Mature Japanese Maple Trees

Acer palmatum 'Ijoshi' is a distinctive cultivar of the Japanese maple, prized for its elegant structure and unique seasonal colour changes. This small deciduous tree or large shrub is native to Japan, Korea, and parts of China, but is widely cultivated in temperate gardens across the UK due to its ornamental appeal and manageable size.

The 'Ijoshi' variety is particularly notable for its deeply divided, palmate leaves that emerge in spring with a soft, almost creamy-yellow hue. As the season progresses, the foliage transforms to shades of green with pinkish margins, eventually deepening into warm oranges and reds during the autumn months. This striking colour transition makes it a favourite among gardeners seeking year-round interest.

Growing typically to a height and spread of around 2 to 4 metres over ten years, Acer palmatum 'Ijoshi' is well-suited to smaller gardens, containers, or as a feature in Japanese-inspired landscapes. Its graceful, layered branching habit adds architectural interest, even during the winter when the tree is bare.

This cultivar prefers a sheltered position with dappled shade, protected from harsh winds and excessive sun, which can scorch the delicate leaves. Moist, well-drained, slightly acidic soils are ideal for healthy growth. Minimal pruning is required, though shaping in late summer can help maintain its form.

Acer palmatum 'Ijoshi' is a low-maintenance yet striking ornamental tree that rewards with changing beauty throughout the seasons. It is especially appreciated for its subtle spring tones and fiery autumn display, bringing both serenity and vibrancy to garden spaces. In the UK climate, it performs reliably given the right conditions, making it a valuable choice for discerning gardeners.

Acer palmatum 'Jordan' is a beautiful and highly sought-after cultivar of the Japanese maple tree. It is known for its delicate foliage and stunning fall colours. This tree is an excellent choice for adding interest and texture to any landscape.

The mature height of Acer palmatum 'Jordan' typically ranges from 10 to 15 feet, with a spread of 8 to 12 feet. It has an upright, rounded habit with multiple trunks and branches that create a beautiful silhouette.

The foliage of 'Jordan' is a deep red colour in the spring and summer, and turns a vibrant crimson in the fall. The leaves are palmate and deeply lobed, giving the tree a unique and elegant appearance. This cultivar is also known for its excellent resistance to leaf scorch and other common diseases.

Overall, Acer palmatum 'Jordan' is an exceptional tree that adds a lot of visual interest and beauty to any landscape. Its relatively small size and stunning foliage make it an excellent choice for smaller yards or as a focal point in a larger landscape.

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.

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 'Orange Dream' is a captivating variety of Japanese Maple renowned for its eye-catching colour transitions through the seasons. It typically exhibits vibrant orange-yellow foliage in spring, subtly transforming to a soft, light green as summer approaches. This stunning foliage coloration is accentuated with a contrasting network of delicate, dark red veins running through the leaves, contributing to its ornamental value.

In autumn, ‘Orange Dream’ puts on a spectacular display as the leaves transmute to a brilliant gold, sometimes with shades of red, providing a lasting impression before they fall. It's a compact, bushy, deciduous tree, making it an ideal choice for smaller gardens or for growing in containers. Additionally, it’s relatively slow-growing, reaching a height of approximately 3-4 meters over a 10-year period, ensuring manageability.

This variety prefers a sheltered location, avoiding the harshest midday sun, and appreciates well-draining, acidic to neutral soil. Providing adequate protection from strong winds and extreme temperatures will help in maintaining its vibrant leaf colour and overall health. Regular watering, particularly in drier periods, is crucial, although it is important to avoid waterlogged conditions.

The aesthetic appeal and manageable size of 'Orange Dream' make it a popular choice among gardeners seeking to add a touch of drama and sophistication to their landscapes.

Acer palmatum 'Osakazuki' is a distinct cultivar of Japanese Maple notable for its stunning autumn foliage, which transforms into brilliant shades of fiery red. This deciduous tree has an elegant, rounded form and typically reaches a height and spread of 15-20 feet, making it a spectacular feature in gardens, especially in autumn.

The leaves of 'Osakazuki' are palmate and lobed, displaying a lush green color through spring and summer, before their autumn transformation. These leaves have a uniquely refined texture, enhancing its aesthetic appeal throughout the growing season.

Ideal for small gardens, 'Osakazuki' prefers well-drained, moist soils and sheltered locations to protect its delicate foliage from harsh winds. It can thrive in full sun to partial shade, but for the best autumn color, a location with more sunlight is preferable.

