Exposure & location

The Japanese maple ‘Orange Dream’ appreciates soft light and sheltered environments. It thrives equally well on a semi-shaded balcony or in a bright small garden.

• Exposure: bright partial shade or soft sun (avoid harsh full sun).
• Soil: light, well-drained, rich in humus and slightly acidic.
• Cultivation: ideal in a pot on a terrace or balcony, or in the ground in a small garden.
• Protection: sheltered from strong wind to preserve its delicate foliage.

A soft and bright exposure reveals the full golden and orange richness of its foliage.

Watering & maintenance

Easy to grow, this maple requires little maintenance. Its secret: keep the soil fresh and avoid excess stagnant water.

• Watering: regular, keep the soil moist without excess.
• Mulching: recommended to preserve moisture and protect roots.
• Fertilizer: mild and balanced in spring then late summer.
• Pruning: light, at the end of winter, to remove dead or unbalanced branches.
• Hardiness: excellent, tolerates down to −20 °C.

In pots, monitor substrate moisture, especially during hot or windy days.

Decor ideas & plant combinations

Thanks to its compact habit and spectacular foliage, Acer ‘Orange Dream’ easily pairs with other plants to create natural and balanced scenes.

• Japanese ambiance: pair it with non-invasive bamboos (Fargesia) for a zen and graphic decor.
• Shade bed: combine it with hostas, ferns, and heucheras for a soft and elegant effect.
• Color contrast: match it with camellias or rhododendrons for a sophisticated touch.
• In pots: enhance it with low trailing plants (ivy, dichondra) for a contemporary effect.

Its golden hues perfectly match deep green or purple-red foliage.

Verdeia Tips

• Place your maple in a large pot with a well-draining substrate based on ericaceous soil.
• Protect it from burning sun to avoid leaf scorch.
• Add natural mulch to maintain soil freshness.
• Avoid cold drafts: its fine leaves are sensitive to wind.

The ‘Orange Dream’ offers a changing spectacle through the seasons — a true living painting for urban terraces and balconies.

Technical characteristics

• Botanical name: Acer palmatum ‘Orange Dream’
• Common name: Golden Japanese Maple
• Type: Deciduous ornamental shrub
• Pot diameter: Ø19 cm
• Approximate height: approx. 50 cm
• Maximum adult size: 2 to 2.5 m
• Foliage: orange in spring, light green in summer, golden to red in autumn
• Flowering: insignificant (decorative foliage)
• Exposure: partial shade to soft sun
• Hardiness: excellent (down to −20 °C)
• Watering: regular, fresh and well-drained soil
• Maintenance: easy — light pruning, mild fertilizer, summer mulching
• Toxicity: non-toxic
• Decorative style: Zen garden / Japanese terrace / Bright balcony

Each plant is unique: photos show an example of its appearance. The density, shape, and shades of its foliage naturally evolve according to light and through the seasons.