Folio № 27 of 37 · in the garden since 2023

Japanese Maple 'Sharp's Pygmy'

Acer palmatum 'Sharp's Pygmy'

DeciduousBroadleafPartial shade to full sun

Dwarf cultivar with very small leaves and short internodes; dense, slow growth makes it a favorite for shohin and mame bonsai.

Zone 8b notesProtect roots if temps < 20 F

Visit the Japanese Maple 'Sharp's Pygmy' bench — 6 trees →

Japanese Maple 'Sharp's Pygmy' botanical plate
Acer palmatum 'Sharp's Pygmy'Plate XXVII · Mossy Spot Herbarium

The year, as this species lives it

Thirteen phases. Touch any arc — the wheel remembers what each season asks.

Late DormancyEarly SpringMid SpringLate SpringEarly SummerMid SummerLate SummerEarly FallMid FallLate FallEarly WinterMid WinterLate Winterthe yearOF A JAPANESE MAPLE 'SHARP'S PYGMY'

Mid Fall · Oct 1 – Oct 31 · happening now

  • WateringReduce watering as foliage falls.

click another arc to travel the year →

All thirteen phases, side by side →

The care sheet

The constants — what stays true in every season.

Placement

Partial shade to full sun

Protect from hot afternoon sun to avoid leaf burn.

Watering

High

Never allow to dry out completely.

Feeding

Balanced

Avoid high-nitrogen after midsummer.

Pruning

Structural in early spring, maintenance through summer

Pinch new shoots to maintain shape.

Wiring

Spring or Autumn

Use guy wires for older wood to reduce scarring.

Repotting

Every 2-3 years

Repot just as buds begin to swell.

Propagation

Cuttings or seed

Cuttings root easily with hormone.

Winter

Protect fine branches from late frost.

Summer

Mist foliage to counteract dry air.

On the bench · 6

Every Japanese Maple 'Sharp's Pygmy' in the garden, oldest hands first.

Japanese Maple 2

Japanese Maple 2

№ 019since ’23

Japanese Maple 3

Japanese Maple 3

№ 035since ’24

Japanese Maple 4

Japanese Maple 4

№ 036since ’23

Japanese Maple 5

Japanese Maple 5

№ 038since ’24

Japanese Maple 7

Japanese Maple 7

№ 056since ’25

Japanese Maple 8

Japanese Maple 8

№ 057since ’25

← Previous folioCoralbark Japanese Maplefolio 27 of 37 · back to the libraryNext folio →Trident Maple

Paths onward

CollectionThe Japanese Maple 'Sharp's Pygmy' benchAll 6 trees, the oldest here since 2023.The yearFull seasonal calendarJapanese Maple 'Sharp's Pygmy'’s thirteen phases, side by side.TodayThe AlmanacMid Fall is underway — see what the garden asks now.
Mossy Spot · PNW · Zone 8bgrow slowly
Mossy Spot❧The Species Library❧Japanese Maple 'Sharp's Pygmy'
52° Overcast · Mid Fall
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