Acer Palmatum Oto Hime Japanese Maple

Acer Palmatum Oto Hime is a dwarf deciduous Japanese maple with horizontal growing habit and excellent autumn colour. It’s a good choice for plant containers and compact gardens with dappled shade.

This handsome small acer is a dwarf form, but it has a dense growth habit. Multiple branches grow laterally and spread further in width than its total height to create a flat-topped effect.

Its five-lobed star-shaped foliage emerges cheerful pale yellow-green with red margins in spring and matures to deeper green in summer. Oto Hime has excellent autumn colours that range through yellow, pink, orange and red before it falls for winter.

Japanese Acer Oto Hime (sometimes spelt Otohime) uas an unusual name that means Little Queen of the Undersea World.

Height and Spread of Acer Palmatum Oto Hime
Over ten years flat-topped Japanese Maple Oto Hime spreads over 2.5 metres but only reaches one metre tall.

How Hardy is Acer Palmatum Oto Hime
Acers are hardy plants capable of withstanding UK winter freezes if their roots are well drained and they are sheltered from full sun and harsh drying winds.

How To Use Acer Palmatum Oto Hime
This dwarf acer is an excellent choice for a container because it stays relatively short. Use it to brighten a deck, patio, or sheltered balcony garden from spring to autumn.
It also suits mixed borders, courtyards, and Japanese-style spaces, particularly near ponds that reflect its unusual stature and graceful foliage.
This is a good acer choice for compact spaces because it brings a profusion of zing and interest without taking up too much room. Be sure to give it enough room to spread its lateral branches to full effect.

How To Care For Acer Palmatum Oto Hime
Acers are easy to grow if they are planted in the right spot.
Japanese Maple Oto Hime needs well-drained fertile soil with shelter in dappled shade to thrive. Full sun and harsh winds will burn its handsome foliage.
Water it well until you see new growth and apply a thick layer of well-rotted organic matter to the roots in early spring. Container-grown acers need regular water and fertiliser in the growing months plus adequate drainage. Prop the container on feet to ensure water escapes and does not root its root system.
Pruning isn’t required, but you can cut away dead or damaged branches in spring.