Incredibly diverse in leaf, color and growth habit, the Japanese Maples (Acer palmatum) are enjoying rapidly increasing popularity. The cultivars (varieties) are naturally occurring sports - variations of seedlings or individual branches with desirable traits. Over 300 cultivars have been described. Long cultivated in Japan, some of the cultivars can be traced back several centuries.
The maples are best grown in USDA Zones 5-8, with protection from afternoon sun in the hotter areas. Soil should be kept evenly moist, yet be well drained.
The height of trees shipped (soil line to top) ranges from 12 to 36 inches-dependent on the cultivar and the time of year. Some highly unusual types are very slow growing and will barely be 12 inches tall after 2 years. All are in gallon containers, well rooted, grafts healed, ready to plant in the landscape. Other cultivars are sometimes available in the fall--please check back. Larger sizes are not available for shipping but are sometimes available at the Nursery.
Please call or email for availability of Japanes Maples. Listing below is current 5/4/2004. As you will note, many are sold out at this time. We will have more in stock for the Fall planting season, but the varieties we will be getting are not known yet.
The maples in the catalog below are divided into 2 groups: Upright Forms and Laceleaf and Weeping Forms
"Ao Kanzashi" . . 1594 ----SOLD
OUT----
10 to 12 ft. . . Zones 6 to 8 A narrow, upright tree with subtle variegation. The small light to medium green leaves are bordered with a light cream color which turns a pleasant rose-pink color in fall.
"Beni Kawa" . . 1569 ----SOLD OUT----
20 to 23 ft. . . Zones 6 to 9 An upright selection similar to "Sango kaku" but with darker red bark. This selection tends to hold the red bark color well into the heat of the summer. Green foliage. Excellent winter appeal with the ornamental bark.
"Bloodgood" . . 1570
16 to 20 ft. . . Zones 5 to 9 Upright tree with strong deep red color. Seed formation adds additional color and texture. Bright crimson fall color. Vigorous tree. Full sun for best color.
"Bonfire" . . 2029
13 to 20 ft. . . Zones 5 to 9 Dark pink-orange foliage in the spring becomes green in summer. Orange fall color. Also know as "Seigei."
"Butterfly" . . 1595 ----SOLD OUT----
10 to 12 ft. . . Zones 6 to 8 An unusual, variegated selection with small, pale green or bluish leaves edged in white, cream, or light pink. The growth habit is somewhat stiff and upright, forming a dense, large shrub or small tree. Does well in full sun.
"Emperor I" . . 2030----SOLD OUT----
10 to 14 ft. . . Zones 5 to 9 Red foliage, similar to "Bloodgood." Reputed to leaf out 2 weeks later than "Bloodgood," thereby reducing the possibility of late spring freeze damage. Upright habit. Fast growing.
"Fireglow" . . 1572
To 20 ft. . . Zones 5 to 9 Relatively new selection from Holland. Upright form with bright red color; very striking effect from sunlight transmitted through leaves. Full sun for best color.
"Hagoromoro" . . 1499----SOLD OUT----
13 to 20 ft. . . Zones 5 to 9 Dark green leaves with unusual feather-like divisions. Very similar to "Koshimino," but said to be less vigorous. Upright growth habit. Light yellow-orange fall color.
"Higasayama" . . 1596----SOLD OUT----
To 20 ft. . . Zones 6 to 8 The leaves of this variegated form open up from yellow buds displaying striking pink, rose, and cream colored borders. Fast growing upright tree.
"Hogyoku" . . 2031----SOLD OUT----
12 to 15 ft. . . Zones 5 to 9 Green foliage with upright growth habit. Vigorous. Pumpkin orange fall color.
"Hubb's Red Willow" . . 2032
8 to 10 ft. . . Zones 5 to 8 Similar to "Willowleaf." A linearilobum type (leaves have very narrow lobes) that is somewhat more vigorous than "Willowleaf" or "Red Pygmy." Red fall color.
"Koshimino" . . 2111
To 8 ft. . . Zones 5 to 9 Dark green leaves with unusual feather-like divisions. Very similar to "Hagaromo," but said to be more vigorous. Upright growth habit. Light yellow-orange fall color.
"Moonfire" . . 1502
13 to 20 ft. . . Zones 5 to 9 Deep, purple-red foliage holds color well through the summer heat. Crimson fall color. Fast growing when young with strong upright form, broadening with age.
"Nishiki gawa" . . 1515 ----SOLD
OUT----
3 to 4 ft. . . Zones 5 to 9 Also known as "Pine Bark Maple." Outstanding feature is the thickened, convoluted bark that develops with age. Green foliage with yellow fall color. Popular specimen for bonsai.
