Ruby Red Full Moon Japanese Maple

Acer shirasawanum 'Ruby Red' is a named Shirasawa maple selected for red foliage that holds its color well. Kigi Nursery describes an upright form and gives a 10-year average size of 6 × 4 ft, making this cultivar a compact option for a focal garden planting or large container. ## Landscape Use Place it where the red leaves can be seen against green or gold foliage. The cultivar name distinguishes this selection from the generic full moon or Shirasawa maple names also used for the species and its other cultivars. ## Size and Siting [Kigi Nursery](https://kiginursery.com/all-plants/deciduous-trees/acer-shirasawanum-ruby-red-shirasawas-maple/) reports a 10-year average size of 6 × 4 ft and a USDA minimum hardiness zone of 5; the ten-year measurement is a reference point rather than an ultimate-size limit. The nursery recommends full sun to partial shade and organic-rich, well-drained soil. [NC State’s species-level guidance](https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/acer-shirasawanum/) favors moist soil with good drainage and afternoon shade in hot or windy sites. ## Seasonal Interest Its lasting red leaf color is the main ornamental feature. Use it as a foliage accent in a small garden, mixed border or large container where the changing light can reveal the leaf color. ## Maintenance Keep the root zone evenly moist during establishment and dry weather, while avoiding saturated soil. The cited cultivar profile does not specify a recurring pruning schedule.