Create Your Garden

Acer palmatum ‘Butterfly’ (Japanese Maple)

Japanese Maple 'Butterfly'

Acer palmatum 'Butterfly', Japanese Maple Butterfly, Tree with fall color, Fall color, Attractive bark Tree, Variegated Japanese Maple, Variegated Acer, Variegated leaves, Variegate 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.

  • Grows up to 7-12 ft. tall (210-360 cm) and 4-8 ft. wide (120-240 cm).
  • A part shade lover, this plant is easily grown in moist, organically rich, slightly acidic, well-drained soils. Mulch helps retain soil moisture and keep roots cool. A lack of soil moisture or excessive exposure can cause leaf scorch.
  • Perfect as a specimen plant in cottage gardens, city gardens, or Japanese gardens and containers.
  • Low maintenance, this plant needs little pruning. If pruning is necessary, prune during the dormant season and avoid pruning in spring when the sap is running. Fertilize in spring before the leaves emerge.
  • It may be affected by horse chestnut scale, aphids, and verticillium wilt.
  • Propagate by grafting or softwood cuttings.

Requirements

Hardiness 5 - 8
Heat Zones 2 - 8
Climate Zones 2, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, A3
Plant Type Shrubs, Trees
Plant Family Sapindaceae
Genus Acer
Common names Maple, Japanese Maple
Exposure Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early, Mid, Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Height 7' - 12'
(210cm - 3.7m)
Spread 4' - 8'
(120cm - 240cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy
Tolerance Rabbit
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Patio And Containers, Small Gardens
Garden Styles Traditional Garden, Japanese Garden, Informal and Cottage, City and Courtyard
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Acer (Maple)
Guides with
Acer (Maple)
Not sure which Acer (Maple) to pick?
Compare Now

Alternative Plants to Consider

Acer palmatum ‘Fireglow’ (Japanese Maple)
Acer palmatum ‘Ariadne’ (Japanese Maple)
Acer palmatum ‘Sumi-Nagashi’ (Japanese Maple)
Acer palmatum ‘Pixie’ (Japanese Maple)
Acer pseudoplatanus ‘Brilliantissimum’ (Sycamore Maple)
Acer ginnala (Amur Maple)

Recommended Companion Plants

Hakonechloa macra ‘Alboaurea’ (Hakone Grass)
Leucojum vernum (Spring Snowflake)

Find In One of Our Guides or Gardens

Roots of Life: Exploring the Diverse World of Trees
Green Canopy, Better World: Exploring the Benefits of Trees
Trees that Invite Wildlife to Your Garden
35 Best Flowering Trees for a Spectacular Garden Display
Small Trees, Big Impact: Maximize Your Garden’s Potential
Spectacular Trees for Vibrant Fall Colors: A Gardener’s Guide
45 Terrific Shrubs for Stunning Container Gardens
Trees with Four Seasons of Interest for Your Garden
Create a Garden with Great Winter Interest
Add Drama in Your Garden With Terrific Japanese Maples
Acer palmatum (Japanese Maple)
Combining Japanese Maples for long-lasting color impact
Companion Plants for your Japanese Maples
Plant Combination Ideas with Japanese Maples
Great Japanese Maples with Stunning Spring Color
Great Japanese Maples with Striking Coral Bark
Great Japanese Maples for Containers
Native Plant Alternatives to Acer platanoides (Norway Maple)
Shrubs and Trees with Attractive Winter Bark
Best Companion Plants for Camellias
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.
Buy Plants

Requirements

Hardiness 5 - 8
Heat Zones 2 - 8
Climate Zones 2, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, A3
Plant Type Shrubs, Trees
Plant Family Sapindaceae
Genus Acer
Common names Maple, Japanese Maple
Exposure Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early, Mid, Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Height 7' - 12'
(210cm - 3.7m)
Spread 4' - 8'
(120cm - 240cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy
Tolerance Rabbit
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Patio And Containers, Small Gardens
Garden Styles Traditional Garden, Japanese Garden, Informal and Cottage, City and Courtyard
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Acer (Maple)
Guides with
Acer (Maple)
Not sure which Acer (Maple) to pick?
Compare Now

Gardening Ideas

Plant Calculator

How many Acer palmatum ‘Butterfly’ (Japanese Maple) do I need for my garden?

Input your garden space dimensions

Your Shopping List

Plant Quantity
Acer palmatum ‘Butterfly’ (Japanese Maple) N/A Buy Plants

Please Login to Proceed

You Have Reached The Free Limit, Please Subscribe to Proceed

Subscribe to Gardenia

To create additional collections, you must be a paid member of Gardenia
  • Add as many plants as you wish
  • Create and save up to 25 garden collections
Become a Member

Plant Added Successfully

You have Reached Your Limit

To add more plants, you must be a paid member of our site Become a Member

Update Your Credit
Card Information

Cancel

Create a New Collection

Sign Up to Our Newsletter

    You have been subscribed successfully

    Join Gardenia.net

    Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.

    Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.

    Join now and start creating your dream garden!

    Join Gardenia.net

    Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.

    Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.

    Join now and start creating your dream garden!

    Find your Hardiness Zone

    Find your Heat Zone

    Find your Climate Zone