, bushy crown rises in clean lines and gradually broadens, while the fine leaf texture keeps the outline light. As a young plant it makes a striking focal point on a terrace or beside an entrance; over time it develops into a small tree that gives a sheltered courtyard or garden colour, movement and architectural presence.
What makes it special
Three distinctive qualities give ‘Anne Irene’® its bright, multi-season personality.
Gold that keeps evolving
As the season advances, the foliage moves into luminous yellow-green and keeps the crown bright until the autumn transition.
A naturally balanced small tree
Slow, upright and bushy growth gradually creates an elegant crown with presence, while retaining a visually light outline.
Why you will love it: It brings luminosity, fine texture and three distinct seasonal looks together in one elegant tree.
In the garden & on the balcony Placement & plant combinations A bright focal point in sheltered partial shade, with room for the future crown
A bright golden canopy
Plant it as a specimen small tree in a sheltered courtyard, near an entrance or seating area, or in the middle to rear layer of a cool mixed planting. The mature crown reaches approximately 3 m in height and spread, so it needs clear visual space to show its natural form.
For more than one tree allowed to keep a free natural outline, leave approximately 3 m from centre to centre. Growth remains more restrained in a large outdoor pot, but open ground is the best long-term position if the tree is to reach its full mature form.
A dark lower layer
Near-black foliage and upright purple flowers provide depth around the luminous yellow-green crown. These companions share a preference for bright partial shade and organic soil that retains moisture while draining freely.
- Ophiopogon planiscapus ‘Nigrescens’ — creates a low near-black base that makes the luminous golden crown stand out immediately
- Heuchera ‘Obsidian’ — its glossy near-black rounded leaves act as a calm base for the luminous golden crown
- Liriope muscari ‘Royal Purple’ — adds evergreen dark green foliage and upright purple flower spikes that balance the luminous golden crown in late summer
Care at a glance
Light
Bright partial shade or a few hours of morning sun; protect from fierce midday sun and drying winds.
Watering
Water thoroughly as the surface begins to dry; maintain even moisture without waterlogging, checking pots more frequently.
Climate & hardiness
Deciduous and hardy in winter cold; fresh growth needs shelter from late frost, hot wind and extreme summer heat.
Safety
An ornamental plant, not food. It is not intended for consumption; discourage children and pets from chewing plant material.
Detailed careComplete care guideLight, microclimate, ground planting, pots, watering, feeding, pruning and the winter cycle
Light & microclimate
Provide bright partial shade or morning sun with afternoon protection, especially in warmer parts of southern Europe. A position sheltered from hot, dry and freezing winds protects the delicate spring growth.
Planting in the ground
Plant in fertile, humus-rich, slightly acidic to neutral soil that retains moisture yet drains freely. Keep the root flare at surrounding soil level and use temporary support only if the young tree is not stable.
Growing in a pot
Choose a stable outdoor pot with unobstructed drainage and a structured growing mix. Check the available root space periodically and move to a larger pot when roots fill it. Keep enough room around the crown for its natural outline.
Watering & mulch
Water thoroughly when the upper layer begins to dry and allow surplus water to drain away. Organic mulch helps maintain more even moisture and temperature around the shallow roots.
Measured feeding
A light application of balanced fertiliser at the start of spring is usually sufficient. Avoid excessive nitrogen and late feeding, as they encourage tender growth that is more vulnerable to exposure.
Pruning & the winter cycle
Pruning is rarely needed. Remove only dead, damaged or awkwardly crossing shoots after leaf fall and before midwinter to reduce sap bleeding. A bare crown in winter is completely normal.
Development over timeFrom a young maple to a luminous small treeSlow establishment develops into an upright, bushy crown with an increasingly rich seasonal presence
First establishment
After planting, fresh growth may remain modest while the root system settles. Even moisture and a sheltered position matter more than rapid top growth.
The crown gains structure
Upright main shoots develop lateral branches and the bushy crown gradually broadens. Its natural line is most elegant when it is not clipped into a rigid shape.
A mature seasonal rhythm
With maturity it repeats its characteristic sequence each year: lime-green spring with red margins, yellow-green summer and yellow-orange autumn before leaf fall.
Mature form & dimensions
10–20 yearsHeight approx. 3 mSpread approx. 3 mUpright open branching
Main stems rise and open outwards. Fine branching remains visible between the yellow-green leaves.
Form through time
Spring–summerUpright open branching
AutumnWarm colours and gradual leaf fall
A bare winter framework is normal for a deciduous Acer. Colour and the timing of leaf fall depend on the local microclimate.
What to expect after planting: In a suitable position in open ground it reaches approximately 3 m in height and spread over 10–20 years. Growth usually remains more restrained in a pot and depends more strongly on available root space and summer care.
History & origin Cultivar origin Cees Krijgsman and Dick van der Maat
‘Anne Irene’ was found by Cees Krijgsman and introduced by Dick van der Maat through his specialist Japanese maple nursery in the Netherlands. The introducer lists it as ‘Anne-Irene’, with a hyphen. Its history therefore involves two distinct people: the person who selected it and the nurseryman who brought it into wider cultivation. The original selection date is not known with certainty.
Greenleaf for Plant NerdsScience nobody asked forBotanical details for anyone curious about what lies behind the plant’s appearance
Veins radiating from one point
The main veins of a palmate leaf begin near its junction with the stalk and run into the lobes. This venation organises both the shape and support of the thin blade; each lobe remains part of one continuous leaf.
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 warm European regions?
Choose a few hours of morning sun or bright partial shade. Fierce afternoon sun, especially with dry wind or a dry root zone, can stress the leaf margins.
02Why can the colour differ from the photographs?
The shade changes naturally with the season, stage of growth, light and temperature. Fresh leaves are lime green with a red flush, become yellow-green in summer and turn yellow-orange in autumn.
03Can it remain permanently in a pot?
It can be grown for many years in a large outdoor pot with free drainage and periodic checks on the roots. Open ground is the best long-term choice if it is to develop its full mature crown.
04How large does it become and how quickly?
It is slow-growing and, in a suitable position in open ground, reaches approximately 3 m in height and 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 outline is central to its beauty. If cleaning is needed, work after leaf fall and before midwinter, removing only what is necessary.
06Is it normal for the tree to be bare in winter?
Yes. It is deciduous and sheds its leaves in autumn after completing its colour cycle. Fresh growth returns in spring.
📦 Your plant travels protected
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.