Types

• The 700 cultivars of Japanese maple include two main groups, dissected and non-dissected, based on whether the leaf is divided into segments. The "Waterfall" cultivar is a dissected Japanese maple"; along with "viridis," it is the most popular green Japanese maple cultivar.
  
  

Identification

• The "Waterfall" Japanese maple grows 10 feet tall and has a width of 12 to 14 feet. Its branches cascade from the trunk, inspiring the name. The green leaves turn gold with a reddish tint in autumn.
  
  

Considerations

• The "Waterfall" does well in heat but prefers partial shade, especially in regions with hot afternoon sun. It favors moist, well-drained soil. It needs frequent watering but should not sit in soggy soil. The tree needs protection from strong winds; its shallow roots need particular protection with several inches of mulch. The "Waterfall" can grow in large containers.