Alphabetical Plant Listing

Combining Japanese Maples for long-lasting color impact

Acer palmatum, Acer palmatum dissectum, Acer shirasawanum, Plant Combinations, Spring Combinations, Summer Combinations, Fall Combinations


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 the fall when the leaves turn dazzling shades of golden-yellow, red-purple and bronze, before shedding to the ground.

While we generally do not think of Japanese Maples as flowering trees (although they do flower in spring, their blossoms are not showy from a distance), their incredibly colorful foliage and interesting leaf shapes more than offset their lack of blossoms. They display their tremendous bold greens, brilliant reds, glowing oranges, or burgundy colors for weeks, adding breathtaking beauty to the landscape.

Prized by gardeners for their lacy texture and spectacular fall colors, some varieties of Japanese Maples feature sumptuous spring colors too. Combining both types of Japanese Maples would extend their colorful impact in the garden and provide double the pleasure.

Guide Information

Hardiness 5 - 9
Heat Zones 2 - 8
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
Plant Family Acer - Maples
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early,Mid,Late)
Summer (Early,Mid,Late)
Fall
Winter
Water Needs Average
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy
Tolerance Rabbit
Landscaping Ideas Beds and Borders, Patio and Containers, Small Gardens
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage, Japanese Garden, Traditional Garden
Compare All Acer - Maples Great Plant Combination Ideas with Acer - Maples Guides with Acer - Maples

s1dumas / 123RF Stock Photo

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.

Guide Information

Hardiness 5 - 9
Heat Zones 2 - 8
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
Plant Family Acer - Maples
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early,Mid,Late)
Summer (Early,Mid,Late)
Fall
Winter
Water Needs Average
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy
Tolerance Rabbit
Landscaping Ideas Beds and Borders, Patio and Containers, Small Gardens
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage, Japanese Garden, Traditional Garden
Compare All Acer - Maples Great Plant Combination Ideas with Acer - Maples Guides with Acer - Maples

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