This tree is relatively low-maintenance but benefits from regular watering, especially in dryer periods, and mulching to maintain soil moisture. Acer palmatum 'Osakazuki' is highly resistant to pests and diseases, making it a robust choice for a wide range of landscapes. The vivid, extended display of autumn color, coupled with its graceful growth habit, renders 'Osakazuki' a coveted choice among garden enthusiasts.

Acer palmatum 'Phoenix' is a stunning deciduous tree that belongs to the Aceraceae family. This particular cultivar of the Japanese maple is a popular ornamental plant and is prized for its vibrant, fiery foliage. 'Phoenix' has a unique combination of shades of red, orange, and yellow that make it stand out in any landscape. Its leaves are deeply lobed and have a delicate, lacy appearance that adds an elegant touch to any garden.

At maturity, Acer palmatum 'Phoenix' typically reaches a height of around 3 meters (10 feet) and a spread of approximately 2.5 meters (8 feet). Its growth rate is relatively slow, so it is perfect for small to medium-sized gardens. This compact size makes it an ideal choice for container planting, and it can also be grown as a stunning focal point in a mixed border. When placed in a prominent location in a garden, the brilliant fall colors of 'Phoenix' are sure to attract attention and provide a visual feast for the eyes.

Acer palmatum 'Phoenix' is a stunning deciduous tree that belongs to the Aceraceae family. This particular cultivar of the Japanese maple is a popular ornamental plant and is prized for its vibrant, fiery foliage. 'Phoenix' has a unique combination of shades of red, orange, and yellow that make it stand out in any landscape. Its leaves are deeply lobed and have a delicate, lacy appearance that adds an elegant touch to any garden.

At maturity, Acer palmatum 'Phoenix' typically reaches a height of around 3 meters (10 feet) and a spread of approximately 2.5 meters (8 feet). Its growth rate is relatively slow, so it is perfect for small to medium-sized gardens. This compact size makes it an ideal choice for container planting, and it can also be grown as a stunning focal point in a mixed border. When placed in a prominent location in a garden, the brilliant fall colors of 'Phoenix' are sure to attract attention and provide a visual feast for the eyes.

The Acer palmatum '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 wine-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 firey orange-red, adding a spectacular splash of colour to the landscape.

Royal Garnet has a vigorous, spreading habit, resulting in the formation of a mound-shaped shrub that will look breath-taking in any type of landscape.This acer starts with an upright, dense growth habit, slowly growing into a somewhat wider shape at five years of age. 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 'Royal 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 '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 passer by. Its compact size, easy care, and stunning foliage make it an excellent choice for gardens of all sizes and styles.

The Tamukeyama Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum ‘Tamukeyama’) is a highly regarded cultivar of the laceleaf Japanese maple, celebrated for its graceful, cascading form and exceptional foliage colour. Originating in Japan, where it has been cultivated for centuries, it is prized both for traditional gardens and as a striking specimen in contemporary landscapes.

This deciduous shrub or small tree typically reaches a height of around 2–3 metres, with a broad, spreading habit that can extend just as wide. Its finely dissected, lace-like leaves are a rich crimson-red in spring, deepening to a vibrant burgundy in summer, and often taking on fiery scarlet tones in autumn before falling. Unlike some other red-leaved Japanese maples, ‘Tamukeyama’ holds its colour remarkably well throughout the warmer months, even in full sun, provided it is adequately watered.

The branches have an elegant, weeping habit, giving the tree a soft, flowing appearance that works beautifully over rock gardens, near ponds, or as a focal point in mixed borders. It is also an excellent choice for growing in large containers, where its form can be appreciated up close.

‘Tamukeyama’ prefers a sheltered position in moist, well-drained soil, ideally with some protection from harsh winds. While it tolerates full sun, partial shade can help preserve leaf quality in particularly hot or exposed sites. It is hardy in most parts of the UK, although young plants benefit from frost protection during severe winters.

With minimal pruning and basic seasonal care, the Tamukeyama Japanese Maple rewards gardeners with year-round interest — delicate new spring growth, summer richness, autumn brilliance, and an intricate branch silhouette in winter. Its enduring beauty and adaptability have ensured its place as one of the most cherished Japanese maple varieties in both private gardens and public landscapes.

Acer palmatum dissectum, commonly known as the lace leaf 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 colour to garden borders, patios, and rockeries in British gardens.

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.