Autumn Moon Full Moon Maple (Acer Shirasawanum): Plant Care and Growing Guide
The Autumn Moon Fullmoon Maple is also called Acer Shirasawanum ‘Autumn Moon.’ It’s known as Golden Full Moon Maple, Full Moon Maple ‘Aureum,’ Golden Shirasawa Maple, and Acer japonicum ‘Aureum.’ It belongs to the Acer japonicum variety. aureum, is a rather well-known shrub plant by gardening enthusiasts around the world.
This shrub is known for being low maintenance and slow-growing. It will brighten your house or garden with its colorful leaves. However, it will thrive only if you learn how to take proper care of it.
Fortunately, this is exactly what we’ll cover in this Autumn Moon Fullmoon Maple Care Guide. So let’s dive in.
The Unique Characteristics of Autumn Moon Maple
The Autumn Moon Maple (Acer shirasawanum) is a beautiful ornamental tree. Its bright, butter-yellow leaves shine like sunlight in the fall. This maple is different. Instead of bright red leaves, it has soft, golden foliage. It adds a warm glow to any landscape. The leaves are delicately lobed, almost lace-like, and shimmer in the breeze, creating a mesmerizing effect.
Growth Habits & Size Considerations
- Mature Height: 15–20 feet tall, making it ideal for small gardens.
- Spread: 10–15 feet wide, with a graceful, rounded canopy.
- Growth Rate: Slow to moderate, requiring minimal pruning.
- Preferred Conditions: Thrives in partial shade and well-drained, slightly acidic soil.
| Season | Key Features |
| Spring | Emerging leaves are lime-green with reddish edges. |
| Summer | Deepens to a rich green, providing cool shade. |
| Fall | Brilliant yellow foliage, the tree’s standout trait. |
| Winter | Attractive branching structure adds texture. |
Beyond its fall beauty, this maple offers year-round interest, from its spring blush to its elegant winter silhouette. A low-maintenance yet eye-catching choice, it’s perfect for adding elegance to any garden.
Basic Care of Autumn Fullmoon Maple Plant
The basic care guidelines you need to remember for your Autumn Moon Fullmoon Maple are the following:
- Water: The Autumn Moon Fullmoon Maple prefers constant watering each week and more during the hot season.
- Light: Keep your Acer Shirasawanum ‘Autumn Moon’ in an environment where it can receive partial to full sun on a daily basis.
- Soil: Keep the Autumn Moon Fullmoon Maple in soil that is moist but drains well. A mix of clay, loam, chalk, and sand works best.
Like many plants, remember these three care factors to keep your Autumn Moon Fullmoon Maple healthy and thriving.
Scientific/Botanical Aspects
The Autumn Moon Fullmoon Maple is a member of the Sapindaceae family. Its genus is Acer, and its species is Shirasawanum. This gives it the scientific name Acer Shirasawanum ‘Autumn Moon’ (AY-ser shir-ah-sa-WAN-um).
Other members from the Sapindaceae family include Fort McNair Red Horse Chestnut, Acer Palmatum ‘Osakazuki’, Aesculus Parviflora, Fern-Leaf Maple ‘Aconitifolium’, Acer Griseum, Acer Palmatum ‘Seiryu’ and Acer Palmatum.
As with other Acer’s, the Autumn Moon Fullmoon Maple is a deciduous plant, which means it will shed its leaves annually once autumn comes.
Growing Region
The Autumn Moon Fullmoon Maple is a plant native to Japan.
You might be wondering why your Autumn Moon Fullmoon Maple’s native region is important. If you know where your plant is from, you’ll understand its preferred conditions. This helps you replicate those conditions at home.
The Acer Shirasawanum ‘Autumn Moon’ thrives in heat zones 5 to 7. Its hardiness level ranges from 5b to 7a. This plant prefers climate zones 3, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 14, 15, and 16.
Growth and Size
Growth
In terms of size and growth, the Autumn Moon Fullmoon Maple is a relatively slow grower, which makes things easy for any plant enthusiast.
