Japanese Maple | Acer Palmatum Trees

The Acer palmatum 'Garnet', commonly known as the Japanese Maple 'Garnet', is a captivating and popular deciduous tree renowned for its stunning foliage. This small, graceful tree features deeply dissected leaves with a delicate, lacy appearance, emerging as vibrant crimson-red in the spring. Throughout the summer, the foliage maintains its rich garnet hue, providing a striking contrast against the greenery of other plants. In autumn, the leaves transition to a brilliant scarlet, adding a spectacular splash of color to the landscape.

'Garnet' grows slowly, typically reaching a height and spread of 2-3 meters, making it an excellent choice for smaller gardens, patios, or as a focal point in larger landscapes. It thrives in well-drained, slightly acidic soil and prefers a sheltered location with partial shade, although it can tolerate full sun if given adequate moisture.

This cultivar is relatively low-maintenance, requiring minimal pruning to maintain its shape and health. It is also resistant to most pests and diseases. The Acer palmatum 'Garnet' is highly valued for its year-round interest and ability to provide a touch of elegance and serenity to any garden setting. Its unique foliage and compact form make it a perfect addition to Japanese-style gardens, rockeries, and mixed borders.

Acer palmatum dissectum, commonly known as the laceleaf Japanese maple, is a popular ornamental tree renowned for its intricate, finely divided foliage. This deciduous shrub or small tree is part of the Aceraceae family and originates from Japan, Korea, and China. It typically grows to a height of 2 to 3 meters (6 to 10 feet) with a similar spread, making it a perfect choice for small gardens and container planting.

The leaves of Acer palmatum dissectum are deeply lobed and serrated, resembling delicate lace. Throughout the seasons, the foliage transitions from a vibrant green in spring and summer to spectacular shades of red, orange, and purple in autumn, providing year-round interest. The tree's cascading, weeping habit adds an elegant and graceful element to any landscape design.

Acer palmatum dissectum prefers a position in partial shade with well-drained, moist soil. It is relatively low-maintenance, requiring minimal pruning to maintain its shape. This tree is also known for its resilience to pests and diseases. Its compact size and striking appearance make it an excellent choice for adding structure and color to garden borders, patios, and rockeries in British gardens.

The Acer ‘Koto no Ito’, a stunning variety of Japanese maple (Acer palmatum), is highly prized for its delicate, finely dissected foliage and elegant cascading form. The name Koto no Ito translates from Japanese as “Harp Strings”, aptly describing its thin, thread-like leaves that resemble the delicate strings of a traditional Japanese koto instrument.

This captivating maple is a slow-growing, deciduous tree, reaching approximately 2.5–4 metres (8–13 feet) in height over many years. In spring, its narrow, deeply lobed leaves emerge in a fresh green shade, adding an airy, graceful texture to the garden. As the seasons progress, the foliage matures to a deeper green before undergoing a spectacular autumn transformation, turning vibrant shades of gold, orange, and crimson.

One of the standout features of ‘Koto no Ito’ is the way its fine, almost wispy leaves flutter in the wind, creating a dynamic and ever-changing display. This delicate, feathery appearance gives the tree an ethereal quality, making it a popular choice for Japanese-style gardens, courtyards, and containers.

Unlike some Japanese maples, ‘Koto no Ito’ is relatively hardy and can tolerate a range of conditions, though it thrives best in partial shade and well-draining, slightly acidic soil. Protection from harsh afternoon sun and strong winds helps preserve its delicate foliage.

This tree’s compact size and elegant form make it a perfect choice for smaller gardens, patios, or as a striking focal point. Whether planted as a standalone specimen or alongside other Japanese maples, ‘Koto no Ito’ brings a sense of tranquillity and natural beauty to any landscape.

Acer palmatum 'Fireglow', commonly known as the Fireglow Japanese Maple, is a deciduous shrub or small tree celebrated for its vibrant foliage and graceful form. Reaching an ultimate height and spread of approximately 4 metres over 10 to 20 years, it presents a bushy, upright habit suitable for various garden settings. 

The leaves of 'Fireglow' are deeply lobed, typically with 5 to 7 slender, pointed lobes. In spring, the foliage emerges with a pinkish-red hue, grlly maturing to dark green heavily flushed with dark red during the summer months. As autumn approaches, the leaves transition to a string purple-red, offena dynamic display of colour throughout the growing season. 

This cultivar is noted for its relatively thin leaves, which allow sunlight to filter through, creating a luminous effect that enhances its fiery appearance—hence the name Fireglow'. This chartistic is particularly pronounced when the tree is positioned to catch the morning or evening sun, making the foliage ar as though it's glowing. 

'Fireglow' is appreciated for its moderate growth rate and wbranched structure, forming a broad crown at maturity. Its size and form make it an excellent choice for providing shade in small courtyards and patios. 

In terms of cultivation, 'Fireglow' thrives in moist but well-drained soils and can be grown in full sun or partial shade. Whe it is more sun-tort than some other Japanese Maple cultivars, providing some protection from harsh afternoon sunlight can help prevent leaf scorch. Mulching around base helps retain soil moisture and keep the roots cool. This cultivar is hardy in most parts of the UK. It is relatively low-maintenance, requiring little pruning—typically limited to removing dead or crossing branches to maintain its shape. If pruning is necessary, it should be done during the dormant season, avoidg early spring whenhsap is rising. Regular watering during dry periods and fertilising in spring before the leaves emerge will support healthy growth. 