"Nuresagi" . . 1534----SOLD OUT----
13 to 20 ft. . . Zones 5 to 8 Spring and early summer foliage has unusually dark and rich tones of black-purple-red. Sometimes develops green mottling in late summer. Vigorous, upright growth habit with overall open, lacy appearance.
"O Kagami" . . 1573----SOLD OUT----
To 13 ft. . . Zones 5 to 8 Small, upright tree with large purple-red leaves which will darken to blackish-red as the season progresses .
"Okushimo" . . 1540----SOLD OUT----
To 25 ft. . . Zones 5 to 9 Edges of the rich green leaves are rolled inward, making the leaf appear as though it has five to seven round, tubular segments for lobes. Stiffly upright, vase shaped form. Vigorous grower. Gold fall color Recorded in Japan since the early 1700's and often used for bonsai.
"Omurayama" . . 1574----SOLD OUT----
To 13 ft. . . Zones 5 to 9 Quite unusual selection with medium green leaves; this plant has a palmatum leaf typical of the upright cultivars, yet has a cascading or weeping tendency with age. The fall colors are a bright red. Spread of 13 to 16 feet.
"Orange Dream" . . 2118----SOLD
OUT----
10 to 20 ft. . . Zones 5 to 9 An outstanding new selection from Italy with new leaves emerging orange, and maturing to bright yellow. Holds up well in full sun. Strong grower.
"Oregon Sunset" . . 2112----SOLD
OUT----
8 to 10 ft. . . Zones 6 to 8 Shiny red leaves, deeply divided into narrow lobes. Underside of leaves has varying shades of green and red. Dense, shrubby growth habit.
"Orido Nishiki" . . 1598----SOLD
OUT----
To 20 ft. . . Zones 6 to 8 This upright cultivar has exceptional variegation which is different on each leaf. Some may be entirely pink, others will have white, some may be green, and still others will show any combination. Vigorous.
"Osakazuki" . . 1575 ----SOLD OUT----
20 to 23 ft. . . Zones 5 to 9 Arguably the best japanese maple for fall color; the intense crimson color is similar to the Burning Bush. Rich green summer foliage resists sunburn. Upright with large leaves. Grows rapidly.
"Oshio Beni" . . 1576----SOLD OUT----
20 to 26 ft. . . Zones 5 to 9 An upright cultivar with orange-red leaves similar to that of "Bloodgood". Matures with an open, spreading habit.
"Red Baron" . . 2033----SOLD OUT----
Est. to 20 ft. . . Zones 5 to 9 Upright form with good red color like "Fireglow." Holds strong color better in heat and shade. From Red Maple Nursery in PA.
"Sango Kaku" . . 1578----SOLD OUT----
To 23 ft. . . Zones 5 to 9 "Sango Kaku"-Japanese for "Coral Bark"-has unusual bright red bark giving it outstanding winter appeal. An upright form with light green leaves. Yellow fall color.
"Sherwood Flame" . . 1579
To 13 ft. . . Zones 5 to 9 Very similar to "Burgundy Lace" but holds the rich red-burgundy color longer into hot summers. Strong, upright growth with a spreading tendency.
"Shindeshojo" . . 1580----SOLD OUT----
To 20 ft. . . Zones 6 to 8 One of the most brilliant foliage plants in the spring. The new growth is flaming scarlet and crimson. As mid-summer arrives, the small leaves turn to a reddish-green. Typically grows as wide as tall, forming a small shrub at maturity. Good selection for a patio container or bonsai.
"Shishigashira" . . 1654----SOLD
OUT----
To 10 ft. . . Zones 5 to 8 Bright green, crinkled foliage changes to brilliant orange in fall. Densely packed leaf and twig arrangement contributes to a compact, stiff character. Popular in small landscapes, containers and bonsai. Named after a mythical lion of Japanese drama. Usually slow growing.
"Suminigashi" . . 2108
12 to 15 ft. . . Zones 5 to 9 A vigorous, upright variety with large, bright purple leaves that turn to a deep maroon with summer.
"Trompenburg" . . 1581
To 20 ft. . . Zones 5 to 9 Outstanding selection from the Trompenburg Arboretum at Rotterdam, Holland. Trompenburg has unusual glossy leaves which curl under, nearly like tubes. Deep red, maroon color. Upright and a strong grower.
"Ukigumo" . . 2109----SOLD OUT----
To 8 ft. . . Zones 6 to 8 Foliage variegated with irregular patterns of white and pink. Variegation less pronounced on vigorous, new shoots, but will appear the following season. The name means "floating clouds." Dense shrub-like form, as wide as high.
