Why Plant Lion's Head Japanese Maple?
The Lion’s Head Japanese Maple is a regal specimen tree for your entryway garden, patio, courtyard, or any of the spaces around your home in need of a distinctive focal point. With its proud, upright posture and thickly set, tufted foliage, Lion’s Head (a.k.a. ‘Shishigashira’) gives an impression of big-cat confidence and strength in the landscape. When the ruffled leaves turn golden-orange in the fall, the transformation into proud “lion” will be complete. Plant this slow-growing legacy tree where it will reign for many years as King of the Garden! The Shishigashira Maple arose in Japan in 1882, but its legend goes back much further. “Shishi” is a mythical lion creature believed to have the power to ward off evil spirits. A pair of Shishi statues often guards shrines in Japan. Many Japanese people are also familiar with “Shishi-mai,” the “Lion Dance” from a play dating back to the 8th Century. The actor wears a Shishigashira, or Lion’s Head mask while performing the ancient dance. Because of this tradition, even today when a baby boy is born in Japan, a little Shishigashira mask is sometimes placed near him to protect him from evil. Might we suggest planting a Shishigashira Maple for your youngster instead?
How to use Lion's Head Japanese Maple in the landscape?
This tree’s compact growth habit and closely set foliage make it a favorite subject for bonsai enthusiasts, who form it into ancient-looking, umbrella-shaped trees. In the landscape, Lion’s Head Japanese Maple forms more of an ice cream cone shape, with a low-branched, vase-shaped trunk and a rounded top. It reaches a height of 15 to 20 feet after several decades and spreads to no more than 10 feet.
How To Plant Lion's Head Japanese Maple
Shishigashira’s thick, deep green leaves are more sun tolerant than those of most Japanese Maples, so a site in full sun is suitable as long as ample water is provided. However, some protection from intense sunlight, heat, and wind will serve this choice specimen well. It isn’t fussy about soils as long as drainage is adequate. Lion’s Head Maple makes a wonderful container tree for a large patio planter, but keep in mind that trees kept in pots are always less hardy than those planted in the ground. This tree leafs out later than most Japanese Maples and is more likely to avoid a late frost that may zap others back.
How Does Shipping Work?
Bower & Branch Trees, the real BIG trees, don’t fit in a box! Our big trees, sizes XL and bigger, require expert delivery and care, that means our extra-large trees are shipped on Bower & Branch trucks. We are the only ones who know how to ship our big and bigger trees and plants with tender loving care. We deliver your trees and plants directly to you. Ask Bower & Branch about planting services – we'd be happy to assist in installation.
*For Big trees and Shrubs, Size XL and bigger: Review our Seasonal Shipping Timelines and Policy here.
Your trees and plants are grown across the United States at various Bower & Branch Growers. Depending on your location, your plant orders may be shipped from various locations. Please expect orders with multiple items to be delivered over a number of days as a result. Orders made up of numerous items or selections will not arrive at your home on the same day.
Shipping Delays:
From time to time, Bower & Branch Growers may determine to delay order shipment based on various factors for plant health. Weather in your region, as well as, where your plants are grown, is always considered when shipping. Extreme weather conditions may delay some or all of your order. Bower & Branch allows our Growers to make final shipping decisions based solely to benefit your trees and plants’ health and success.
How Does Sizing Work?
The size of our trees have nothing to do with the container size like you may find elsewhere–big doesn't mean just height - it’s also vigor, age, and overall health. Other online retailers are going to tell you that a plant is a seven gallon, that means nothing to your tree or plant (or you.)
Our trees for sale online are graded on large, x-large, and even bigger sizes. This is because our trees are sized by their age—the higher the letter, the more mature the tree. The age determines the trees’ overall height, size of the trunk and the overall branch density.
All of these characteristics are what you should be looking for when choosing a tree for immediate impact and instant curb appeal. Our extra-large tree and plant sizes are sure to wow you and your neighbors!
See the size guides below.