This cultivar is versatile in garden design, serving well as a specimen plant in cottage, city, or Japanese-themed gardens. Its vibrant foliage provides a striking contrast when paired with plants that have green or variegated leaves, enhancing the overall visual interest of the landscape.

In summary, Acer palmatum 'Fireglow' offers a combination of aesthetic appeal and adaptability, making it a valuable addition to various garden settings.

Acer palmatum 'Skeeters Broom' is a unique and stunning cultivar of the Japanese maple tree. This deciduous tree is prized for its striking, bright red foliage that emerges in the spring and turns a deeper shade of red in the fall. The leaves are deeply lobed and delicate, creating a graceful and elegant appearance.

'Skeeters Broom' is a slow-growing tree that typically reaches a height of 6 to 8 feet and a spread of 4 to 6 feet, making it a perfect choice for smaller gardens, courtyards, or even containers. It has a compact and upright growth habit, with branches that grow vertically, giving it a narrow and columnar shape.

This Japanese maple is a low-maintenance tree that prefers partial shade and well-drained soil. It is hardy in zones 5-9 and can tolerate both cold winters and hot summers. 'Skeeters Broom' is also known for its excellent resistance to pests and diseases, making it a reliable addition to any landscape.

Overall, Acer palmatum 'Skeeters Broom' is a striking and unique cultivar that is sure to catch the eye of any passerby. Its compact size, easy care, and stunning foliage make it an excellent choice for gardens of all sizes and styles.

Acer ‘Kogane Nishiki’ is a striking and rare cultivar of the Acer palmatum (Japanese maple), celebrated for its unique golden-yellow foliage and elegant structure. The name ‘Kogane Nishiki’ translates from Japanese as ‘Golden Brocade’ or ‘Golden Embroidery’, reflecting its luminous, textured leaves. 

This deciduous tree features deeply lobed leaves that emerge in spring with a bright yellow-green hue, often with hints of soft orange or pink at the edges. As the seasons progress, the foliage transitions to a richer golden tone before taking on warm amber and orange hues in autumn. This continuous colour evolution makes it a highly sought-after ornamental tree for gardens, particularly in Japanese-style landscapes and small garden spaces.

‘Kogane Nishiki’ typically reaches a compact height of around 2–4 metres, making it ideal for container planting, patios, and sheltered spots. Its graceful branching structure adds year-round interest, even when bare in winter. The bark is smooth and provides an elegant contrast to the vibrant leaves.

Like most Japanese maples, it prefers a partially shaded location with protection from intense afternoon sun, which can scorch its delicate foliage. Well-drained, slightly acidic soil is best, and regular watering is essential, particularly during hot, dry spells.

This cultivar is favoured for its delicate beauty, striking seasonal colour shifts, and suitability for small gardens. Its radiant golden leaves add contrast to darker green plants, making it a standout feature in any planting scheme. Whether as a specimen tree or part of a larger design, Acer ‘Kogane Nishiki’ offers a stunning visual display throughout the year.

Acer palmatum 'Shishi-gashira', commonly known as the Lion's Head maple, is a beautiful and unique cultivar of the Japanese maple tree. It is a slow-growing, deciduous shrub that typically reaches a height of 6-10 feet and a spread of 5-8 feet at maturity.

The foliage of 'Shishi-gashira' is its standout feature. Its leaves are small and crinkled, with a unique, almost spiky appearance that resembles the mane of a lion, hence the name. The leaves emerge in the spring with a reddish-purple color that gradually changes to dark green throughout the summer. In the fall, the leaves turn brilliant shades of orange and red, making this tree a true standout in the autumn landscape.

In addition to its striking foliage, 'Shishi-gashira' is also a popular choice for its compact, rounded habit, making it an excellent choice for small gardens or as a specimen tree in a larger landscape. Its branching structure is also particularly interesting, with densely packed clusters of twigs that form a dense, layered canopy.

This maple tree prefers moist, well-drained soil and partial shade, making it an ideal choice for a woodland garden or a partially shaded spot in a landscape. 'Shishi-gashira' is also relatively low-maintenance, requiring little pruning or fertilization to maintain its beautiful shape and vibrant foliage.

Overall, Acer palmatum 'Shishi-gashira' is an excellent choice for any landscape that values unique foliage, interesting branching structure, and a compact, rounded habit. Its stunning appearance throughout the seasons is sure to delight gardeners and admirers alike.

Acer palmatum dissectum, commonly known as the laceleaf Japanese maple, is a popular ornamental tree renowned for its intricate, finely divided foliage. This deciduous shrub or small tree is part of the Aceraceae family and originates from Japan, Korea, and China. It typically grows to a height of 2 to 3 meters (6 to 10 feet) with a similar spread, making it a perfect choice for small gardens and container planting.

The leaves of Acer palmatum dissectum are deeply lobed and serrated, resembling delicate lace. Throughout the seasons, the foliage transitions from a vibrant green in spring and summer to spectacular shades of red, orange, and purple in autumn, providing year-round interest. The tree's cascading, weeping habit adds an elegant and graceful element to any landscape design.

Acer palmatum dissectum prefers a position in partial shade with well-drained, moist soil. It is relatively low-maintenance, requiring minimal pruning to maintain its shape. This tree is also known for its resilience to pests and diseases. Its compact size and striking appearance make it an excellent choice for adding structure and color to garden borders, patios, and rockeries in British gardens.