Japanese maples are pride of every neat garden. Some are large, others seem motionless owing to extremely slow growth rate. This variety looks similar to acer palmatum but does not grow so large or wide. Its leaves are punkah-shaped leaves are golden yellow, with pinkish tinted margins and veins. They turn red in autumn. The other difference is fruit: Acer shirasawanum holds its samaras above the foliage, while in a. palmatum they (at least eventually) hang down.

It needs slightly acidic soil and if planted in full sun it has to be always moist. Pruning or fertilizing is not recommended.