Maple
Baton Rouge
Acer palmatum
An outstanding, fast-growing upright Japanese Maple that redefines the coral-bark group for southern climates. Translating from French as 'Red Stick', 'Baton Rouge' is primarily celebrated for its intense, electric-red bark that provides jaw-dropping structural color throughout the bare winter months. In spring, its medium-to-large leaves emerge soft green heavily accented with bright red margins. Summer shifts to a clean emerald green before transforming into a dramatic autumn spectacle of gold, glowing orange, and deep crimson splashes.
Growing Specifications
- Height
- 10-12 feet (at 15 years)
- Spread
- 6-8 feet
- Watering
- Moderate; requires consistent moisture through dry periods but strictly demands sharp drainage
- Light
- Full Sun to Partial Shade
- Heat Tolerance
- Elite; one of the most sun and heat-hardy coral bark cultivars available
- Growth Rate
- Moderate to Fast (Upright vase-shaped habit)
- Soil Requirement
- Well-draining, loose, organic-rich, slightly acidic to neutral
North Texas Micro-climate Notes
Expert Curated Selection. Discovered right here in Texas, this cultivar exhibits incredible resistance to leaf-scorch and cellular heat collapse. It handles full sun exposure much better than other coral bark selections, though providing dappled shelter from the punishing 3 PM summer rays helps maximize its spring leaf variegation.
History & Lineage
- INTRODUCED BY
- Doremus Wholesale Nursery
- HISTORY
- Discovered as an exceptional, highly resilient chance mutation at Doremus Wholesale Nursery in Warren, Texas (just north of Houston). Named and released in the late 1990s, it was selected specifically for its capability to withstand intense Southern humidity and heat without losing its signature bark brilliance.
Care Instructions
Plant with a shallow root configuration, ensuring at least one-third of the root ball is slightly raised above the surrounding grade. Amend tight soils heavily with expanded shale and pine bark to ensure excellent drainage. Apply a thick layer of organic mulch across the root zone to buffer high soil temperatures.
Landscape Usage
Perfect as a high-visibility winter accent near pathways, structured into a modern Japandi rock garden, or utilized as a multi-season structural anchor tree.
Fun Fact
While traditional coral-bark maples like 'Sango kaku' often drop their leaves to reveal bright yellow autumn tones, 'Baton Rouge' separates itself by reliably developing intensely rich red and orange pigments in its fall canopy.
Awards
Highly acclaimed throughout Southern nursery networks as a premier climate-tested upgrade to standard coral-bark cultivars
