Shirazz Japanese Maple

Acer palmatum ‘Gwen’s Rose Delight’, sold under the name Shirazz, is a deciduous Japanese maple grown for strongly variegated leaves and autumn color. Its branching starts upright and becomes spreading and arching, making it a focal point for a sheltered courtyard or smaller garden. ## Foliage and cultivar identity RHS lists ‘Shirazz’ as a synonym of ‘Gwen’s Rose Delight’. Leaves emerge reddish purple with pink margins, mature toward olive green with irregular cream or pink margins, and turn orange-red in autumn. The U.S. plant patent records ‘Gwen’s Rose Delight’ as a sport of ‘Geisha’, discovered in New Zealand and propagated by bud grafting. See the [RHS profile](https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/518008/acer-palmatum-gwens-rose-delight-p-v/details) and [patent record](https://patents.google.com/patent/USPP18728P3/en). ## Siting and size Give it partial shade and shelter from drying exposure. Sources differ substantially: the patent estimates 13–20 ft tall and 6–10 ft wide, RHS gives 13–26 ft by 8–13 ft, and [Loen Nursery](https://www.loennursery.com/products/acr-pl-grd) lists 10–15 ft in both directions. Allow room for the larger published estimates when choosing a permanent site. Soil should remain moist but well drained. ## Maintenance Water during dry weather, especially while establishing. Prune selectively to remove damaged or crossing branches; avoid routine heavy pruning.