Size
But what exactly does this mean for your Autumn Moon Fullmoon Maple? How large a pot should you consider, how tall, how wide can it get? Let’s jump in…
The Acer Shirasawanum ‘Autumn Moon’ can grow up to 15′ – 20′ (4.5m – 6m) in 15′ – 20′ (4.5m – 6m) and 15′ – 20′ (4.5m – 6m) in 15′ – 20′ (4.5m – 6m).
Expect it to grow in a lovely rounded shape. Keep this in mind when planning your garden landscape.
Water
In terms of watering, the Autumn Moon Fullmoon Maple is a fairly simple plant to take care of.
This is mostly because it has a straightforward watering schedule and somewhat regular watering needs.
Specifically, most experts agree that the Acer Shirasawanum ‘Autumn Moon’ prefers constant watering each week and more during the hot season.
This is why its water requirements are deemed relatively average.
Watering
Keep your Autumn Moon Fullmoon Maple in moist, well-draining soil. This helps your plant grow and thrive.
When you consider this, this is why you should aim to choose soil that has good drainage, and moist properties to keep the right moisture levels at all times.
If you want a simple way to water your Autumn Moon Fullmoon Maple, try the well-known ‘finger’ test. To perform this test, you just need to put your finger in your plant’s soil and determine if it’s moist or not. If it is, then don’t water; if it isn’t, then please do. In any case, this test will allow you to know if your Autumn Moon Fullmoon Maple needs or does not need water, every time.
Soil Mix
As mentioned earlier, the Autumn Moon Fullmoon Maple prefers to have soil with good drainage, and moist properties at all times, reason why you need to make the soil mix out of clay, loam, chalk, and sand.
Most experts agree that the Autumn Moon Fullmoon Maple needs clay and loamy soil. This mix provides the right conditions for growth.
In addition to this, expert gardeners recommend having preferably alkaline, acid or neutral soil.
Light and Exposure
In terms of light & exposure, the Autumn Moon Fullmoon Maple requires partial to full sun in order for it to thrive under the right conditions.
Most experts agree that this shrub will do well as long as you keep it in partial to full sun, and it will be able to grow properly.
We recommend placing your Acer Shirasawanum ‘Autumn Moon’ in light to partial shade. It needs only 2-6 hours of direct sunlight each day.
Season
Being a deciduous plant, the Autumn Moon Fullmoon Maple will shed its leaves annually once autumn comes.
But, you can expect it to have its ‘prime-time’ during the spring (early, mid, late), the summer (early, mid, late), and during the fall.
Flowers
The Autumn Moon Fullmoon Maple produces some wonderful red/burgundy flowers around this time of year.
Foliage
The leaves from the Autumn Moon Fullmoon Maple have a beautiful multicolored color during most of the year.
In particular, they have a simple arrangement with a opposite organization in its leaves.
You can expect the leaves from your Acer Shirasawanum ‘Autumn Moon’ to be around (1-3 inches) in size.
Garden
Now, let’s talk garden and how your Autumn Moon Fullmoon Maple will look best in it.
Most Acer Shirasawanum ‘Autumn Moon’ owners agree that this shrub will look great in most asian/zen and contemporary gardens of all types.
Many owners believe they fit nicely in various garden styles. These are Japanese gardens, city gardens, courtyard gardens, informal gardens, cottage gardens, and traditional gardens.
The Autumn Moon Fullmoon Maple grows best in patios, containers, and garden beds. It’s great for small gardens too. People often use it for landscaping, privacy screens, urban gardens, or woodland settings.
Companion Plants
Autumn Moon Fullmoon Maple’s do well with some other plants beside it. One good companion plant is the Azalea, which will pair up nicely with your leafy friend.
Others consider that a nice Hosta will work well too, so choose whichever you find works best for you!
Conclusion
We shared plenty of tips for your Autumn Moon Fullmoon Maple. But remember the basics: sunlight, soil, and water. These are key to growing a healthy plant at home.
