Golden Full Moon Japanese Maple

Acer shirasawanum 'Aureum' is a slow-growing, deciduous full moon maple grown for rounded, fan-shaped leaves in gold-chartreuse tones. Its bright yellow summer foliage, crimson flower clusters and autumn color make it a foliage-led specimen for a sheltered garden. ## Landscape Use Place it where the leaves can be seen close up: as a small lawn specimen, patio tree, container plant or woodland-edge understory. NC State lists these uses for the species and notes that 'Aureum' is a widely grown garden selection. ## Seasonal Interest and Size The [RHS profile](https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/67192/acer-shirasawanum-aureum/details) describes crimson flowers and bright yellow leaves through summer. Full moon maple foliage can turn yellow, orange or red in fall ([NC State Extension](https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/acer-shirasawanum/)). Mature size estimates vary: RHS gives a broad 4–8 m height and spread, while [Dragonfly Farm](https://dragonflyfarmlanglois.com/products/acer-shirasawanum-aureum-japanese-maple) lists 10–15 ft tall by 10–12 ft wide. ## Siting and Soil Full sun or partial shade can work. Afternoon shade and shelter help limit leaf scorch in hot or windy sites. Grow in moist, well-drained, humus-rich, slightly acidic soil and avoid waterlogged conditions. ## Maintenance Keep the root zone evenly moist during dry spells and use mulch to help keep shallow roots cool. Dragonfly Farm recommends only light structural pruning in late winter; avoid heavy cuts.