Getting To Know: Fernleaf Fullmoon Maple Tree - Acer japonicum 'Acontifolium' - March 2026

Over the past couple of seasons, I've learned to 'know' (and plant) a pair of Korean Maple trees in our garden.  A Northern Glow in the Island Bed up front and an Arctic Jade in the backyard.  We also have a couple of Emperor 1 trees in the backyard (but...I'm pretty sure I lost the largest one this Winter.  It was ravaged by the Cicadas of 2024 and didn't seem to recover in 2025).  

My success with the two Korean Maples has lead me to think about adding another one - and I wrote a 'getting to know' post about The Northwind Korean Maple from Iseli Nursery that is part of their Jack Frost Collection of cold-hardy trees.  

But, as I was poking around in my Google Photos recently, I came across a cluster of photos of a different ornamental tree that I took at The Growing Place last year - on the same visit where I bought the Arctic Jade.  Those photos were for this Fernleaf Fullmoon Maple.  Acer japonicum 'Acontifolium'. This is - as the name indicates - an Acer japonicum.  Japanese Maple.  The Korean Maples are Acer pseudosieboldianum.  So, this doesn't have the same cold tolerance the Korean Maples have, but the trade-off is the foliage.  First up, is the retail POS signage for the Fernleaf Fullmoon Maple:

Here's what it says:  

Small tree or large shrub that lends an artistic touch to any garden.  Multi-divided, deeply cut leaves offer a fern-like appearance.  Fall color is a spectacular display of brilliant scarlet shades.  Stiff red twigs are prominent all winter.  Slow growth rate.  

Ferns are...well...my faaaavorite.  So, a fern-like tree?  Sign me up, right?

Here, below are a few more photos: 

Now....is the cold-hardiness trade-off worth taking the risk?  I'm not sure.  With the two Korean Maples doing so well, it would be hard to look-past the rest of the Jack Frost collection.  There are two more listed on the Iseli Nursery site: Acer x pseudosieboldianum Alpenglow and Acer x pseudosieboldianum Ice Dragon in addition to the North Wind and Arctic Jade that we already have on hand.  

Also, that still doesn't answer the question of location.  One clear option is to replace the Emperor 1 back by the firepit.  Or, IB2DWs?  Or, around the back patio as part of a hide-and-reveal?