Add Drama in Your Garden With Terrific Japanese Maples

Acer palmatum

Native to Japan, Korea, and China, Japanese Maples (Acer palmatum) include a rich variety of deciduous shrubs or small trees with graceful habits, elegantly cut leaves, and extraordinarily colorful foliage, particularly in fall when the leaves turn dazzling shades of golden-yellow, red-purple and bronze, before shedding to the ground.

While all of them are beautiful and provide a fabulous architectural presence, in the garden or in containers, some feature particularly outstanding features such as dramatic foliage, long-lasting striking leaf color, unusual leaf shape, or striking winter bark. The eye can never pass lightly over the dazzling color presented by their flaming foliage across seasons or the graceful outlines of their brilliant coral twigs and branches.

Here is a list of Japanese Maples with spectacular features that will help you create wonderful scenes and let you enjoy their unrivaled beauty season after season.

Guide Information

Hardiness	5 - 9
Climate Zones	2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type	Shrubs, Trees
Genus	Acer
Exposure	Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest	Spring (Early, Mid, Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall, Winter
Height
Spread
Maintenance	Low
Water Needs	Average
Soil Type	Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH	Acid, Neutral
Soil Drainage	Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics	Showy
Tolerance	Rabbit
Landscaping Ideas	Patio And Containers, Beds And Borders, Small Gardens
Garden Styles	City and Courtyard, Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage, Japanese Garden, Traditional Garden

Great Japanese Maples to Add Drama in the Garden

Acer palmatum ‘Aka Kawa Hime’ (Coral Bark Maple)

A desirable Japanese Maple, Acer palmatum ‘Aka Kawa Hime’, is smaller than ‘Sango kaku’. It has delicate foliage, turning yellow-green in spring, green in summer, and gold, yellow, and red in fall. The tree’s coral-red bark adds a splash of color in winter. It’s great for small gardens and containers.

Hardiness	5 - 9
Height	7' - 9' (210cm - 270cm)
Spread	5' - 6' (150cm - 180cm)

Acer palmatum ‘Beni-Kawa’ (Coral Bark Maple)

Acer palmatum ‘Beni-Kawa’, similar to ‘Sango kaku’, stands out with its salmon-red bark and vibrant fall foliage. The tree has slender, tipped lobed leaves that emerge green in spring, sometimes with red edges. They turn golden-yellow in fall, revealing the bright salmon-red bark. This slow-growing maple tree has an upright vase-shaped habit and is a stunning four-season tree.

Hardiness	5 - 9
Height	5' - 15' (150cm - 4.6m)
Spread	5' - 15' (150cm - 4.6m)

Acer palmatum ‘Butterfly’ (Japanese Maple)

Acer palmatum ‘Butterfly’ is an upright deciduous shrub or small tree with pretty variegated foliage of 5-7 lobed green leaves, irregularly margined with silvery-white and light touches of pink on the edges in spring. Some leaves may have no markings while others may be solid cream. Sometimes gracefully twisted, the pale portion of the leaves turns scarlet to magenta in the fall, before shedding to the ground. Slow-growing, this Japanese Maple features an elegant vase-shaped habit and is ideal for containers or small gardens.

Hardiness	5 - 8
Height	7' - 12' (210cm - 3.7m)
Spread	4' - 8' (120cm - 240cm)

Acer palmatum ‘Crimson Queen’ (Laceleaf Japanese Maple)

Noted for its persistent leaf color throughout the entire growing season, award-winning Acer palmatum ‘Crimson Queen’ is a medium-sized deciduous shrub of outstanding interest. Unlike most Laceleaf Japanese Maples with rich red color in spring or early summer, turning green or bronze afterward, ‘Crimson Queen’ keeps its stunning rich red coloration from spring to summer. The eye-catching foliage is very finely dissected into medium to large, 7-9 lobed leaves. It turns very bright scarlet in the fall before shedding to the ground. More sun tolerant than most, this cultivar can be exposed to full sun with practically no sunburn. Strong-growing, this Japanese Maple features a lovely cascading habit and has become a favorite for many gardeners.