"Willowleaf" . . 1582
To 10 to 12 ft. . . Zones 5 to 8 A new selection of the linearilobum type (leaves have very narrow lobes) that is somewhat similar to "Red Pygmy". Arguably more vigorous, and with a deeper red color. Red fall color.
"Wou Nishiki" . . 1583----SOLD OUT----
To 10 ft. . . Zones 5 to 8 This unique culivar has deeply divided leaves which emerge in spring a bright yellow-green with reddish margins. With an upright growth habit, this twiggy, shrub-like selection has crimson fall coloration.
"Yubae" . . 2110
15 to 20 ft. . . Zones 5 to 9 The "evening glow" is a sturdy, dark purple leafed form. Excellent cultivar. Occasional crimson-red variegation on young plants, but with age, the vigorous plants show little or none.
"Crimson Queen" . . 1584
To 10 ft. . . Zones 6 to 9 This strong, vigorous selection originated in the United States. Unlike many red, dissected forms, the Crimson Queen holds its deep, red color throughout the summer months even in extreme heat. Fall color exhibits bright scarlet tones. Cascading form often wider than tall.
"Ever Red" . . 1585----SOLD OUT----
13 to 16 ft. . . Zones 6 to 8 This selection offers an unusual characteristic; as the new leaves emerge, they are covered with fine, silvery hairs. This weeping form maintains its deep red color well into the summer.
"Garnet" . . 1586----SOLD OUT----
To 10 ft. . . Zones 6 to 9 This weeping form is the most vigorous of the red leaf dissectums. The rich red-orange color and a cascading tendency makes this form quite a specimen in the landscape.
"Inaba Shidare" . . 1587----SOLD
OUT----
8 to 10 ft. . . Zones 5 to 9 Also called "Red Select". Cascading, but more upright than other dissected forms, the leaves of "rice plant" maple has outstanding purple color which holds well all season.
"Ornatum" . . 1979----SOLD OUT----
6 to 7 ft. . . Zones 6 to 8 The spring foliage is an interesting, slightly bronzy, brilliant red, which stands out well in the landscape. During late summer, it turns greenish, but returns to a crimson-red color in fall. The leaves are those of a typical dissectum, seven very long, thin lobes which are divided into deeply dissected, and deeply toothed side lobes.
"Red Dragon" . . 1588 ----SOLD OUT----
8 to 10 ft. . . Zones 6 to 8 A new laceleaf selection from New Zealand with bright red foliage. Weeping form. Holds color well into summer. Also tends to keep color better in shade. Strong grower with excellent red fall color.
"Roseo Marginata Dissectum" . . 1589
8 to 10 ft. . . Zones 6 to 9 Not to be confused with the "Roseo Marginata", this laceleaf dissectum emerges with reddish-orange foliage in the spring, and turns to a pleasing green as the summer progresses.
"Seiryu" . . 1590 ----SOLD OUT----
To 15 ft. . . Zones 6 to 9 Bright green foliage. Upright growth habit is unusual for a dissectum. Has exceptional fall color of gold and yellow with some suffusion of crimson; strong growth when young.
"Tamukeyama" . . 1591----SOLD OUT----
To 12 ft. . . Zones 5 to 9 A strongly cascading selection which holds up very well under high heat and humidity. New foliage is deep crimson red changing to dark purple-red. Bright scarlet fall coloration.
"Viridis" . . 1592 ----SOLD OUT----
8 to 10 ft. . . Zones 5 to 9 This plant offers bright green foliage and a weeping, cascading habit. Gold fall colors with occasional crimson. Twigs stay green throughout winter. Some light shade, especially during direct afternoon sun in the South, will help prevent leaf burn.
"Waterfall" . . 1593----SOLD OUT----
8 to 10 ft. . . Zones 5 to 9 Quite similar to "Viridis", "Waterfall" has a slightly larger leaf. This strong growing selection, like "Viridis", has brilliant yellow and gold color in the fall.
Go to Upright Forms or Laceleaf and Weeping Forms
Please call or email for current availability of Japanes Maples.
The maples are best grown in USDA Zones 5-8, with protection from afternoon sun in the hotter areas. Soil should be kept evenly moist, yet be well drained.
The height of trees shipped (soil line to top) ranges from 12 to 36 inches-dependent on the cultivar and the time of year. Some highly unusual types are very slow growing and will barely be 12 inches tall after 2 years. All are in gallon containers, well rooted, grafts healed, ready to plant in the landscape. Other cultivars are sometimes available in the fall--please check back. Larger sizes are not available for shipping.
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