Japanese maple trees
Our selection of Japanese acers or maple trees, grown for their oriental beauty and autumn colours.
Acer palmatum Dissectum
A good example of the "dissectum" form of Acer palmatum, featuring deeply cut leaves.£77.00buy- Height after 10 years: Up to 1.5m / 5ft
- Leaf colour - autumn: Orange / Red
Acer palmatum var. dissectumGarnet
One of the "dissectum" group of Japanese acers, with feathery purple leaves.£77.00buy- Height after 10 years: Up to 1.5m / 5ft
- Leaf colour - autumn: Multiple tints
- Awards: RHS AGM (current)
Acer palmatumOrange Dream
Orange-tinged young leaves turn yellow over the summer, then gold in autumn.£77.00buy- Height after 10 years: 2.5m-3.5m / 8ft-12ft
- Leaf colour - autumn: Yellow
- Awards: RHS AGM (current)
Acer palmatumOsakazuki
A classic Japanese maple, noted for its bright red autumn foliage.£77.00buy- Height after 10 years: 2.5m-3.5m / 8ft-12ft
- Leaf colour - autumn: Orange / Red
- Awards: RHS AGM (current)
Acer palmatumSango Kaku
Also known as the Coral Bark maple, Sango Kaku features coral red stems which make a strong winter feature.£77.00buy- Height after 10 years: 2.5m-3.5m / 8ft-12ft
- Leaf colour - autumn: Orange / Gold
Acer palmatumTamukeyama
Tamukeyama is one of the best dissected-leaf Japanese maples, the leaves vary from red to purple over the season.£77.00buy- Height after 10 years: 2.5m-3.5m / 8ft-12ft
Acer palmatumTrompenburg
An upright tree-like Acer with deeply cut purple leaves which turn fiery red in the autumn.£77.00buy- Height after 10 years: 2.5m-3.5m / 8ft-12ft
- Leaf colour - autumn: Orange / Red
- Awards: RHS AGM (current)
Acer palmatum
How to choose Japanese maple trees
The Japanese maples, often known simply as Acers, are nearly all categorised in the species Acer palmatum which is native to Japan and named for the characteristic palm-like leaves. They are best-known for their striking autumn leaf colours, but there are numerous varieties offering interest throughout the year. Almost all of them have a very definite "presence" about them.
Although related to the large maple species which are native to Europe and North America, the Japanese maples are mostly small shrub-like trees. Varieties of this species have been cultivated and improved in Japan for centuries.
They are ideal for the modern garden, taking up very little space whilst offering an enormous range of forms, shapes and colours.
Japanese Acers are mostly easy to grow, needing little maintenance. They prefer good neutral or slightly acidic loamy soils, although alkaline soils are tolerated. They all do best in a sheltered situation.
Most varieties are also very happy to be grown in large pots or planters - use a mix of 3 parts general purpose tree / shrub coarse compost and 1 part ericaceous compost, and make sure there is good drainage.
Japanese maples generally don't need much pruning. If you wish to prune, then mid-winter before the buds start to leaf-out is the best time, but choose a day when the weather forecast is for mild temperatures, above freezing. Late summer (August to October) is also a good time. Avoid pruning in the spring or summer. When pruning, start by removing unhealthy-looking branches, then go on to branches that are starting to compete with the leader or are in the wrong place for the shape you want to achieve. The key to pruning Acers is to keep it to a minimum, as they do not tolerate heavy pruning - It is far better to do a light prune each winter rather than heavier pruning every now and then.