Hardiness	5 - 9
Height	8' - 10' (240cm - 3m)
Spread	10' - 12' (3m - 3.7m)

Acer palmatum ‘Dissectum Atropurpureum’ (Laceleaf Japanese Maple)

Acer palmatum ‘Dissectum Atropurpureum’ is a reliable and visually striking Japanese Maple. Its slow-growing, deciduous nature reveals an elegant, broad, arching habit and contorted branches. The ferny, lace-like leaves with long, thin lobes emerge in deep purple, transitioning to bronze-green in late summer and finally flaming orange-red in fall. This hardy variety adds a captivating color contrast as a focal point or against a lush green backdrop.

Hardiness	5 - 8
Height	6' - 8' (180cm - 240cm)
Spread	6' - 8' (180cm - 240cm)

Acer palmatum ‘Eddisbury’ (Coral Bark Maple)

Acer palmatum ‘Eddisbury’, the Coral-Bark Maple, showcases showy scarlet bark and captivating fall colors. Its delicate leaves transition from bronze-green to fresh green, then golden-yellow and crimson. The vibrant red bark adds winter interest. With an upright habit, it’s a stunning four-season tree beloved by gardeners.

Hardiness	5 - 8
Height	10' - 15' (3m - 4.6m)
Spread	6' - 10' (180cm - 3m)

Acer palmatum ‘Sango-Kaku’ (Coral Bark Maple)

Admired for its stunning coral bark and autumnal foliage, award-winning Acer palmatum ‘Sango-kaku’ (Coral-Bark Maple) is a sought-after deciduous shrub or small tree. Its delicate leaves open in pinkish-yellow, turn light green in summer, and change to soft yellow in fall. The exposed coral-red bark adds vibrant color to the winter landscape. Slow-growing with an upright form, it is a captivating choice for year-round appeal.

Hardiness	5 - 8
Height	20' - 25' (6.1m - 7.6m)
Spread	15' - 20' (4.6m - 6.1m)

Acer palmatum ‘Trompenburg’ (Japanese Maple)

Adding drama to the garden wherever grown, award-winning Acer palmatum ‘Trompenburg’ is a deciduous shrub or small tree of outstanding interest. Its unusual foliage of 7-9 pointed, sharply-serrated, lobed leaves resembles an open hand with outstretched fingers. Emerging rich and deep reddish purple in spring, the leaves hold their extraordinary color until late summer and turn vibrant crimson-red in fall before shedding to the ground. More sun tolerant than most, this cultivar can be exposed to full sun with practically no sunburn. A favorite for landscaping, ‘Trompenburg’ features an upright habit and makes a striking focal point.

Hardiness	5 - 8
Height	15' - 25' (4.6m - 7.6m)
Spread	10' - 15' (3m - 4.6m)

Acer palmatum ‘Ukigumo’ (Japanese Maple)

A fascinating Japanese Maple, Acer palmatum ‘Ukigumo’ or ‘Floating Clouds’ is a deciduous shrub or small tree with the most outstanding variegated foliage. Emerging pale green in spring with white spots and soft pink shades on the edges, the medium-sized leaves are very deeply divided and radiate openly. Some leaves may have no markings while others may be solid white or pink. Later in the season, the pink fades away. Sometimes gracefully twisted and undulated, the elegant foliage turns yellow-orange in fall, before shedding to the ground. Slow-growing, this Japanese Maple features a compact, upright habit with short horizontal twigs forming a semi-dense plant and creating an interesting appearance during the dormant season. It is ideal for containers or small gardens.

Hardiness	6 - 9
Height	7' - 12' (210cm - 3.7m)
Spread	4' - 8' (120cm - 240cm)

Acer palmatum ‘Winter Flame’ (Coral Bark Maple)

Acer palmatum ‘Winter Flame’ is a coveted Japanese Maple with showy coral bark and captivating fall foliage. Its delicate 5-lobed leaves open lime green, turn mid-green, and transition to golden-yellow, orange, and red in autumn. The bright coral-red bark adds a vibrant touch to the winter landscape. A stunning choice for all gardeners.

Hardiness	5 - 8
Height	8' - 10' (240cm - 3m)
Spread	6' - 8' (180cm - 240cm)

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While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.